Laura Putzke - HWT Member inTexas

ease of care:       Unless they have found a 'lovely' scent to perfume themselves in, a bath once a month is usually sufficient.  Brushing is really only necessary during the shedding season.  Ears should be checked for foreign objects, like seeds etc

housetrainability: Requires a lot of patience! 100% reliability is never
assured, but with diligence, you can reasonably expect good results 90-95%
of the time.  Loves to imitate cats and walk on furniture if allowed.  Adore sleeping in beds, on couches, chairs, wherever their human sits, stands or lays.  Can be crate trained with food as a incentive.

trainability:     Smarter than you'd like them to be.  Again, patience is the key word when dealing with this breed.  They can be trained, but not like most breeds.  They worship at the altar of food and if you can convince them that what you want will be beneficial to them, they'll learn quickly.  They do NOT respond well to demands or physical punishment.  The (laughing) motto amongst beagle owners is that when a beagle is told to do something,
they ask why.  You have to discover what motivates the particular dog and
then use that in its' training.

lifespan:        10 - 13 years
size:              15 - 30 pounds
affectionate:   Very loving, attention hogging, lap sitting, kissy faced breed
standoffish:      Unusual, but not unknown.  Beagles believe that everyone
is their friend, which can lead to a lot of problems if they are not on-leash.
dominant:      Can be dominant, but with good training and a healthy
relationship they are more than willing to accept the beta role in your
life.  But if you let them think they're alpha (or dominant)  then they will
not willingly relinquish their position.  Battles could become physical  if
it is a serious issue.
aggressive:   Not normally, but if pushed or tormented they can and will
retaliate with physical harm.  But this is a worst case scenario, most beagles  will tolerate a lot because they love humans and children are their special favorites.
eager:  VERY !  They love to play and smell and run and if you happen to have fun at the same time, all the better for them.
flighty:   The beagle has a special trait that comes into play when they are
on a scent.  It's affectionately and frustratingly called "Selective Deafness".  When on a scent, a beagle cannot/will not hear your frantic calls for them to return to you.  The scent scrambles their hearing.  This is why you will very rarely ever see a beagle off-leash, unless they are in a securely fenced area.  Even then you will notice that most beagle owners are steadily watching the progress and actions of their particular beagle.
single-minded:  Beyond belief!  If they want something, you can put money
down on the fact that eventually they are going to find a way to get to it.
protective:      Only of food and laps.  Otherwise they'll invite the thief
in, show them your valuables and demand a treat for their services.  But
they will and do bark, so if you just want a vocal warning, then a beagle is
great for this.  But they are not a breed that is physically protective
stubborn:          Yes.  YESSS
possessive:      Very much so with food and some with toys.
other traits:       Beagles like to chew, shred, roll in all manner of stinky
things.  Careful monitoring of food intake is imperative, this breed will
and can literally eat themselves to death.  Beagles are not for you if you
want a neat, clean, well-behaved breed.  They live for chaos!  This breed is
an action breed and require a home where patience is  key.  They can be a
lot of fun, but they can also try the patience of a saint.  They adore play
and believe that all objects, no matter what their monetary value might be,
are to be played with, chewed on, shredded and generously distributed around the house.  Clothing is considered a great toy, so you learn very quickly not to leave items lying around.  Beagles are wonderful family pets, but they do require attention.  A beagle left alone and bored can be as destructive as a tornado.  However, with supervision, a ton of patience and a loving environment, you couldn't wish for a more adorable companion.  They love as hard as they play, but they do      require you to think as they are going to get into things you would never expect.  There is nothing they can't do, if the ultimate objective is going to please them.

Laura Putzke - HWT Member in Texas

more kid-friendly info:  Beagles and kids go together like milk and cereal!
They can be the best playmates and cohorts in crime.  Nothing is sacrosanct
to a beagle and if its fun, then they like to do it.  They are tireless in their pursuit of fun and will play with a child as long as the child can play.  And their love is unconditional.  They imitate their families.

limiting disorders: Some hip dysplesia is known.  Occasional heart murmurs.  Back problems can occur in older dogs.

non-limiting disorders: Ear problems, weight gain. Allergies to fleas, grass
and certain grains found in dog food.  Cherry eye

breed quirks: Reverse sneezing.  Sounds scary, but it usually stops after a
few seconds and can easily be stopped by placing your hand over their nose
for a few moments.

other info: Contrary to all the above information beagles are a wonderful breed to have as pets.  They are normally very healthy, active and loving
creatures.  They follow their noses and can easily become lost and can
follow their noses into big trouble. They can be trained and love to entertain people with their antics. They adore being snuggled and hugged and will happily return your affections double-fold.  They are loyal and friendly.  They can be loud and annoying.  They are not for the person that wants mindless obedience.  However, for the family that is looking for a companion to share their lives and play and active part in the family dynamics, then a beagle might be the breed for you.  Otherwise, don't even think about it.  You will either love them or you will try to find a way to get them out of your life as fast as possible.

Please contact a reputable breed rescue - NEVER, ever, buy a puppy from a
pet shop.  Why?  check out www.nopuppymills.com