Help deciding best breed for my family please?

[Biker John]

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I was going to sugest a Staffy, then saw that JudyN had already done it, so simply another vote for Staffies.

 

[Jack-Russell-Lover]

Have you considered a shi tzu? Fairly gentle dogs. Beigon friezes are nice dogs too but quite yappy. Personally I wouldn’t go for a jack Russel because I have been attacked twice by those.

That's unfortunate that you've had that happen twice with Jack Russells but I wouldn't write off the breed!
Many breeds can attack if raised by irresponsible owners (e.g. Staffies, if raised irresponsibly, but if with good owners are lovely!)
However I do agree with you about Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos are nice too, all of those two breeds ive met have been really sweet natured.
I recommend a Staffie too, lovely, misunderstood dogs (if raised/trained well).

 

[AgirlHasNoName]

Had thought about a Westie but know a few of them and seem to be much better with adults than around kids.
Sheep dogs are beautiful but apparently can try and herd small children of course nipping lots along the way.
I had a staffie and I know lots of people say they are fantastic with kids, but had a terrible time with mine- mind you he was an older adopted dog probably stuck in his ways, but he was very restless and bit me several times. It wasn’t ever very hard bites but the fact their jaws are so powerful does put me off a little tbh.
Back to thinking a beagle now :/ have heard mixed things, some people say they are absoloutle nightmares

 

[JudyN]

Normally when I see a beagle, it's about half a mile from its owner, who is calling in the distance. I don't know if it's possible to train a reliable recall from a pup, but it's not something that comes naturally to them!

 

[Kara 1]

My friend has owned beagles for years and apart from working them their recall is ZERO. ...i wouldnt recommend a beagle as a family pet ....

 

[Mad Murphy]

Ok as one who has had a beagle I can say their recall is dodgy although if they are bought as a pup maybe not so bad as ours was being a rescue.
BUT, you have to weigh up the bad recall with the absolute love and devotion a beagle will give you. Those ears cry out to be stroked, these dogs are made for being loved they are soft and so fond of cuddles yet very active and happy to run or walk for hours. They are smart quick and happy little dogs..

Benny was both the most lazy and the most active dog I ever knew, content to curl up on the clean laundry or someones bed at home he would quiver with delight when he was taken to the woods or the common.
Beagles are wonderful family dogs and I would have had another in a flash was it not for the fact that the comparison between the new dog and my Benny would have been too much heartbreak for me to stand.

 

[AgirlHasNoName]

I have heard about their awful recall. I’ve had huskies, which you can never take off the lead so I do have somewhat of an idea what this would be like. As lovely as it is to have a dog who can round around free or play fetch in a field of leash, none of these reasons are why I want a dog. It would be accidents that would worry me most I think.
Mad Murphy I have heard they are very loving and sweet and it’s great they can have a mix between excitable and relaxed! Lots of people say they are nightmare dogs to train too though and always stealing things/chewing into adult hood. Did you have this experience?

 

[Mad Murphy]

@AgirlHasNoName .
Hi
We got Benny as a one year old, a full pedigree, son of champions he had been beaten, thrown in a canal and chained up outside . He had NO training and I mean none , he didnt even answer to his name so we changed it to Benny giving him a complete new start.
Beagles love food which in a way makes them very easy to train. Take a look at Aussie customs they use the dogs to detect contraband food in luggage! The reward for finding anything is a small treat, so they are very motivated.
Despite his lack of any training Benny adjusted quickly, he never chewed anything ever.. Of course if food is left laying around yes they will steal it but thats true of most dogs. Benny learned the command 'out of the kitchen ' and he would back up put his paws on the step dividing the living room from the kitchen and just wait watching to see if there were scraps but never resentful if there was nothing, just hopeful that there would be. He was dog neutral and friendly to people but a good guard dog alerting if anyone came to the back dog but quick to calm. Lots of love and treats are my tip when training a beagle they thrive on love and food!
Early training is the key and if I can offer an opinion maybe a female would be better , all the females I know Puck, Ella and Bailey all have decent recall. Benny was very much the leader of the pack. None of the beagles I know are destructive in the house and Puck lives with two under 5's both born after she came to the house and she loves them to bits.
The only thing I find with beagles is that they tend to get fat, this isnt genetic its the fact that those lovely eyes tell you they are starving even when they have just eaten a full bowl of food and so people overfeed. Plus this is not just a dog who likes to walk its a dog who needs to walk. Just as a border collie needs to work a beagle needs to move.

