About our puppies
Your Lifestyle
Pros & Cons

FAQ about puppies
What’s a puppy's gestation period?
How many puppies are in a litter?

How can I buy a Jackpot puppy?
What about inoculations (shots) and microchips?
Supply list: What will a new puppy need?

What sort of life do pups have after they’re sold?
How do new parents feel about their pups?

Charlie Brown said,

“Happiness is a warm puppy.”

The information we’ve compiled about puppies is home-grown. Kevin has raised, shown, and sold pups “underfoot” for over 20 years. In our Puppy Pages, we invite you to share our experience about puppies in families, contrast the pros and cons of Beagle (and Harrier) parenthood, and if you like, find out about the puppies we raise, about becoming a puppy parent, and discover why we have waiting lists for yet-unborn Jackpot puppies. You can also read letters from new families of our puppies.

About Our Puppies
Jackpot Kennels breeds Beagles and Harriers to show. We occasionally sell Beagles, but it is not our principle interest. As someone looking for a puppy, we think you'll appreciate the difference.

The puppy you purchase will have been lovingly "brought up underfoot," the rare and precious product of a carefully planned breeding between two healthy, stable individuals (who win the colored ribbons we cherish!)

Curious about what an "AKC-Certified" puppy is? Click here to learn more...

We have access to many Beagles. When we choose a special two to parent puppies, our goal is to fulfill breed, our own, and AKC standards by raising happy, sturdy Beagles who will be healthy throughout a long life.

Show kennels like ours are built on a reputation for consistent, quality bloodlines. Our Beagles are winners, founded by happy, healthy dogs.

This is not true of all breeders. In your search for a puppy, look for a breeder with the means (access to lineage and clean, well-kept facilities) and interest in the psychological and long-term health of the puppy to be selective about genetics and environment (nature and nurture).

Steer clear of puppies who are bred only to be free of problems glaringly obvious at the point-of-sale. Instead, ask to meet one or both parents, and spend some time with them and with your puppy’s relatives and siblings.

When you hear the term, “pure bred,” it usually brings to mind images of a spoiled, pampered puppy, but now you know it just means you’ve examined his or her heredity to determine health and behavioral issues that may otherwise cripple your puppy- your new best friend.

Your Lifestyle
When looking for a puppy, it is important to consider your lifestyle. Puppies change your perspective and add responsibilities- it should be a fun experience, so it's worth considering whether it's the right choice for you.

Should I buy a puppy?

Are you usually home, or do you often travel, shop, or work late? No puppy should grow up inside a crate, waiting for mom and/or dad to come home. Don't be discouraged- just be patient and wait until your lifestyle changes.
Do you like to walk and play, or watch TV? Not everyone has a great deal of energy- that's true of dogs, too. If you're looking for a couch companion, you may want to consider finding a mature dog, perhaps a retired show dog, rather than a puppy.
Are your small children old enough to play without hurting a dog? Again, if your children are young yet (under three years old and too young to really understand "No!"), don't be discouraged- just be patient and wait for them to grow. There's another benefit: you can introduce your kids to a dog at an age when you can expect them to be responsible.
Do you have a fenced yard? Remember, Beagles are on-leash only! They will follow their noses and can never be left free to run outside a friendly yard.

Pros and Cons
There are a lot of dogs out there and Beagles or Harriers aren't for everyone.

Should I buy a Beagle or Harrier?

Fun family members, full of playful energy, they make friends easily and rarely "favor" anyone over everyone else- they're equal-opportunity friends.
Short-haired (low maintenance), they require only weekly brushing or grooming with a rubber mitt, ear checks, and monthly heartworm protection.
Compact and clean, many Beagles and Harriers lick their paws clean.
Beagles travel easily in their crates, which fit easily into most cars.
Joyful and playful, stable and trustworthy.

Reality check!

Beagles and Harriers are not for you if you want an off-leash dog. They're scent hounds, and will follow their noses - one squirrel means you may never see your Beagle again! (...and the most common cause of death is being run over by cars.)
Beagles and Harriers need frequent play and attention. This decreases with age, but as a breed both are inquisitive and smart- that means that if you repeatedly say, "I don't want to play now," they'll amuse themselves- and that can be costly. Consider carefully- do you really want the equivalent of an active 2-3 year old child tugging to play for a few hours a day?
You must have a secure, PHYSICAL fence in your back yard. Beagles and Harriers will ignore "invisible" electric fences. Your fence should be "privacy" butted end-to-end, although chain link, wire horse fencing, tight slats and wrought iron are good alternatives.
"If a baseball can fit through a fence - so can a Beagle."
Beagles are not good protection or guard dogs. Generally, they're friendly to everyone they meet.

Overall, Beagles and Harriers are fun-loving, happy dogs. One owner was heard to say that,

"Beagles belong in Disneyland -
they are the happiest dogs on Earth."

Interested in learning more about puppies? Please click here!

Interested in learning about buying a puppy? Please click here!