The beagle is a low-maintenance breed. Beagles are hunting dogs and should be kept in a secured yard or on a leash to keep them from running after real or imagined quarries.
Instructions
1. Follow your veterinarian's recommendations for vaccinating your beagle when you first get him, then get booster vaccinations for him as needed. Consult your veterinarian about flea and tick control products, heartworm medications and worming your dog.
2. Feed your beagle high-quality dry dog food, not "people food" like table scraps. If you use treats as rewards while training, break each treat into three or four small pieces and give one piece at a time. Beagles love to eat and are good beggars.
3. Brush your beagle several times a week. This breed sheds moderately. Use a hound glove to keep your dog's coat shiny, and a fine-tooth flea comb to remove dirt and excess hair.
4. Wipe out your beagle's ears whenever you brush him to prevent odors and infections.
5. Bathe the dog infrequently. A beagle doesn't require special grooming and can be washed at home.
6. Make sure you or someone in your home is willing to spend 30 to 60 minutes a day playing with and exercising your dog. Beagles are very people-oriented and like to be around you.
7. Remember that beagles tend to be stubborn, which means you must be consistent, patient and positive while training them. Praise works better than punishment.
8. Keep your beagle's weight down. Overweight dogs will have more health problems, including heart trouble and arthritis.
9. Learn what health problems are associated with this breed: hypothyroidism, cherry eye (swelling of the gland in the third eyelid), dry eye, back problems, epilepsy, glaucoma, cataracts, retinal dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, kidney failure, cancer and heart disease.
10. Be prepared to enjoy 12 to 15 years with your dog - this is the beagle's average life expectancy.
Tags: your beagle, health problems, while training, your veterinarian