Is the beagle the right breed for me?
Beagles are pack dogs. A hierarchical order must be warranted in packs or larger groups. Exactly from this highly social order beagles are well suited to live in a family, they are child friendly, open and loving. The education of a beagle is different than of a shepherd, collie or poodle. So please, before you start thinking about to fall in love with a little floppy ear - think about what kind of person you are, what do you expect from a dog, how do you imagine your living together? We are glad if you visit us before the decision and you can experience the beagles in flesh - so you can really get an idea what to expect later.
The basis of the functioning living together is a consistent education.
Am I ready for a beagle?
Getting a puppy into the house should never be a spontaneous decision. Puppies may be so cute, they do not belong under the Christmas tree and are not spontaneous birthday gifts. The fact that the children are after a dog, may indeed be a nice idea but the purchase of a new family member is part of a joint decision of the whole family. If you have decided on a beagle, it must be clear to everyone, a dog will determine your everyday life for many years (with luck to 13+ years).
Does a beagle fit in my daily routine?
If life is very stressful and the adults are strongly involved in their work, the children may still be too small to be responsible for themselves, it may not be the right time for a dog. We may not generalize, but it is always better to discuss everything openly and find a solution together, bring to light possible points that could later be a problem. Although an adult dog needs plenty of rest during the day, it is not recommended to leave a dog alone for more than 5-6 hours a day - the beagle itself is not the simplest dog in terms of staying alone. Nowadays it is increasingly possible to take the dog to the office - or to do home office. But you also have to remember that the dog has to learn how to behave while working. Are there other family members, friends or neighbors who can take care of the dog? Is there a possibility of hiring a dog sitter?
What is the housing situation?
Before buying a beagle you should also question whether your own living situation is compatible with the dog's attitude. If you live in a rental apartment or house it is necessary to clarify in advance, whether owning a dog is allowed by the landlord. It takes time for a puppy to become a calmer, more adaptable adult dog. A beagle needs a fair amount of exercise - an adult beagle can make a difference between a weekday less busy or a weekend full of action. A beagle can also be happy in a city apartment. The beagle is not a garden gnome - he is not a dog to be hold outdoors!
Are you ready to accept cuts in the cleanliness of your home?
Beagles shed once a year. From January to December. Despite the greatest care one must arrange with dog hairs everywhere in the apartment, on the clothes. Although beagles are self-cleaning and they rarely need to be bathed, they will always come home with wet or dirty fur and leave their mark. They are low-maintenance concerning grooming thus they need to be regularly brushed in order to keep their shedding in hand.
Does anyone have an allergy to dog hair?
Anyone who is allergic to dog hair should refrain from buying a beagle. Also, this should be clarified for safety's sake before purchasing the dog. Nothing is worse for everyone involved if you have to bring back your dog after a few weeks because a family member is allergic to animal hair. We also stand by in such a case, but it is best if we do not come to such a moment and the topic is also discussed before the purchase.
How do you want to spend your holidays in the future?
If you decide to take the beagle on vacation, you should choose a destination that will do the dog justice. You have to clarify in advance, if the hotel or the apartment accepts dogs. You also have to check the entry conditions for dogs in the respective country and inform yourself about the dangerous travel diseases. If you like city trips or spontaneously book a last minute holiday, it is better to clarify in advance how the dog will be looked after during your absence. In general, we are always ready to take our puppies to our home for holiday care. For the puppy families who live in our area, we can also offer day care as support. Nothing is impossible, but it should be well thought out before the puppy moves in.
Can the family pay the running costs?
The purchase, even of an "expensive" beagle from a breeder is the lowest item. It must be clear, the too cheap offered puppies get usually not the start in the life which the beagle needs. Before you spontaneously pick up a puppy from a trunk, you have to consider, you buy yourself a living thing. It is not the papers that make a dog "expensive" but if you add everything together until it comes to the point where a breeder gets puppies, then you will see, the prices which seem to be high are hardly enough to cover the costs. A breeder saves neither on the mother nor the puppy. They only get the best and then you don't even count the countless "overtime" the breeder spends next to the whelping box and with care and rearing.
One should figure out what costs incur as dog equipment, high-quality food, dog tax, insurance and veterinary costs during a dog's life.