Beagle or lab?

[alexwk75]

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Hi everyone,

I am looking for advice on getting our first dog. Since the age of 5 I have grown up with labs and my parents have had at least 3 at one time ever since. I love labs but we were considering getting a beagle as something different, my wife and I are both active 28 year olds and live in a good size house with approx 0.8 acres of land in the county. I appreciate they both need alot of exercise and stimulation but that beagles are more difficult to train among other things. Knowing the nature and needs of labs I was wondering if people could help with the comparison of labs to beagles and any advice, need to knows, does and don'ts would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Alex and Julia

 

[lurcherman]

Defo lab for me, easy , biddable, also works well but for me beagles are loons and need a bit of training but thats only my view with the ones I've come in contact with in my life.

 

[gypsysmum2]

Beagles are hounds and Labs are Gundogs. Gundogs are bred to work in close cooperation with their handler. Hounds are bred to work away from their handler. That is the main difference between the two breeds.

Both usually have good temperaments. Labs have quite a lot of health issues so if you go with them then do research your breeder carefully. Make sure they do all the recommended health tests such as for hip and elbow dysplasia. There are also two strains of Lab. The show type are generally easier to handle. The working bred ones can be very driven and not be content to settle down unless they have had copious amounts of physical and mental stimulation.

Beagles can be laid back characters and fairly independent. If you both work they might settle more easily if left alone. They do have a strong hunting instincts and so care must be taken to train a good recall very early and to be careful where they are let off lead.

Within these generalisations of each breed you will find different characters and temperaments. Even within a litter there will be variations between laid back and lively and cuddly and independent.

 

[lurcherman]

Could be worse and the springer could be in the list, I will never ever own a springer myself , total headbangers that need only be the correct ownership . Great workers thow.