Expert: Have4Paws - 4/30/2002

Question
We are considering getting a Beagle and we are wondering:
1.How easy it is to train a Beagle puppy and how much do they shed?  
2.We heard that Beagles yap a lot and also need to run, is this true?
3.Is there any way to train them so they don't yap and howl when we are gone.
4.When we take the dog for a walk will it want to run and be pulling us or will it stay within our pace.
5.We have three children the youngest is nine, are Beagles good family pets?   
6.We can not have fence on our yard, will we be able to train the pup to stay within the boundries without getting an invisible pet fence.
7.How much bigger does a male get than a female and is one easier to train then the other?  

Answer
Hi,thanks for writing to me. The answer to all your questions is below.


1.How easy it is to train a Beagle puppy and how much do they shed? BEAGLES ARE VERY SMART AND DEFINITELY TRAINABLE. IT SOMETIMES TAKES A BIT OF PATIENCE BECAUSE THEY ARE RULED BY THEIR VERY POWERFUL NOSES AND THEREFORE ARE NOT AS SIMPLE TO TRAIN AS OTHER BREEDS. IT REQUIRES A COMMITTMENT AND PERSISTENCE. BEAGLES ARE MEDIUM SHEDDERS, DESPITE REQUIRING ONLY EVERY 7-10 DAY BRUSHING. THEIR HAIR IS FAIRLY SHORT BUT COURSE.
2.We heard that Beagles yap a lot and also need to run, is this true? BEAGLES ARE PACK ANIMALS, IF THEY CANNOT BE WITH THEIR CANINE PACK THEY WILL ADOPT THEIR HUMANS AS THEIR PACK. THEY CRAVE COMPANIONSHIP AND DO NOT DO WELL WHEN LEFT ALONE FOR EXTENDED OR SIGNIFICANT PERIODS OF TIME. THEY DO ALSO REQUIRE EXERCISE OR THEY WILL BECOME OBESE AND SULLEN. REMEMBER THAT BEAGLES ARE HUNTING DOGS.
3.Is there any way to train them so they don't yap and howl when we are gone. YES, ONCE AGAIN IT REQUIRES PATIENCE, COMMITTMENT AND PERSISTENCE AND AS LONG AS THEY DON'T LIVE MOST OF THEIR LIFE ALONE THEY WILL ADAPT AND TRAIN WELL.
4.When we take the dog for a walk will it want to run and be pulling us or will it stay within our pace. IF YOUR DOG IS TRAINED (OBEDIENCE) IT WILL WALK AT YOUR PACE BECAUSE YOU WILL HAVE ESTABLISHED YOURSELF AS THE ALPHA OF THE PACK (THE BOSS).
5.We have three children the youngest is nine, are Beagles good family pets? ABSOLUTELY! ONE OF THE BEST CHOICES FOR FAMILIES WITH KIDS.
6.We can not have fence on our yard, will we be able to train the pup to stay within the boundries without getting an invisible pet fence. WELL WE WERE GOING ALONG FINE UNTIL I HEARD THIS PART..... THIS IS A BIGGGGGG PROBLEM. BEAGLES SHOULD ALWAYS BE IN A FENCED YARD BECAUSE AS I SAID THEY ARE RULED BY THEIR NOSES AND THEY WILL ROAM. NO MATTER HOW WELL YOU TRAIN THEM I WOULD SAY THAT THEY ARE NEVER 100% RELIABLE UNLEASHED.
7.How much bigger does a male get than a female and is one easier to train then the other? NOT MUCH AND NO.

HOPE THIS HELPS!
Have4Paws