I am a college student and my roommates and I want to get a dog. We are considering a beagle. The concern I have is that we will only be able to go back to our apartment every 3 or 4 hours to take it out and play with it. Will this be enough time? I know that beagles hate being alone, I wouldn't want to get a puppy and then it be lonely.

Ahhh beagles... suddenly popular after the Westminster Club win by a beagle this month...

Keep it in a cage when you are not there . Expect it to howl when you are not there for some time until it gets used to it's new environs.

Why do you want a dog at all? Can you and your roommates afford the care of that puppy? Vet bills, food, medicines, etc. Do you and your roommates have adequate time to take the puppy out for the walks and exercise? What about training? Potty training, obedience training, etc. Who will be responsible for that? Is the dog going to be owned by all or one? Who is the dog going to be primarily answering to, in terms of discipline and routine?

I would think twice and three and one more time before getting a pet. What happens to that puppy once you all graduate college? Or if one of you drops out and moves or just plain moves? A puppy deserves stability, routine, patience, quality time, and a whole lot more from an owner.