Help me pick out our first pet!

[BookerMoose]

I am sorry to hear that you have taken the beagle off your list - especially as the complaints/warnings you received about beagles did not for the most part seem to come from people who actually have had them.

We have four beagles, all rescues, and so I admit I am biased - but we also started with one and therefore it must have gone okay for us to then proceed to adopt three more after that. And although I certainly can vouch for the fact that beagles are stubborn and strong willed and are not for everyone, they also often get a bad rap for things that are not warranted. I don't know if you will reconsider taking them off your list, but I do want to speak up a bit for the maligned beagle...

They do not have a "smell" any more than any other dog smells. The dogs I come across that I would describe as having a smell are those with long coats who swim and get "doggy" - beagles neither have long coats nor would most be caught dead in water.

They do not howl or bark "all the time". They will bark for a reason and will bay (some hate the sound, I call it hound music) when chasing a squirrel or rabbit. Unless they have separation anxiety (which any dog can have and I don't think beagles are any more prone to it than any other breed) or are chained outside in a yard and bored, they do not usually make a lot of noise just because. Ours sleep when we are not home. Our neighbour, on the other hand, has a small dog that barks and yaps incessantly when she is not home.

Beagles are high energy - when there is a reason to be, like we are going for a walk. When we are hanging out and relaxing at home, however, so are they. Of course every beagle is different and there are different energy levels, but our four, even the younger and more playful ones, definitely know how to relax.

Beagles are also not stupid - they often score low on dog "intelligence" rankings but those rankings tend to measure obedience... and a beagle is rarely going to do well on a test that measures blind obedience. Ours know exactly what we are asking them to do, but clearly then go through a process of consideration about whether it is in their best interests, all things considered, to comply with our request or do what they would prefer to do instead. To me that is intelligence and independent thinking, but admit it isn't for everyone, especially if you want a dog that just listens to you no matter what.

Beagles are not aloof - they are independent thinkers and every dog is different, but ours are friendly, loving and affectionate with us and pretty much everyone they come across. When we sit at local cafes they are happy and excited to meet everyone who happens to walk by - and we have met so many interesting people through them. And they clearly love just hanging out with us - I have two draped across me right now as I sit on the bed with my laptop.

I am a strong proponent of shelter dogs and rescues - and in particular considering adopting a young adult or older dog rather than buying a puppy. Just personally, when I think "high maintenance" I think puppy - regardless of breed. Our four were between the ages of seven months to 3 1/2 years when we adopted them, and they have certainly "bonded" with us fine - which is often the reason I hear for why people don't want to adopt an older dog.

So I readily admit beagles are not for everyone, but I hope if you write them off your list you do it for actually traits and characteristics they do have.

Good luck with your choice - and be sure to share pictures when he/she arrives!

[luvprada]

Originally Posted by kasmom

Sorry if I caused any misunderstandings! When I said LOW MAINTENANCE, I didn't meant dogs are low maintenance, I simply meant a dog as low maintenance as can be. Our neighbor have a frenchie that have to visit a vet to have his anal glands express every other week and not to mention a long list of health issues, that's what I call high maintenance. I never expect the dog to take care of itself! I could use a daily walk myself and a grooming session or obedience class is not even a problem. What makes you think I'm not aware of the amount of work a puppy requires or dogs need in general? It's no rocket science, it's just common sense that dogs are living being so they will have needs! My intention to get a dog for my daugther doesn't mean it won't be love and become part of my family. I am making a very careful decision with the best intention for my family and also the well being of the future dog. I went as far as babysitting a friend's pug for a week and see how we adjust. Please don't be too quick to preach although you did gave me some very good advices.

Please accept my apology if you felt I was preaching. That was not the intent. Sometimes it is harder to write what you mean than say it in person. I misunderstood from your note and thought you were "totally brand new" to dogs. I've volunteered in a shelter and have taken dogs in from owners that don't want them as they were too much work. Again my sincere apologies.

As for health issues, different breeds are pre-dispositioned to certain ones (example hip issues for sheperds). Doesn't mean they all have it - just more common in that breed.

With any dog you never know what down the road brings with health issues. I have had mutts and pure breeds that are well and some that have health issues later on. Read as much as you can and if there is a vet in your area that is willing to give you a few minutes - they can probably tell you the most common illnesses they have seen with the breeds you are interested in. Also a shelter may be able to help with that info.

Please keep us posted on your search. I am truly interested.

[olialm1]

Beagles are stubborn and pugs are known for having health problems related to their respiratory system. I would do more research because neither of these breeds are low maintenance IMO. I would also stay away from any type of terrier because they are usually very wild and high energy. Are you only looking for a small breed? I would check your local shelter :) HTH

[aaallabama]

Originally Posted by olialm1

Beagles are stubborn and pugs are known for having health problems related to their respiratory system. I would do more research because neither of these breeds are low maintenance IMO. I would also stay away from any type of terrier because they are usually very wild and high energy. Are you only looking for a small breed? I would check your local shelter :) HTH

^^ haha, sounds like my parent's JRT mix ...she's affectionate & adorable, but she's a little whirling dervish...she's very smart, very high energy & very demanding...we didn't know she was part terrier when we rescued her (we were told 1/2 bichon + 1/2 chi - NOT!!!)...but my mom spent a year training her & she's very well behaved now (except for her obsession w/biting my parents' feet)...my parents joke that she's part wolf because of her "wildness" (lol!!!)

