Should you get beagle puppies?

It’s a fact – beagle puppies are extremely adorable, cute and friendly. They’ll melt your heart instantly with those warm and innocent eyes. Their cheery demeanor, outgoing personalities and cuddliness, will have you sold the first time you set your eyes on them.

But wait! Before you take this merry little hound home, have you done your puppy justice of knowing more about the breed? Are you merely judging a book by its cover, without knowing the consequences?

Well, behind that sweet innocence is a fiercely active puppy. Hyperactive, as some would say, and potentially destructive too. Some beagle puppies can even be noisy, especially when left alone for extended periods of time. It’s true – beagle puppies CAN drive you up the wall.

The history of the Beagle

Beagles were bred as hound dogs, helping hunters sniff out rabbit trails. Thus, this descendant of Foxhounds and Harriers, has one of the most excellent sense of smell in the canine world. The long pendant ears of the beagle work extremely well to prevent the dog from being distracted by noises. This allows the beagle to concentrate fully on the trail he’s after.

How does this affect the temperament of beagles today?

With their hunting background, Beagles are no doubt active dogs. They need space around the home to run about in. Therefore, if you are living in a flat, apartment or condominium, then this breed is not for you. Due to their size and activity level, they need a garden or at least a medium size home to move around in.

What about beagle obedience?

Their excellent sniffing ability tends to get the better of them. They stop paying attention to you when they are hot on a trail. If your beagle escapes from your compound, it probably won’t return home on its own. You’ll have a hard and painful time searching for him.

In addition, their short attention spans make them less easy to train as compared to other breeds. However, this does not mean that they can’t be trained. Owners need to be patient, and willing to spend their time on dog training.

Being firm and starting training lessons from an early age are also plus points. In addition, some Beagles seem to have the ability to pay attention more than others, so you’ve really got to know how to interact with your beagle puppy. In the end, a well-trained Beagle is an excellent dog to have!

Companionship and attention

Beagle puppies are pack animals. They tend to get lonely if left alone for too long. However, they are loyal to their masters, although they are less likely to be clingy (unlike toy dogs or lap dogs). Their self-absorbed nature means they don’t want to be left out in any activity you are getting into.

It’s always a good idea to get two beagle puppies, especially when you no one’s at home most of the day. It’ll be fun though when you see them at each other’s necks to get your attention! At times, this can get really physical!

Beagle pranks

Now, this is the part where MOST people aren’t aware of.

Beagle puppies can be very destructive, although they grow out of this when they are about 2 years old. If you let them, they can chew almost ANYTHING. Let me list you the things Clifford has chewed or ripped:

• At least 10 pairs of shoes and slippers



• Wall paint



• Grass



• The metal grille



• Ripped out my car’s rubber bumper guard (about 5 feet long!)



• Ripped out car horn wires located near radiator, twice



• His favorite bone



• The garden spade



• My neighbor’s garden canvas



• The dog basket

To control this, I would strongly recommend that beagle puppy owners get a cage for their puppy. Otherwise, your puppy will probably wreck everything around your home!

Now, do you still want to get a beagle puppy?

If you look at all the stuff your beagle puppy has bitten, and still forgive and love him or her after that, then Yes! You should get a beagle puppy.

It takes a sense of humor to live with beagle puppies. Their pranks can be both destructive and amusing at the same time. In fact, Beagles have this ability to get away from being punished with their guilty and sorry looks!

Finally, getting a beagle puppy as a pet is a long term commitment. It’s always a great idea to talk to beagle owners and to understand them better, before you make a decision.

Most importantly, NEVER buy a beagle puppy as a present for a friend or a child. It wouldn’t be fair to the beagle puppy if its new owner decides to give it away later.

Click this Beagle FAQ for more information on the beagle!

Is it possible to train Beagle Puppies?

If you have had beagle puppies, you’d agree with me that you can have a stubborn, mischievous and thoroughly active puppy. In fact, if you have two of them, they can literally keep you busy the entire day. It’s normal if your beagle puppies are at odds with one another. Being self-absorbed, they can be jealous if they detect your slight preference for one over another.

Many beagle puppy owners wonder if there is even a “remote” possibility that their beagles CAN be trained. This hyperactive pooch seems to have a mind of its own, and being obedient is definitely not one of this breed’s virtues.

1. Use the right training techniques

Based on my personal experience, this is important. Dog owners with no knowledge of dog training, tend to teach dogs from a human perspective. Then, frustration kicks in when the puppy doesn’t seem to understand what its owner wants. Finally, the owner gives up with the belief that the beagle just doesn't have it in him to learn.

