Beagle Puppies - New to all this!! General Chat

Hi everyone!

I'm new to the site and my family will be welcoming not 1 but 2 beagle puppies into our home in the next few weeks

I understand some of you may think I'm clinically insane but I can assure you I'm not (totally!).

We collect our first pup (dog, Beau) in just under 3 weeks from a reputable breeder we found around 40 miles from where we live. Our second pup (also a dog) is coming from an old friend who also breeds beagles locally. The puppies are 4 weeks apart in age and are both KC reg pedigrees.

As I work on a Thurs and Fri part time (please don't give me too much stick for working and getting a dog! I know about the responsibilites etc but I am at home constantly for 5 out of 7 days and then out on a Thurs and Fri for a max. of 4-5 hours) I thought getting the 2 puppies together will prevent loneliness on those days and help them feel part of a 'pack'.

I would love any advice/info on Beagles from seasoned owners. We spent a lot of time researching dogs and meeting different breeds before finally deciding on Beagles as being for us. We are a high energy household and spend a lot of time outdoors, walking, mountain biking etc and truly feel that we can give a lot of time and energy to these dogs.

I look forward to hearing from you and meeting you all in due course.

Vics

Your plans sound good, except that what could happen is the puppies bond closer to each other than to your family. I'm surprised a responsible breeder would sell a puppy to someone who had already got another puppy very close in age to theirs-I know I wouldn't.

Beagle pups are adorable I look forward to hearing all about the adventures you get up to with your new pups


I know two puppies are definitely harder work than one, and I am sure you are aware it is wise to train and exercise/play with them separately regularly so they learn to bond with you, as well as with each other?

No advice regarding the breed from me, other than to say that try to get an excellent recall from the really early on. I am currently trying to help a family, who came up here on holiday with their two beagles, to find one of their beagles who ran away onto the moors from their holiday home and who hasn't been seen since :-( That was nearly 2 months ago now :-(

I hope this doesn't put a dampner on your excitement - and I look forward to seeing pics of your two little lads when they arrive.

Good luck with your pups. Look forward to pics and hearing how you get on

hiya ive got two beagles i got my first one 2 years ago and the second one last year - they are much better together and i think its a good thing your getting two - it will be hard though! As long as you give them very good exercise daily just walking wont be any good if im honest - they are bred for running all day everyday the best thing i did was teach them to run with me whilst i go mountain biking and in the winter when it snows we go snowboarding on the mountain!

o btw they will eat anything so watch out!

post some piccys when you can they are gorgeous as puppys and as adults xx

Does each breeder know you are getting another from another breeder??
Very surprised a reputable breeder would allow that..

Hi & Welcome.

There are lots of advantages in having two dogs, but one of the biggest I've always found is that as long as you get the training right with the first dog, the next ones that come along learn off them so your job isn't nearly has hard. Having two of the same age, you're going to miss that benefit. You may also have to face double heartache as they get old as there is a fair chance that you will loose them both close together.

If it is not too late, please think about putting off your 2nd pup for 18 months - honestly, it will be so much better for you all.

But otherwise I would say that I do know people who have had pups at the same time and that it is possible to make it work but it is very, very hard and the people I know who have done this don't have the same bond with their dogs that others who have staggered their ages have.

One pup alone is tiring, but with two, making sure they both have time with you by themselves etc. is going to be a huge task.

But if your mind is made up, all I can do is wish you luck.

Thank you for all your replies and advice!

I expected mixed views to be honest but I am very surprised about the question regarding 'reputable breeders'. :? Yes, both breeders know about the other and they are both in agreement that as beagles are pack dogs they are better off with another. We are aware it will be very hard work with 2 together but I am very much looking forward to only having to do the puppy stage once (toileting, training etc.) and am hopeful, with the effort, that this will work for our family.

I will indeed post pics when we get the boys.

Vics

Vics, the reason people have said this is because real 'reputable breeders' would not sell 2 pups or sell another pup to someone who is getting/has a pup of a similar age to anyone, no matter the breed. It takes someone very very special and absolutely dedicated to bring up 2 pups well and independent to one another. You might think you have done a good job 'til you take one dog out and leave the other home for the first time and you come back and he has shredded your sofa to smithereens or worse.

Then with them being of a very close age you have higher chance they could fight for dominance, which can be nasty.

Some dogs do indeed enjoy the company of a 'pack' but honestly, even a beagle would have been absolutely fine for a year or so on his own.

But seeing as your mind seems well and truly made up I can only wish you the best of luck with the pups and hope it works out ok. x

Thanks guys.

I do take on board all your comments and I agree, from what you've said, 2 beagles of the same age might not be such a great idea :-(

I am totally aware of the amount of work involved with 2 dogs but I'll admit I didn't know necessarily about fighting etc. Also, we've just had some news from hubby's work that might have big financial implications for us.

