Dog Beds

I posted this on my other blog yesterday but I thought my Beagle friends would enjoy it too!  

 After spending a fortune on various dog beds I come to find out that my dogs prefer $19 Costco beds!  What good boys!

Victory! Plans to Breed Beagles for Research Stopped

Following a campaign lead by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV), a plan to build the equivalent of a factory farm for beagles intended for research in the UK has been stopped.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/victory-plans-to-breed-beagles-for-research-stopped.html#ixzz1lGIIJg2u

Isolation Anxiety

As I mentioned in Jude’s brief bio he suffers from isolation anxiety.  Not to be confused with separation anxiety.  Isolation anxiety is when your dog shows signs of distress when he's alone but is fine when he's with another person or dog.  Signs of distress include destructive behaviors, urinating and defecating in the house and barking.  Separation anxiety is when your dog shows signs of distress when a particular person or persons is gone.  So in other words Jude is fine as long as he’s with another person or dog however, if he’s left alone even for just a few seconds chaos ensues.  Jude’s signs of distress are excessive vocalization, running around frantically, scratching at the door and panting.  Fortunately like I said I'm very luck because he’s fine as long as he has a buddy around.  So he always has a buddy around!   

Jude waiting for me to get out of the shower!

Jude can never be too close

Jude with his buddy Dreyfus

Separation/isolation anxiety can be a devastating and very frustrating problem.  If you think your dog suffers from anxiety I recommend talking with your veterinarian first to make sure something health wise isn’t causing the problem.  For example, urinating in the house can be related to a number of health issues including kidney failure, diabetes, urinary tract infection, abnormalities of the pituitary gland, and many others not just anxiety.  If your veterinarian determines that there is nothing health wise causing your dog’s anxiety I would then recommend working with a board certified veterinary behaviorist.  A veterinary behaviorist is a veterinarian who has completed a residency program and has passed specialty exams given by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.    

What is a Beagle?

Jude

Well besides being the best dog ever!  It’s a small to medium size dog that resembles a miniature Foxhound.  They are scent hounds, originally developed for tracking rabbits and other game.  They're generally between 13 and 16 inches high and between 18 and 35 lbs.  They appear in a range of colors, with tricolor (white, black and light brown) being the most common.  The Beagle has (or should have!) a well muscular body with a medium-length smooth hair coat.  They have a square cut muzzle and a cute black nose.  Their tail is slightly curved with a white tip known as the flag, which allows the dog to be easily seen when its head is down following a scent.  The tail is held upright when the dog is active.  They have large long soft ears.  In other words they are extremely good looking dogs!

History

The exact origin of the Beagle is unknown but it's believed that they are a creation of the crossing of some breeds of English sight and scent hounds in the 1830s. 

Sense of Smell

Lucy

The Beagle has one of the best developed senses of smell of any dog.  They are better at ground scenting than they are at air scenting.  Today they are commonly employed as detection dogs in the Beagle Brigade of the United States Department of Agriculture.  They are used to sniff out food items in luggage being brought into the United States.  They are also used to sniff out termites.

Temperament

They are extremely even-tempered and very gentle dogs making them excellent with children.  Beagles are intelligent but can be very suborned which makes them hard to train.  They are pack animals and can be prone to separation or isolation anxiety (which Jude suffers from).  They are not demanding with regard to exercise meaning they don’t need to be worked to exhaustion but they do love a good walk and they have tremendous stamina.  They also love a good nap!  Beagles do have a reputation of being howlers but not all will howl.  My Beagles howl when I come home but rarely at anything else.  Some will bay when they catch the scent of a potential prey, which mine do.  They generally get along well with other dogs, however mine are “breedest” and prefer other Beagles.

Dreyfus and Lucy

Health

They are generally very healthy dogs.  Typical lifespan is 10-13 years, but my Lucy lived until she was 18 and half years old and Victor is currently 14 years old.  The most common health problem they are prone to and they will spend their whole life battling is obesity.  Beagles will eat whenever and whatever food is available and as a result it is up to you the owner to regulate their weight.  If your Beagle is overweight it’s your fault. 

Other health problems that they are prone to include epilepsy, hypothyroidism, intervertebral disc disease (which Victor suffers from), “Cherry eye” or prolapse of the third eyelid (this happened to Lucy), glaucoma, corneal dystrophy, Cushing’s Disease (which Lucy had), pulmonic stenosis, lymphosarcoma, ear infections and snoring extremely loud (Jude!).
    

Animal Testing

Unfortunately, due to their size and temperament Beagles are the most common breed used in animal testing.  To help visit Beagle Freedom Project   
 

 

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beagle           

A Brief Introduction to My Current Beagle Family!

Jude 7 years old

Hey Jude!  Cute as a button and a little bit of a trouble maker!  He suffers from isolation anxiety but thankfully his fine as long as he's with his fellow pack members (canine or human).  Loves any kind of treats.  Rescued June 2011.

Dreyfus approximately 6 years old

Dreyfus is a heartworm survivor!  He's the best dog ever (sorry Jude and Victor!).  Extremely well behaved.  He loves a good walk and chasing rabbits!  Rescued April 2009.

Victor 14 years old

Victor suffers from intervertebral disc disease but thankfully is doing very well on medications.  History of cutaneous hemangiosarcoma.  He loves to be petted nonstop and treats!  Rescued August 2008.

Introduction to the Blog

Lucy

Lucy

I received my first beagle "Lucy" as a birthday present in 1993 when I was 14 years old.  She was the best present I ever received.  I had wanted a dog for as long as I could remember and finally my parents agreed.  I researched and researched and decided on a beagle.  Oh boy, was I in for a wild ride!  We spent 18 and half fun filled happy years together before she was euthanized on 9/12/2011 due to cutaneous lymphoma.  She was truly my best friend.  We went through high school, undergrad, veterinary school, an internship and part of a residency together.  I miss her everyday but thankfully I have 3 other beagles that keep me going.  This blog is dedicated to Lucy and my love for beagles!