who is 13, and the youngest. Can anyone advise me whether this is a good dog to have. She adores dogs and walks many of the neighbours. She is confident and very loving to them. What are the downsides to owning a beagle as they look the ideal pet

I think it depends if you are in US/Canada or UK as to how well a beagle works out for family life. In the US, they're bred for being more family oriented, whereas in the UK, they're really close to their working origins and don't make the best of pets. US beagles also tend to be smaller.

Note and not picking on anyone: I hope the desire for beagles does not grow just because of the popularity of the new Star Trek series: Enterprise :( The captain has a small cute obedient beagle. I've already been asked by some about the breed just because of the 'face time.'
Sara

Hi Sara
Also it was a Beagle who was the *Hero* in Cats & Dogs the movie. I worried then about a boom in demand. :)
Nicky

You're right, I forgot about that one. Cute film.. but at least it's not on the tv every week. :rolleyes:

we to have had a rush in beagles at work ! people don't actually realise how stubborn, and hard work they can be, they are fine in the right hands I suppose but the latest people I have seen haven't a clue !! I do fear a trend starting some where near you too !!!!!!!!!!
p.s guest try a boxer they are fAB (I may be slightly biased though !!! :d)

Check into the sheltie. In my oppinion they are a great breed. And if your daughter is interested in obedience or agility training they are one of the best and excell in it.

I was horrified when a friend of mine (work colleague) bought a beagle bitch puppy from the Puppy Farm Outlet while out on a day out! Oh she was a lovely puppy I heard ... then I heard she was hard work ...then that she wore her out .... then that she had a mind of her own ... and now, thankfully, that she has been rehomed through Beagle Welfare. I am not saying that nobody should get a beagle, but the guest is right to try and find out as much as possible about the breed before committing. Not an expert, but I always tell people to be aware of the dogs hunting instincts which .. unless you are an experienced or very quick to learn owner, can be exhausting. Saying that I rehomed some ex experimental beagles (hush hush to where they came from) and all new owners say they are perfect! (Beagle Welfare helped too)

I 'rescued' two (American) beagle/smooth fox terrier mixes after their mother was shot long ago. They made wonderful dogs for the 18 months I was able to own them, but I think the terrier addition smoothed the hard headedness out a bit. Very independent, yet sweet dogs. I trained them, but have to admit thinking back, they were the most difficult of all of my dogs to do so and it had to be reinforced constantly moreso than my others. :rolleyes:

They needed lots of exercise in the woods. I did a lot of short distance running around the lake in the middle of the night (shift worker) I could tell which was closer to her beagle hunting style vs. the terrier style. Squirrels didn't stand a chance :D :D Beagles have a very carrying bugle 'bark'. If you're in a neighborhood, the echos make it louder. Something to think of.
regards
Toodles

I just remembered an example of how literally hard headed these two were. I came home from shopping one afternoon when they were about a year old. When I finished putting things away, I collapsed in front of the tv.

They both jumped up beside me. While absently petting Shasta, I felt a tiny hard bump exactly between her eyes on a white patch where her tri colors met. She didn't really care that I was touching it. No bother at all. On closer look, it was round and moved to the touch. I pressed harder, the skin opens, and out pops a metal BB pellet!!!!! Someone had held an air rifle to her head and shot her!!!! I had only been gone an hour!!! Even though I asked the neighbors, no one knew anything :rolleyes:.

A month later we moved, just as earlier planned. Still, this dog took a shot to the head and it didn't phase her at all. Never had an attitude problem towards people or any other manifestations of what happened to her. :rolleyes:

I am looking after my boyfriends sisters 4 year old beagle at the moment and I can totally agree on what a handful they are! She isn't allowed off the lead as she is a proven escape artist, once they are on a scent, thats it! She can be very disobedient and a little destructive. The bark is another thing, oh and the fur on the carpet! She's also very sweet and likes a cuddle and lots of play.

Nicky
xx