Before You Buy A Beagle

The Beagle Club of South Australia Inc. will give their recommendation only to breeders who are members of the South Australian Canine Association (SACA) and who have a current breeder’s prefix registered.  We strongly recommend that you purchase your beagle puppy only from a registered SACA breeder.  Such breeders are bound by the rules and regulations of the SACA and therefore must abide by their Code of Ethics, which encompasses the breeding, rearing and caring of all dogs under their control.

Listed below are some suggested questions to ask breeders when thinking about purchasing a puppy:

·       Ask the breeder if they are a member of the South Australian Canine Association

If in doubt ask to view their SACA membership card.  Membership of the SACA means they are governed by the rules and regulations of the SACA and therefore must abide by their Code of Ethics.

·        Ask the breeder if they are a member of the Beagle Club of South Australia Inc.

·        If a breeder refers you to another breeder, ascertain whether the new contact is also a member of the South Australian Canine Association and the Beagle Club of South Australia  Inc.

·        Ask about the parents of the puppies and if it is possible to view the Dam and Sire.

Viewing the sire is not always possible, as another breeder may own him possibly interstate, but information about both him and the dam should be readily available.

·         Ask about the health and temperament of both Dam and the Sire.  Also question the Breeder about other dogs in the puppy’s pedigree.

It is important that both the parents possess a good temperament, showing no sign of either nervousness or aggression and that both parents are free from any hereditary faults.

·          Ask to view the breeder’s other stock and check the health and temperament of this stock and conditions in which they are housed.

·         Ask the breeder about their experience in the breed.  Find out how long they have   been breeding, if they exhibit their stock, and how successful their show stock has  been when exhibited.

The Beagle Club of South Australia Inc strongly recommends buying direct from registered breeders and not from a dealer or pet shop.

What to expect:                    

·        A puppy must not be sold under 8 weeks of age

·        A vaccination certificate signed by the veterinarian giving details of veterinarian’s name and address and vaccination details must be supplied with each puppy.

·        A diet sheet must be provided with each puppy

·        A receipt should be given to the purchaser

·        If a pedigree is not given with the puppy, then a copy of the puppy’s breeding should be available upon request

·        If a puppy is sold with Pedigree papers, then the back of the Pedigree should be filled in and signed by the present owner and transferred to the new owner.

Getting A Beagle Puppy

The decision to take on the responsibility of owning a dog, whether as a pet, show dog or obedience trained companion, or all of the above, should not be taken lightly.  A dog of good health will be there to share in your joys and sorrows for approximately 10 to 14 years.  Requiring proper food, shelter exercise, training, grooming and medical care, plus a lifetime of love and companionship.

Selecting the right breed for your individual lifestyle and personality requires a bit of research.  Before deciding which breed best fills your requirements, read, observe and ask questions.  Visit your local library and learn as much as you can about breeds that interest you.  Attend dog shows.  Nearly every weekend there are All Breed and Specialty Shows (featuring one breed).  Here you will be able to see the breeds that you are interested in.  If you are patient and considerate of the exhibitor’s attention to the dogs, you will find them more than willing to answer questions about their breeds.

Acquiring your puppy or dog from a reputable breeder is of utmost importance.  Your puppy’s breeders should be able to show you the kind of environment in which your puppy was raised, your puppy’s dam, littermates and occasionally the sire.  The breeder should also supply you with information about feeding, grooming, veterinary care (including vaccination details and future needs) and your puppy’s pedigree or a copy.  If any problems should arise at any time in the future, your dog’s breeder should be available for consultation.

The appeal of puppies is almost irresistible.  The temptation to take one home and trust everything will work out is strong.  However, puppies grow up into adult dogs, which may bear little resemblance to what they were at three or four months of age.  The time and effort spent in selecting the right Breed and then the right Breeder is a sound investment in your own enjoyment for the next dozen or so years.

Good Breeders Make Good Puppies

Once you have decided that you definitely want a Beagle, you will want a sound, healthy representative of the breed.  Here’s how to start.

First choose a breeder in whom you have confidence.  Look for a “Hobby Breeder” (a person who is dedicated to the improvement of the breed and will only breed when they feel they can make an improvement in their already show quality breeding stock.) Be wary of the breeder who produces puppies purely for profit.

The Secretary of the Beagle Club of SA Inc. will provide names of breeder members.  You may also contact breeders at local dog shows.  Talk to each breeder on the list you’ve compiled.  Ensure that the breeder is currently registered with the South Australian Canine Association.  This means that they must follow the Rules and Regulations laid down by the South Australian Canine Association and are bound by their Code of Ethics, in regard to the breeding/caring and rearing of dogs.  As you speak to them they will be interviewing you as well.  When you have chosen a breeder you are happy with ask to be placed on their list.  While you wait, prepare your home for your new arrival.

Tell the breeder whether you want a companion, quality or show quality pup.  Puppies of each breed are graded against the breed’s official standard of perfection, and only the pups that come the closest to the Standard should be used to perpetuate the breed and be exhibited at dog shows.  Pups that don’t come as close to the Standard, whose imperfections may be unnoticeable and that make no difference to you or to the health of the animal, are companion quality pups.  All are raised with the same care.  All will be wormed and inoculated appropriately for their age.

If you ask for “Show Quality” be prepared to undertake the showing of that pup – an awesome task!  Conversely, if you buy “Companion Quality” expect to have it sterilized and don’t expect it to come close enough to the Standard to compete at dog shows or to be bred from.  The terms “pure bred” and “pedigree” are not guarantees of Show Quality and do not automatically mean that your dog should be bred from.

Ask to visit the breeder’s kennels.  Good breeders use crates, runs and fences to control their dogs’ activities.  However, they don’t “warehouse” their dogs in crates all the time, nor keep adults and puppies in kennels without human contact.  Look for clean, happy, healthy Beagles in the breeder’s reasonable clean, tidy and odour-free premises.

Don’t buy a dog out of sympathy or impulse; remember the impulse could be with you for as long as fourteen years!