There are many people in the world that have questions about beagles. We have enlisted Max (photo on the left) to answer some of these questions. Max in turn has asked some human friends, led by Ann, to help out and together they are going to try to answer some of the most common questions.

NOTE: I have had some problems with my e-mail account (forgot to pay the bill!) So if you have sent in a question and do not see the answer here, please be kind enough to send it again. I have switched e-mail providers and should have no problems in the future.

Q: My son wants a beagle. What can you tell me about their general characteristics?

MAX: What do you need to know besides the fact that we are wonderful animals! Seriously, the Beagle is a small hound originally bred to hunt small game.  Our high energy level, keen sense of smell and single mindedness make us excellent rabbit hunters and these same traits are what make the beagle unique and sometimes a challenge.  If you are looking for a mellow, extremely obedient dog you had best look elsewhere!  Some breeds of dog are designed to work closely with you, taking direction easily and following commands.  Beagles were designed to follow their instincts and work independently. 

ANN: Let me add some things. Beagles can be spirited and mischievous.  They will follow their noses with complete abandon whether that takes them into the woods or onto your kitchen counters!  None of this means, of course, that Beagles can’t be trained. It does mean that Beagle owners may need a bit more patience and lots of common sense. They will certainly need to use training methods that capitalize on the Beagle’s insatiable appetite and his desire to have fun, rather than methods that rely on “Do it or else!” tactics! 

Is the Beagle right for you and your family?  Perhaps.  Beagles are true "happy hounds" who's tail never stops wagging.  They are small in size, have short, easy care coats and are generally friendly with other animals.  They are also excellent with children if raised with them and treated appropriately.  Beagles are versatile dogs that can go from hiking 10 miles to a lazy day on the couch.  Most beagles are very demonstrative and will seek out the warmest spot on your lap or a friendly pat whenever they can. 

Q: What about adopting an older beagle?

MAX: Senior beagles make wonderful companions. As I am approaching seniorhood, I can tell you that we are not only great for senior humans but also for those humans with a mellow, easy going outlook on life. They can be couch potatoes who require very little exercise if kept on a proper diet (both the beagle and the human!) The woman I own just adopted an older, overweight beagle. I've been working with her and it is working out very well.   Please click here to read about the benefits of owning a senior beagle! 

Q: I've heard that beagles are barkers. Is there something that can be done about that?

MAX: While it is true that beagles put forth a wonderful sound, not everyone enjoys it. Read this article by Kelley Bollen, MSPCA Western New England, Shelter Animal Behaviorist for the reasons we howl and some things you can do about it.

ANN: I must add my two cents here - very few of the beagles I have known overdo the barking thing.

Q: My new beagle is terrified of thunder. She cowers and shakes violently. Nothing I can do or say seems to help. I feel terrible! Is there something that can help her overcome this fear? 

ANN: Here is some advice provided by the Humane Society of the United States. It is in pdf format. (Visit www.adobe.com to get your free acrobat reader if you do not already have one)

Q: This is for Max. On a personal note, I have noticed you are an odd color. Are you really a beagle?

MAX: I most certainly am a beagle! Most folks think we only come in black, tan and white. While that is the most common color (and the one most used by film makers and authors) we can be "any hound color". I am a red beagle, also called liver and chocolate. While I am not rare, I'm also not common. My new sister is actually a red and white beagle. We originally called her lemon until we did some web research. The discussion about color can go on for hours with many breeders giving different answers. Even the AKC has trouble with the phrase "any hound color". But be assured, beagles can come in many colors.

Q: I have been told to crate train my new puppy. While I will try it, it seems like punishment to me. The dogs from my childhood were just put in the kitchen. What can you tell me about crate training?

MAX: It is a wonderful idea! It is not cruel - actually just the opposite. It gives us a very secure place, our own place. A place where no one can bother us - we can rest quietly. It also helps with our housetraining issues. The older methods of just leaving us in the kitchen make us a target for everyone passing by - we never got any rest. Ann, do we have a article on crate training?

ANN: Sure do Max. This one by the Humane Society of the United States seems to put it all in perspective. As a caution, please read the section on separation anxiety also. Do not confuse wanting out of the crate with separation anxiety.

Q: We are considering a beagle due to their temperament and nice size. Are they at all 'hypoallergenic"?

MAX: I am glad you are considering a beagle but to consider us at all "hypoallergenic" is not a good idea.

All dogs produce dander (skin cells), saliva and other stuff that cause allergic reactions in people. It is not the short hair or the long hair, it is the combination of stuff. Allergic reactions can be mild with a little runny nose or red eyes all the way to the serious stuff of serious asthma attacks.

Some dog "supposedly" produce less dander than others, and many people who are allergic to dogs can tolerate some of these breeds with proper care (I think that means the poor dog cannot sleep in the bed!). There are no guarantees! Unless your pet allergy is mild, it is probably impossible to find a dog breed that would not bother your allergies at all. However, with proper precautions the reaction might be mild enough to live with.

ANN: There is lots of information throughout the Internet on this very subject. Some breeds like the Chinese Crested and Mexican Hairless are said to be safe for people with allergies but I agree with Max - there are no guarantees. Check out these sites for some more information:

American Hairless Terrier
DogBoz
AllergyBeGone

And there are many more out there.

