Adopt A Beagle: Goofy Floppy-eared Friend, Is This the Dog For You?

Adopt a Beagle   by Glenn Anderson  |Published 09-16-2022

Beagles are lively mates for both children and adults; they are small, agile, and robust. This kind of dog is happy and playful, but because they are hounds, they may also be obstinate. Hence, they need patient, inventive training methods.

Many of the magnificent little fellas have been accepted into loving homes as a result of their popularity.

Photo of a typical Young Beagle

Consequently, due to irresponsible breeding and inexperienced adopters, many of these furry friends now find
themselves confined to shelters.

Today, you have the power to make a life- changing difference for a Beagle, but you need to be conscious of these factors before making an adoption decision.

Adopt a Beagle:  Understand These Beagle Factors Before Making That Decision

Before you make that final decision to adopt a beagle, consider these characteristics and how they will affect your lifestyle.  The most successful dog adoptions are those between owners who are well informed and mesh well with the needs of a particular breed.

1. Understand the Typical Characteristics of a Beagle

A Typical Young Beagle Running towards the camera.

Beagles are hunting canines, so bear that in mind. When you are aware of how a beagle's mind functions, you can take the necessary steps to meet your puppy's physical and mental demands in order for them to develop into a well-mannered, contented, and joyful adult dog.

A Beagle, for instance, is extremely curious and will prowl around due to their natural hunting instincts. They simply make the best pets!

If you’re currently looking for a suitable pet - whether it be a Beagle or another breed - you can check out PuppyLists for advice on welcoming, caring for, and naming a new pet.

2. Beagles Are Expert Evaders

A Young Beagle has his nose to the ground, sniffing like other scenthounds

Beagles and Houdini are a natural comparison. They can find a way out of lawns and even crates.

For this cause, you must make absolutely sure that high fences are used to securely encompass your yard. If you can't do this, keep a tight eye on your newcomer to the family to prevent wandering.

Additionally, if you intend to use a crate, be sure to choose a reliable product.

3. Exercise Negligence Has Negative Effects

A young beagle is swimming in a pond

Beagles are normally very well mannered, but if they don't receive proper activity, this may change. They naturally want to roam around since they have a limitless energy level and an eagerness to hunt.

Spend some time playing and walking with your newest best friend. Unwanted behaviors, including biting, leaping, and chewing, can result from inactivity.

It can also result in health problems, including obesity, which has a long list of potential side effects.

4. Take the Puppy Inside, but Keep It Understated

A Beagle Dog resting inside on a rug

Don't immediately go crazy and smother it in affection. You must allow it time to become used to its new surroundings.

In order for pup not to feel overwhelmed, ask any children to sit quietly and then let the puppy come to them.

Keep a watch on the puppy, take it outside to the designated bathroom area as soon as you notice it sniffing, and praise it when it uses the restroom.

5. Don’t Overfeed the Puppy With Food or Treats

A Young Beagle is stealing food from the table.

Bear in mind that Beagles are particularly needy animals. Don't start by giving in to that endearing expression and give the beagle more food because it lacks the ability to recognize when it is replete.

Additionally, help ensures that all food is stored out of the way and placed in a container that is tightly sealed since your pup will enjoy the challenge of discovering a way to get into a food container. The best part is that Beagles are extremely aroused by food, giving you a fantastic training tool.

6. Pick the Right Food

You need to start feeding your pup the best food from day one. Select a food item with the words puppy or growth on it to ensure that the puppy is getting the ideal amount of protein and calcium for growth.

Verify if stated meat, like beef, chicken, or lamb, comes in first on the list by carefully reading the description on the food packing.

This indicates quality because the specified meat is the main component. Avoid foods that feature meat-by-products and grains as key ingredients because these are the less nutritious components. Switch the dog to adult food after a year.

7. Raise Your Dog to Enjoy Being in a Crate

A beagle dog is confined to a small enclosure.

The puppy will naturally have the desire to seek refuge in a den, thus the crate will become its preferred spot to rest and feel secure.

Place a blanket that smells like the puppy's mom in the crate to start, and put treats inside as well so that the pup will go there voluntarily and link it with nice things.

Feed the youngster inside the crate as well. Feed first while keeping the door wide open. Once it enters on its own, close the door for a short period of time, then open it and then thank the puppy for being so polite.

When you can leave the pup alone for a maximum of five hours at a time without it becoming unhappy, gradually increase the length of time the door stays closed. When you're not around, put music on for your puppy. He'll feel safer as a result of this.

More about Crate Training

8. The Presence Of Other Dogs

Group of four beagle puppies in front of a white background.

Beagles enjoy being around their pack of friends the most. Those who have been considering adoption but have been hesitant since they already have furry family members at home, will greatly benefit from this.

