As you research options for finding a healthy Beagle to bring into your home as a new pet, consider well-respected, dependable breeders. These guidelines can help you determine whether a breeder has a dog's — and your — best interests in mind:
Belongs to the National Beagle Club of America and exhibits her dogs in conformation, obedience, or other events
Screens the dogs she breeds for hip problems and eye diseases, and can show you the results of such screenings
Owns the mother dog (the dam) but not the father dog (the sire)
Doesn’t breed any female dog under 2 years of age and never breeds any female more than once a year
Raises the puppies inside her home
Begins socializing the puppies as soon as possible after birth
Takes the puppies to her veterinarian for checkups and their initial shots
Refuses to sell a puppy who’s less than 7 weeks of age
Investigates prospective buyers
Guarantees the puppy’s health and temperament in writing
Stays in touch after the sale
