To Beagle or not to Beagle - that is the question you've probably decided if you are reading this! But owning a Beagle, or any pet, means never having an end to questions. When you are trying to select a Beagle puppy, you need to ask as many questions as you can BEFORE you fall in love with the pup. In this way, you can be sure the puppy is healthy, sane and that you are compatible with Beagle behavior.

If you can't go to a pet store, go to one of the many fine Beagle rescue centers that have purebred and Beagle mixes for adoption. The only reason you should buy a Beagle puppy from a Beagle breeder is if the breeder is in the local area or if you plan on showing and breeding Beagles. Beagle information sites usually don't mention the long wait and high cost of getting a Beagle puppy. However, you are assured of a healthy, sane, purebred puppy with "tech support" from the breeder.

With great Beagle breeders, you should not just drive up, pluck a pup, hand over the cash and drive off. It should be a long process to assure not only a healthy pup, but for you to know what you are getting yourself in for.

In fact, this is preferred, as the best Beagle breeders will have their kennels next to or in their homes. The main category of questions you need answering are about the puppy's health, what guarantees are there and if you can get everything in writing.

Great Beagle breeders will give you an extensive health guarantee, in writing (yes - you need a contract!) about the health of the puppy they are selling. It is illegal for them to misrepresent the health of any puppy they sell. But great Beagle breeders will not stop at just health - they will also socialize the pup, let the pup know what a house and home living is like and will even start housetraining them.

The basic things to hammer down are what things you are paying for and what the Beagle breeder covers. There should be a contract - NEVER go just on a verbal agreement. An ethical Beagle breeder will take the puppy back if your vet proves the puppy is ill. An ethical breeder will take the puppy back NO MATTER HOW OLD the dog is if you encounter a disaster and have to give the dog up.

An ethical breeder will also let you visit, pet and play with the parents, so you know what personalities they are. Always visit the actual breeder's kennel before agreeing to a pup. No ethical breeder will have dead dogs on the property, keep their dogs in stacked crates, or stink to high heaven.

The best Beagle breeders should also be a good source of Beagle information if you should have questions months down the line.