This is why you should not adopt Snoopy

If you like Peanuts then you love Snoopy. Snoopy is the beagle flying on the Sopwith Camel that has entertained generations of people. However, it’s very possibly that you should not adopt Snoopy. Yes, the beagle is super cute, has a small frame, is very easy going and great with kids, but you shouldn’t rush out to adopt one just because you fell in love with Peanuts again. Here are the pros and cons of adopting a beagle like Snoopy.

First off it’s important to note the timing. After every major movie release and natural disaster people want to adopt “the” pet. After Hurricane Katrina people were moved to adopt a ‘Katrina’ pet. We would say that those animals were in quarantine, but we have lots of other great animals. “No thanks” was quite often the response. The same goes for the aftermath of every major natural disaster where pet evacuations were needed and rescue organizations transported pets from there or accepted them in a safe area.

When an animal themed movie is released it opens up a floodgate of curiosity about the breed. 101 Dalmatians was released and animal shelters around the country received requests about Dalmatians. “I’m sorry, we don’t have any Dalmatians, but we do have dozens of other great dogs”, their response was the same as the people who wanted a ‘Katrina’ pet.  The same goes for any Chihuahua, Shaggy Dog or erstwhile Benji-looking breed out there.

Surely you’ve heard about the world’s saddest dog? That dog has received over 3,000 adoption applications! Lana is a 1.5 year old lab mix who will go to a good home, but what about the other 2,999 adoption applicants who wanted to adopt the world’s saddest dog?

The world’s saddest dog is located at an animal shelter near you.

It’s the black lab who is just a bit too heavy. The tan retriever who barks in her cage. The little min pin that doesn’t like children, cats or men. They are the world’s saddest dogs; they simply weren’t captured at the precise moment and shared as thoroughly as Lana was on social media.

So people will want to adopt Snoopy after this weekend and some of the people wanting to do so will be a great home for the breed, but many are not.

All dogs need lots of attention, but beagles have such a strong hunting instinct (they’ve still got lots of hound in them!) that they’ll get bored easily. If your plan is to crate them all day while you’re at work then they are not a good fit for you. Actually, if you’re going to crate any dog all day from the day you adopt them then you’re best off getting a cat instead of dog.

What if your crate is bigger, say an apartment sized living space? Again, if you leave them alone all day they’ll bark, destroy things and try to act out in order to get your attention. Think of a beagle like a 9 year old child. They need lots of exercise and mental stimulation or they’ll exhaust and frustrate you with their behavior.

If you work from home then the beagle could be a good fit for you. Especially if you have a fenced in yard and multiple people living in the house-now you’re talking, this is an environment where the beagle will thrive.

Beagles are smart dogs and want something to do. They’re quite trainable and like most great dogs simply want to make you happy. Another reason why some folks want to adopt a beagle is because they won’t get too big, that’s a plus for folks who live in apartments.

One thing to watch out for with beagles is their weight. As they get older they’re prone to gaining weight and because their bellies are close to the ground anyway it’s important to get them outside often and every day. Just because you got your wish of having a small dog, doesn’t mean that it’s a good living arrangement for the dog too.

We’ve heard great things about Peanuts. We also love some Snoopy. When we were a child we wanted to adopt a beagle for these very reasons, but the closest I got was a bunny rabbit. The perfect pet and the world’s saddest pet are both waiting for you at your local animal shelter. It’s quite possible that they’re one-and- the same.

When adopting a pet try not to be swayed by natural disasters, pop culture figures or animated characters. Adopting a pet, for them, should be a life-long relationship.   Don’t rush into it because you want a talking point pet where you can say it’s a from a certain hurricane, looks like the one that celebrity has or was in a film.

You adopt a pet because they’re a great fit for your living situation and has the base personality that melds with those that live there. Beagles and of course, Snoopy rock; just make sure that your home is appropriate for them.