Is the beagle a good breed for me?

Question
My dalmation died at the age of 7 on 7/28/02.  We are looking into another pet within the next 6 months.  I loved my dalmation but she was deaf & shed incessantly.  Please help me...
Do Beagles shed a lot ?  Are they good with children under 5 ?  He/She would spend about 30 hours a week hoem alone in an unfinished basement completed for all his/her needs.  Would a beagle adapt well to this ?  Are they good watch dogs ?   protectors ? companions ?  We are also thinking of getting two, since they would be alone a lot.  Are beagles good with other beagles ? other dogs in general ?  They would be purchased or adopted together.

Answer
Hi and thanks for writing to me!
I am so sorry to hear about your Dalmation passing away.

The story on beagles;
* They are good with children and very social animals.
* They shed but minimally if brushed often.
* They are pack animals and therefore crave companionship.
* One beagle left alone a lot will usually become an  
 incessant barker/bayer.
* Two beagles or a beagle and anything else is a good way
 to assure that they have companionship.
* Beagles are excellent alerters but would not usually be
 good defenders, they are too docile and too friendly.
* Beagles (despite old tales) are not hard to train but
 they do require consistency and MUST be trained well
 because their noses rule their world.
* Beagles have a propensity for becoming obese and should
 NEVER be given human food and their diet should be
 watched very carefully.
* Beagles are pretty active and if they are left home alone
 a lot during the day should be walked regularly (not
 just allowed then to go out in the backyard.) They also
 crave the stimulation of activity and odors.

I hope this helps some. Feel free to check back anytime.
Have4Paws