A new dog is a long-term investment for a family that should never be taken lightly. This is why it is so important to do your homework before you select the breed that you want and find the breeder that can provide your dog of choice. If you decide that the breed you want is a Beagle, one of the most important steps that you can take to ensure that you end up with a healthy, happy puppy is to take your time searching for a reputable breeder. There are many Beagle breeders across the globe to choose from, but not all of them are created equal. It is your job to do the correct research and ask the right questions before handing over any money and bringing a dog home.

There are two different ways that you might come in contact with a Beagle breeder, either in person if the breeder lives in your area or over the Internet. There are precautions that you can take to check the reliability and integrity of your breeder, no matter how far away the person may live from you.

Questioning a potential Beagle breeder is the first step to ensuring that you get a healthy and happy dog. There are things to ask prior to seeing available litters, such as if you can meet one or both of the parents, if there is a history of genetic problems in his lines of dogs, and whether the Beagle breeder is associated with any breeder organizations. You can also ask for references, and contact the American Kennel Club for recommendations for the best breeders in your area.

Other questions for your Beagle breeder will relate more directly to the litter that you are considering. For example, you want to make sure that the breeder feeds his puppies only high quality dog food, and that the area they are living in is clean and well maintained. Your breeder should provide documentation of veterinarian visits, and your puppy's immunizations should be up to date when you bring him home. Find out how soon puppies are released to their new homes ? seven to eight weeks are generally thought of as the acceptable age for pups to be released.

Another popular method for finding AKC puppies today is with the help of the Internet. While it may seem like an odd way to bring a new pup into your home, the advantage of this method is that you can broaden your base to find the exact dog that you are looking for. Many Beagle breeders advertise their litters this way, and even keep wait lists for prospective owners electronically. Keep in mind that if you decide to acquire your dog through electronic means, there is some additional steps to take to ensure that you get what you pay for. First, always follow up email correspondence with a phone call to a live person, and make sure that payments are going to the same address that is on the breeder's website. You can also request a signed contract prior to the exchange of funds so that you have a form of recourse if something goes wrong in the transaction.

There are plenty of good Beagle breeders today, and many ways to find them. Make sure that you protect yourself and your future family pet by doing your homework before you make your final purchase.