Hi I am new to the forums and would like some advice about Beagles as I will be looking to buy one during the next couple of months:

My partner and I live in a 2 bed flat in London, which is 2 minutes walk from a huge public park, along with woods and a nature reserve a little further away. I am self employed, so am flexible and my partner works half a day per week, ie the dog will be left alone for no more than 4 hours per week and for the first few months I can coordinate my work so she is never left alone.. We have a second home in the Northumberland countryside 5 minutes drive from the moors, and we typically go there for 2 weekends every month.

First question is: would our home environment be unfair for a beagle?

Subsequent questions are more specific and will be moot if we don't pass the the test posited by the first question.

How much exercise would a beagle require? Would 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the evening suffice (in addition to regular toilet breaks) or is more needed?

Can beagles be let off the leash in our public park? I understand that they are scent hounds and have read that they should not be let off the leash unless in a secure fenced area. Can they be trained to come back on command and if so are there any tips on how to achieve this?


Are there any other tips for general training? I grew up with border terriers but we haven't had any since our last terrier died 11 years ago and I have no experience with beagles.

Any help would be appreciated.