Is a Beagle a good dog for an ADHD boy?

[MichelleVW]

TOTALLY OT -

MichelleWV - what was your previous avatar?

Ive said it a million times, I can't remember names, and the only thing I remember is avatar's....sometimes. Please refresh my memory, it's driving me nuts.

I've had the same one on here since I started - as to not confuse anyone who is like me.

Sorry .............. back on track.

It was the unicorn one. I am the same way about associating avatars to posters too, but Kacie looked so dang cute in her Elf hat I had to change it!!

Keeping this sort of OT, the dog in the avatar is my Aussi mix.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thanks guys. Do you think an invisible fence would be enough for a beagle--we can't put up a real fence due to the river. A beagle mix might be a good idea--I looked at beagledors too (beagle/lab mix) but I'm still afraid of the swimming aspect. DS is very loving, not mean, but loves to rough-house. By "tolerant" I mean we need a dog that won't get annoyed at him for wanting to play or be scared when DS is loud (like our cat--she hates DS)

Bad experience wasn't a bite, but we had a cocker spaniel when the kids were born and didn't research at all. She was a great pet until the kids started crawling, then she growled. Once they were on two feet, she tolerated, but ignored them. Stayed away mainly. And she was HORRIBLE to other dogs--would ferociously attack no matter the size of the other dog. We just want a dog that will love the kids and they will be able to look at as a member of their family.

Thanks for explaining. I understand.

I had two German Shepherds when my twins came home, so they grew up with them. Even though I knew mine were gentle dogs, I was super vigilant about, well, all the things I mentioned above. I just did not want there to be any problems - for anyone.

We got a new German Shepherd when the kids were in kindergarten. I was kind of surprised when, on the first visit to our vet, he formally sat both my kids down and went over *everything* with them, fairly sternly, as if we'd never had either a dog or a German Shepherd before. Although it took me a little by surpise, I was happy he did. It made me realize there was nothing I should take for granted, even having grown up with them myself (though back in those days, dogs ran free and bites were common, lol). It also made me figure he'd seen enough problems in his practice to take it as seriously as he was.

There are so many great dogs and breeds of dogs, it's hard to even single any out. But I'd probably look toward a calm Lab or Golden Retriever. Find one that's not one to run off, and not hyper. It might be a challenge, but they do exist.

Meanwhile, here's some inspiration for you:

 

[Crankyshank]

My beagle boys are excellent with children. Love to roll around and play with kids - especially fetch (have yet to meet a beagle that doesn't). They actually tire the nephew of my neighbor out when he visits. Oh and neither dog digs.

They are very stubborn dogs and are difficult to train. They are scent driven, which means they must be fenced in. I would recommend an electric fence for them as a rule because if they catch a scent they will escape regardless of the consequence. If anything, they will be reluctant to come back home knowing about the zap. As far as barking/howling: my female never howled and rarely barked. My older male barks and howls frequently. My puppy only howls when his brother takes one of his toys.

I have to echo Pea's advice about finding a dog and especially allowing it to have its own space to escape to.

 

[CathrynRose]

You know what might be a great idea.... go to your local shelter(s) and let that dog pick you.

We had been in the market for a dog for several months, before we spotted Charley on the shelter website. We had gone and played with others, and even seriously considered adopting one of them - but it just didn't feel quite right.

Thursday night, I had a dream we got a dog. I couldn't see him, or tell you what he looked like, but in that dream we had finally made a decision.

The next evening, I was on the Shelter website and saw *the one*. It was him! I knew it! I got up off the couch, carrying the laptop and walked into the garage - 'This is him!!', I said to my husband.

My husband agreed, my sons agreed.

I actually had trouble falling asleep that night, getting nervous he'd be gone the next day!

We got there AT opening - and said "We're here for Smokey!" (who names a white dog, Smokey?? )

And the rest is history. He's Charley now.

 

[goofy's friends]

Pea-N-me Love the picture!!! Too cute!!

Crankyshank--do you mean you wouldn't recommend an electric fence?

 

[Crankyshank]

oh yes sorry - multi tasking isn't going so well for me today

No electric fence for beagles. bad idea unless you happen to luck into one without a high scent drive. I've yet to meet one

 

[puffkin]

I agree...nothing will stop a beagle on a scent, including an electric fence. We actually had one that would leap through screen doors if he saw something outside (we couldn't only have glass in the lower half of the door).

I don't want to say they are dumb animals, because they really aren't. But they really do have a one-track mind especially when tracking.

 

[acejka]

I have an english bull/beagle mix, and was at the vet, where there was a mom with a baby in a carrier, her puppy, two 4 year old twin boys and an older daughter. The twins were very hyper and crawling all over my dog, examining him, in his ears, his face etc (nothing harmful, just curious) at first I was a little miffed because this woman who had all these kids and her own pup to control is allowing them to get all in the face of my dog who they don't know a thing about, for all they know he could be kujo (sp?) but I saw it didn't bother my dog at all, he was wiggling and enjoying himself. The vet techs saw most of the interaction and said "must be the beagle in him tolerating all of that craziness"

 

[goofy's friends]

Ha--I like the vet's comments

hmmmm, what to do about a fence then. Maybe a dog run........

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Ha--I like the vet's comments

hmmmm, what to do about a fence then. Maybe a dog run........

It should be clear to you that this breed is not a match without a fence.

This is part of the process of dog selection. You have to be able to provide a safe environment for the dog and your son.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I don't have any experience with beagles, but I am seconding the advice of picking the individual dog very well, once you've chosen your breed.

