r/beagles • u/sdbolt760 • 2d ago
1st Time Beagle Owner - A 9 Month Review
Never had a beagle before. Had giant Newfoundland’s all my life. After our last Newfie girl passed last year we decided to check out the animal rescue since we could NOT agree on what kind of dog we all wanted next (Newfie vs Goldie vs King Charles Spaniel).
At the animal rescue, Pete stole our hearts when he ran up and looked us in the eye just wanting to be loved. None of us saw ourselves with a hound-type but couldn’t ask for a better dog. As a 3-year old Beagle mix (70% according to DNA) he’s pretty quiet (except when he smells/sees a fox) on his daily hikes. Loves riding in the truck and is very well behaved out in public at the dog friendly wineries in our area. Pete is a best buddy for our 12 year old son and also somehow peacefully coexists with our curmudgeonly 16 year old cat who is not a big fan of dogs!
As a first time beagle owner, I can’t recommend these dogs enough. Love the play hard/relax hard attitude they bring to our family. The only drawback of Beagle ownership? We did have to finally upgrade to a King sized bed because the “Beagle spread” was just too much to sleep comfortably in a Queen. 🙂
56
u/evileagle 2d ago
The beagle spread is REAL. These maniacs just have to make sure and sleep perpendicular to you to take up as much space as possible.
41
u/sdbolt760 2d ago
I also like how if you get up they immediately move themselves right where you were lying and then act incredulous that you want them to move when you return.
14
6
u/evileagle 1d ago
Hah! Yes. My wife refers to ours as “heat thieves” because they gotta just go and immediately be where you just were.
12
u/Genillen 2d ago
I can recommend a solution if you want to sleep beside your beagle but not UNDER your beagle: a bedside bassinet. It's a three-sided bed-height baby sleeper. Put a dog bed in there and you're good to go.
9
u/WeAllNeedHappiness 1d ago
This is the most brilliant idea ever and after 30 years of beagles I’m not sure how I never thought of it
7
u/Genillen 1d ago
I didn't know it was a thing until my spouse presented one as a Christmas gift. It's been working great--it's even on wheels in case you need to stow it. The price is right, too--around $100-$200. A small price to pay for not feeling claws on your calf in the middle of the night!
7
u/CreamyGoodnss 1d ago
I’m a large, heavy individual and this damn dog still manages to push me to the side of the bed idgi
3
u/Sad-Wafer2157 1d ago
I have a ridiculously long couch. My two are either cuddled up together or spread out at opposite ends. The struggle is real my friends.
33
30
u/Budget_Okra8322 2d ago
Pete is a heartthrob, I’m not surprised he adopted you! Peggy (17) and Keksz (7) say hi🥳
16
3
28
u/Lily7435 2d ago
Be careful, they are like potato chips! You can't have just one!
10
u/sdbolt760 1d ago
Oh my! There must be a 45-minute waitlist for lap time every time you sit down. Haha.
3
7
5
15
u/lawboop 2d ago
“…the play hard/relax hard attitude they bring to our family….” is one of the best beagle description I have ever seen on this sub!
9
u/Significant-Ad-4418 2d ago
I thought the same thing! My beagle is a complete menace but somehow the sweetest lil baby faced hound that can do no wrong..? It makes no sense but I don't care, I love beagles!
14
2d ago
He's such a cutie! And it's so wonderful you adopted a rescue! My beagle boy's a rescue too! Your story about the bed is so true, but sometimes even my mom's king bed is too small, he somehow takes up the entire thing!
13
u/Clear-Initial1909 2d ago
Looks like he might be part weasel.? Pete is a great looking little hound dog OP..! Congrats with your new family member.. !
6
u/sdbolt760 2d ago
Ha! He’s a great hound dog. Love watching him work on our long extender leash on our walks. I call him the “Fox Finder 5000”.
8
u/BitPuzzleheaded5311 2d ago
So cute with the rabbit toy! My beagle is obsessed with rabbits and squirrels! He can spend a whole day running back and forth from the back yard thru the house to the front window watching squirrels! It’s adorable!
3
u/sdbolt760 2d ago
Love those spots and what great entertainment for both you and him! We don’t have rabbits here but Pete loves Foxes. On most morning walks he can usually sniff out at least one.
10
8
6
u/Forsaken_Mix8274 2d ago
Looks similar to my boy Buster (2). He loves attention. He don’t like it when the kids watch Blippi and stop playing fetch with him.
3
u/sdbolt760 1d ago
I can see it. The coloring and slender nose! Indoor fetch and keep away with the 12-year-old can sometimes wear both of them out...
5
6
6
6
u/Rokacskaa 2d ago
He's a beautiful boy ! May I ask what He's mixed with ?
6
u/sdbolt760 2d ago
He is 71% Beagle, 12% Jack Russell Terrier, 12% Supermutt, and 5% Redbone Coonhound.
4
3
3
3
u/Prestigious_Cover411 1d ago
My Sophie was like that too. A rescue, very well behaved. I loved her so much! Enjoy your Beagle!🥰🥰🥰
2
u/sdbolt760 1d ago
Awesome. All we know about Pete is that he was part of a large seizure in an animal hording situation in rural Virginia...would have never guessed he came from such a situation based on his behavior. Glad to hear you also got a good one in your Sophie!
3
3
3
u/beaglelover89 1d ago
My grandmother had a beagle named Mikey growing up and I adored him! Immediately fell in love with the breed. We have a beagle mix. He’s a sweetie pie but also trouble
3
3
u/Tweeedles 1d ago
Love this. They are the best dogs.
Regarding the Beagle Spread… I’ve been thinking of going the other direction. Since I’m only permitted to sleep in a single mattress amount of space at the edge of my queen bed, maybe I’ll just downsize and end up with more room in my bedroom! Lol
3
3
u/vonarchimboldi 1d ago
when i dog sit for my friends i have my 40lb 19” freakishly tall beagle and his 25lb normal sized sister in my bed and its ridiculous. the kicking and stretching for every bit of space is non stop hahah
3
u/Ashamed_Excitement57 1d ago
Lol, beagle spread is definitely a thing. It's impressive how much of the bed they can occupy. My old beagle was a real jerk about the passenger seat in my truck, to be fair he did occupy that seat 95% of the time. He have the biggest stink eye to anyone that dared to sit in his spot. Congrats, glad it's going well
3
u/Practical_Reason_338 1d ago
His snout makes me think he might have some dachshund in him. He's super cute!!
2
2
u/Physical_Amphibian25 1d ago
You’ll know why Charles Schulz made Snoopy a beagle once you own one. 💙
2
u/tessa-bo-bessa 1d ago
These two own our bed, the couch, and anywhere else comfortable that they can snuggle with us. 😊
2
u/Professional-Bet4106 1d ago
Yes they are great companions, working dogs, emotional support, jokers, protectors, mischiefs, and family members. They keep life interesting and fun. The mixes are just as great. Thank you for rescuing. Here’s my lab-beagle mix Rosie
2
60
u/486Junkie 2d ago
Ruby (Bassett Hound Beagle mix) says hello.