Need some help

Another question, yet again....[]

When you say that beagles need alot of exercise... would a 20-30 minutes 5 times a week be enough? Do they need other kinds of exercising such as long walks and "nose-scavenger-hunt" games?

And, do beagles get along with other pets? I know that bassets are, but got no idea about the beagles...[]

Thanks,
Jonathan.

EDIT ADDITION: I've read that beagles doesn't like being home alone, and like said above, it will have to stay home alone for 5-7 hours a day, 5 days a week... Is that a problem?

Ooh, I love that test! Norwegian Elkhound was one of my top 5 choices. I never expected that to even come up.

hmmm....according to that test I guess I have to return my greyhounds and get a snoodle!  []

Every beagle I've met has been wonderful with other dogs.  I'm not sure if it's the breed - or the beagles we've had/met but every one has been a complete sweetheart.  They are truly lovely dogs.
 
My mom's current beagle can go get slippers, play fetch with the ball, will bring his food bowl when he's hungry and plays with his stuffed bunny in the house.  He's such a cutie.  Plus they're a nice size.
 
My mom exercises him a lot - and more knowledgeable beagle people will be able to help more... The dog will need daily exercise though.  I find the more they're exercised the less "annoying" they can get.  Games like "hunts" in the house are great and I use them often in the winter when I can't bear to be outside as much as my guys need to be!
 
It will depend on the dog how they do on their own - however I recommend a crate while you're not home.  That way you know the dog is safe and you don't have to worry about them eating your couch or pulling up the linoleum floor. 

I am sure that if we will love the dog (and of course we will love it, we won't take a dog we don't like) taking care of it won't be a trouble, but fun...

 
Well, I wouldn't go that far. I love my dog to pieces but that doesn't mean I wasn't almost in tears taking him on his 6th potty walk of the day, in the pouring rain, and he just wouldn't go... point being, work is work. It's worth it when you love your dog, but that doesn't necessarily make it fun or easy! Just something to keep in mind.

Thanks again y'all, I think I'm falling for the beagles...

The only not-so-good thing I've read about them is that they need alot of exercise, and that's the main reason I consider getting a basset and not a beagle... If you guys had to choose between them, what would you choose?

Thanks,
Jonathan.

I have found that the test [linkhttp://www.ckc.ca/en/Default.aspx?tabid=112]posted[/link] to be very inaccurate. I selected "no time for grooming" and based on my choices, the results were...
 
1. Basenji
2. English Toy Spaniel
3. Norwich Terrier
4. Pomeranian
5. Mini Xoloitzcuintli
6. Standard Xolo
7. Toy Xolo
8. Border Terrier
9. Chinese Crested
10. Pekingese
 
5 out of 8 breeds(I'm counting all the Xolo's as one breed) are totally inappropriate as they require grooming. So if you are basing your decision to get a breed based on the ones selected by this test, you aren't going to get an accurate reading. Here's a test that many have claimed to be accurate. Clicky [linkhttp://www.k9country.com/perl/dogBreed.pl]here[/link] to check it out.

Beagles do great with other animals and people.  Mine will literally get in my guinea pigs' cages after I clean them to lay down next to them and clean them.  It's so cute.  But she has been with them since she was a pup.  Mostly, beagles are fine with other animals (unless your a rabbit, lol) and love being with the family.
I believe that if they're exercised enough before you leave, and is left with a Kong or something it will be ok for a while home alone in a crate.  But be sure to let them have a potty break right before you leave and when you get home.  Also, don't make it a big deal that you're leaving or else it can lead to separation anxiety.
 
Training is a must with all dogs.  Beagles have problems with the come command because they are rather independent and will follow a scent for miles.  My cousin's beagle got out following a scent and ended up in a shelter 50 miles away.  They are VERY food motivated (which helps a lot when training) and never know when to quit eating, which is why so many are overweight.  Beagles have high problem solving skills as well.  Mine will open cabinents, but baby locks work fine, but she won't do this if she is exercised for the day.  I also must stress on the importance of obedience classes.  Although I know how to train my dog basic obedience the same way as the instructors, I take every dog of mine.  It has many benifits, a well trained dog, stronger relationship with them, socialization, working with distractions, etc.
 
Before you bring a dog home, be sure to have your house ready for the dog.  And have your vet see the dog before you bring it home- that way if it is sick, you won't be bringing it home to your other pets (if  there is a disease that could get to pets)  and if it did have something like parvo (my dog had it too, sorry about your loss) although it mainly happens to puppies, you can get it on treatment ASAP.
 
Although your last shelter pup didn't work out, don't give up on shelters in general.  Some of the best dogs I've met came from shelters, including my own.  The dogs in the newspaper that are  looking for homes often end up here.  Also, have you tried some local rescue groups?  They'll try to match you up with the perfect dog.  The only problem I see is that you're looking for a dog for a present.  Your sister must know this, and understand that it will be a family dog (I assume since I doubt she'll be the primary caretaker of the dog) and everyone in the family must be in on getting a dog, which it sounds like they are.
 
Good luck!

I'm not a beagle expert, but I'm not entirely sure that 20-30 minutes walk 5 times a week will be enough (maybe a beagle owner will be able to answer this question?).
Also I've heard that beagles are rather vocal! You might want to make sure that your parents are okay with that also.
 
This basset I told you about was already given away, so now I got no idea where I could find and andult basset, any ideas? I have seen 1 basset for sale, a 3 year old male, but I think that a well-treated basset would be mad at his previous owners and wouldn't like his new ones... That's why we prefered the non-treated basset...
 
