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The
Beagle is truly an excellent dog when looking for a
family pet. Considered intelligent, healthy, and
gentle, this breed does great with children of all
ages, along with other pets. The Beagle loves to
cuddle, go for walks, and play. Keep in mind that
while this breed has so much to offer, it can be a
little on the stubborn side so when it comes to
training, you want to be patient. The most important
aspect of buying a Beagle is to understand
what to look for. Otherwise, you are taking the word
of the breeder, which could be good or bad.
Obviously, you want to start your search with a
reputable breeder and then talk to at least three
before choosing your puppy. If you are unsure where
to find a breeder, check with the American Kennel
Club, any number of Beagle clubs, and even your
veterinarian. While you may receive some great
recommendations, the choice comes down to you, which
is why you need to know what to look for, along with
the questions to ask.
For starters, the puppy should look compact, sturdy,
and strong. You should notice the puppy being
active, curious, and loving. Typically, a healthy
and well-bred Beagle puppy will have alert and even
tempered characteristics. While you want the dog to
be active, you want to watch for any signs of
timidity or aggression. In addition, if you notice
the puppy shying away or hiding, this could be a
sign of a sick puppy or one with a bad temperament.
Do not make the mistake that you can take the dog
home and turn it around. The truth is that perhaps
you could but there is no guarantee.
As far as appearance, the head and skull should look
powerful but not overly coarse. Make sure the puppy
does not have any frowns or wrinkles, that the skull
is just slightly dome-shaped, and that the tip of
the muzzle is well defined. If possible, you want a
puppy with a black nose. Now, some puppies will have
lighter noses that change but finding one that is
black is the preferred choice. The eyes of the
Beagle should be hazel or dark brown in color and
relatively large but not overly prominent.
One of the physical characteristics of the Beagle is
the soft, long, floppy ears. However, look for ears
that have a rounded tip, fine in texture, and come
down along the cheek area gracefully. For the mouth,
the jaw should be strong with no over or under bite.
The shoulders of this breed would be laid back and
the forelegs straight and upright. Then for the
hindquarters, look for muscular thighs. Even in
puppies, you can see the muscle definition.
Next, the tail of the Beagle should be somewhat long
and strong. While you want the tail to be carried
high, you do not want it to curve down over the back
of the dog, which would be considered a flaw. For
the coat, this would be short and thick and coloring
is not an important factor since this breed comes in
so many colors and color variations.
Keep in mind that if you were purchasing the
Beagle puppy to show or use for field trial,
then following these guidelines would be crucial.
However, if you just want a good, loving family pet,
then you have a little bit of leeway. The most
important thing is the health of the puppy, along
with early socialization. A reputable breeder would
have various certifications done by a veterinarian,
have the puppy current on initial shots, and have
spent quality time playing with the puppy so it is
accustomed to being loved and handled.
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