Reliable Dog Breeders

[BlackAkita]

It's been 9 years since someone covered the death of a beloved dog on this forum. Adopting a friend that you may live with for a decade is deep commitment. Are there reliable breeders or dog raisers who specialize in Beagles? On Oahu, I could never find a beagle in three neighborhoods that I occupied over the years. I recently came across this seller group on the Big Island.
https://www.gooddog.com/beagle/hilo-hi
What are the challenges of raising this species, which makes them so difficult to find on the islands?

[terracore]

Beagles are working dogs. People see their small cuddly size and think they'd make great house pets, but they have the same drive as any other working breed. Without a job to do, they can become destructive and loud. They are also prone to separation anxiety because they were bred to be housed and hunt in packs.

Working dogs that are bred for show rather than function are often more "toned down", but I don't know if that applies to beagles or if there are any show lines on the islands, but that might be something to inquire about.

The other thing going against breeding dogs (or any animals for that matter) on the islands is it's a huge investment of time and money to get good blood lines imported. It's not like one can borrow or rent a stud from a nearby state. There are vets here experienced in artificial insemination of dogs, but the success rate seems to be about 50/50 (can be lower if frozen semen is used), so that is also an expensive endeavor.

[HiloJulie]

Totally agree with terracore's comments above with respect to Beagles! 

Had several as a kid growing up in rural Wisconsin. 

As Harry Kim once said about stopping lava being "impossible," Beagles would be a close second! And you better love barking and barking and barking and then wait until the howling starts! And the flinging drool with every shake can be quite interesting! 

Don't get me wrong now! Beagles can and are great dogs, but... 

Also, I'd be a bit leery of that website posted.

It is not really dogs for sale IN Hilo proper, its breeders selling dogs from the mainland. They may be 100% legit and upstanding and all that, but you will find that at a grand plus a dog, expect another grand PLUS to get it here. And it would be 3 months minimum before the dog would qualify for immediate release at the airport.

At any event, check out some of the rescues all over Puna and Hilo. We got our Barney (Jack Russell) from Aloha Ilio Rescue who was a wee 12 weeks old when his owner realized he was going to be too much to handle in a small Hilo apartment. But a nice big fenced in grass covered yard was just what he needed!

Best investment yet: Automatic tennis ball launcher!

[Punatang]

It is possible that the supply of Beagles for private ownership will increase due to the decrease in demand by NIH labs that have supposedly ended the practice of using them for experiments.  An aspiring Punatic Beagle (hopefully with no tic) owner at least has reason to hope that this will lower the price of mainland Beagles requiring transport to Puna. 

https://www.snopes.com/news/2025/05/06/t...periments/

According to the White Coat Waste Project, a self-described bipartisan government watchdog seeking to end animal testing by the U.S. government, Bhattacharya's announcement brought an end to an almost 10-year-long campaign by the group to close what it called "the U.S. government's largest dog lab."
The watchdog group claimed the lab "killed more than 2,133 beagles in brutal septic shock experiments." Sepsis occurs in humans when the immune system overreacts to an infection. It can cause organ failure and is life-threatening. Sepsis shock is the last stage of sepsis.
The group's investigation included an invoice from the animal breeder Envigo that showed it shipped beagles to the NIH in Bethesda. Envigo pleaded guilty to animal welfare and environmental crimes in 2024 and faced a $35 million fine. The company surrendered more than 4,000 beagles from its facility after federal regulators found it failed to provide adequate care for the animals. 
Snopes has not independently verified the claims in the watchdog group's investigation.
Bhattacharya's announcement followed an NIH news release on April 29 in which the agency said it would prioritize "human-based research technologies" going forward and move away from animal testing.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced in April 2025 that it would phase out animal testing as well.

The link and snippet provided in this post is for general informational purposes only and reflects the views and interpretations of the author. The poster assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use or reliance on the content herein. Readers are encouraged to consult original sources and professional guidance for further information.
By accessing or using the information in this post, you acknowledge and agree that the poster is not liable for any direct or indirect consequences related to the mention of beagles or any other subject discussed.
Specific to the content regarding beagles, any descriptions of animal research, laboratory practices, or related legal matters are based on publicly available sources and do not constitute endorsement, verification, or condemnation of any specific practices, institutions, or individuals.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

The company surrendered more than 4,000 beagles from its facility
…
this will lower the price of mainland Beagles requiring transport to Puna.

What happened to the dogs?

[Punatang]

Edge forgive me but it looks like you are representing that I made the statement and/or claim which you have created yourself there in italics.  That would be incredibly dishonest on your part if that was your intent.  I would appreciate it if you clarify.

[HiloJulie]

What happened to the dogs?

This is a very complex story and is not as seemingly cut and dried as the post above shows.

Having said that, the issue of the 4,000 dogs goes back to a company that was "providing" the dogs to the NIH for testing in various stages of, for lack of a better term, "man made sicknesses."

They were sued back in 2022 by the US DOJ and that lawsuit was settled for a fine of 35 million, suspension from dog breeding and care and surrender of the 4,000 dogs. It in effect was the major shut down of this Beagle Testing matter than is now being touted as a huge victory today.

Humane World for Animals was brought in to rescue, care for and find adoptive homes for most of the surrendered dogs.

Breaking: Historic transport of approximately 4,000 beagles spared from animal testing | Humane World for Animals

I hope this clears the air. There is a lot of gas with all the gaslighting attempts.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

appreciate it if you clarify.

I copy and pasted the comments relating to the question I had. I’m pretty sure readers can figure out who said what if they find it necessary.

[Punatang]

appreciate it if you clarify.

I copy and pasted the comments relating to the question I had.  I’m pretty sure readers can figure out who said what if they find it necessary.

Edge- The company surrendered more than 4,000 beagles from its facility
this will lower the price of mainland Beagles requiring transport to Puna.


No, when it starts with a capital and ends with a period like that it is extremely deceptive.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

extremely deceptive.

It’s 2 separate lines.
But I’ll change it for you.