When are they too old to run?

[Crow]

Just let him tell you. If he is begging to go when you go get the others then take him. If he doesn't wanna go then don't. Even if you just take him & he wanders around with you then so be it. I can think of a lot worse ways to spend a morning than listening to my dogs while hanging out with an old friend. I think what everyone is saying is our old war dogs gave us years of everything they had & did it without questioning our motives. They've earned a special place be it in our lots or on the tailgate with us. Just read the signs he gives you & do what seems right & you both will be happy.

[PABeagler]

Crow,

That makes pefect sense; I know what you mean.

[steve w]

PA Beagler my vet said to me a couple of things I never will forget about beagles, one was there the only dog that would try to chase a rabbit with four broke legs the second was in reference to the to my old guy's future, I would like to die doing what I love to do.

[Donnie Durbin]

They might not be as good as they once was, but there as good once as they ever was!

[Mapel Valley Kennels LLC.]

I run with a 15 year old beagle couple times a month, still shake my head.Beagles are pound per pound pretty tuff meat.

[NCSportsman]

I'll let mine run until they show me they can't. I have an old boy that can still put it on the young dogs, he just gasses out twice as fast.

He's 8 years old now and his best days are behind him. He's been a great dog and will always have a spot in the box when we head out!

[heus]

I had a patch female that I got as a pup and the night before she turned 16 I went to the pen to take out the younger dogs and she just begged me to take her with the others, I thought for a min. that it might hurt her but then I decided that was what she enjoyed all her long life and I took her and she lasted about an hour and then came back to me. The next evening on her birthday she died, I have never felt bad about it, she was doing what God made her to do!! I would let them run until they can't! She went out a happy dog and I feel real good about it. woody

That was an excellent post!

[snowshoehareguide]

be careful running old dogs in heat,,, especialy if they are not in shape----

ive had several dogs that ran well, fall and winter at 12 - no special treatment most died at 13 --- have one now thats 11 , ..i normally run him 2 hours on warm day and 4 hours on a cool day in the summer- thats the plan--- sometimes he has his own plan,, he hates to quit
if its hot ,,,he wears a shock collar so i know i can catch him.

[snowshoehareguide]

i had a 12 year old blutic/beagle cross , he was a big fast dog and led the pack most his life ,,the last year i hunted him, would quit the chase as soon as he got behind- he would come to me and sit quietly on my snowshoes .or make a bed ,,, soon as hare was shot ,,he would go start another one---- he almost always was the one that jumped , that was his only job the last year he hunted died the next year at 13 -- he was a crazy wild dog most his life ,,, it just amazed me that he knew to sit quietly and wait until he was needed- the first 11 years of his life i would never use quiet or patient to describe him,,,