The list of potentially suitable Beagle breeders in your area
may seem a little overwhelming at first, so it is important to
know what to look out for before deciding on the right Beagle
breeder for you. Thankfully, there are some standard do’s and
don’ts when it comes to assessing the quality of a Beagle breeder.
The first, and probably most important piece of advice, is to
ask as many questions as you want to. This applies to telephone
conversations and any other communications before you even think
of visiting a particular Beagle breeder. Any reputable Beagle
breeder will be happy to answer any questions and be completely
open about showing you their records, certificates and other documents.
If you feel that they are hiding something, being intentionally
secretive or you just don’t feel comfortable talking to them,
cross them off your list and move onto the next one. If a breeder
has numerous types of dogs available, not just Beagles, this is
often an indication that they have brought them in from another
source. You want to ensure that your Beagle breeder is specializing
in and is extremely knowledgeable about Beagles. If they have
more than two types of breeds available at any one time, this
is unlikely. A top quality Beagle breeder will be highly knowledgeable
in all aspects of Beagles, from their characteristics and temperaments
to their potential health issues and care.
One of the first questions that you want to ask a Beagle breeder
relates to the health of the dog and bitch of the litter. There
are two numbers that you should be given. The first is the Orthopedic
Foundation for Animals or OFA number. This relates to the health
testing that the dog has gone through and whether any genetic
disorders that may be potentially passed onto the puppies are
present in either parent. The results of this testing can be checked
through the official website. An honest Beagle breeder will not
only be happy to give you this information but will also be taking
suitable steps to reduce any possible risks of puppies inheriting
certain disorders. If a Beagle breeder does not have an OFA number
available or does not give you one, it could indicate that one
or more of his or her dogs has failed their health tests and is
not a reputable breeder to buy from.
Once you have your shortlist of Beagle breeders, the final steps
involve visiting their premises. This stage can not be overlooked
and any Beagle breeder who offers to sell you Beagle puppies without
you having even seen them is certainly not to be considered. You
need to plan a few visits to the Beagle breeder, at different
times of the day, to enable you to see the puppies in their homes.
This is your opportunity to thoroughly inspect the conditions
that the Beagle puppies are kept in and to see the way they interact
with people. Shyness can sometimes be an indicator of maltreatment.
Also ensure that you see the mother of the puppies to ensure that
she is fit and healthy.
Finally, expect to be asked questions about your own circumstances
and the reasons why you want to buy one or more of the Beagle
puppies. A top quality Beagle breeder will want to ensure that
their puppies are going to a suitable home rather than simply
wanting to make a quick sale.
