Beagle, anyone?

[jmoore]

Not too long ago, my cocker spaniel died. We have another, but he's pretty old too (14)and starting to slow down. It's sad, but that's the way it goes. We're fearful or maybe realistic that he might not survive the hard upstate, NY winter.

Anyhoo, my wife and I were talking about getting another dog, maybe in the Spring. We have two boys 5 & 7, so we want a dog for them to play with, take camping, play Frisbee, to the soccer game etc. We're pretty active.

My first thought was a Lab, but my wife mentioned a Beagle. I like the idea of a smaller dog. We live in a house in a suburban neighborhood, our back yard is approximately an acre and is fenced in, so he would have plenty of room. What I've read online tho' is they like to explore and sometimes wander off, when they find a scent. I read too, they can also be barkers if lonely.

What do you think? Any other ideas?

 

[Nomar]

Small dog=less food in = less $ = less in yard
Although, I have heard that beagles do better in pairs or groups, they get lonely if they're an "only dog" . Other breeds do better as solos.

 

[Roverlady]

We had one briefly ... and he ran off and was hit by a car...
Everyone I've ever talked to about them either HAD one and it ran off/got killed/etc or had one briefly and gave it away!!!

I have an English Shepherd-looks like an Australian Shepherd but has a full tail and is only 35lbs. She is BY FAR the best dog I've ever met. Very quiet, mellow, easy to train, responsive and clean. You should definitely check them out, as long as you don't have any allergies...they do have long hair.

We also have a Lab/Akita (?) mix that is wonderful. He's BIG, but lazy and wonderful with kids; my husbands dog when I met him is a Lab/Shepherd mix and she is also great. Labs are wonderful, although very hyper as puppies. Goldens are great too....they are the #1 and #2 dogs in the country respectively.

One way to go is Rescue. Mika, my English Shepherd, was a rescue...and at 6 months of age, she was crate trained, house trained, etc. PERFECT age to get a dog b/c I was able to train her going forward but didn't have to deal with the messy stuff. Also, she was raised in rescue with 2 small children, so that helped to socialize her early.

Good luck in your search, but definitely look around before you get something!!

 

[clayatem]

i have an australian shepherd. they are really smart and good adout
protecting kids. The are one owner one family dogs so if you get one you don't
give it up. They do good solo or in packs. My loves to play ball for hours,had to
buy a chunkit so I would not throw out my arm. He all so loves going off roading
and camping.

 

[Eric N.]

Don't Beagles bark alot? I though that I heard that some where that they like to bark.. All the time kind of barking.. I have never had one though..

 

[scubaman99]

Braoooooo Braooooo Barroooo Baroooo!!!!!!

(lame attempt at putting a beagle bark into words....)

Yeah i REALLY wanted a 10" beagle for a long time... but they have that instinctual "hound baying/bark" that just got on my nerves after spending some time with a friends beagle...

instead we went to the SPCA and got a mutt... and shes the best damn dog in the world

The SPCA told us that she was from a litter of ten and that the mother was a ridge back... but she looks NOTHING like one... she more of a collie/shepard mix... about 55lbs now

im totally GLAD we didnt get a Beagle, even though i still like their looks... i couldnt stand the constant Baroooooo Barooooo Barrooooo!!!! barking

 

[Roverlady]

They bark and they HOWL...very cute as puppies though.

Also, I didn't say sorry for your loss about the Cocker Spaniel...my parents have one that is about 16 years old. Sweetest dog that ever lived, although not very smart.

I second what Clay said-shepherds are one owner dogs. Mika loves everyone, but it takes her a while to really connect with someone...and when she does, she's there for life. They are affectionately called Velcro dogs. They will stay with you everywhere...would rather be with their family than running away!! Also, they do love to go places. Hike, drive, picnic, whatever...they are happy to go. Mine loves other dogs and cats...but would probably prefer people. I need to get her a playmate!

However, people DO give them up because they can be too high energy for the uninformed buyer. Some are, some aren't...like Rovers! There are hundreds if not thousands in Rescue all over the country (much the same with any 'cute' breed).

 

[jmoore]

LOL! Ken, that is great! I get it, I know that howl!

And Sus, thanks. That was the most gut wrench thing. I'm still not over it. You know they aren't going to be around forever, but to hold her and feel her let go. Then to bury her... ouch. Gonna make me cry! But you have to remember the good doggie lovin', it's worth the pain.

 

[rover4x4]

beagles will run off chasing smells. get the autrailian shep or a blue heeler lively dogs that are really protective of thier family and will have enough energy for your kids
O yeah as for cocker spaniels I hate em no offense just my .02$ I have a Britany spaniel he has been a nice dog

www.cattledog.com <--the D-web for cow dogs.

