Beagles are adorable, but can be high maintenance

Editiors note: interested in a rescue beagle? Try a group such as Beagle Rescue Victoria

Shoeshine, the adorable pup in Disney's "Underdog" (voiced by "My Name Is Earl" comic Jason Lee), is sure to inspire some dog lovers to believe a beagle is the right dog for them. But the American Kennel Club and Beagles & Buddies Dog Rescue in El Monte encourage moviegoers to make informed, well-researched decisions before buying a beagle.

Long after "Underdog" is out on DVD, that new family member will still be around, needing your love, devotion and dedication.

Just because Shoeshine is so adorable doesn't mean a real beagle will be as adorable in your family.

"They don't like being alone," said Valarie Rahbany, volunteer coordinator for Beagles & Buddies. "When they're alone, and they don't want to be, they can get very noisy."

As well as destructive. A bored beagle will chew, dig or bark. A lot. Beagles can also suffer from separation anxiety, said Rahbany.

These stubborn scent hounds need an abundance of mental stimulation; a daily walk isn't going to cut it. What will? Games, such as hiding toys around the house and yard, wrestling with a fellow canine companion and playing in a sandbox.

Training - especially the "come" command - is vital. These dogs have been known to catch a scent and then ignore their owners in pursuit of it. Good obedience can help override this instinct. The AKC recommends beagles play in a secure, fenced environment outdoors to keep them safe, especially if they catch wind of an enticing smell.

Beagles love to eat. They will easily gain a lot of weight unless their food intake is controlled. They also tend to guard their food, which can lead to aggression, even against small children. At the rescue shelter, she and other volunteers get to know the dogs, so any food issues are discovered and dealt with, she said.

That said, these dogs usually make great family pets. The AKC ranked this breed fifth in popularity. Yet Rahbany fears the Beagle's popularity will skyrocket even more due to "Underdog," and too many people will purchase dogs without doing enough research beforehand.

People may be swept up with the novelty of the breed, and then in about a year, rescues like Beagles & Buddies will be overrun with teenage beagles now looking for new homes.

Reference: www.dailybulletin.com

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