St. John's SPCA

Housing

Make sure that the dog's kennel allows it to get out of the wind and rain. For bedding use straw or hay. Crpet is not very good because when wet it freezes. Change the hay often to prevent the build-up of lice and other parasites. Ensure that the kennel is insulated, but allow for a degree of ventilation. Ventilation is important because the cold weather air allows condensation from the dog's breath to accumulate in the kennel encouraging bronchitis and emphysema. Please don't place the dog on wire or slats. Although these have the advantage (for the owner) of allowing the stool to fall to the ground below, it is very hard on the dog's paws and legs. Better to go and clear the stool every day from a hard run; at least then the dogs will be regularily checked. When the wind chill drops the outside temperature into the minus 30's remember to bring the dog inside - the basement is fine.

Feeding

How many times have I seen a beagle in my clinic that collapsed in the woods, and heard the owner say "But he gets a bucket of feed every day Doc!". In the cold Newfoundland winters dogs kept outside use much of their food energy just to keep warm. If the dog then hunts all day, once or twice a week, where does it get the extra energy to do so? Obviously it uses up its fat reserves, making it harder to keep warm and leading to greater need for food. The answer to this vicious cycle is not more of the same food, but a better quality food. Buckets of table scraps, or the cheapest dog food that can be bought are not good enough. Use a quality product such as Science Diet or ProPlan. Do NOT use fox food. This food will give a shine to the "pelt" but it is not sufficient for hard exercise in the woods. In beagle pups, poor quality food often results in "Ricketts". Again this can be easily avoided with proper feeding.

Water

Fresh drinking water should be available at all times. In winter, make sure the water is NOT FROZEN. Dogs will dehydrate when all they have to drink is ice!

De-worming

Roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms are very common in beagles. The habit of gutting a rabit and throwing the liver and lights to the dog is very common. Most owners don't realize that this is how the tapeworm passes to the dog. To avoid the unthriftiness caused by these parasites, the dogs should be wormed at least twice a year: once half-way through the season, and again at the end. Use a quality de-wormer from your veterinarian.

Vaccination

This simple procedure will prevent the spread of several serious infections. Most people have now heard of parvo-virus disease. This virus often proves fatal and deaths can be avoided by regular vaccination.

Spaying

For reasons I don't understand most beagle owners I speak to feel that if a beagle bitch is spayed it "ruins her for the woods". This is not true. A bitch in heat may ruin a male dog in the woods when he chases her and not the rabbit! I know of several spayed beagles that perform just as well. It is true that when spayed they can put on weight, and this more than anything slows their performance. If the weight is kept down they will hunt just as well. Remember, a spayed dog will not have unwanted pups.

Other Conditions

Some beagles break open the end of the tail when they hunt leading to blood loss. Although minor in most cases, I have seen some of these "bleeders" so bled out they can hardly stand. How can we expect them to hunt all day when their blood has thinned? This is one of the rare times when tail docking is completely justified. This should be done by the veterinarian and not by an elastic band.

Some dogs start the hunting day very strongly, and then after a few hours get weak and collapse. This is often due to a low blood sugar. This "hunting dog hypoglycaemia" is well recognized in all hunting breeds and is best countered by giving the doga does of "Nutrical" before hunting. This high energy paste can be carried into the woods should an extra dose be needed. Affected dogs recover very quickly.

Ear mites: Almost every beagle pup will contract ear mites from the mother. If untreated they can lead to a nasty ear infection.

Finally, I strongly advise that all beagle owners check their dog(s) every day. Regular visits to the dog(s) will alert the owner to early changes in their health. Cuts; scrapes; frost-bites; broken claws; etc. can all be detected before suffering occurs.

Remember, beagles rarely complain. They will give you their last breath. Repay them with kindness.