 

[syoung]

Lots of beagles get hit by cars because they dig under the fence, put their nose to the ground and track... they don't even look up when the car runs 'em down.

My beagle mix is a bit annoying... great when she wants to be, but will never be able to be off-lead because of the tendency to wander off tracking things.

I'd not suggest a beagle.

 

[KEJ]

John, condolances on the loss of your Cocker. It's incredibly tough to lose our animals. We had two black Cockers when I was very young, and they were good family dogs.

Beagles are hounds, and so are very different from your average dog. I really don't like most hunting hounds as they are SO vocal, and I've never found them to be very smart. They tend to be one-trick doggies, sniffing and making noise.

Aussies are wonderful dogs, but they are VERY high maintenance. If you don't have tons of time, and don't know how to give an Aussie a full-time job, they can be a problem. They crave work, and need a lot of activity.

For kids and good all-around easy going dog breeds, I always think of the usual suspects, like Labs and Goldens. Those, or a good mutt, are hard to beat. Good luck in your quest.

KJ

 

[flippedrover]

Phillip cool site. I've had my Red Heeler for 5 years and a Blue before him for 15 years and never knew about the site. The heelers are a pretty high energy dog but with kids and an acre to play in they should wear them selves out. They are very smart too the blue one figured out how to open doors. Sorry to hear about your loss.

 

[Eric N.]

If you want a good family pet that is smart, doesn't bark alot, loves people, has energy but not to the point that it's out of control.. Get a female Weimaraner.. Mine passed away 4 years ago and I must say it was a great dog. You will have to find a very good breeder though since they have become pretty popular so beware of the puppy farms.

I currently have a Pitbull which is a good dog if you're not scared. We got him from the pound when he was a puppy. I have also had a Collie (great dog saved my life when I was 3 by taking a bite from a copperhead that was going to bite me) and a Great Pyrenees (which made Cujo look like a lap dog and we got rid of him after he shreded my dads hand trying to get a bird out of his mouth). My mom had 4 Irish Wolfhounds and they were great dogs.. Very friendly and listened very well.. But they were huge (one was 4 1/2 feet tall at the shoulders) and they only live for about 9 years as most dogs that size do.. My neighbor has a Golden and it is nice but, some times it nips little kids.

My uncle used to have Alaskan Malamutes which were great dogs ( except for one which was crazy ) they loved being out in the snow.

If your not set on getting a small dog I hear that Bernese Mountain Dogs are great as family pets. Wonderful with kids, even tempered, like lots of exercise so your little ones would probably tire out before it did..

I have a few dog books that tell you all about the different breeds and little factoids about them.. You might want to go the library or book store and check them out. Maybe there is a breed of dog perfect for you that you just don't know about yet..

 

[Alyssa]

Beagles DO howl and bark a lot. At the dog park, they are ALWAYS the ones creating the ruckus. Our neighbor also has one, and it's noisy too.

 

[draaronr]

Beagles definitely bark a lot. I had them as kids and absolutely loved them. I would advise getting two if you are going to go the beagle route. Would be kinda like where the red fern grows, except without the end part. Dogs only get hit if you live next to a busy road, they do like to roam so you have to be careful for them, they are kinda like kids for the most part. They are usually very loveable and the barking is excellent for sound protection. I have always liked the australian shephards, but they take a lot of attention as they are so smart they can get into trouble easily. The wiemerener is a great dog plus they don't shed much. For me I will stick with my goldens.

 

[Ron]

Why not get an overly aggressive 90lbs golden retriever?

 

[asurover]

beagles are hunting dogs, they are going to track and bark at anything their nose gets ahold of. great dogs if your into hunting, not so great house dog

 

[LostInBoston]

A guy i wheel with has a couple beagles. They're pretty cool. THey run off, but he ties them together so that kinda keeps them in check. Peter B will add more info if he reads this. I would def get beagles if i wanted a small dog. BUt they do track scents.

 

[bri]

A guy i wheel with has a couple beagles. They're pretty cool. THey run off, but he ties them together so that kinda keeps them in check. Peter B will add more info if he reads this. I would def get beagles if i wanted a small dog. BUt they do track scents.

Letting 2 dogs run off together unsupervised attached together could eventually be a big problem.

Bark, howl, very loud, don't like to be alone, so you need at least 2 to bark and howl.

I am a gardener and the way they dig like hell rules them out for me.

They will do nearly anything to dig under or jump a fence.

Brian

 

[flippedrover]

Why not get an overly aggressive 90lbs golden retriever?

Trying to get ride of the dog Ron??