The American Beagler Forum

What is the least amount of time you would consider giving a pup in the field? My girlfriend has been nagging about getting another dog but I refuse to feed another that doesn't contribute something. The only way Ill get another dog is if she realizes there is going to be a minimum amount of time every week that is dedicated to running the pup in the field. I had beagles when I was younger and had the time to work with them but now Im pretty busy. Would you say at least one evening every week and at least (2) weekend days a month would be enough? A couple hours a week? I'd probably find a starting pen just to help get them going but after that what do you think it would take? I know everyone is going to say "the more they run the better they are" and "its in the breeding" and I know that but what would you say is the bare minimum? Its a hard question to give a complete answer to but any input is appreciated.

Thanks

8-12 hours a week is what I shoot for. 2 solo races and then a brace or small pack on weekend. With mighty few exceptions, the more time you put on them the first year the better they will be. I think you have the right idea not getting a pup unless your going to make time for it. I have a kennel limit of 4 dogs including pups and I'm pretty dedicated to it year around. Right now I have 1 adult and two puppies.

I have 2 pups that are just under 9 months old. I have ran them about 4-5 days each week since they were 8 weeks old . They run about 2 hours per day during the work week. Saturday they are usually out about 3-5 hours. Sunday they almost always run 3-5 hours in the morning and then another couple hours in the evening. They are doing great and are progressing at a level that makes me happy. I believe if i could get them out more they would be further along but i am happy. So to answer your question i think that the schedule that my pups are on is probably the bare minimum for starting pups when you dont have the help of a pen and are doing everything in the wild. If you do have older dogs or a pen then the learning curve may be shorter and you dont have to run them as much unfortunately i can only run them with older dogs a couple times per month.

Hope this helps

Thanks for all of the input...as disappointing as it is. It would be hard for me to find that much time right now. I was really looking forward to getting back into beagles. I think I would definitely look for someone reputable with a pen to help get them started since Im kind of limited on places to run as well. I don't mind driving a bit to a public place to hunt but it would be hard during the week to train pups. I guess I have some stuff to work out.

Remember that you have posted on a site for "addicts".

I keep track of the pups that I sell, and on the average most normal people run as much as you do.
A lot of families have obligations with their kids, work, spouse, etc.
Not everyone can sit in the woods for 6-12 hours a day and run dogs.

You're smart just having one dog. It will still gain ability with the little time you have.
Something to think about... maybe next season when the pup is older find a retiree that likes to rabbit hunt but doesn't own a dog.
This would give your young hound more field hours.

good luck.

If you want a pup, get one. Run it when you can, as much as you can. Enjoy your new pup. Anyone who says there are hard, set rules for training a pup is taking this all way too serious. We should own beagles for our enjoyment.

That is why we do this right? Because it is fun and we like being in the woods with our hounds? So get a pup and have a good time with it. I run almost every day but that is because I can and I enjoy it. That doesn't mean it should be that way for everyone all the time. When you get the chance run your pup and have a good time.

well said Jim.

JCM wrote:If you want a pup, get one. Run it when you can, as much as you can. Enjoy your new pup. Anyone who says there are hard, set rules for training a pup is taking this all way too serious. We should own beagles for our enjoyment.

That is why we do this right? Because it is fun and we like being in the woods with our hounds? So get a pup and have a good time with it. I run almost every day but that is because I can and I enjoy it. That doesn't mean it should be that way for everyone all the time. When you get the chance run your pup and have a good time.

You got it man. Beagles are fun no matter if the grand children are playing with them or they are chasing bunnies. Its all fun.

Thanks for all of the words of encouragement. I'm really looking forward to it. Next will be to find the right litter and even better would be to find someone in the area to run with. Like I said, I don't mind driving on the weekends to hunt but it would be great to be able to run more local during the week.

Thanks again.

Lone Pine and JCM. Well said -good posts!

Just like it takes birds to make a birddog, it takes rabbits to make a rabbit dog. Run as often as you can whenever you can. In addition to learning rabbit tricks, running often builds their stamina. There are no set number of hours or time. All dogs develop at different paces. Just enjoy your dog/pup. Life would be dull without our beagles.

All I ever get to run is about 5 hours on weekends and ive trained several pups! A pen would help get him going then a few hours a week would be plenty!

run as much as you can. i work full time and then some and have a wife and kids. i dont get near the time to run as i would like to . just do the best you can and no one can fault you for it. everyones life is different . right now i have a three and a half and a one and a half year old sons this takes alot of my time but i figure in five years they will probably want to go along and i will get more time to run . dont look at what everyone else says you have to do . just do the best you can. chances are most arnt as hardcore as they make themselves out to be.

sam