Tuesday, July 22, 2008

The Beagle Puppy

Have you ever looked into the beseeching eyes of a Beagle puppy? With those eyes full of expression and ears that never seem to stop, it is hard to resist a litter of these adorable creatures. But if you want to be the responsible owner of a Beagle puppy, you will need to do your homework before you ever bring one of these furry critters home to meet the rest of your clan. While there are plenty of good reasons to make a Beagle puppy your next family pet, there are a few challenges that you should be prepared for as well.

Like any new pet, Beagle puppies will bring their share of fun to the mix; there is work involved with raising any young animal. While Beagle puppies tend to be friendly and intelligent, the breed can also be stubborn and energetic – a potentially dangerous combination in a 15-30 pound dog. You will need to be ready to invest time and energy into training as well as caring for your new pet. But when that time is taken, the result can be a family pet that everyone will enjoy.
Beagle puppies are bright and inquisitive creatures, which one would assume would make them a delight to train, right? Not so much, actually. Beagles are actually quite stubborn and their curiosity can get them into trouble on a regular basis. Because of this, your Beagle puppy will need to begin training about the same second that you set him down in your home for the first time. Establish the house rules early, because if you give a Beagle an inch, he will most certainly head for that mile.

In many cases, you can begin the process even earlier by learning how to choose the right Beagle puppy for you. If you are getting your Beagle from a breeder (and those looking for a Beagle puppy should!), you will probably be facing a litter of pups from which you must pick one. There are some guidelines to follow to ensure that you do not end up with the most aggressive or the shyest dog of the bunch. By selecting a dog with a moderate temperament, you will find that your training process will go a bit smoother.
The best place to find a healthy, happy Beagle for your family is from a reputable breeder. However, finding yourself face to face with an adorable litter of Beagle puppies may make the selection process seem close to impossible. Some helpful folks might suggest allowing your puppy to select you, but that process usually results in bringing home the boldest of the bunch. Those types of dogs are not always the easiest to train.

Shy dogs are also not a good choice for most, since fear can cause some of these pups to have a snapping issue. Stay away from those Beagle puppies that run from you or approach with their tails between their legs, no matter how tempted you are to take one home to “bring him out of his shell”. There is a good chance that you would not succeed. Some breeders can help you with the process of selecting your dog as well, if you let him know what type of pet you are looking for. By selecting the best dog for your family, you have made the first step in a successful relationship with your new pet.

She loves the breed for a variety of reasons, and can’t imagine owning any other kind of dog. Since the author understands the importance of education and preparation when it comes to raising Beagle puppies, she has provided information for prospective Beagle owners. Articles that educate prospective Beagle owners about how to train, care for and how to choose the right Beagle puppy are invaluable to the preparation for adding one of these dogs to your family.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Beagle Puppies Live For Fun

When the topic of discussion turns to beagles, the names of some of the most famous beagles always come up. The best-known beagle puppy in the world is not even a real dog; it is Snoopy from the "Peanuts" cartoons. It is perhaps the popularity of this fun loving dog that has brought resurgence in the breed’s popularity, making it a sought-after pet for families, especially for those with children.

The beagle puppy has an even temper and docile nature making it an ideal companion for kids and its non-aggressive behavior can allow parents to feel more comfortable having it around youngsters. The early months are important in the development of its ability to quickly adapt to new families as learning to socialize with others can be done during its first months in the presence of other puppies. After proper social skills have been learned, a beagle can quickly meld into a family unit and become a true family member.
Some may describe the beagle as a bundle of energy looking for a place to release it all, but all they really need is a chance to run and jump a couple of times a day to be ready to take their place in the house. Very few owners of a beagle puppy will even consider allowing the dog to remain outdoors, and even fewer beagles would be willing to do so. Although originally bred centuries ago to be hunting dogs, due to their extraordinary sense of smell, the beagle is equally happy to search for things around the house.

They are easy to train except for one fault. They have a short attention span and can easily head off in another direction if a new scent happens to cross their path. While willing to work with their owners of new behaviors, their ingrained desire to hunt and track makes them easily distracted.
This ability to track scents has made them valuable employees of several government agencies, as well as with avid hunters. A beagle puppy can be trained to help search for contraband in some very tight spaces where larger dogs have no hope of being able to fit. Airports often use the beagle for baggage inspection, as their small size does not intimidate children and most adults. Their use is property searches continues to grow with every successful mission.

Many times imports are quarantined when they enter the company until they can be inspected for suspect goods. Agricultural products may have an item in them that cannot be allowed in and trained beagles are often used to help find such products hidden inside a shipment of otherwise acceptable goods. The beagles is also known for its tenacity in tracking down a scent, usually refusing to give up until its source has been isolated or the scent has been lost completely.

Beagles are known for their intelligence as well as needing a little nudge now and again to keep them on the right path. Most folks agree that there is something special about the temperament of beagle puppies and their ability to learn. Their desire to please their owners show in their willingness to learn new behaviors and then show them off. One of the toughest aspects of having a new animal is choosing what to call it. Since the breed is so loyal and full of spirit, it can be somewhat difficult to choose appropriate beagle puppy names to suit their individual identity.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Learning To Train Beagle Puppies

When families are looking for the ideal pet, they may want to consider the beagle for its size, disposition and ability to get along with others, including people. Provided they are appropriately socialized as puppies, the beagle is considered an excellent pet for families with small children. They make friends easily and once they feel as though they fit into the human family, they are exceptionally loyal.

Their seemingly unlimited energy does require sufficient exercise and for that, they will need room to run. Having a large area for the beagle to run free is important for those looking for a beagle puppy for sale, although having access to an exercise area for the puppy will be sufficient. They do however, need to get out and run, otherwise without proper diet and exercise they may tend to gain too much weight. A healthy diet should be controlled, especially if they will be stuck in an apartment for most of the day.
Most children appreciate the size of the happy beagle, which grows to between 13 and 16-inches at the front shoulders and rarely will they weigh more than between 18 and 35 pounds. Their size is less intimidating to young children and they appreciate the friendly demeanor of the beagle breed. As the puppy joins the family, they can quickly become acclimated as a member of the family and are willing to learn new behaviors and then show off what they have learned.

There are a few health issues that are common among the beagle breed but finding a beagle puppy for sale from a reputable breeder should minimize the chances of buying a beagle that is in ill health. Most beagle owners will treat their dogs like a member of the family and provide excellent healthcare, but to insure a new puppy has had all the needed medical care as they matured, finding one from a qualified breeder is often recommended.
One average the beagle can be expected to have a life expectancy of about 12 years, which is typical of this size dog breed. However, the breed does have a tendency to develop thyroid problems and if not able to receive appropriate exercise can become obese, especially if they have a sedentary lifestyle. Epilepsy is another common problem, but if caught early in the dog’s life can be kept under control with medication.

When looking at a beagle puppy for sale, there are a couple of things that can make its health condition obvious. A condition known as Chinese Beagle Syndrome can make its eyes appear slanted as well as it having underdeveloped outer toes. Although this affects its appearance, it will have no bearing on its overall health. Having crooked legs indicates another ailment, known as funny puppy. This can also cause the animal to have a crooked back and make it susceptible to other ailments.

This author often offers their expertise in helping families find beagle puppies that will meet their needs for a great pet. While a beagle’s immediate health may be a concern for some folks, those who study the docile nature of the breed will accept and love the dog regardless of its health. When a family is buying a new pet, there will be certain beagle puppy supplies they will need and by noting information from careful research, the puppy can have everything it will need in its new home. Having someone with the right experience as well as understanding of the breed can help all families make an informed decision on their new pet beagle.

Beagle Information