Frequently Asked Questions
AKC means the puppy is top quality and healthy, correct?
No. Being AKC registered does NOT guarantee quality or health. It is up to the individual breeder to produce a quality Beagle that looks and acts like it should. This is why you see such a variation in styles, quality and health. Technically, an AKC registered Beagle could look like a Poodle and act like a Rottweiler. As long as the AKC has a pedigree in their database verifying its lineage it could be registered as a Beagle.
How do you know how a Beagle should look at act?
Each breed has a Parent Club that has a standard, or guideline, that breeders should follow concerning how their breed should look and act. It is up to the individual breeder to continue to uphold that standard if they care about the preservation of their breed.
I am not interested in a show dog, just a family companion, so why does the standard matter?
If you have spent time selecting a breed according to their personality, grooming needs, attitude and so on isn’t it worth it to make sure you select a breeder that produces dogs that ARE what you are looking for? Selecting a breeder that follows the standard, and proves that they do, is the only way to ensure you are getting what you want.
Are all of your puppies show quality?
No most of them are family companions. On average, for every 6 puppies we produce, we keep one for our program as a show prospect. The rest are offered as family companions.
What differences would make a puppy a family companion?
The difference between a show quality puppy and a family companion puppy are so slight that the untrained eye usually can’t detect. Ears that are set slightly too high, a tail that is carried a bit more over the back or just a touch longer in length. Those are all very mild differences that can make our decision if a puppy is a family companion or a show prospect.
What if I decide I want to breed my dog or participate in AKC competitions?
If you are considering that, I highly recommend that you contact me for more information and decide before you purchase your puppy. I sell my family companion puppies on a limited AKC registration which means they cannot be bred to produce litters or participate in most competitions. There are some titles that you can earn with a limited registration, but to compete in conformation shows (like Westminster), or to produce puppies that are AKC registered, your dog needs a Full AKC registration. I only provide FULL registration with select puppies, at a larger fee to homes that are serious about learning, competing and breeding on a partnership basis and as their mentor.
How much are your puppies?
Currently, family companions on a limited AKC registration, are normally $1650 regardless of sex or color. Competition prospects range from $2000-$3000 depending on the quality. Our price will be increasing on January 1st, 2023 however. Family Companions will be $2000 and Competition prospects will be priced per puppy according to their age, quality and training.
Do you accept payment plans?
We accept payments in advance, but all puppies must be paid for in full before being released to their new family.
How much money do you win at dog shows?
Absolutely NO MONEY is won by showing dogs. Only points are gained. We spend $3000-$4000, on average, for each dog to gain its Championship title, and another $1500-$2500 to gain a Grand Championship.
If you don’t make money showing dogs, why do you show them?
For two reasons. First it is a really enjoyable way to spend time with my dogs, family and friends. Next it is because we are firm believers that a breeder should prove the quality of their dogs by accomplishing something with them and not just breed for greed.
What health clearances do you do?
I was only testing for MLS, F7 and NCCD until recently, but now I am using a full panel to test for a whole list of genetic issues. I also test thyroid, check patella’s, do a hip film and other tests. If you would like to discuss the health issues or tests, please feel free to ask me. It is quite a long bit of information to post here and I do have my own personal opinions about specific testing.
What colors do you produce?
We usually produce Black, Tan & White puppies but on occasion we also have Blue, Tan & White; Brown (chocolate), Tan & White and Lemon (tan/red) & White puppies in various acceptable patterns.
How frequently do you have litters?
Though we prefer to have puppies ready to join families in the spring and fall, litters can be born anytime throughout the year depending on the mothers schedule. Female dogs only come into season (are ready for breeding) only once every 6-8 months, and normally there is a span of just a few days where they are able to get pregnant.
How many people care for all of your dogs?
Besides myself and my husband Keith we also have a full staff to ensure that all of our dogs are well cared for and have plenty of attention. This usually includes at least one full time kennel worker, one part time puppy caretaker, a professional handler and a professional trainer.
How many litters do your mothers have?
Our mothers are never overbred and her health and happiness is a priority. If a mother can only handle having and raising one litter, then that is all she will have. Typically, we allow or females to have 2-4 litters before retiring and being placed as a family companion. Though we can provide her with the love and care she needs here, we realize that a family can sometimes provide an even better life for our girls upon retirement.
Are your puppies home raised?
Yes. All of our babies are born and raised in the living room of our home. Once they are about 3 weeks old, and need more space, I move them into playpens in the larger "puppy room" of the house. They can go outside; weather permitting and are regularly handled; bathed; nails clipped and of course loved. We even introduce them to crate and house training at 7 weeks.
Are your puppies dewormed and vaccinated?
Yes. All of our puppies are regularly dewormed and given Neopar for early parvo protection before visiting our veterinarian. At 8 weeks they visit the vet for their official exams, are given full parasite checks, dewormed again and given their first official combination vaccine. They are then microchipped and by law they must pass their exams to be issued a health certificate, proving they are in good health, before joining their new families.
Do you allow visitors?
For the safety of our babies, we do not allow visitors to interact with puppies until they are fully vaccinated and ready to go to their new homes. Cross contamination to younger litters can, and has been, devastating in the past. We can provide photos in advance and once you see the litter (or puppies) if you choose not to bring one home to your family your deposit can easily be moved to another baby or litter. You are welcome to visit to view our adults and any older puppies that are vaccinated.