[kroquet]

Check out a Brussels Griffon! They are adorable, low maintenance and cuddle bugs. Mine is a jewel with my Grandson, they adore each other. RElatively easy to train as they like to please. Can you tell I am biased??? lol Check out the rescue site and see if there are any resources close to you.

[kroquet]

Oh and Bookermoose is the Beagle Ambassador. I understand Beagles are wonderful with kids.

[jpgoeth]

My family had a bichon frise when I was younger and he's just the sweetest dog... definitely stubborn though. I think that it's just him, my parents picked him specifically because he was the most outgoing of the litter. NEVER any problems with biting. He does require a lot of brushing if you don't want a puppy (short) cut, but he doesn't shed.

My fiance and I now have a Coton de Tulear and we love him to BITS! Same issue with the brushing/grooming as bichons, but I think his temperment is a little sweeter (again, probably more specific to the dog than the breed). He doesn't need a ton of exercise like a beagle would, once a day walk + playtime in the dog run near our house. He definitely gets hyper if we don't walk him.

[Longchamp]

I would also advise shelter dog or puppy.

Walking your dog regularly, at least 2-3 miles everyday is good for bonding w/ you and your friend, good for obedience and temperament for your dog, and will keep you fit.

[puddinhd58]

I agree that a shelter dog might be your best bet... you can pass over that "puppy" stage... The first two years are a lot of work!!!

As far as having small children... I have to advocate for my breed, the Golden Retriever....
There is something so touching about a golden... they love children and I have never heard of a snappy golden...
My grandkids could do ANYTHING to my big boy (not that I would allow any rough stuff!) and he just lays there and loves the attention....

Good luck with whatever you choose!

[CoffeeAddict]

Quote:

they love children and I have never heard of a snappy golden

I've paid my rent more times than I can count because of snappy Goldens. They are WAY over bred and very little attention is paid to temperament these days.

Just had a Golden puppy in that is already food aggressive at that age of 4 months. The previous Golden guarded the sofa and other furniture, the one before that bit the children several times because they pestered her on her bed. The list goes on.

A well bred Golden is a great dog and exactly what you describe. Sweet, non-aggressive, loves everyone, etc. But there are very few well bred Goldens left. VERY few.

[kasmom]

Thank you so much for the responses! After dogsat the pug and the shih tzu, we decided on the shih tzu. I know, it's not a breed we even consider in the first place but we just adore the dog. We also felt head over heels with the maltese breed. It was a hard decision to pick between the two until we found a really great maltese breeder. We are now waitlisted for a female maltese that will be available by the end of November. But we're not ruling out the shih tzu yet. We want a friend for the maltese and since we're going the puppy route why not do it all at once. We're still looking for a shih tzu breeder and if we find one that we like then it's meant to be :-).

[CoffeeAddict]

Quote:

We want a friend for the maltese and since we're going the puppy route why not do it all at once.

Because the puppies will bond to each other more than they will to the humans. To prevent that you will need to keep them separate as much as possible for the first couple months.

Separate walks, potty breaks, playtimes, training sessions, crates, meal times, etc. etc. etc. I've done this before and it's a pain in the arse!

Getting two puppies at once can be tempting, but it's very rarely a good idea and can cause a whole host of behavior problems.

Not to mention that housebreaking and obedience training even one puppy is very time consuming for most people, add to that another puppy and you just have double the trouble. The majority of people I know who have gotten two puppies at once have ended up re-homing one of the pups.

Why not wait until your first puppy is trained and mature and then add another?

[kasmom]

Originally Posted by CoffeeAddict

Because the puppies will bond to each other more than they will to the humans. To prevent that you will need to keep them separate as much as possible for the first couple months. Separate walks, potty breaks, playtimes, training sessions, crates, meal times, etc. etc. etc. I've done this before and it's a pain in the arse! Getting two puppies at once can be tempting, but it's very rarely a good idea and can cause a whole host of behavior problems. Not to mention that housebreaking and obedience training even one puppy is very time consuming for most people, add to that another puppy and you just have double the trouble. The majority of people I know who have gotten two puppies at once have ended up re-homing one of the pups. Why not wait until your first puppy is trained and mature and then add another?

Yikes!! Thanks for the warning! I think we will stick to having one for now.

[sillykitty]

I agree, I think you'd be in way over your head if you get two pups at the same time. It's not double the work, it's more like quadruple! I'd suggest you wait till your first dog passes the puppy stage, but is still young, and if you want to get another pup them, it would be a great time.

[LSnyder]

We got ours 6 months apart. Both just adore each other, but adore us also. Having friends for your pup is good (especially if you are like me and work 50-75hr/wk between work and home) and sometimes can't spend that one-on-one time with them.