Do you have a Beagle? Will walk for free!

[jumpingbean]

I've recently been thinking about getting a Beagle but would love to know more about the breed to decide if I'm ready for the commitment...I hear you need to be the 'Bolt' of dog owners because when they pick up a scent, they're off!

I work from home as a freelance journalist and had a thought ? are there any Beagle owners out there, in the ED area, who would like me to walk your dog at lunch time twice a week for free? I'd obviously introduce myself first so you feel comfortable trusting your beloved pet to me.

If you might be interested, do email me at [email protected] and we can chat more. Just Beagles I'm afraid : )

[first mate]

Beagles: very lovable, rambunctious and sweet tempered pets but, as you say, live for their noses and scents and recall can be very difficult, if not impossible. Can also be quite noisy as they like to give voice and do not like to be left alone as they are a pack dog.They are a tough little breed, developed to work, so a couch potatoe life is not for them. They are also very greedy.

If you wnat to do lots of walking, are prepared to do lots of training and to take your dog pretty much wherever you go then this could be the breed for you.

There is a Beagle welfare and you could check out the rescue pages. Be warned they do end up in rescue as families find they cannot cope with the breed traits. There is a Beagle cross looking for a home at Foal Farm in Biggin Hill (Zeus), check him out. He's a cross Beagle/springer spaniel or collie and a very handome lad- though will need work, see http://www.foalfarm.org.uk/dogs/list_dogs/page:6

[Applespider]

There is a gorgeous beagle who gets walked in Dulwich Park around 8am most days. Sadly he's not mine but you could try to bump into the owner and start a conversation perhaps?

[GSJ57]

We have a beagle! Ours is 11 now and a complete couch potato except for her manic hour around 4 or 5 o'clock when she still acts like a puppy! She was easy to train but I never trusted her off the lead. Even now she is still ruled by her nose. Recommend at least 2 long walks a day and a contained secure garden where he/she can nose around to their hearts content!

Also second their being greedy! ours will do anything for food, and has destroyed the cupboard where her treats are, from scratching at it!

[jumpingbean]

Thanks for all that useful info! You def know your breeds.

I'm very active and work from home so happy to go for walks a few times a day and keep the little fella company.

I thought I'd go to the Kennel Club event in Nov and find out more.

L x

[jumpingbean]

Good tip Apple! I met a lovely one the other day called Jackson. Maybe that's him : )

GS...I'm not loving the idea of 4/5 O'Clock alarm calls! Two long walk a day I'd def enjoy and yes, def, a decent amount of outdoor space. I don't think I'd trust a Beagle off lead either unless in a fenced part of a park, or Goose Green.

[Clair47]

We recently got a beagle he is 10 weeks old now, this weekend we had to sort out for trellised fence that's heavily over grown with ivy because he found his way through into neighbours garden and got soaked in their sprinkler.

But once be found a hole he was very persistent to keep on trying to go through again and again and again.

He is lovely and settling in well I think you have to be very consistent with training the first thing he learnt was when his dinner was ready so excited. But now does come, sit,sort of NO! So irresistible all my family can't really walk past him without picking him up for a cuddle.

[Gidget]

I know a woman with three beagles and she walks them off lead with their leads trailing so she can step on them if they try to get away from her. They are very wilful. I used to go to an obedience class with my first dog and the beagle there used to turn and go in the opposite direction to his owner when called.

[the-e-dealer]

That's your wife sarge? I'm rather fond of dogs!