Does anyone have a Beagle?

[HeatherAda]

I'll be puppy shopping in about 5/6 months (hooray!)

Any opinions on the bread much appreciated.

 

[AmyMay]

Very, very, very, very high maintenance.

Do yourself a favour and don't be swayed by the cuteness factor.

 

[kibob]

Incredibly hard to train so I have heard. A lady used to walk one down the lane here and was regularly heard shouting his name as he skipped merrily off into the distance, I have heard it is a breed that is known to send obedience trainers running in the opposite direction

 

[HeatherAda]

oh really? from an energy point of view? or are they generally hardwork to train etc?

 

[HeatherAda]

hmmm... right. oh they're so pretty. back to the drawing board perhaps.

 

[sloulou]

They are gorgeous...

I have heard they can be hard work... and need very thorough training (recall can be difficult as their hunting/ scent following instict so strong)..

They also can have a tendency to get fat - so need careful food/ excercise plan...

If you decide to get one, they are gorgeous - just lots of work.

 

[HeatherAda]

my parents have a standard poodle, who i adore but there is no way my b/f will let us have one. beagles are the only breed we've agreed on so far. definitely going to rethink though.

 

[sloulou]

I love poodles actually - but my OH wasn't up for that...

We just got a working bred black labrador - who is fab and we love.

I like gundogs in general - have you looked at the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers? They are gorgeous...

Pointers can be hard work too... but lovely if well trained... depends how much training you prepared to put in?

all dogs need training but some more than others!

 

[sloulou]

Have you tried this?

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/select_a_breed.asp

 

[HeatherAda]

put a couple of pics up of him in the picture gallery if you're interested.

never heard of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers. but will go and google them now!

 

[HeatherAda]

thanks. will take a look.

 

[HeatherAda]

[ QUOTE ]
Have you tried this?

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/select_a_breed.asp

[/ QUOTE ]

that site is fab... lots of new breeds to think about now. thanks!

 

[prose]

Looks aside, I'm not much of a fan, to be honest.

Smaller dogs, I'm always going to say Boston Terriers because they are wonderful in every way. If it was a larger dog -- aside from my Saluki fixation -- I would look into Tollers (although I'm sure they're incredibly rare in the UK) or a Flat-Coat Retriever.

 

[Bess]

We had a beagle when I was a kid, it was forever wandering off, it could get out over a 5' stone wall with wire on top. I hope you agree on a different breed because all the beagles I've known have been much the same.

 

[Bex7]

There is often a Beagle involved in the dog borstal programmes

Also they can howl if left unattended.

 

[echodomino]

If like Gundogs and want a challenge I'd have a German Wirehaired Pointer - but they require firmer handling. If you want something like that but really easy Hungarian Wirehaired Vizslas are great but rare so you may find yourself on a waiting list.

IF you want a small dog (check out my bias!!) Get a Jack Russell!!!

ok so they require a bit more work but they're fab!

 

[AmyMay]

Can't you just go to the rescue centre and get something that needs a home.

 

[lizzylulu]

We have had two beagles and both have been a pain, one was called Lady and my god she was a lady, a snob of all dogs! They both belonged to my dad and he had to change his whole routine, rather than him getting them into a routine it was the other way around. And they were both the greediest dogs I have ever met! Beagles are proned to weight gain!

They are gorgeous but such hard work!!

 

[welshies]

My brothers girlfriend has one. She wanted one for years, absolutely loves her to bits and wouldn't be without her now but says if she knew what she knew now she would never od had her. After one week at home she spent 3 weeks in the vet's and very nearly lost her. The vet said why the hell did you get one as they are known for getting everything going!!! she cries when left, pulls on the lead and wont re-call. She's a pain but i think she'd be 10x worse if they had got an impecably behaved springer to follow round. She's a lovely dog though!!!

 

[at work]

Used to when I was a kid. If you want to go for ultra-long walks with your dog off lead and only see him at the beginning and end of each walk, you'll be fine. I used to reckon I could spot a beagle owner by the dogless lead walker

The alternative almost always means a fat dog with breed only recognisable from the shape of the tail.

We were lucky, we lived in the country and could choose the former. They are lovely dogs, though, I've still got a soft spot for them even if I wouldn't choose to own one.

If you want something a little easier and more trainable - can't you educate bf about the pleasures of a standard poodle, brilliant dogs! Or try the retriever breeds - what about english setter or flat coated retriever -or labradors are so popular for a reason!

 

[lizzylulu]

I know some one who will have Springers and Springaliers for sale soon

 

[giddyupem]

Weve got a GSP and hes a dream, my husband has had to put a lot of work in but its been worth it. Dont think we would ever have another breed, friends got one 2 years ago and hes the same.

 

[PuddingandElla]

I had one too. I loved him to bits but omg what a nightmare. I lost count the number of times i picked him up from police stations after he had been handed in after running off.
We ended up never bing able to let him of the lead! It was just too much stress. He was great in the house tho. Slpt for hours but always ready to play!
I loved him so much but the running off thing really got to me - we tried everything - i mean everything to train him but nothing worked!
Got a boxer now and she is so lush - walks right by me and wont let me out of her sight!!