The truth is, dogs have different learning styles from humans. A dog learns when he does something voluntarily, with food or dog treats used as incentives. For instance, overturning your puppy with your hands in a bid to teach him “roll-over” doesn’t work. You will just frighten your poor friend.

However, the right way to teach roll-over is to first teach your puppy the “down” command. Then, hold a dog treat with your hand over your puppy’s head and slowly move the dog treat in the direction where you want him to roll over to. At the same time, say “roll-over” to familiarize your beagle with the command.

If you are serious about training your beagle puppy, check out these training resources, made ESPECIALLY for beagles!

Beagle Care & Training E-course Package

Beagle Dog Training

2. Use food as reward

Beagles in general have one thing in common – their love for food. Of course, if your beagle puppy doesn’t seem to adore food as much, you may try changing your food to another brand that is more appealing. Emily (of Jessie, as she is now named) seemed to have no liking for the food we fed her. However, her new owners have discovered her affinity for fish-based dog food. Getting your beagle puppy interested in its food is important in getting him or her trained.

3. Make it hard-to-get

The next step is to get your beagle puppy to pay attention. When in training, use toys or props that are only accessible during training time. This creates that “I want it even more now that I can’t have it” mentality in your beagle puppy. Thus, your beagle puppy is more likely to focus so that he or she is able to get that elusive toy in the end.

4. Start them young, if possible

Puppies have an affinity to please their masters. Use this to your advantage by starting training sessions as soon as they are paying attention to you. As I bred six beagle puppies, Clifford already learnt to sit at 5 weeks old.

5. Give praise and be firm

Try not to dote over your beagle puppy. Many beagle puppy owners do this, and end up with a disobedient dog that thinks of its owner as a peer. If you want to successfully train your beagle, you’ve got to show him or her that you are boss. You are the pack leader and your beagle puppy has to listen to you.

Nevertheless, praise your puppy when he has done right. Also, be generous with your treats, and give him a reward IMMEDIATELY for each trick done right. On the flip side, be firm (but not fierce) to correct him when he has made a mistake.

6. Be patient and have fun!

Beagle puppies are fun-loving canines. So, if you make training feel like a game, your puppy would be more than happy to join you. Be excited about your training session, and your beagle puppy will be too!

Also, it takes lots of patience to train beagle puppies. They don’t always get it right the first time, and it may take several sessions or even several days or weeks before your puppy will get it right. The good news is that it is always easier to train beagle puppies than dogs. Watch my beagle training videos here! Have fun!

Beagle Training Videos

Training Clifford the beagle has been interesting, easy and fun. Eager to learn, he sits and waits for my command and responds in anticipation of food. Watch these 2 videos and be inspired! It is possible to train a beagle to be obedient!

Watch as Clifford jumps through the hoop!




See how Clifford fetches the ball, rolls over, stay and come when I ask him to!

Claire's home stay in December 2007

Claire's owners put her up for boarding at our home for several days in December 2007. It was fun having her around! She made herself at home almost immediately, and loved the company of the other dogs.

Murfee was a little vary at first - she probably didn't understand why there was another puppy in the house! ("Oh no! Another puppy? Clifford is already driving me crazy!!!") Clifford was overly friendly, and just wanted to play the entire time. We tied him to the grill, and let Claire stay in his cage. But I think he didn't sleep the entire night (he has never slept anywhere else other than his beloved cage)

So, the next night, we placed both of them in the cage. Even though a little cramped, they enjoyed each other's company a great deal. Here's a picture of Clifford and Claire together again.

When her owner came to pick her up, Claire was thrilled. She recognized the whistle her owner used to catch her attention almost immediately!

Clifford looked a little sad after Claire left. After all, she's the other other puppy he has known that WANTS to play with him. The other dogs just find him an utter nuisance, and avoid him whenever they can. I guess we will bring him to visit Fritz later, and see how his brother has grown!

More pictures of Claire during her stay:

Claire biting a shoe. Clifford does that too - A LOT!

Dog greetings - that's how they get to know one another :)

Clifford's early puppy days

Clifford posing for a picture (He responded to the command "Stay") :)

The largest in the litter when he was born, Clifford was immediately distinguished from the rest of the puppies. I guess his prominence was accentuated by his sleek black fur, much darker than the rest of the puppies. He obviously had an ideal location in his mummy's womb, even before he was born.

Hence, the name Clifford. His demeanor was silent, steady and watchful. He looked us eye to eye when we carried him, unlike the rest who usually wiggled. For all we knew, he was observing all the hustle and bustle around the home, the other puppies, and of course Murfee and Tobie. All the information he collected and processed through, leading to his obvious superiority in behavior.

