IN IT FO R L I F E
BEAGLES WHY WE LOVE THEM: One look into a beagle’s limpid brown eyes and any number of potential owners are understandably smitten. Cute and smart with a signature howl (“Aroo!”), they’re also friendly, curious and outgoing, says Beth Schultheis, director of the Tennessee chapter of SOS Beagle Rescue Inc. “They are generally good with other dogs, kids and even cats if raised with them,” she says. The fifth-most-popular dog, beagles typically range from 15 to 35 pounds, just the right size for many owners. WHAT TO CONSIDER: That same “aroo” bark can drive many people crazy! In addition, beagles follow their nose, says Schultheis. They can easily stray when on the scent — they were bred as hunting dogs, after all — so it’s particularly important that they be leashed or fenced in. They can be stubborn, which makes them challenging to train, and they’re very food-motivated and thus prone to obesity, as well as ear infections and skin allergies, Yohannan says. And because they’re quick and energetic, they need a decent amount of exercise.
ALWAYS PURCHASE A PUREBRED DOG FROM A REPUTABLE BREEDER WHO HAS PERFORMED HEALTH TESTING AND SOCIALIZED THE PUPPY PROPERLY, SAYS GINA DINARDO, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB. GO TO AKC.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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PET GUIDE 2016