All things considered, I'm going to have a proper discussion with hubby tonight and talk through all your comments. We'll definately be picking up Beau in a couple of weeks but the other pups are only 2 weeks old now so if we back out now it shouldn't be too much of a problem and we can then wait 12-18 months before getting a complanion for Beau.

My main worry about only taking the one beagle was that, as I mentioned, 2 days per week I'll be out for between 4 - 5 hours at a time (unless hubby drops back home when he's passing). I thought it might be unfair to leave a puppy alone for that long? I have bought a crate as we intend to crate train but will that length of time be too long in a crate on its own twice a week?

Thanks for your help guys, it is much appreciated and I'll keep you updated on our decision

sorry but have to agree with that and emphasise ANYTHING even if you didn't think it was possible, I see what people are saying about getting two dogs together and also see your reason for wanting two puppies together.
Whatever your decision I want pics they are seriously cute
Emma

I'm so, so pleased that you have taken the advice in the spirit which it has been given and that you are now seriously thinking about it.

Its a fine balance with dogs/pups. On the one hand it is unfair to leave them alone for hours on end day after day, on the other, for their own good, they need to learn to be happy and content left by themselves for some periods.

As its only twice a week, personally I don't think there is a problem leaving the pup for this long (well 5 hours is stretching it a wee bit, but 4 hours shouldn't be a problem). But don't just jump straight into leaving him for this length of time. Hopefully you've arranged to take some time off for when you first get your pup - so you should be able to build up leaving him alone gradually.

Congratlations Vics!

I am also getting a male beagle puppy in 6-7 weeks time! Hopefully we can compare notes! Just wondering which part of the country do you live in?

Good luck on deciding whether to get 1 or 2 pups! I understand it may be a tough decision, just wondering do you have any other pets? The pup may feel comforted enough with them!?!

I'm sure you will make the right choice for you!

Amy x

Thanks Amy, I can't wait to get our pup now
We live in West Yorkshire, so a VERY long way from you! I'll def be posing pics when Beau (thats his name) comes to live with us and I'm sure I'll become a regular on here asking advice from experienced owners

And a big thank you to everyone else who has made me feel welcome and given me sound advice.

Vics

Just wanted to say well done on properly thinking it through. The time the pup is left (I agree with Hali) is more about the pup being left to his own devices for that long, even with another dog, it's the time away from human company that is the worry, another pup isn't a substitute for his owner's company if that makes sense?

Can't wait to see pics, you must be so excited!

hiya again i imagine youve read alot of things about dont let your beagle off lead! - pleasedont listen to it as long as you have taught your dog recall then its so much better for a beagle to be running around rather than walking on a lead, my two hardly ever go on a lead unless they are buy a road. but when we are in the mountains or woods they just run around all day, and they have soo much energy its unbelievable for the size of them,

i did lots of research before i got penny my first beagle i spoilt her way too much but cookie my second dog is extremly well behaved she learnt everything off penny.

and yes they will eat anything they can find even if there not hungry everything goes in there mouths they pick blackberries off bushes, sticks (which penny choked on) and alot of poo!! yuck.

they do howl alot too so be prepared for that! they howl when they meet people - its just there way of saying look what ive found - but some people can get a bit scared of it, but there the best breed of dog - in my opinion anyway aslong as they have atleast 2hours full on energetic exercise a day even if it raining ,snowing they are extremley loyal and so so cuddly. both of mine are now sleeping underneath my feet just come back from a bike ride!! - theyve made me the fittest person ever!! and i LOVE it

Hi guys,

I just wanted to post a quick update for all of you that gave me advice/information about my '2 beagle dilemma'.

After much soul searching we have decided just to stick with the one pup so that we can concentrate on raising/training him well.

Beau will be coming to us in another 13 days (and counting!) aged 7wks 5 days. Can't wait now

I think we're all prepared and have a crate, bowls, lead & collar, blanket and puppy soother (amongst other things).......Just need little Beau now!!

We are going to see how we get on with him and then look to getting a second dog in maybe 12 - 18 months.

I'm so glad I asked for advice on here and I honestly think we have made the right decision, so thank you all.

Excellent decision. One you will not regret!

I have two dogs (of entirely different breeds though) with just over a month between them in age and I won't lie to you, it is hard work. We are pretty lucky however in that the dogs are rarely left alone and get a lot of individual time apart from each other. So it certainly can work, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it to 95% of people. I would not, however, even attempt to raise two puppies of the same breed at the same time. That in many cases would be a recipe for disaster...the thought of having two Slovak pups sends a shiver down my spine.

I am glad you have come to a choice that suits you best! It must have been a hard choice but I am sure you have made the right one!

I am very jealous that he is coming home in 13days! We still have to wait nearly 6weeks for our little Monty (we finally decided on a name after vistiting the pups on Friday night)

You sound very prepared! I have also nearly got everything apart from Monty lol! Just wondering what size crate did you go for? I am not sure what size to get! Does he have a bed aswell?

I hope you can post some pics when he comes home with you!? What colour is he?