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[quote=Anonymous]If you are willing to head down to Madison County, VA, the animal shelter (in Orange, I think?) is wonderful.  I went with my coworker to adopt a hound from them, and they had close to 100 dogs, but they had wonderful policies in place to keep it from being a depressing place.  It's a no kill shelter with play yards and foster homes and adoption days, and they were able to help us find a good fit for her.  Tons, and tons of hounds down there.

If you're set on a beagle puppy from a breeder, start doing your research.  A good breeder has the following:

1) Parents are health tested (and breeder is transparent with these records) for whatever is common in the breed.  Hips/elbows/eyes at a minimum.  A "1 year health guarantee" is a joke and means nothing.  Look for x-rays, records, proof that your dog will not be lame by age 5.
2) Breeder should be able to answer why s/he bred dog A to dog B.  "Dad's drive balances out mom's people loving" or something.
3) Parents should be titled in something.  You say you want a pet.  Find a breeder who has therapy dogs.  I would expect a good beagle breeder to have hunting titles or nosework titles, even if you don't intend to do that with the dog.
4) There should be a return guarantee clause in the contract, stating that if at any time you can no longer (or no longer want to) care for the dog, the breeder will take it back.  A good breeder does not want their dogs in shelters.
5) Everyone has different thresholds, but a decent breeder IMO only has a few dogs, and maybe one or two litters tops per year.  The breeders with 7 dogs and multiple litters on the ground at a time scare me.  How do you properly socialize 10 puppies at a time?  Along the same lines, what are their breeding plans?  Are they breeding back to back heats? Breeding dogs before a certain age? All red flags.
6) I'd look up the AKC breed club and go to a event locally and start talking to people whose dogs you like to get an idea where they came from.  Most any good breeder will have a wait list--they won't breed until they know there is demand for their dogs, so it won't be a situation where you can walk home with one next week.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting a dog from craigslist.  Many people with children find it easier (and cheaper) than going through the 20 questions a breeder or rescue will ask you.  That being said, realize that the people on craigslist are oftentimes desperately trying to get their dog out of their house (due to eviction, travel, whatever), so they oftentimes...leave out...certain details.  Amazing how all the dogs on CL are housetrained, great with kids, know all these commands, and don't bark! ;)  But yes, CL is a great option if you can be flexible with training in case unexpected surprises pop up (much like with any dog!)[/quote]

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