Doesn't the cuteness factor get all of us when a beagle looks at us with those big brown eyes and when we touch those silky, soft ears?
Yes, I am one of those and the model here is my own adopted beagle, Bailey!
I lucked out with Bailey, adopting him at age 3 and not knowing much about his former life except that he was owned by a family who moved and couldn't take him with them; that he spent his days outdoors alone with a bark collar on and that after spending time with him, by his reactions, realized that someone had certainly threatened him or beaten him.
I say 'lucked out' because beagles are known for their cunningness at being Houdinis or escape artists, for chewing, digging, barking and baying.
Bailey is quite the mellow guy. He's content to go into his opened-door kennel on his own (we call it his 'man cave'), he's content to have a nap in the lanai or outside in the grass, he enjoys his Florida sunshine moments or sitting in the shade under his 'gecko tree' watching the goings-on in the street, he's not a cuddler but wants to be as near to one of his humans as possible. We are able to leave him in the house totally unattended and not have anything destroyed or chewed up. He will bark if he is startled or sees a cat or dog on his property or in the street or hears a noise in the dark. He doesn't require constant attention; he just wants at least 1 exercise time in morning and evening.
What are some of his antics?
-He will go into our walk-in closet and at random times, mess up all our shoes. We laugh at this, because when asked, he looks all-guilty and practically turns himself inside out then rolls over in submission mode.
- He has been known to 'mark his territory' inside other's homes (I was mortified!) when he's smelled other dogs there and he has also done it in a dog-friendly store.
- Sometimes within minutes of receiving a new stuffed toy, he'll pull out all the stuffing. At other times, they last for months.
- He is food, bed and toy-possessive when other dogs are present. Not so much of his own stuff but of theirs!!
"Toy, what toy? I didn't steal anyone's toy" Asleep, but not in his own bed
-When he knows we are preparing to leave the house and not take him with us, we can usually find him here: under our bed. Sometimes it is only a paw or his tail that sticks out.
Some Beagles are high-energy, suffer separation anxiety, can destroy a house in a few minutes in your absence, will dig up your back yard, your flower garden and underneath the fence, run away any chance they get etc. These are some of the reasons beagle owners surrender their dogs to shelters. The real reason though is that they did not first sit down and count the personal cost in time and attention that having a beagle would require and to arrange to receive proper training for themselves and for their pet beagle.
I encourage all perspective pet owners, before they allow that tug on their heartstrings to provoke them into taking a puppy or a dog home as a pet, to research that breed of dog and discover if they/their family would be a good match together. And then if they do bring that puppy/dog home, to spend the time and money for training.
If you are having behavior issues with your beagle and have even let the thought of giving it up or away cross your mind, please reconsider and look into this course:
Also, take time to search for a beagle meetup group in your area or an online forum so you can discuss issue with others who may be able to help resolve those issues so that you and your beagle stay a happy match!
Suggested Links:
Beagle Photo of The Day
We Love Beagles
Beagle-icious
Beagle Owner Forum
Beagle MeetUp Groups
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