Beagle
Height: 33cm - 40cm
Weight: 8kg - 14kg
Average Price: £500-800
Living with a Beagle by member Danabanana
Owning Teagan is... interesting! She is almost 15 months now, I've had her since she was an 8 week old ball of fluff. She's a pedigree tan and white beagle, not been spayed yet.
Health problems
From my research before I bought Teagan, beagles seem to be a pretty hardy and healthy breed and I've had no problems with her until just before Christmas. She had two fits and is currently trying out medication, I need to take her back to the vet this month to see how it's going. BUT - I don't really think that's a breed-specific problem.
Exercise
The reason I decided on a beagle! She doesn't NEED hours and hours of exercise every day, 2 or 3 20minute walks is usually the very minimum she'll get. But she is much easier to deal with if she's had more. I usually take her to a field near us for a run around off-lead for an hour or so on a morning, quick walk around the block to wee at lunchtime then an on-lead 50-60minute walk on a night before bed. As I type this we've just got back from the field (there were other dogs to play with today) and she's happily snoring her head off in her bed.
They are stubborn
Errrr, yes that's true I can't argue with that! But you just have to be even more stubborn. Beagles are certainly not un-trainable but I had her from 8 weeks old and started on day one. Toilet training did take a little longer than with my parents' 2 labradors but she cracked in in just over a week. She knows the basics sit, down and all that jazz. Not very good at 'stay', she's too fidgety! I taught her the put toys away in the box trick too. Proud Beagle Mom.
You can't let them off-lead
True, her nose rules her world but I swore I would never confine a dog to on-lead walks for life! I let her off lead from being a pup and she'll never have collie-like recall but we manage. If I have lots of treats and there's nothing more interesting over in the corner...
They are sociable
Yes! That's why I love her! Bred to hunt in packs she loves to be the centre of attention. She loves people, she loves other dogs, she even loves my housemates' ferrets. She just has such a great attitude, she loves everyone and everyone loves her.
Chilled in the house
Another reason I went for a beagle, they are supposed to be laid back and chilled in the house but ready to go at the drop of a hat when you are. Puppyhood has been hectic but i am starting to see a bit more of this side of her now which is nice.
They are 'challenging'
Indeed, silly me wanted a challenge and I damn well got one! I have 'beagle for dummies' which sums it up pretty well "this book is written to help you survive your beagles puppyhood - I don't think there is anything we could say that would help you enjoy it!" I was prepared for a 'difficult' puppyhood and adolescence but blimey she has tested me.
Food
Beagles are often on the seafood diet - they see food they eat it. But it doesn't actually have to be food. She'll eat anything. I took batteries off her last night. Thankfully they have strong stomachs. I feed her a raw diet and watch what she eats because they put weight on pretty easily. And she'd eat till she popped if I let her.