ABR E22 The Young Guns

Update on the ranch. New pup up for adoption. What's up with all the young beagles coming to the ranch.

Transcript

Alaska Beagle Ranch

Episode 22

Hello everyone and welcome to the Alaska Beagle Ranch. I’m Dave Dorsey and I manage the ranch located near Wasilla, Alaska. There are presently 13 beagles and 1 basset at the ranch right now. Alaska Beagle Ranch is the only rescue in Alaska dedicated to beagles only.

Snoopy is visiting us for a little while. His human is going through a ruff time right now and Snoopy is staying with us while they get things taken care of

Thank you to all our listeners. This week we have new listeners from New Zealand and Bolivia. Our largest listening cities in the US besides the ones in Alaska are Seattle, Washington and Miami, Florida. I hope you like what we have for you here. We do appreciate your support. The Alaska Beagle Ranch has over 730 downloads since we started doing our podcast last November. We are now available on all apps where you listen to podcasts. While we’re talking about it, be sure to like, follow, subscribe, review, and maybe send some feedback or ideas.

You also can help support our podcast by donating on PayPal @Beagle Ranch 907.

Beagles for adoption: Right now, the Alaska Beagle Ranch has one pup up for adoption. Charlie Two is ready. He just passed his wellness exam; shots are now up to date and his vet says he’s a good pup. He handled his exam like a pro, no whining or anything as he got his shots. Charlie Two came to us as an escape artist, so we will insist on a fenced in yard. He’s kennel trained, gets along with cats, and does some things on command. He just turned 4 years old on April 3rd. Email me at akbeagleranch@gmail.com for an application. Remember, just because you submitted an app doesn’t mean you get a pup. You must be right for the pup and the pup must be right for you.

You can see photos of our pups on our Facebook page Alaska Beagle Ranch or our Twitter page @beagle_ranch.

Today’s podcast is dedicated to Charlie Two. Alaska Beagle Ranch will help him find his fur ever home.

Alaska Beagle Ranch was started as a sanctuary for senior beagles, basically 7-year-olds and older. But lately we’ve been getting younger beagles. I call them the young guns. So why are we getting these young guns? Let’s talk about it.

Some of this information is taken from K9web.com

Who are the young guns?

Beagles are considered fully grown at 18 months of age. At this point, their skeletal system is developed. I call all my beagle’s pups, no matter what age or size. So don’t get confused when I call my Macy who’s 13 years old, my pup.

Happy, loving dogs, Beagles make great companions no matter what your family. They are active dogs well suited to singles and couples who love the outdoors.

While their small size but sturdy build makes them the perfect companions for children, even seniors will love this breed who doesn’t mind a slow walk where they can sniff to their heart’s content. 

Although outgoing in nature are game to join in on any adventure, Beagles are also incredibly gentle and tolerant.

This beagle has an affinity for children, although they can get a bit carried away and overly mouthy, using their mouth to play, so they may need to be supervised with tiny kids. 

In return, your Beagle also has lots of love to share. As pack animals, these dogs will become very attached to their pack and crave companionship from humans and other dogs alike.

They generally get along with everyone and are quick to make friends, but smaller family pets, such as cats and rabbits, may be seen as prey and accordingly hunted. 

What problems do the young guns have?

They’re so merry and fun-loving that Beagles don’t make good watchdogs as they are usually way too friendly. They do warn you often of anything near or approaching your yard.

What this does mean, however, is that Beagles can also get bored easily if they are left alone without any companionship for too long, which can lead to destructive behaviors as your Beagle tries to find ways to amuse itself. 

This can cause them to dig, howl, or even try to escape when suffering from separation anxiety. 

With an independent, stubborn steak, Beagles can be tricky to train. Obedience training is highly recommended to ensure that behavioral issues such as snapping, barking, and biting don’t become commonplace. But you must keep up on the training or it will all go away.

You will need to use a range of creative training techniques to keep the curious Beagle mind entertained with food favored as a reward by this breed. 

Positive reinforcement is also an excellent way to go as Beagles will shut down if treated negatively. At the same time, owners will also need to ensure that they establish themselves as the dominant pack leader.

Crate training from a young age is also recommended with Beagles, with many Beagle owners saying that it can take up to a year to fully house train this breed. 

Another thing to be aware of with Beagles is that while they aren’t yappy dogs, Beagles are known to make a lot of noise!

These dogs typically have three distinct noises they commonly make, a bark, a howl, and a half howl, half frantic baying noise they usually use when they catch sight of their prey while out on a hunt. 

Beagles have a moderate to high energy level and need plenty of exercise, including walks several times a day, for around 30 minutes to an hour in total. 

As these hunting hounds are happiest when following a scent, be sure to always keep your Beagle on a lead when out for a walk as they are quick to wander off, following their nose.

When a Beagle catches a whiff of an interesting smell, nothing else seems to exist.

Beagles will also enjoy a good jog but be sure not to do a repetitive exercise like this until after 18 months when your dog is fully grown.

These dogs also excel at activities where they can put their skills to the test, including hunting and field trials, rally, obedience, and even agility training. 

Are Beagles hypoallergenic? 

Beagles shed consistently, but their short coat means it is not as noticeable as some other breeds and is easier to look after.

With the changing of the seasons, especially in spring, they will tend to shed more as they get rid of their thicker winter coat, and their grooming needs will increase during this time. 

