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.

dont see why not if you make sure it goes out for wee's and stuff, and sounds like you both have the time.
and dont see why you cant let it off lead you will need training i know a few beagles that all go off lead,
i start with a long line when they go to far i stand on the end and call them back with treads and fuss.
find a good training class as well
beagles are lovely dogs i would have one any time
which part of london are you in if you are near muswell hill i would go to john uncles training school, well infact i do

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www.carolscaninecare.co.uk

thanks for the prompt response. We live in East London beside Victoria Park so Muswell Hill isn't that difficult a drive; it all depends which nights and what times the classes are.

Also could you let me know how much training classes typically cost?

thanks again

he does his in a course the first is £60 then goes down to £40 for the next course
the first class is a 7pm on mondays then the next class is on the same night at 8 pm
but he also does day classes on the monday
held at the vampires football club coppetts road
his been doing it for years and years one of the top trainers around.
his contact detail and stuff
*** London Canine Training Establishment ***

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www.carolscaninecare.co.uk

thanks for the info

no probs your welcome
these people who say you can let curtain dogs off is rubbish yeah might take bit more hard work and training but you can
ive seen him sort aggressive dogs out within 10 mins his really good

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www.carolscaninecare.co.uk

is it like a 6 week corse carol?

Beagles are one of the more difficult breeds to teach recalls to, they are intelligent, but just when you think you've cracked it, they remember they are a beagle. Until you are sure you've got a reliable recall, keep the pup on a long line, so you still have control.

hi We have friends who have a lemon and white beagle she is beautofull very friendly and great with people and kids and other dogs , BUT and there are buts and this doesnt apply to all Beagles , she is nearly 2yrs still messes in the house , is stubourn isnt easily trained ,and they tried the off lead thing and she went missing for 3 hours , she legged it out of the park and a neighbour found her at the bottom of thier road and took her back . I love the bread and would have one tomorrow but they arnt always the easiest dogs , A long extendable lead in parks could be used but this does restrict them to the lenght of the lead . They can be trained to recall it just takes longer and more patients you need to start as you mean to go on and train from the word go . Really nice dogs but i would always be worried that there might be one time she wont come back cos she has picked up a sent more interesting than coming bak to you . Have you a breader in mind ?? i live in birmingham and the lady who breads the beagle that was in the finals at crufts is only 30 mins from me by the NEC her dogs go for about £800 this is about average for a good beagle , you,l always find cheaper ones though but you must make sure they have been bred from sound stock for temperament . Cheapest ive ever seen them was £450 but they didnt seem to have such nice faces . keep us posted as to how you get on .

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Hiya.......i breed, show and judge beagles.....they are fab little dogs and very adaptable if you put the effort in to train them as all the previous posters have said........yes they are scent hounds and stubborn but CAN be trained to be 99.99% reliable..........i dont think any dog is 100% ...should you want any specific help beagle related you can always contact me off site or p'm me
good luck
Pauline