(06-04-2013, 07:30 AM)maelstrom Wrote: My grandma recently got a pocket beagle, and the thing is cute as hell. She's still just a puppy, I think only a months old, but I've noticed something about her: She rarely barks. The only time I've heard her bark is when she was playing with my Aunts Australian Collie, and that was only to get his attention and a few more times when he played a little rough. I always thought that puppies were supposed to be huge barkers, because, well, they're still puppies and learning how to be one. Is this normal for a puppy, or is this a sign of a more serious problem? My grandma doesn't seem worried, but she loves the thing to death and I want to make sure that the dog is fine.
I think one of the more important things to ask is if your grandma has brought her pup to the vets for a general check-up. We should at least know if the puppy is healthy. Here's the basic puppy EEMPC exam to check if she is healthy.
There are some dogs that rarely bark. There are breeds that don't bark at all. Although it's quite weird that your grandma's dog is a beagle and is not a barker. Do you live with your grandma?
Usually, if a dog rarely barks, the next thing to check is lethargy. Not barking can mean she has a medical problem. But it can also mean she's contented, mentally stimulated and happy as excessive barking can be an effect of boredom or excess energy.