Brushing your Beagle at least once a week with a hound glove or medium-bristle brush will help to remove any dead hairs and encourage a healthy coat.

Bathing is only necessary when very dirty and should be done with a mild soap or dry shampoo but be sure to check the ears of your Beagle regularly as their droopy ears can lead to the buildup of wax and ear infections.

Water and oils shouldn’t enter the ear and pay attention if your Beagle scratches his ears regularly or shakes his head. 

Also, be sure to brush your dog’s teeth at least twice a week to prevent the build-up of tartar and bacteria while nailing trimming should also be done regularly.

If you can hear your dog’s nails clicking on the floor, this means they are too long. 

How much should I feed my young Beagle?

The Beagle is one breed that is very focused on food. These dogs love to eat and will overeat if given half a chance.

They are so skilled at finding food that they will resort to thievery, raiding your pantry and garbage if you don’t monitor them.

So be sure to keep your bins and cupboards properly secured and warm children not to tease your Beagle with food.

Also, be extra careful to monitor the amount of food you give your Beagle each day and limit the number of treats. For training, stick to bit sized smaller treats as opposed to big biscuits.

The recommended daily amount of food for this breed is three quarter to one and a half cups of dry dog food divided between two meals.

As an active breed, Beagles can benefit from a high-quality sport specific formula of food but be sure to discuss this with your vet. Do not use the cheep foods. Buy quality food. There’s a reason why it cost a few dollars more.

What Health Problems Do Beagles Have? 

Beagles have a life expectancy of between 10 and 15 years.

Some of the problems that can affect your dog include intervertebral disk disease, and hypothyroidism. 

Also, Beagles are prone to several eye diseases such as cataracts, cherry eye, progressive retinal atrophy, and glaucoma, and some lines are known to contract epilepsy and even heart disease.

Finding Beagle puppies for sale

Due to the Beagle breed’s popularity, it is not uncommon to find these dogs in pet stores, although many states have banned dogs’ sale in pet shops in America. 

A reputable breeder will be able to provide you details about your puppy’s lineage and pedigree and, therefore, the health of your puppy. 

Look for a breeder with a Breeder of Merit badge from the AKC as only the most prestigious breeders display this badge, which recognizes those who go above and beyond.

Rescue/for adoption

Unfortunately, Beagles are often found in the care of rescue or adoption centers looking for a good home. Please check these first. Every beagle deserves a second chance and a happy home.

One of the most common reasons why rescues are surrendered by their owners is their constant howling, digging, and chewing. With proper training, walking and attention, these issues can be overcome. Unfortunately, in the lower 48, specifically in the southeast, Beagles are one of the most found breeds at shelters. Not so in Alaska where their population is small compared to other breeds.

Beagle Spotlight: Charlie Two comes from the Kenai Peninsula area. He’s 4 years old as of April 3rd. He would wander off for hours and his owners were afraid he would get hit by a car. He did get kicked by a moose on one of his adventures. He was lucky and only got a deep cut requiring staples to close it up.

Yesterday he visited the vet and got a full exam. He’s up to date on his shots and is neutered. Today he went to one of our fosters. He is now available for adoption. The adoptee must have a fenced, experience with beagles and live in Alaska. ABR does do an in-person interview. If you think you have a happy home for Charlie Two, send me an email for an application at akbeagleranch@gmail.com .

Shoutout: Shoutout to all of the Amazon Wishlist donors. I’ve received a couple packages of much needed supplies this week with no name. Thank you whoever you are. 

Alaska Beagle Ranch is a nonprofit and we depend on donations to help us with our mission. What is our mission? Our mission and our goal are for every beagle, especially in Alaska, to have a happy home. For our beagles to be happy, they need to be healthy. We only adopt healthy beagles, so we need your help in paying their medical bills to get or keep them healthy so they can find their forever home. Beagles that can’t be adopted become resident beagles at ABR. Their medical, food and upkeep can be costly. We know that the economy isn’t as good as we would like it to be. Just a few dollars add up and goes a long, long way. You can find us on PayPal @Beagle Ranch907 or go to our Facebook page of Alaska Beagle Ranch and you can find links to PayPal and our Amazon wish list.

Looking for a sponsor.If you have a business or product that is dog related and you’re looking to sponsor or advertise on a dog related podcast and you like ours, give me a call Dave 907-202-4226. It can be dog food, treats, daycare, training or whatever. It doesn’t have to be strictly for beagles. Let’s talk about it. 

We are also looking for some wonderful fosters. There can be a lot involved in being a foster, so think it over. Some of our beagles might have special needs like having to go to the vet, or they might need to take meds and maybe it might need some additional training. Of course, they always need some good loving. Sorry, but you must live in the Matanuska Susitna Valley area, specifically near Wasilla or Palmer. Email me at akbeagleranch@gmail.comor call us at 907-202-4226 for more information. Remember, our goal is for every beagle, especially in Alaska, has a happy home.

Thank you for listening to the Alaska Beagle Ranch. If you know of a beagle needing a good and happy home, put the owners in contact with us. If you know someone who is looking to get a beagle, please share our podcast with them. All the episodes will tell you what you need to know about beagles. If you have any questions about beagles and if they are right for you, email me at akbeagleranch@gmail.com or call us at 907-202-4226. You can follow us on Facebook at Alaska Beagle Ranch or on Twitter at @beagle_ranch. 

Be sure to like, follow, subscribe, review, and maybe send some feedback or ideas.See you at Alaska Beagle Ranch next week.