May 14th, 2006 - 09:35
Personality and Temperament

When looking for a companion in your life, it is very important to    understand the personality, temperament, and traits of that companion.    For most dogs, their temperament is based on the purpose for which they were bred. Beagles are scent hounds, bred to track prey over the country side. This makes them energetic, independent, outgoing, and    sometimes, stubborn dogs, as they wish to follow something to it's conclusion. There is no difference in temperament in the two varieties    of Beagles (13 inch and 15 inch).

Beagles that were bred in puppy mills can often be extremely difficult to housetrain, due to the fact that they are kept in very unclean    conditions. When examining a litter, how clean the mother is helps to determine how easily housebroken the puppies will be. Another reason to buy a dog from a responsible, ethical breeder.

Beagles were also bred and kept in packs. This has resulted in a near    genetic need for companionship. If they don't get it from another dog,    they will demand it from you. This is not to say that a lone Beagle will be underfoot, begging for attention all the time, but they will    require a substantial amount of your time in play and companionship.    If they are not given enough stimulation from their 'pack', they will find ways to amuse themselves and this can mean trouble! The list of what some beagles have eaten/chewed/destroyed is astonishing!

Beagles do not make good 'outside' dogs, especially if you only have one. Again, they need to be kept occupied and if regularly left in a    backyard, they will usually start digging, barking, and looking for ways to get out and have fun. If you are dedicated to walking them in    the morning before work and spending lots of time with them when you  get home, they should be able to handle spending the day in a securely    fenced backyard, however, most Beagle owners keep their dogs inside    while gone. For many reasons, including possibility of theft, escape, or torment by neighborhood children/dogs, having a secure indoor place for your Beagle is the best bet.

 As stated in the frequently asked questions section, the Beagle's    independent and stubborn nature makes obedience training a necessity    and a challenge. Be sure to get into some kind of training routine early in your Beagle's life. If you attend obedience classes, make sure your instructor understands the hound personality. Beagles require a firm trainer , but not a physical one. Beagles neither respect, nor acknowledge physical force.

Beagles have loads of energy and are well-suited to someone who likes    to take long walks. Beagles can be kept successfully in apartments, however, you must be extremely dedicated in taking your dog out for    regular walks. Bred to run cross-country in pursuit of rabbits and foxes, they don't mind going for long runs. Keep in mind however,    that, you should wait until the dog is at least a year old before starting any running program and you should start slowly. Talk to your    vet for more information on running with your dog.