I am consideration getting a beagle pup within the next couple of months & I was wondering if anybody had any advice regarding which sex I should go for? I have a young son of 5 who is lively but respectful of animals. Are there any issues that I should consider? I have heard that bitches are less likely to wander but I'm unsure of the reliability of this.

Good luck in finding a well bred beagle pup on demand!, most breeders have waiting lists for their puppies and i doubt you would find a reputable one that would let a puppy go at christmas time (being as thats 2 mths away!)
Might i suggest you contact a few breeders and ask about future litters and the cost of a puppy [i think you might be suprised at that bit!] i know i like to build up a report with my prospective new owners and like to meet with them even before puppies are born so i can see how they interact with 'crazy' beagles.
Why dont you join the forum, its easy and free! then you can ask as many questions as you like!
regards
Pauline

I have only got a girl beagle and she is very sweet until she had her first season then turned into the demon beagle when she went into phantom.  She is better now but it was not nice at the time.  I personally prefer male dogs for this reason.  I dont personally believe people can generalise as every dog is a individual. 

Beagles are not the easiest of dogs.  They have been known to dissappear for hours on end mine has only done this once but it was very scary at the time.  They are quite destructive for a small dog and can be very stubborn.  They are very loving and my kids adore ours to the point she is a prima donna.  I would read as many books as you can and perhaps go along to a few dog shows to speak to beagle owners before buying. 

As Pauline says if you are thinking of buying one in the immediate future it would be best to contact some reputable breeders in order to get a nice one.  The price for a good one is high but long term it could work out cheaper than buying one from a unreputable source.  I wouldnt swap mine for the world and totally adore her but there are times when she would make Ghandi swear ;)

They have extra strong jaws for their size. My boy rips up new dog toys in about 20 mins, but he is soo lovely. He is a really cuddly boy, great with kids and loves nothing more than licking your ears. Sometimes though he can be a bit over affectionate to cusions and so on if you know what i mean. Talk to some breeders about their dogs, they could generally tell you about how affectionate their pups usually are.mines a sweetie, but aggreeing with tts there have been occassions when he has made my language blue.

Mine is in the dog house!  She was very quiet yesterday and has eaten my lovely display cabinet.  I am sure if anyone else owned that dog she would have been murdered by now. ;)

Regarding the problem with cushions I have noticed lucky has a beagle boyfriend and he always tries to mount her!  :)

touching lots of wood when i say this, Merlin has only chewed a flipflop and the wire of an unplugged dvd player,(all my wires are behind a unit so he cant get to them, Oh had moved the dvd around and plonked it down on a low side with the lead on top). Mind you if we were any less vigilent i am very sure he would have chewed loads more. Is yours a thief? If we want him to take tablets we tell him no and he pinches them, he keeps me very tidy as if it moves merlin has already pinched it, so everything has to be put away at all times. He is also a counter and bin surfer so is only allowed in the kitchen at certain times and is supervised. Arnt they the funniest dogs though? How is yours since her phantom and did you try that website?

She is a lot better now thank you.  We are attempting a companion show with her tommorow but the fierce side seems to have dissappeared and my baby is back. 

She is not really food motiviated at all.  She is blanket obsessed thought and has her own one to chew now.  Socks and as our house is full of pine she loves to eat that given the chance.

Still havent got around to signing up for the other site as it involves using Yahoo which means getting hubby off his bum to help as he has all the passwords ;)