He didn't play as hard as the other puppies, he learnt to poo at the right place after meals when he was only 3 weeks old, and he came over when we called him when he was 5 weeks old. Clifford followed me at my heels, as I walked in and out of the porch. He didn't run haphazardly around like his brothers and sisters. He would sit down and look up at me when he knew it was meal time.

Again, responding to a command. This time it's "Down" and "Stay"

Standing out from the crowd, Clifford was never overly playful or bashful. He did play, was not too lazy, but he has his limits. This was probably why he didn't mingle that well with the rest of the puppies - they were always wrestling or biting one another. Sometimes, Clifford got caught in the crossfire and he fought back. Nevertheless, his cool demeanor was always kept. At 6 weeks old, he already learnt to sit and come. We thought he was brilliant and have decided to keep him as our third dog.

At 8 weeks, he started to get a little vocal. In fact, he started to display signs of being able to make the Beagling howl - a half bark and half howl sound that only Beagles can make. Tobie had never made such sounds, and has never been overly noisy. Clifford would now bark whenever it was time to eat. Sometimes, he would bark after dinner when we placed him back in his cage. Our discipline came in the form of a rolled up newspaper which made a loud noise but was not hurtful to the puppy. He usually stopped his complaints after one session of discipline. That's good for a beagle.

We have decided to train him regularly and now he knows: Sit, Down, Come, Stay, Roll over, Shake and Beg, although not perfectly. This book we bought - 101 Dog Tricks - has shown us great methods to train dogs that we would never have thought of. It's amazing how the right approach in dog training can speed things up. Our target is to teach Clifford at least 20 tricks. I think he will be able to do it. I will upload videos on this once Clifford gets them right!

Emily's found a home!

Emily's owners saw her photograph on this blog, and decided that she was the puppy for them. Her new name is Jessie, and she now has a large compound to run in. While we had thought she would whine on her first night, she surprised her new owners and didn't complain. We were surprised too!

Anyway, here are some pictures of Emily in the car waiting for her masters to take her home. We'll miss her, and hope there will be an opportunity to see her again. Her master has just told me that she loves belly rubs and has an affinity for carrots!

Emily: Where am I? How do I get out?

Emily's owner mentioned that Claire is also a beautiful puppy. The reason why he selected Emily was because our pictures of Claire weren't that good. In fact, they took a while to decide between Emily and Claire while they were at our home. So, to make amends I'm taking new pictures of Claire and will upload them up in my next post.

A little background on Beagle behaviour

After talking to numerous people, I've finally come to realize that many people are not too familiar about how life with a Beagle is like. With their dopey eyes, droopy ears and friendly nature, beagles are perceived to be adorable, lovely and sweet. While that's all true, and they do melt my heart, Beagles are also very active dogs, mischievous at times, intelligent and cheeky. They have a mind of their own, and may or may not listen to their masters consistently.

To me, that's what makes life with a Beagle most interesting. They make you laugh and smile at times when you are down. And they sense they are needed when you need a friend. However, part of the package also includes times when they bite your shoe and end up looking very guilty about it. During these times, you may feel your blood boil and that Snoopy needs to be taught a lesson. And you should - by firmly reprimanding your dog. A firm "No" with a grasp at the back of the neck should be enough.

The fact is, we can't entirely blame our dogs for their behaviour. While we need to correct them for this, there is no guarantee that your dog won't repeat the same mistake. At this point, it is up to you to take preventive measures - Can you stop placing your shoe at a place where your puppy can find it? Can you lock up your Beagle puppy in a cage when you are not at home? Can you buy a dog chew toy instead? (Picture of Claire Doo on the right)

Beagles are utterly intelligent canines. All the beagle puppies in our litter (only 6 weeks old) have already learnt that they need to poo on the grass area whenever they are outside. I was amazed at how fast they picked that up! Clifford has somewhat learnt NOT to put his paws in the bowl while eating. Emily and Penny has managed to open the door of the crate FROM THE INSIDE when we were not at home. While they had explored the house, it was a good thing they didn't bite any of the wires. Tobie, their mom, has also figured out how to open the cage from within. We have since then stopped locking her in the cage, else she will let all the puppies out!

Another trait of Beagles is that they love attention. They need you to talk to them and pat them, although they are not overly clingy like some other breeds I've seen. Beagles are loyal friends, and would readily sit next to you for brownie points. The most amusing thing about my Beagle is her ability to "pose" when she hopes to get treats from us. All this cuteness has managed to earn her some significant extra food over the years. Interestingly, they seem to have the innate ability to get on your good side especially when it's to their advantage.

I would not say that Beagles are good guard dogs. All my Beagle has ever barked at were cats and dogs passing by our home. They may be vocal at times, but that would be to get YOUR attention. Unlike Miniature Pinchers, they DON'T bark non-stop. They may make that half-howl, half bark Beagling noise, but Tobie has rarely done that.

