So we're thinking about getting a dog...HELP!

[MsOrange]

What do I need to know before I get one? I have never been the sole owner of a pet, it's always been the "family dog" and thus my parents did all the important stuff, I just knew to feed, water, and play w/ it. Well, me and JOnathan are thinking about getting a dog, just a "free to good home" mixed kind, and I do not know anything as far as when to get the shots, what is necessary? We do not have any type of vet. insurance, so are the shots they do at these "shot tents" all they need? (You know what i'm talking about? Where they give your dog their shots for like 20$) When do they need these shots? Is there anything I Need to know about???? Also, is this a "good deal"?

Blue Tick Beagle puppies. 6 Weeks old. All males. All shots. $50.

When it says "all shots", does it mean all the shots it will ever need?

Sorry I sound so clueless, but if we go through with this, I wanna do it right? I've never been a big animal person, so therefore I haven't read up on all of the animal stuff so I know nothing. But we really wanna consider getting a puppy, I think it'd be good for us and all! Help!!

[Mijada]

As far as shots go. They usually begin when the puppy is about 6 weeks old(around the time they leave their mother) The vet will give them 5 shots at the first visit for distemper, hepititis, Parvo and 2 others but I can't remember for which diseases. The puppy will have to go back about a month later for a second series of shots and then return a third time for more shots. Later on they will also need a Rabies shot. Insurance is availiable but some breeds are not covered. So if the puppy you are planning on getting is only 6 weeks old it will most likely need more shots in the future. The shots aren't that expensive but more than $20. I'm not sure how much my husband paid for his dogs. You could always call up a vet and ask about the shots as both my husbands dogs are over 10 years old and things may have changed since they were pups.
I will warn you though that Beagles are a lot of work. Very entergetic and rambunctious and can be destructive if not trained properly. We had a couple when I was a kid. They were cute but needed a lot of exercise as most hunting dogs do. If you do end up getting a Beagle or any other hunting dog I would strongly reccomend taking it to obedient school.
Have you ever considered going to the pound and getting a dog that is a couple years old? They already have all their shots, have been spayed/neutered and most of them are housebroken. Would be a lot easier for first time dog owners and you would be helping an animal that would most likely end up getting put to sleep.

50 bucks sounds like a real good deal but those pups may not be purebreds, maybe a little something else mixed in but that's not a bad thing.

Anyways, good luck on whatever decision you make.

[JeffGordonRocks]

All shots are probably for the first shots. I know that PetSmart has a vet plan that you pay by the month. It covers all of the cost of shots and for routine doctors visits. I have saved alot of money by using the plan. I think the one for puppies is like $15 a month.

$50 sounds like a good deal for the puppy.

[MsOrange]

As far as shots go. They usually begin when the puppy is about 6 weeks old(around the time they leave their mother) The vet will give them 5 shots at the first visit for distemper, hepititis, Parvo and 2 others but I can't remember for which diseases. The puppy will have to go back about a month later for a second series of shots and then return a third time for more shots. Later on they will also need a Rabies shot. Insurance is availiable but some breeds are not covered. So if the puppy you are planning on getting is only 6 weeks old it will most likely need more shots in the future. The shots aren't that expensive but more than $20. I'm not sure how much my husband paid for his dogs. You could always call up a vet and ask about the shots as both my husbands dogs are over 10 years old and things may have changed since they were pups.
I will warn you though that Beagles are a lot of work. Very entergetic and rambunctious and can be destructive if not trained properly. We had a couple when I was a kid. They were cute but needed a lot of exercise as most hunting dogs do. If you do end up getting a Beagle or any other hunting dog I would strongly reccomend taking it to obedient school.
Have you ever considered going to the pound and getting a dog that is a couple years old? They already have all their shots, have been spayed/neutered and most of them are housebroken. Would be a lot easier for first time dog owners and you would be helping an animal that would most likely end up getting put to sleep.

50 bucks sounds like a real good deal but those pups may not be purebreds, maybe a little something else mixed in but that's not a bad thing.

Anyways, good luck on whatever decision you make.
those are some very good points there. We did think about going to the pound. I'm just not sure, I mean with our work schedules, we work late sometimes, and I just don't know that we could give it the attention it would need. Maybe at a later time...

Thank you so much for your advice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!