Also keep in mind any dog that hasn't been well treated may often come with a few behavioural issues that you might need to work on (which will require additional time/care/training). Most dogs will cope fine with a change in owners, after they adjust- as long as they are looked after properly, of course!
 
I think it'd be a good idea to keep looking in the local shelters/rescues for dogs- you might find the perfect one for your family there!
 
 

ORIGINAL: Vinia

I'm not a beagle expert, but I'm not entirely sure that 20-30 minutes walk 5 times a week will be enough (maybe a

I think you didn't understand me, I meant 20-30 minutes of jogging 5 times a week in addition to the regular walks...
I will keep looking, thank you all for your tips etc...

Later,
Jonathan.

EDIT: erl, Just took your test, no dog fitted perfectly. The best match was a Basset with 90%. Still prefer the beagles especially for look, do you think it would be too hard to take care of one?

do you think it would be too hard to take care of one

 
Have you ever taken care of a baby?  Taking care of a puppy is not too much different, in regards to the demands of the creature.  They need a lot.  If you do some reading and research, other than a forum...like books written by animal behaviorists, and trainers, then you will perhaps get a clue about what you would be heading for here.   
 
When you first bring home a puppy, you need to know how to nurture but also to train him/her, in a way that will shape your pet into a family creature.  When the wrong kind of "training" happens, or neglect of puppy happens, then you will be setting your family up for problems. 
 
If you are going to school, then whomever is at home, will be the primary caretaker, trainer.    It is unfair to bring a pet into a situation where it won't recieve the care/ unconditionally...- say you don't like it when it makes the mistakes it will make-   Dogs in general are outdoor animals.  Cats can be content indoors, most to all of the time.... 
 
Beagles were bread for hunting.  They love tracking and running, howling...catching bunnies!  They are smart.  I do not see a beagle living in an apartment happily...nor most other dog species.  I have had many different types of dogs, including two beagles. 
 
Jonathon, I truly hope you will be picking up a book about this before taking the big leap and huge responsibility of owning and caring for a dog.  Taking on this responsibility is really a family affair.  Others in your family, need to know how to do so much as well as yourself.  It is anticipating a ton of work and finding good ways of teaching your particular pet, and then tiresomely doing it. Those first six monthes are very demanding!!  Dogs are like people, yet they are quite different in communication, and how to teach and train them and their development is fast but concentrated.  In apartment living, it will be most demanding, as you don't have a gate that you can just let him/her run outside to relieve itself...
 
Loving dogs is not enough.  You have to understand the dog.  He is not going to be understanding your language in the way that another person understands your language.  Consistancy, trust, calm reliable care is a huge requirement in training your dog...As this effort is constant, your pet will show response to your ability to be an owner. 
 
CARE of a dog is very big.  Do you know how much work this will be?  Do your parents know what responsiblity this will be for them?  An 11 year old is not going to be primary care-giver, nor are you if you are going to school...how old are you?  
 
Pick up some books about this.  Also, crate training is helpful if done correctly, and never used as punishment or time outs- very big mistakes some folks make.
 
Educate yourself and your family, first.  Then decide if you want to do all of this work which is required for a happy family and happy pet! 
Best wishes...
[8|]

Hey dogslife, in return to your question, I am 15.5 years old.

5 days a week, 6 hours a day the dog will have to be totally alone (both my parents are at work and me and my sister are at school). That's why we prefer an adult beagle than a puppy. You said that beagles won't be happy in an apartment, Can you think of any hound that will be fine in an apartment?

There aren't many dog books available in here, we have a few but I find the internet much more informative...

Do you think a basset would fit better to apartment life?

Thanks yet again,
Jonathan.

I don't know how much help I'm going to be, but we have two beagles who live across the street from us.  They have a huge yard to run and play in together.  As far as I can tell, they don't get walks, but they do get the play time in the yard as much as they want (there is a doggy door so they can come and go as they please).  They are always together.  They are also extremely vocal.  ANYTHING will set them off.  They are the nicest dogs, but they are definitely lucky we don't mind all the barking.  I don't know how well that would go over in an apartment with all the noises in the building.  Just my [sm=2cents.gif].

Hi Jonathan! 
 
I think it is admirable that you want to get your sister a puppy for her birthday.  I just cant see a hound dog in an apartment!  Maybe if you got an old one.  If it were a rescue dog that wasn't with alot of behaviors difficult to deal with.  One that lived in an apartment and is used to being indoors.  Hounds make noise.  Music to some ears, but not to others!
 
Is there anyone living near to you that has successfully trained a dog for apartment living?  In European cities, folks have do this.  Not sure how fun that is.  And usually you see that they are small little lap dogs, that they can easily pick up and carry around for easier mobility crossing busy streets etc....
 
Maybe you could try working at a shelter for a time and learn a lot about these things.  Is that doable?
 

Hey dogslife, I think it would be better to get an adult dog just like you said.

Well, I think I'd drop the beagle idea for now. A basset sounds better, and I know about a couple of apartment-dwelling bassets.

" Is there anyone living near to you that has successfully trained a dog for apartment living?" Our family's best friend has a really big wolf dog who lives in the apartment, they have a small yard but it isn't fenced. Whenever they let him be there alone he makes a run for it and they find him a couple of days later...

" Maybe you could try working at a shelter for a time and learn a lot about these things.  Is that doable?" I don't think it is a possibility, school begins soon and this year (11th grade) is going to be the toughest one of all... I am supposed to finish most of the subjects next year so 12th would be a piece of cake[][]