What to Look for in a Beagle Breeder

There are few things cuter than a Beagle puppy, which is undoubtedly why this breed has continued to maintain its reputation for being one of the most popular breeds to have as a family pet. However, with the demand for the breed comes people who are looking to capitalize on the popularity of the Beagle without concern for the health and integrity of the breed. As a buyer who is interested in Beagle puppies, it is up to you to find a reputable Beagle breeder to get your dog from.

Fortunately, there are some steps that you can take to ensure that the Beagle breeder that you purchase from will provide you with a puppy that is healthy and has a good temperament. Even if you choose a Beagle breeder from the Internet, you can ask certain questions and follow particular procedures to protect yourself and your future family pet. Keep in mind that a dog is a long-term investment for any family, and the right steps will make sure that you and your pet have many years of enjoyment with one another.
There are a number of questions that you should ask a potential Beagle breeder before you ever check out the dogs available from him. First, a responsible breeder will be willing to let you meet one or both parents of the dogs to see if they are both healthy and well socialized. Another important issue to cover with your Beagle breeder is genetic problems that tend to run in the Beagle breed. Your breeder should be well versed in the issues and should be able to provide documentation of testing for his dogs.

Ask your Beagle breeder what type of food that he feeds his puppies. It should be a high-quality dog food. It is also important to find out whether the puppies have seen a veterinarian and if their immunizations are up to date. A good breeder will provide documentation for veterinarian care as well. It is also good to inquire as to when the puppies will be released to their new homes. Puppies that are younger than eight weeks should generally not be taken from their mother.
If you decide to investigate Beagle breeders on the Internet, there are some precautions that you can take here as well. First, never restrict your communication with the breeder to email only – at some point you need to have a phone call to ensure that the breeder is legitimate. It is also a good idea to see what the location of the breeder is from his website. If he does not provide a location, or he asks you to send payment to a different state or country from the one listed on his website, you will probably want to find a different breeder. You can also request a signed contract prior to the purchase of the puppy that will help to protect your interests if the breeder does not deliver what he promises.

By following some basic procedures and doing your homework, you can protect yourself against unscrupulous Beagle breeders that are more interested in making a quick buck than they are with the betterment of the breed. This will help to ensure that you end up with a happy, healthy puppy that your family will enjoy for many years to come.

The importance of finding reputable Beagle breeders cannot be overstated, and this author can help to guide you in the right direction in the process. Articles like this one will give you the tools that you need to interview, evaluate and select the best Beagle breeder for you and provide all the Beagle information necessary to raise a healthy family pet.