In the news

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ran a story featuring some of our comments about Beagles on Feb 24, 2008. The following is an excerpt:

Uno, the award-winning Beagle that snared best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Feb. 12, may have a lot of people thinking about bringing home their own little Snoopy. And while that’s a great idea, be sure you know what you’re getting if you decide to make a Beagle part of the family.

“They’re a good family dog, and a lot of dog in a small package’ said Kevin Shupenia, who runs Jackpot Hounds kennels in Dacula with his wife, Kim. They show Beagles and Harriers. “But the downside is there’s still thousands of years of instinct in them. You have to have a very secure yard; you can never allow them off leash. Those noses get them into all kinds of trouble!”

That’s because Beagles are scent hounds, and once they catch a scent, they’re off, chasing that rabbit or squirrel, often to the dog’s detriment. They often get lost or, worse, hit by cars, because they are oblivious when hunting, Beagles also are high energy dogs that are bred to be in packs, so they do wonderfully in a busy household, but do not do well alone.

“A lonely Beagle will try to escape or will make lots of noise,” Shupenia said. And if you watched Westminster, you know that means ‘baying’ not just barking. “You can hear it for miles’ said Lisa Peterson, an AKC spokeswoman. Not all your neighbors may he fond of the sound. Beagles, like best in show Uno, are scent hounds, and once on the scent they are single-minded. And although Beagles have short hair, they’re still a double-coated breed, which means they shed a lot. (more…)