You'll be relieved to know there is nothing to be concerned about. Nevertheless, it's usually a smart idea to watch over the initial interactions between new dogs.

9. Taking Good Care Of Your Puppy

A Young Woman posing with a litter of young Beagle puppies

Plan to take your puppy to the doctor at least once every 6 months. It's crucial to routinely take your dog to the veterinarian so that any issues can be identified early.

Providing your dog routine preventative healthcare treatments, including flea, heartworm, and tick pills is another aspect of providing for their needs.

10. When Your Dog Becomes Dirty, Bathe It

A young beagle puppy getting a bath.

Avoid giving your dog baths too often, and watch the water's temp. Bathing frequently would dry up its skin.

Use a light shampoo, such as one containing moisturizing oatmeal.

Never use human-grade products on dogs since the pH of their skin differs from that of humans, and the people's shampoo will have an abnormally drying impact.

More on Bathing Your Dog

More on Grooming Short-haired Dogs

Size of Beagles

The Beagles are medium sized. Beagles come in two different types. The smaller kind often measures 13 inches or less and weighs below twenty pounds, whereas the larger variant typically measures 13 to 15 inches and can weigh up to twenty to thirty pounds.

More Information on Beagles

A Beagle's sweet, beseeching look and dark brown eyes are impossible to resist.

Their hound characteristics, which are curious, determined, and food-focused, more than balance out their qualities of outgoingness, happiness, and love.

They also have multiple separate voice patterns, including bark or growl, a half-baying howl, and a baying howl, albeit they are not really yappy dogs (a bark that sounds like a panicked bay).

Generally, they only use the half-howl sounds when they see their prey or decide it's time to awake the residents around 6 a.m. Because they are pack animals, they typically interact well with people and other animals, and they view everyone as their newfound best buddy.

The Beagle is a scent hound, which is the most crucial fact to understand about him. His face is constantly lowered to the earth in quest of an intriguing trail to explore, and its nose is probably the most significant component of his physique.

Beagles are exceptionally adept at detecting scents because they have a lot more scent receptors than people do—roughly 220 million as opposed to about 5 million.

Beagles can thrive in apartments due to their petite size and gentle nature if their owners are ready to take them on multiple lead walks throughout the day, in all types of weather conditions.

They require a lot of exercises, ideally an hour a day. Beagles might become aggressive if they are neglected and left unattended. 10-15 years is the average lifespan of beagles.

Adopting a Beagle Pup

Research is necessary before deciding whether to adopt or buy a new beagle puppy from a breeder. Fortunately, there are a lot of resources available to aid in your search for a rescue or breeder that provides beagle puppies that really are healthy and from legal sources.

Becoming a responsible dog owner requires understanding what to expect when purchasing a beagle puppy. It's up to you to be ready for an active and sociable addition to your family, whether you choose a trustworthy breeder or intend to adopt.

Locating a Breeder of Beagles

Research is the first thing you should do. There are a lot of puppy factories that screen respectable breeders online, but sadly brings out a lot of online frauds too.

Be aware and participate in discussions about getting your potential furry member of the family on various web forums, including social media.

Ask questions, plan to meet the mommy or parent dogs, and trust your instincts. When you meet a breeder, if anything doesn't feel right or if the beagle puppy appears too appealing to be true, there's probably something fishy going on.

For more information, please check out the Complete Beagle Breed Profile.

Adopt a Beagle:  Conclusion

Although Beagles can make wonderful pets, beagle dogs need a lot of care and training and may not be the ideal breed for you.   

In order to properly care for a beagle pup, you should make a commitment to providing the puppy with the attention, exercise, and mental engagement that beagles require, along with the fundamental care that all puppies require.

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Adopting a Beagle:  Characteristics and Considerations:  A Pin Image

Adopt a Beagle:  Author Bio

Glenn Anderson has been a freelance writer for years. A pet enthusiast and a flag-bearer of organic eating, a fitness freak, and obsessed with all things food, plants, and animals. He also loves writing and discussing things that make him happy.

About Janice (author and voice behind this site)

Having lived with dogs and cats most of her life, Janice served as a veterinary technician for ten years in Maryland and twelve years as a Shih Tzu dog breeder in Ohio.

Her education includes undergraduate degrees in Psychology with a minor in biology, Early Childhood Education, and Nursing, and a master's in Mental Health Counseling.

She is a lifelong learner, a dog lover, and passionate about the welfare of animals. Her favorite breed for over 50 years has been the Shih Tzu, but she has also lived with poodles, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, beagles, English bulldogs, carin terriers, and a Cocker Spaniel.

When not writing, reading, and researching dog-related topics, she likes to spend time with her eight Shih Tzu dogs, husband, and family, as well as knitting and crocheting. She is also the voice behind Miracle Shih Tzu and Smart-Knit-Crocheting

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