To Beagle or not to Beagle - that is the question you’ve probably decided if you are reading this! But owning a Beagle, or any pet, means never having an end to questions. When you are trying to select a Beagle puppy, you need to ask as many questions as you can BEFORE you fall in love with the pup. In this way, you can be sure the puppy is healthy, sane and that you are compatible with Beagle behavior.

If you can’t go to a pet store, go to one of the many fine Beagle rescue centers that have purebred and Beagle mixes for adoption. The only reason you should buy a Beagle puppy from a Beagle breeder is if the breeder is in the local area or if you plan on showing and breeding Beagles. Beagle information sites usually don’t mention the long wait and high cost of getting a Beagle puppy. However, you are assured of a healthy, sane, purebred puppy with “tech support” from the breeder.

In the excitement of looking for a puppy, you may forget to ask some important questions. Write the questions down if you have to. It is okay to first contact a Beagle breeder via email or phone instead of visiting the kennel.

Perhaps the pups are not even born yet, and then they won’t be ready to be weaned until they are two months old. They should have their first shots and first wormings paid for by the breeder.

Don’t be swayed by all those big brown eyes looking at you. You really should write the questions down before visiting any Beagle breeder. It is all right to first contact a Beagle breeder by email or by phone. But they should not sell you a puppy right on the spot. There’s something fishy about that. For as many questions as you can think of to ask the Beagle breeder, he or she will ask you ten!

No Beagle information question is off limits - ask to see the parents and to have a tour about the kennels. You need an appointment for this, because kennels are usually on or in people’s homes. Get to know the parents a bit as personality and social traits are passed to offspring. If you are not sure, ask the Beagle breeder about Beagle grooming, feeding and what toys they prefer.

Also ask if the puppies will be registered with the AKC. If not, then they should be less than $1000. If you still have some doubts even after your visit, check with the agriculture department of your state to see if that kennel has ever been cited for health or business violations.

Great Beagle breeders also have an ethical attachment to any pup they bred. Ask if, for any unforeseen reason, you have to give up the dog (no matter what age), will the breeder take the dog back (no refund, of course!) Great Beagle breeders will - and will even put it in writing!

Tags: Dogs

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