Do you select our puppy for us, or do we select our own puppy?
We do evaluations on each of our puppies at 7 weeks of age and provide this information as a tool for your family to use during the selection process. Though I provide my recommendations, the family would select their own puppy.
How are puppies selected and what is the process?
After a deposit is paid, we will do our best to keep you updated about litters (or puppies) that may be a good match for your family according to your requests. We offer photos, give each puppy a full evaluation for energy level, trainability and many other factors at five and seven weeks. Once puppies are evaluated families are begin making their selections at 7 weeks by photos, and possibly video (we have horrible internet service). They can also be selected at 8 weeks or later in person. Please note that we can not allow anyone to take possession of their puppy before they are 8 weeks of age. This is the law.
Are males or females better as family pets?
That all depends on who you ask. People form opinions over experiences, so some people have had the best experiences with female and other with males. I think it really depends on the individual dog and its personality much more than if it is male or female. I tend to prefer males while others close to me prefer females. I can say that males tend to house train faster but tend to be less cuddly when younger. As they mature, in general, females tend to become more independent and males more engaging. Training is about the same I have found otherwise and again this is a generalization. Others may totally disagree with me.
I live in an apartment. Is that OK to raise a Beagle?
First, I would say to be sure you check with your apartment complex to be sure that they allow dogs. If they do be sure a Beagle will fit under any weight limit they may have. If you are allowed to have a dog in your apartment, I must tell you that unless you have instant access to the outdoors and have a ground floor apartment, or plan on using a terrace litter box or potty place, house training a puppy is almost impossible. Also, most people do not realize that they have neighbors that will not appreciate a puppy crying all night long while in the process of crate training. Though we have successfully placed puppies to families that do live in an apartment we do so very carefully and I make the family aware of the issues that may be a concern. Before placing any of our puppies with apartment dwellers, we do require a statement from the apartment complex verifying their weight and breed limits, if any, as well as some photos of where the puppy will be going to play and potty.
Could I purchase two puppies at once for my family?
I have had several families purchase two puppies at once for their family but as a general rule I tell people that it is like having two 2-year-old children together at once. They can keep each other company and it can be less work in some ways but in others it is much harder. Normally I tell families to completely potty train one puppy and then introduce the other. Again… it really depends on the situation and how much time and experience the family has. So two puppies can be purchased at the same time, but only after I know the family understands the situation.
Could I purchase a puppy as a surprise for my family member?
We do not allow the purchase of a puppy to "surprise" an adult family member. All responsible and care giving adults in the household must know, and agree, that a puppy will be coming to join their family.
What age do you recommend spaying and neutering the puppy?
I do not recommend neutering either sex until they are at least 12 months old, and in my opinion, that is still too early. Neutering a 12-month-old puppy is like neutering a 7-year-old human child. There are significant health benefits for keeping your male or female dog intact for as long as possible and studies by UC Davis have proven this. I provide a great article about this topic to new homes.
But if I get a male, won’t he be aggressive and want to lift his leg on everything?
No, I have intact male dogs that are fully house trained and never lift their leg or are aggressive. I also have intact dogs that WILL lift their leg inside my house IF I do not watch them but that is only because there is known breeding competition. The average family companion won’t start marking his house after he is house trained unless there are females in season nearby, he has already started breeding AND there are other dogs in his home that are competition. As a matter of fact, my intact females mark more than my males and that is even very rare.
But I was told that neutering will decrease the chance of cancer. This isn’t true?
Technically there is no evidence showing that is true but there is evidence showing that early neutering can cause more aggressive forms of cancer and other issues such as liver, kidney and autoimmune problems later on. I can only say that in over 35 years of being a breeder, and talking with hundreds of others, I have only heard of one male that required a testicle to be removed due to cancer and no females that have had any ovarian or mammary cancer. Breeders of well-bred dogs are not going to propagate any cancers or genetic issues knowingly. It doesn’t make sense from a competition or guarantee standpoint.
Are Beagles, as a breed, healthy?
Yes. Though there can be genetic or general health issues in any dog Beagles as a breed are very healthy. Review my Beagle Health Concerns page for more information.
Do your Beagles have genetic health issues?
That is a VERY good question! If you ask a breeder if they have any genetic issues in their dogs and they say they do not they are either being dishonest, have not bothered to track the puppies they have sold or have not been breeding long enough to realize they do have them. I provide a list of all genetic health issues on my Beagle Health Concerns page with the risk involved. I highly recommend that you look that information over.
How much do Beagles shed?
The climate where you live and the food you feed plays a very large part in how much the dog will shed, but on average, Beagles are moderate shedders and though they do shed a bit more heavily in the spring they do not shed tons at once like other breeds can where it comes out in clumps.
How often should my Beagle be groomed?
I tell people it is always a good idea to do a puppy’s nails and give them a bath a puppy a couple times a month just to get them used to it. There is nothing worse than having to fight an adult dog to get it done. They a really only need a bath when they get dirty. If you go to the dog park though and the dog gets muddy just mix up 50% water and 50% gold Listerine in a spray bottle and carry that and a towel with you. Spray them down with the hose, spritz then down with the mixture then towel them off and they are good to go! This mixture fights hot spots, yeast and gives them a nice fresh scent!