Advice needed, buying puppy

[snifter]

Please never buy a pup without seeing it and verifying the breeder is legit. Too many puppies in Aus are from puppy farms and are ill, have issues and often social problems and more. Can cost their owners thousands in vets bills but also often end up dumped or handed in to rescues.

Go via the Aus KC for a legit local breeder and don't just settle on the first one with pups available. Be prepared to wait for the right dog locally and see the mum before pups arrive if possible, so you know it's her having them, then go back to see mum and pups together when smallish still, then again to choose one.

Honestly, puppy farms are rife in Aus and you could end up with more than just a huge pile of vets bills. The heartache you may go through with a pup bought blind would be terrible for your family.

Fwiw are you used to beagles and their traits? Ie total lack of recall and big tendency to wander off if off lead ever? They are good natured dogs but usually very poor to train and let off lead.

I am sure you could find a good genuine local breeder even if it means you wait a couple of months. If you are going to make a lifetime commitment to get a dog, do it right from the beginning. Far better to wait a little longer than buy a pup in a very dodgy way via long distance.

Pleas I cannot stress enough how not to go about getting a pup. Reconsider, even if it means you wait a while and find a good local breeder who is genuine and who will hopefully have had first jabs done, worked, full papers and hopefully even insurance for the first couple of weeks for you. And who will also be happy to take the pup back if for some reason you can't keep it.

[lynsteve]

plenty of pups at the AWL and RSPCA, if not today there will be another day, i agree with sniff,

stevo

[Maria Day]

Thank you Snifter, i did a lot of research about the breed and will look more into it. Although, I am not aware that they have a high tendency to wander off but I suppose most dog will do that if not well trained. I am not on the rush and will keep looking locally. We decided on Beagle as we think the size and temperament is well suited for small children.

[Diane]

A friend of mine used to have two beagles - she lived in Lincolnshire which was incredibly flat. I remember her letting them off the lead one day and they just set off, disappearing into the distance, didn't look back once, despite her calling and whistling and trying everything to get their attention - with the flatness of the land, we could see them getting further and further away until they were just tiny dots! I think they came back a day or so later.... and hers were really well trained!

Oh, and beagles are really smelly dogs - not in a bad way, just that , being hounds, they smell very "doggy" if you keep them in the house.

[snifter]

Thank you Snifter, i did a lot of research about the breed and will look more into it. Although, I am not aware that they have a high tendency to wander off but I suppose most dog will do that if not well trained. I am not on the rush and will keep looking locally. We decided on Beagle as we think the size and temperament is well suited for small children.

They are well known to be wanderers if the highest order :p I've not met any Beagle kept as a pet that can be let off lead in a public space. All are walked on a harness and lead for long distances. The pet/show strain is still very close to the working roots as they were not kept as pets till much more recently. Therefore the instinct to follow a scent, any scent, is strong.

Did you look at Cavaliers? Lovely dogs with excellent nature, similar size and so on. And far more easily trained and trust worthy off lead. And plenty of other breeds also would be suitable if you decided to not go for a Beagle.

[cazzaj]

Hi Maria I have a beagle x cavalier for our teenage daughter , we got her not long after we arrived.. She has a lovely temperament ,very good natured but very hard work.. We have had dogs and puppies all our lives and I must say she is the most hyper we have had althoe at 5 months she is starting to calm down..she is the smallest dog we have ever owned but must say our chocolate lab we used to have was the best temperament... I would say not to go for a puppy you have never seen as you need to give them a good look over check eyes and ears see what personality is like .. And do beware of pet shops and puppy farms.. We got ours out of paper and saw her with her mum... Good look with your search ... Oh and they don't smell any more than any other dog too!!!!

[lippy]

Canine governing body in SA is DogsSA.

Would be worth meeting with a reputable breeder and meeting their dogs before making a final decision. Everyone has their own preferences over breed and only you will know if it may/may not fit your particular family, but by meeting several breeders you will not only get a feel for the breed but also the temperment of the different kennels...

[Lazy Cow]

Hi Maria Day,

I can only agree with others, the only beagles I have known have been outrageous wanderers! One went through a phase of escaping quite regularly and if it weren't so frightening, would have been funny as! I know that thanks to the few I have encountered, I would not choose a beagle even though they were all adorable nutcases as puppies!

Why not try the animal shelters as suggested? Now would be a good time, the animals will be vet checked, up to date with their shots and desexed (unless they are too young I guess?). Better yet, the shelter can advise you what that particular dog is like with young kids, other animals etc which will take some of the guesswork out. Not all animals are true to their breed type!

Not only that, the shelter is as keen to find the perfect match for your family as you are and you will be able to spend time with the dog before you take him home, which I'm sure the kids would love.

The companionship of a dog is just the best thing ever and even better if you can rescue a puppy that someone bought with little or no thought, that needs someone to love him back.

As for the puppy that is interstate, it does seem an unnecessary gamble (not to mention an unnecessary journey for such a young animal) but if you are happy they are a bona fide breeder, then I know of another dog (not the red setter mentioned earlier) who was sent over and she's absolutely perfect. Papers and all!

Hope you find the perfect best puppy friend for your family :)
LC