Beagles in Shetland

[ng7627]

Hi there,

 

Does anybody in Shetland have or know anybody who has a beagle? We're considering getting one and would love to speak to some-one re. the pros and cons first.

 

Mary and Nigel

[Guest posiedon]

They cost a fortune to keep in fags

 

Sorry bout that, I was actually (and still am) very anti vivisection.

Depending on your age you may or may not remember this abhorant experiment from the 1970s.

 

See here

for a complete profile of the beagle.

[hoosn]

Hi there,

 

Does anybody in Shetland have or know anybody who has a beagle? We're considering getting one and would love to speak to some-one re. the pros and cons first.

 

Mary and Nigel

hi,ive not had one myself but know a couple of people who have and they need a lot of excercise.if you google beagle rescue you should find some helpful sites and info.

[Guest Anonymous]

theres a beagle in tingwall, slendid dug , you saw it mind hoosn , at my cousins , the boat builder

[hoosn]

thats rite,yep i remember now,was a sweet lil thing

[mucklejo]

Yeah, I'd suggest googling beagle. You get a whole selection of sites then. The kennel club probably has some good information about them. I've heard that they can be a bit stubborn, but never had one myself. They are very cute! Good luck

[Melman]

There used to be one in Whalsay if I mind right

[Pleepsie]

We have a Beagle. They are lovely dogs - but be prepared for the chewing, stealing, bin raiding 'puppy' stage to last about 3 years. They also take about a year to house train - so be prepared for endless puddles!

 

Being a pack dog, and not bred as a house pet they hate being left alone - so unless there is someone around all day as well as evening don't do it! They dont bark, they howl and it carries a long way. They howl to draw your attention to something, this can be people walking past your gate, the postman, someone daring to call at a neighbours house, a bird landing in the garden..... and they howl if left alone, as if to say " hey! you forgot to take me - I'm still here. Come back " and they will keep it up untill you do come back. They never grow out of this.

 

They need a lot of exercise, a ten mile run is a warm-up for a dog designed to run with the hunt all day, but you can't let them run free because if they get a scent they will just keep on running and no amount of shouting or waving bits of treat will make them return, some owners get satelite tracking collars for their dogs as it is such a problem. They will drive you nuts if you don't exercise them really well every day.

 

The rehoming sites are full of Beagles aged around 18 months - 2 years old, this is when peoples patience gives out, its extremely wearing to never see any improvement. But, by the time they reach 3 years old they seem to settle down and become a pleasure to have around.

 

My advice is think long and hard before getting a Beagle.

[ng7627]

Thanks to everybody who wrote in about owning a beagel. I think pleepsie has made up our minds - I don't think a beagle would be the dog for us - back to the drawing board!!!!

[Longdog]

Rescue a greyhound?

 

We've had several rescued greyhounds. Quiet, lazy in the house (unless it comes to stealing food) and don't need too much exercise but preferably a sheep free spot to have a good run.

 

All ours have been lovely loving dogs and fine with kids but not necessarily a dog that likes to play, unless it's chasing a toy.

 

Obviously they're all different and you'd have to check each out as with any dog

[MJ]

Greyhounds are lovely. If a little slow and determined. But I would be wary of anywhere with rabbits.

Bassets are a personal favorite if looking for a mid/larger sized dog. Also slower and very determined. Usually good personality, don't mind being alone (but as with all dogs prefer not to be). Lower to the ground they're also unlikely to jump over fences - bassets believe they should just be able to walk right through everything. Plus I grew up reading Fred albums.