Q: Are there any places in New England you would recommend for a vacation?

ANN: As a matter of fact, Tricia Grace, one of our wonderful new volunteers who adopted Commander, told me about a book that might be of interest to some folks, with summer almost here. "The Dog Lovers Companion to New England" has numerous pet friendly locations, some of which Tricia, Ray and Commander have already visited. Check it out.

MAX: I think I will check that out. I never get to go to exciting places. It would be a good gift for my human.

Q: It seems all we read about are overweight humans. Is this an issue for animals? How can I tell if my new adopted beagle is overweight? What do I do if he is?

MAX: This is an excellent question. Yes, obesity is a major problem for animals. We beagles are particularly prone to weight issues. Our naturally sad faces have people giving us treats all day long. And those calories add up. Dr. Dawn Ruben has recently published an article on guidelines to determine if your dog is overweight. I have combined that with an article by Ed Kane on diet guidelines for some good reading.

ANN: Max does not like to talk about it much but his family has a great success story regarding weight. His sister, Ruffles, weighed 50 pounds when she was adopted. She met every criteria for an obese dog. Through exercise and a good diet, including low calorie treats, she is now at 35 pounds. Ruffles managed to lose this 15 pounds in 1 year. She still has some to go but is at a plateau (just like humans!). We have to mention that Ruffles program was worked out with her veterinarian and will be an ongoing struggle.

Q:I have two beagles ( about 2 years old ), but lately they seem to be doing something new. They both do it at different times, but one will be sitting on the couch or lying on the floor and all of a sudden he will stand up and almost seem like they are choking on something. By the time I get off the couch and go over to him, he's back lying down like nothing has happened. Is this normal ? Thanks Max !!!

MAX: I know this sound well because I make it myself. Scares the heck out of me so I can image what it sounds like to you. A pretty good description of the sound is a cross between coughing and gasping for breath. It can last seconds or several minutes. The good news is that this is a common occurence in beagles and is not dangerous. The bad news is that the cause is unclear - the soft palate is often implicated but that is an idea. Some vets think the larynx is an issue. Getting your beagle to swallow seems to help stop it. To do this you can gently stroke his throat while you briefly cover his nostrils. I would certainly discuss this with my vet to make sure there were no real physical issues. My sister, Ruffles (the overweight one!) just had her larynx checked out under sedation. She was waking up in the middle of the night and carrying on for several minutes. The end result was 'Yep, she does that'

So, the answer is it is common and usually nothing to worry about. HOWEVER, I would discuss it with my vet.

NEW ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: I was very kindly sent this link with more information on 'reverse sneezing'

Q: We have a 15month old beagle named Timmothy. He is a food thief, finding food when there is none. As a result, he is very fat. Please help with a eating plan. Also he is very rude and arrogant but we would not trade him for anything.

MAX: I really hate to be forceful but you need to establish some rules. First, get to obedience school and establish that you are the leader of the pack. This will help with the arrogance and rudeness. Second, stop the extra eating. You will cause him lifelong problems. Cut back his food to the amount he would be eating if he were the right weight. If Tim weighs in at 20 pounds and he should weigh 15 pounds, feed him the package suggestion for a 15 pound dog. Cut out the treats - or buy low calorie treats and cut way back on when you give them. Treats have calories also and you may be doubling his calorie intake! Talk to your vet. I am assuming you have had all his shots and have had him neutered.

ANN: Please take care of the weight issue now while it is easy. This can cause serious issues for Tim.

Q: We've had our beagle for about a year and a half. All implications were that he had been mistreated in some way prior to being rescued. He started out pretty timid. We have got him to be more self assured although he does get frightened by a loud voice or other threatening actions (all unintentional).
The behavior question involves aggressive behavior. Lately, when we have company or meet someone while walking he will growl and occasionally grab the person's pant cuff. This has happened a few times and we would like to end that quickly. Are there any suggestions?

MAX: While we are able to advise on a wide range of behavior problems by email, we are unable to offer help with those involving aggression because it is impossible to offer advice without a one-to-one consultation to establish the often complicated cause for the behavior. Advice given from an inaccurate diagnosis could prove harmful to yourself, your dog or other people and is not a risk that should be taken.

ANN: Please seek the advice of your vet to ensure that the problem is not being caused by a medical condition and then ask for a referral to a reputable local pet behaviorist. Aggression is much easier to resolve in its early stages, don't wait until your dog has bitten someone to get help Two websites you can visit to find out a behaviorist near you are http://www.iaabc.org/ or http://www.dacvb.org/Typo3/DACVBHome/index.php Please make sure the behaviorist has worked with dogs with aggression issues. Also make sure the person you select is not aggressive towards your dog -- aggression begets aggression.

MAX: In the meantime, if appropriate, please consider muzzling your dog in the situations where you or other people and dogs may be at risk from being bitten. I know this may seem strange coming from me but aggression is a very complex behavioral issue and if not managed or modified can escalate and either an adult, child or a dog can be seriously hurt. Your dog's behavior sounds like it is becoming a habit.

MAX: Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions or comments you might have. We really do appreciate your questions and comments, keep them coming - even if they are only to point out my spelling errors! Also, it is important to note that Ann and I do not have all the answers. If you have something to add, please feel free to let us know.