Shopping for My Beagle

What do I Need for My Beagle?

In this article we’ll try to talk about the essentials (bowls, leashes, collars, toys) that your dog will need from the first days being at your home. It’s really hard not get lost in the huge variety of items, especially if this is your first Beagle… Actually, your dog will not understand your concern about the new collar, whether it is red or yellow, the most important thing is to be comfortable, and your goal is to find the most reliable, cozy and long lasting accessories for every occasion.

A Place to Eat

Bowls & Elevated Feeders

Bowl is one of the most essential and primary things to meet Beagle’s most basic need!

Your dog should have at least 2 bowls, one for food and one for water. While the puppy is very young, you can use small bowls standing on the floor. The material of the bowls are should be easy to wash, non-toxic, unbreakable. The best option is bowls made of stainless or chrome steel. Better if bowls have a rubber rim on the bottom so they don’t slip on the floor.

Adjustable feeders are very popular now, as you can regulate the height depending on a dog’s size. From a scientific point of view, such feeder promotes the correct limb posture, and from a practical point of view, it takes little space, does not travel all over the kitchen and does not roll over. You always have complete peace of mind with water bowl on a stand, as the bowl will not turn upside-down, spillig water all over the floor. Dogs don’t even think to play with an elevated bowl the way they can do with bowls on the floor. The volume of the bowls is about 1 liter, quite enough for a Beagle.

If you travel a lot or go for long walks, then buy a couple more small travel bowls (metal or plastic), they will be useful for you on a trip.

A Place to Sleep

A dog should have his own place! This statement seems to apply least of all to Beagles. Usually you’ll find a cheeky Beagle in your own bed, even if he has the world’s best dog bed. But if you are determined not to let him do that, you should make sure first that your dog’s place is as comfortable as your own bed.

Beagle’s Bed

You can buy a comfy dog bed for your Beagle easily, as there are lots of choices now: dog beds, sofas, cuddling fluffy donuts, and many more.

The main criteria of choice are: proper size with length sufficient for a dog to stretch out, an easy-to-clean cover, and sturdy fabric. The filling should not be very soft. A good quality orthopedic or memory foam matrass is the best solution.

Beagle’s Own Corner

Beagle will be very happy to have his own “house”, where he can rest, hide from annoying owners, and arrange a warehouse of useful things. Besides, it is warm, cozy and there are no drafts. If you have a spare bit of space in your house, make your dog happy with his own area. This option is only suitable for those who have a Beagle who is not a chewer and will not chew the soft spot.

Crate as a Good Option

A crate can also be used as a house, also used at times when you need to leave your dog alone at home.

We would put crate for a Beagle as one of the first necessary items on the list. A crate is very good for saving your nerves and things while your puppy is growing up.

The alternative to a crate is a plastic kennel. It will come in very handy if you plan to transport your Beagle. He is not such a small dog to carry him. By taking Beagle on a leash in one hand, and kennel in the other, you can freely move anywhere you need. The Beagle crate size is medium and intermediate, depending on the manufacturer’s sizing chart.

Walking Gear

Collars

It’s best to accustom your Beagle puppy to his collar while he’s still in quarantine, that is, from 1.5 months old.

You should select the first collar carefully. It should not be heavy and rigid, as puppy’s neck is still small and delicate. Do not take collars for the future. Better buy one inexpensive fabric collar and it will serve you for a month or two, then replace it with the one for adult size.

The selection of collars now is huge – leather, fabric, nylon, biothane, chains, choke collars, reflective collars – to find your pet in the dark.

Leather collars are considered the best. A semi-soft collar will work for the Beagle. When selecting on a collar, pay attention that it should not be too narrow or too loose. It is normal to have two fingers under a fastened collar. At the same time, make sure you can’t take it off over the head. If the collar slips easily off, make it tighter, so your dog doesn’t get out of the collar at the most unexpected moment. Pay attention to the quality of leather – poorly finished leather dyed with unstable dyes may stain Beagle’s white neck when he gets wet in the rain.