 

[Jack-Russell-Lover]

I love Beagles, they're beautiful, and as you said @Mad Murphy, those ears I could stroke all day!
I only know one person with a Beagle and he has to be crated when no one is home because he gets into all sorts of mischief! He steals food, once out of the oven while something was cooking!! Like actually opened the oven and stole a piece of meat! he then decided to open the oven, use the door as a step to get onto the work surface, walked around the surface to get to the dog treats that are kept on the window sill!
Plus recall not great (nothing aalong lead can't fix) But he is a lovely dog! Really sweet natured.
He was a rescue mind you so maybe that was why he's so naughty, if had from a pup maybe he would be better trained. Plus owners in my opinion don't walk him as much as he needs so that's most definitely a contributing factor, whereas, @AgirlHasNoName, you say you can offer a good exercise regime so maybe a Beagle could be a consideration?

 

[merlina]

I love beagles and try to help out my next door neighbour with theirs. But beagles beagle! They are bred to do up to 30 miles across country. (They bought him 'cos he was sweet of course and still is. )

 

[Mad Murphy]

I love beagles and try to help out my next door neighbour with theirs. But beagles beagle! They are bred to do up to 30 miles across country. (They bought him 'cos he was sweet of course and still is. )

This is true and why its important to know they dont just like.. they need exercize and why its important to buy from non working lines.

 

[Shalista]

Speaking from experience, i have a terrier and i could never ever ever let him off lead because of his high prey drive. first squirrel he sees he'd disappear forever.

A) lots of dogs cant be let off lead for a variety of reasons and B) its not the end of the world.

beagles are sounding like a lovely fit for you!

 

[Jack-Russell-Lover]

Speaking from experience, i have a terrier and i could never ever ever let him off lead because of his high prey drive. first squirrel he sees he'd disappear forever.

A) lots of dogs cant be let off lead for a variety of reasons and B) its not the end of the world.

beagles are sounding like a lovely fit for you!

Roxy has a great recall, but yes if she saw a small furry she would be off, but would come back when she loses the 'prey' when it dives into a bush or runs up a tree!

 

[Shalista]

Roxy has a great recall, but yes if she saw a small furry she would be off, but would come back when she loses the 'prey' when it dives into a bush or runs up a tree!

Bax lapped our 10 acre farm three times in pursuit of a poor chicken once. That was the last time i ever let him off lead. Poor thing.

 

[Jack-Russell-Lover]

Awwww that's a shame @Shalista!

 

[Rhythmpig]

All this talk of Beagles as reminded me about the time when the local hunt lost one on the moors. There must of been 20 people driving around the moors trying to spot it with no look. Anyway night time fell and the search had to stop. This guy took his coat off and put it the floor,jumped in his landrover and was off. The next morning he returned, there was the beagle fast asleep on his coat.

 

[Jack-Russell-Lover]

@Rhythmpig that is soo cute!!

 

[Mad Murphy]

love it.. .

 

[Teddy560]

Shetland Sheepdogs, my mum has one and she is an angel. Never destructive or bitey, even as a puppy and a lovely, small size. Tolerated being at home when my Mum worked, dog neutral, amazing on and off lead, house-trained herself. She takes as much or as little exercise given (not anymore as she's really old.) Only bad points I can think of is the hair and she barks when anyone knocks.

 

[Toffeedog]

Had thought about a Westie but know a few of them and seem to be much better with adults than around kids.
Sheep dogs are beautiful but apparently can try and herd small children of course nipping lots along the way.
I had a staffie and I know lots of people say they are fantastic with kids, but had a terrible time with mine- mind you he was an older adopted dog probably stuck in his ways, but he was very restless and bit me several times. It wasn’t ever very hard bites but the fact their jaws are so powerful does put me off a little tbh.
Back to thinking a beagle now :/ have heard mixed things, some people say they are absoloutle nightmares

My sister-in-law owns the cutest little Westie! Her children absolutely adore her and she loves everyone ! She can be quite yappy but aside from that she is lovely! It’s down to luck really, when it comes to temperament, I suggest you meet both parents and then you know more about what
dog you’re getting!
We were close to getting a beagle, but a friend of mine warned me of constant baying and whining at night. They also require quite a bit of excercise. However, they are amazing with children and really sweet and affectionate!
Personally, I love cocker spaniels! They are relatively small and only need about an hours excercise - as long as it isn’t a working cocker, they need much more excercise! They get along great with children and other dogs, and aren’t yappy, but they will bark if the doorbell rings. They can be quite hyper though!