Basic Questions For Your Potential Beagle Breeder

To Beagle or not to Beagle – that is the question you’ve probably decided if you are reading this! But owning a Beagle, or any pet, means never having an end to questions. When you are trying to select a Beagle puppy, you need to ask as many questions as you can BEFORE you fall in love with the pup. In this way, you can be sure the puppy is healthy, sane and that you are compatible with Beagle behavior.

A great Beagle breeder will be happy to answer all of your questions as best they can. That way they know your chances of having to give up the dog are slim. As much as you want to know if their puppies are good enough for you, great Beagle breeders want to know if you are good enough for their puppies! Don’t be afraid to ask any question about breeder licenses, their show record or to see health certificates for Mom and Dad Beagle.

With great Beagle breeders, you should not just drive up, pluck a pup, hand over the cash and drive off. It should be a long process to assure not only a healthy pup, but for you to know what you are getting yourself in for. Perhaps the pups are not even born yet, and then they won’t be ready to be weaned until they are two months old. They should have their first shots and first wormings paid for by the breeder.

Great Beagle breeders will give you an extensive health guarantee, in writing (yes – you need a contract!) about the health of the puppy they are selling. It is illegal for them to misrepresent the health of any puppy they sell. But great Beagle breeders will not stop at just health – they will also socialize the pup, let the pup know what a house and home living is like and will even start housetraining them.

No Beagle information question is off limits – ask to see the parents and to have a tour about the kennels. You need an appointment for this, because kennels are usually on or in people’s homes. Get to know the parents a bit as personality and social traits are passed to offspring. If you are not sure, ask the Beagle breeder about Beagle grooming, feeding and what toys they prefer.

A great Beagle breeder will try to answer your Beagle information questions long after you have taken the pup home. They will answer questions helping you train your pup. If they can’t, then they should be able to point you in the right direction to find out. Great Beagle breeders also have an ethical attachment to any pup they bred. Ask if, for any unforeseen reason, you have to give up the dog (no matter what age), will the breeder take the dog back (no refund, of course!) Great Beagle breeders will – and will even put it in writing!

Michelle Adams loves Beagles and hopes to spend retirement as a miniature Beagle breeder. This author frequents dog shows and talks to many Beagle breeders about the future of the beloved breed. There is no such thing as too much Beagle information.