Now on the market there are a lot of decorative stylish collars with rhinestones, rivets, etc. Be very careful with them. When playing, dogs can be injured by a metal rivet or swallow the decorative element. Wear such a collar only for calm walks on city streets, when active Beagle games are not expected.

Harnesses

Smaller breeds most often wear harnesses, while medium and large breeds wear harnesses when only when exercising or training.

If you decide to buy a harness for your Beagle, make sure it’s the right size for your dog. It should fit his body snugly, but not too tight. Nylon harnesses are the lightest and strongest. We suggest no to wear harness all the time, because the dog’s center of gravity changes when wearing harness constantly.

Leashes

Often you want to pick up a leash to make a set with a collar. It’s easy to do, because the manufacturers often take into account this desire and offer complete sets.

There are a couple of requirements to a leash. Above all, it should be convenient for you, then – durable and reliable. 1-1.5 meter long leather leash will suit your Beagle perfectly for walking in the city. Similar to collars, leashes can also be leather, fabric, nylon and so on. Choose whichever seems more comfortable to your hands.

If you do not trust your Beagle and even in a safe place you can not let him off the leash, then you may need a a retractable walking roulette leash. The length of such a

leash can be from 0.5 to 10 meters. The advantages of the leash are:

• you do not have to run after the dog with a leash through the bushes,
• the length is controlled automatically,
• the dog is provided with almost full-fledged free walking.

But beware: it is more difficult to control the behavior of the dog on a long walking leash. Also it is possible that the leash can get tangled in the bushes.

You can replace the roulette with an ordinary heavy duty canvas leash 3-5 meters long. It is not so convenient and good-looking, but reliable, practical and inexpensive. Such leash does not slip and does not cut your hands, and you can always pull your dog sharply away from unwanted actions. You may need such a leash for basic training, as it is very effective to practice different commands with it.

Toys for Beagles

Choosing the best toy for your Beagle depends on your taste and financial capabilities. The only thing you should remember is that not all Beagles treat toys with care – they can chew, tear, and spoil them… Choose squeaky toys made of durable rubber, they live longer. Watch your stuffed toys carefully, your dog might rip it off and eat the filling. Choose not the most attractive toys from your point of view, but the safest ones. The Beagle will be happy to play with stuffed toys, squeakers, balls, and chew ropes.

Grooming

Even though the Beagle is short-haired, it is necessary to brush his coat regularly and keep it in good condition and prevent excessive shedding. The following are great for this purpose:

• A rubber glove removes dead hair and massages the skin
• FURminator deshedding tool removes dead undercoat
• Nail trimmer maintains nails if they don’t get short on walks on their own
• A regular dog shampoo without any special supplements will do for bathing the Beagle

Read more in: Beagle Care & Grooming, Best Brush for a Beagle

Miscellaneous

Dog Collar Tag

Be sure to buy one or make one yourself by engraving your contacts on it. It is better to have the tag always on the collar, so you will feel safer and you have a chance to return your dog if he gets lost. GPS tracker is a more sophisticated and reliable alternative.

Raincoat

First and foremost it protects against dirt in bad weather. If you have a very cold winter, you can buy warmed for winter walks. According to our experience, Beagles tolerate the temperature up to 15 degrees Celsius normally, the main thing is not to let the dog stand on the spot, but to make him move.

Ultrasonic Whistle

It is convenient, as the dog can hear it on a big distance, and the sound does not disturb other people. You can train your Beagle to come on a whistle. You can also use a beep on a training collar to call Beagle from a distance.

Waist Bag / Over-the-Shoulder Bag

You will use it for treats on the training ground and on walks, conveniently put keys, phone, leash, treats.

Car Dog Seat Cover 

If you plan to travel often with your Beagle, take care that he was comfortable and the car remained clean, without dirt and hair in the passenger compartment.  All necessary car travel accessories are here.

Happy Shopping!

And remember – we are here to help you with your choice. So do not hesitate to ask any questions. We will answer them.