It’s usually easy to find Beagle puppies.  The breed is extremely popular and there are probably several Beagle breeders in your vicinity.  There might also be some shelters and Beagle rescue groups that have Beagle pups available for adoption.  And hobby breeders sometimes advertise Beagle puppies for sale in local newspapers.

Investigate the Breeder

Whether you’re looking at puppies from a regular breeder or a breeder who does it as a hobby, you’ll want to know certain things about the breeder and how experienced he or she is in breeding Beagles.  You’ll also want to know about the puppies the breeder is offering, whether they’re available now or they will be shortly.  A personal visit to the breeder is the best way to find out almost everything you want to know.  During your visit, at a minimum you’ll want to do certain things:

•·         Look at the property and the living environment of the puppies and their parents.  Are the premises well maintained and clean, and are the puppies being raised in the house amid the breeder’s family members or do they live outside in kennels or doghouses?

•·         Find out how long the breeder has owned Beagles and how long he or she has been breeding them.

•·         Look at the puppies’ parents and evaluate their overall condition and temperaments.

•·         Examine the puppies’ vet records.  Even if the breeder isn’t a professional, he or she should care enough about the puppies to make sure they are wormed and given the appropriate vaccinations and health checkups.

Are You Adopting Through a Rescue Group or Shelter?

You’ll also want to find out some things if you’re thinking about adopting a Beagle puppy from a rescue group or shelter.  For example, you should ask the following questions:

•·         How much background information does the shelter or rescue have about the puppies?  There might be a lot for some and hardly any for others.

•·         Have the puppies been checked by a veterinarian, and which vaccinations have they had?  Do the puppies have any health issues?

•·         Is there any other information they can give you about the puppy’s personality, habits or health?

Selecting a Specific Beagle Puppy

When it’s time to pick out a specific Beagle puppy, don’t hurry your decision.  Instead,

•·         Watch all the puppies playing and interacting with each other.  You want to find the puppies that are playful and alert but not bullying the others.

•·         Evaluate each puppy individually.  Look at his eyes, ears and nose to make sure they’re clear and free of any discharges.  Then look at his teeth and gums to make sure no teeth are missing and there isn’t any swelling or bleeding.  Check his bottom for any signs of diarrhea.

•·         Find out if each puppy likes to snuggle or is aloof.  Set each one down on the ground and watch his behavior when his littermates aren’t nearby.  It’s a good sign if he seems curious about you or his surroundings, doesn’t shy away when you come near and is energetic and playful.

After you’ve selected your puppy and brought him home, make sure you have him checked out by your veterinarian right away.  After all, you’ll want to make sure he’s healthy.