Ideally, Beagles should be raised in a house, not an apartment. Although they are small dogs, they are very active, and need to run about in the compound. Sometimes, my dogs have been caught sunbathing in the midst of a blazing afternoon at 3 pm! Beagles can be kept inside the home, and they can be toilet-trained, but they should be let out into the yard whenever possible.

Cages are necessary for a Beagle, for their safety as well as yours. Due to their docile and friendly nature, there have been cases of Beagle thefts right from the home. Caging them also prevents them from biting on stuff around your house, and also from escaping. Unlike other dogs, Beagles are easily distracted by their noses (Beagles have an excellent sense of smell) and aren't inclined to return home once they escape. They are just too distracted by the smells outside of their home!

Finally, Beagles are great for young couples, or families with children. They love kids and look forward to playing with them too. Of course, I've never seen a child who does not adore a Beagle. Nevertheless, young children should not be wholly responsible for the daily care of a Beagle. Ultimately, the dog becomes part of the family, and the adults need to care for the dog just like any other family member. Dogs are a commitment for at least 10 years and we must be ready to be responsible for them for the long term. (Picture of Emily Doo on the right)

Just pictures and captions!

Milo Doo napping

A box of beagle puppies!

Let's sleep now....

Let's Explore!

Clifford Doo posing

Claire Doo napping

Mommy feeding us

One-week old beagle puppies nursing!

One of the most amazing things about Tobie was her instinct to care and protect her puppies after they were born. We never knew that she had this in her.

As she laid down at her side, tired after her night-long ordeal with going in and out of labour, we observed as the entire litter whined for milk from their mother. Frantic and concerned, we prepared our own milk replacers for the puppies, and tried to feed them via a small puppy feader bottle. Surprizingly, these pups weren't too interested in what we had to offer. Obviously, they preferred mom's milk.

Tobie kept busy during the first week of being a mom, feeding and cleaning her puppies regularly. As her owners, the loving Beagle we had just a few days ago was no longer her. There were no more Beagle poses, no more relational pats, and no more playing games with Murfee, our other dog. She looked to us only to let her out, or as her source of food. Her personality changed overnight, and her priority now was obviously her 6 adorable puppies.

Of course, the upside to this was that we hardly had to do much cleaning, except to change the newspapers and the sheets we had for them. Tobie took care of all her puppies' needs. Diligently, she woke them up with gentle nudges when it was time for a meal, and licked them clean thereafter. Newborn puppies needed to be stimulated to poo and pee.

Diet-wise, Tobie seemed to have lost weight although we fed her 3 times as much, and provided supplements of milk replacer, calcium and Nutripet. Obviously, all her puppies are well-nourished and active. They are growing up fast and twitch when they sleep. It has been a different scene each week, and their features and personalities are starting to surface.

Physically, they had been all born black and white, (brown tones in beagles start to emerge as they grow up). Gradually, parts of the black on their shoulders and face are turning tan, just like their mom. We have even named them! More pup personality tales in my next post!

6 Adorable Beagle Puppies!

17th May 2007 - These 6 beagle puppies were born through Ceasarian section. Tobie Doo, our 5 year old Beagle weighing only 9 kg before being pregnant was considered a small Beagle to be carrying 6 pups. Thus, this was really a surprise to us! Moreover, this was already her 65th day of pregnancy, and she was already late. (The expected gestation period for dogs is 63 days).

Throughout the night of the 16th, we waited the entire night for Tobie to go into labour. After just a mere whine and squeak at about 10 pm at night, probably signaling the start of the contractions, nothing happened till the next morning. Her water bag broke about 11 am the next day, and after several hours of waiting without any progress, we finally took her in to the vet.

After an hour of surgery, we were delighted when the 6 puppies were presented to us in a box, collectively making high-pitched whines. Amidst fears that Tobie would not recognize her own pups, she surprised us once again when she lovingly let them suckle milk, even though she was still in pain from surgery. She placed her paws as much as she could on them, and pulled them close to her to protect them from the cold. Truly, we never expected Tobie, our mischievous Beagle to be motherly. In our eyes, she has always been our puppy friend.

Throughout the next two weeks, Tobie has been relatively protective over her puppies, although she has never been fierce with us. We were allowed to pick her puppies out, but she always kept a watchful eye. If we held on too long (like over 2 minutes) , she would come over and grab them back with from us. She could hardly carry them in her mouth, but she tried nevertheless.

I still remember the first week when she was hardly out of the puppy pen, a box we made for her, feeding them every few hours. As the newborn beagle puppies hardly whined, we knew that Tobie had done a good job being their mother.

Read my new posts, as I relate the different personalities of this litter of beagle puppies!