If you only have a few dogs heartworm pills from your vet are the way to go but with the number of dogs that I have it would be too expensive. I use Ivomec which is actually a cattle wormer. You can buy it Tractor Supply or your local feed store. I use 1/10th of 1cc for each 10 pounds of body weight. Since my dogs are all around 13" and 20 lbs. I give 2/10th cc's every month, year around. It has the same ingredient (Ivermectin) that most heartworm pills have but its a lot cheaper. Judging from the dog's reaction, it tastes pretty bad so I usually draw up the proper amount in a syringe, then draw up some apple or orange juice in the same syringe and give it to em that way. I've used it for years and know other beaglers that do the same thing with good results.

We vaccinate our puppies with a 7-way shot at 6, 9, and 12 weeks. All dogs receive a booster shot once a year. 7-way protects against Distemper, Adenovirus
Type 2, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, and both types of Leptos. I know some vets say don't give the 7 way till the 3rd shot (because of the Lepto) but its the way I've always done it and (knock on wood) I haven't had any problems yet.

Vaccine Information:

CANINE DISTEMPER - is considered the most serious viral disease of dogs in the world. Approximately 50% of non-vaccinated, non-immunized dogs infected with CD virus develop clinical signs of disease and approximately 90% of those dogs infected with CD die. The disease is considered airborne and is highly contagious. It's more frequent and acutely affects pups under 3 months of age. Early clinical signs include anorexia, diarrhea, and dehydration. As the disease progresses, fever, depression, vomiting and bloody diarrhea may be observed, accompanied by signs of respiratory distress. Coughing, labored breathing, inflammation of tissues around the eyes and nose, and mucopurulent oculonasal discharge may occur.

CANINE PARAINFLUENZA - is highly contagious respiratory disease which contributes to upper respiratory disease and infectious tracheobronchitis. Characteristic clinical signs of CPI Infection is coughing that may be intensified by activity or excitement. Environmental factors such as drafts, colds and high humidity may enhance susceptibility to the disease. Typically, CPI is self-limiting, with a course of 5 to 10 days duration. However, secondary bacterial infection of the respiratory tract are not uncommon, and may complicate the clinical syndrome.

BORDETELLA BRONCHISEPTICA - one of the most common causes of Canine Upper Respiratory Disease Complex, known as "Kennel Cough". Bacterial illness. The symptoms include a harsh, dry cough, aggravated by activity or excitement. The cough is followed by retching or gagging in an attempt to clear small amounts or mucus from the throat. Body temperature may be elevated as secondary bacterial infection takes place. Highly contagious, this disease is readily transmitted to susceptible dogs. Most common among dogs that congregate at dog shows, kennels, etc.

INFECTIOUS CANINE HEPATITIS - infections are characterized by fever, leukopenia, enlarged tonsils, hepatitis, nephritis and occasional uveitis with corneal opacity. Vaccination with modified live canine hepatitis vaccine, although effective in disease prevention, has certain disadvantages. Following vaccination, persistent kidney infections may occur, causing vaccine virus shedding in the urine. Uveitis and corneal opacity ("blue eyes") are occasionally observed 1 to 2 weeks post-vaccination. While viral hepatitis is not as common as it once was in dogs, it has not been eliminated as a threat.

CANINE CORONAVIRUS - the symptoms of this disease include lethargy, anorexia and depression. The sudden onset of vomition occurs, in which blood can sometimes be found. Diarrhea is moderate to severe and is projectile. Feces are yellow-orange color with blood and mucus occasionally found.

CANINE ADENOVIRUS TYPE 2 - infections are primarily respiratory, evidenced by pneumonia, bronchitis, tonsillitis, and pharyngitis. CAV-2 has not been associated with corneal opacity ("blue eyes"), uveitis or virus localization in the kidneys, which may be characteristic of canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) infections.

CANINE PARVOVIRUS - infection results in enteric disease characterized by sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhea, often with blood. Susceptibility cannot be avoided. Any puppy exposed to the virus during the susceptibility period will most likely come down with the disease, regardless of many vaccination schedules. Modified Live Canine Parvovirus, Feline Panleukopenia Virus and inactivated (killed) Canine Parvovirus vaccines are available. All will (post 2 weeks from vaccination) protect dog from the virus if maternal antibody does not prevent immunization.

CANINE LEPTOSPIROSIS - an acute bacterial infectious disease that is characterized by depression, fever and loss of appetite. The mucous membranes are usually congested. Jaundice sometimes occurs indicating severe liver involvement. The kidneys can also be damaged, resulting in uremia, vomiting, dehydration, polyuria (excessive urination) and polydipsia (excessive thirst).

( http://www.vetvax.com/dogvaccineinfo.html )

Ticks are terrible where I live and controlling them is a battle I fight all spring and summer. I spray my yard and kennels about every 3 weeks throughout the spring and summer with insect killer and occasionally use flea and tick granules. I also put Sevin dust in all the dog houses. A product that works great for fleas is Bayer Tree and Shrub. I put 4 cc's of it on the back of their neck once a month and it works wonders especially with fleas. I've recently started using Frontline and it works great. Most people think its too expensive to use on a kennel full of beagles but I've found a way to cut the cost on it. I buy a 3 month supply for the large dogs and it costs just under $40 including tax. I then give each beagle .6 cc's. There is enough in one pack to treat 7 beagles for one month so it breaks down to costing me around $10 per month which isn't since it kills both ticks and fleas.

About a month before they're due to whelp I give them a good bath, treat them with Frontline, worm them, and move them to an above ground kennel. I also usually switch their feed to Purina Puppy Chow. I had a female once that developed Mastitis (the vet said a pup probably scratched a teat and it led to the infection) so now I put them on amoxycillin for 10 days starting 5 days before they're due. I think it also helps keep the umbilical cord on the puppies from becoming infected. The bitch and pups are given Nemex wormer every two weeks until they're weaned.

Feeding

I travel with my job so I use self feeders. Some people say that the dogs will eat more this way and maybe they do but it works good for me. During the summer when its hot and the dogs aren't running much I usually feed Diamond Maintenance. Starting in the early fall and through the spring when we're hunting alot and running in trials I feed Black Gold Performance Blend. I think both of those companies make a good dog food.

Puppies are fed Purina Puppy Chow softened with water as soon as they're old enough to eat it. I stop adding the water once they can chew it up and keep them on it till they're 8 to 10 months old, then I switch them over to adult food.

This is the easy part. My wife and granddaughter love beagle puppies (doesn't everybody?) so any pups that we have are extremely well socialized. They'll start getting them out of the kennel when they're old enough to play with and bring the whole litter in the house and just sit and watch em and play with em. They learn early not to be scared of people and you'd be surprised how much easier that makes the training that comes later.