I have two German Shepherds that are as different as night and day, despite being from the same breed and looking very alike. My younger male shepherd is very protective and can be a big stress ball if he doesn't understand what is going on. He is a velcro dog, incredibly active, doesn't care for strangers, actively dislikes other dogs while on leash, and is not particularly good around small children because he doesn't understand the size difference issue (although he does LOVE children and that is part of the problem - he is just too eager for a 90 lb dog). My older female shepherd, on the other hand, is practically a Lab. She is a mellow ball of cuddles and joy, for everyone and everything. She will sit quietly with her tail wagging furiously as strangers come up to greet her. She is also tolerant to a fault - if she is upset with something that is being done to her, she will cry a bit, but would never snap or growl. Both dogs were rescue dogs and we were told right up front by the rescue that Jack (our male) would not be adopted to a house with small children. Sasha would have been adopted to a house with children, cats, small dogs, anything. A good rescue will know their dogs.

So, my advice would be to pick a breed (and maybe a beagle is the perfect breed for you - I have no idea) and then start looking into breed-specific rescues. With a puppy, it's difficult to know what the personality of the dog will be once it's grown up. If you look at slightly older dogs (6 months and up), it will be easier to get a dog that you know will work for your family because they will already be showing those personality traits. Only look at dogs that are living with foster families, not in shelters. Dogs in shelters seldom show their true personality, whereas dogs in foster families are often homed with children, cats, other dogs, etc. so you know what their strengths/weaknesses are.

My cousin and her family did extensive research before choosing their breed - a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever - and bought a puppy from a good breeder. They ended up with a nightmare - she's hyperactive, chews everything, barks and growls at strangers, cannot be around other dogs, and bites (including family members). This is not normal for the breed and they have had her in training since she was 12 weeks old (including hiring personal trainers/behaviorists to work with her) - it is just her personality. They keep asking me to bring my shepherds over to work with her on her dog-dog issues, but I just can't do it anymore. It was ok for Sasha to have a 8-week old puppy attached to her face, but now that the dog is over a year old and still hasn't learned any better, it's just not fair to my dogs.

So no matter what breed you choose, be careful with the individual dog that you bring home!

 

[goofy's friends]

It should be clear to you that this breed is not a match without a fence.

This is part of the process of dog selection. You have to be able to provide a safe environment for the dog and your son.

I wasn't just speaking of the beagle, it would be a concern with any dog. I AM concerned about the best environment for the dog and my son.

 

[goofy's friends]

Great points, Sarah Rose--I will look into that once we decide.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Sarah_Rose

I don't mean to pick on you, but I am going to point out a couple of things in your post that are common mistakes that many dog owners make.

She is also tolerant to a fault - if she is upset with something that is being done to her, she will cry a bit, but would never snap or growl.

Has never snapped or growled would be more accurate. You can never guarantee with ANY dog that they WOULD never snap or growl. Given the right circumstances, any dog could. Even a dog that is normally docile. Which is why there are so many dog bites every day. It's not just the "bad dogs" doing all the biting.

was ok for Sasha to have a 8-week old puppy attached to her face

Lucky for puppy that Sasha was so patient. Many dogs may not have been. Puppies need to be taught social skills as well, and unfamiliar dogs who aren't shielded from this will take it upon themselves to teach the only way they know how - with a warning growl, and then a bite if it doesn't stop.

 

[Goldenbear6]

A golden retriever would be an excellent dog to have.

I agree with this, 100%. You could not get a better dog for your son. I really believe a Golden comes from heaven. I have never seen one get upset with the owner.

 

[Goldenbear6]

Thanks guys. Do you think an invisible fence would be enough for a beagle--we can't put up a real fence due to the river. A beagle mix might be a good idea--I looked at beagledors too (beagle/lab mix) but I'm still afraid of the swimming aspect. DS is very loving, not mean, but loves to rough-house. By "tolerant" I mean we need a dog that won't get annoyed at him for wanting to play or be scared when DS is loud (like our cat--she hates DS)

Bad experience wasn't a bite, but we had a cocker spaniel when the kids were born and didn't research at all. She was a great pet until the kids started crawling, then she growled. Once they were on two feet, she tolerated, but ignored them. Stayed away mainly. And she was HORRIBLE to other dogs--would ferociously attack no matter the size of the other dog. We just want a dog that will love the kids and they will be able to look at as a member of their family.

From this post, it looks like you already have your mind made up, or you already have the beagle. Again, the best dog for your son would be a Golden Retriever. One clairafication, a Golden must be an indoor dog. They will become a very important part of your family, they have do be with people. They also loose a lot of hair. If this is a problem, then forget everything I said about getting a Golden. I have never seen this breed get mad or frustrated.

 

[goofy's friends]

From this post, it looks like you already have your mind made up, or you already have the beagle. Again, the best dog for your son would be a Golden Retriever. One clairafication, a Golden must be an indoor dog. They will become a very important part of your family, they have do be with people. They also loose a lot of hair. If this is a problem, then forget everything I said about getting a Golden. I have never seen this breed get mad or frustrated.

Why would I ask these questions if I already had a beagle???? No, I haven't made up my mind at all....in fact, the post you quoted states that maybe a mix would be the way to go. I have considered a Golden, the only thing stopping me is the size and the hair like you said. I was just this minute researching Golden mixes that are smaller. I haven't decided anything which is why I'm asking for opinions.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I second going through a rescue that places dogs in foster families. By doing this, you are more aware of how the dog will interact with children, other animals, etc. The rescue wants to find the best family for the dog, just as you want to find the best dog for you. A good rescue will be open and honest with you...the last thing they want is for the dog to wind up back in the shelter. Of course, there are no gurantees that a dog will never bite or show agression, but knowing the animal's history can be very helpful.

Good luck with your search!

 

[Dee & Greg]

We have three beagle-mixes from shelters. Two of mine love children, and don't wander or bark.

Also, I foster Great Pyrenees (www.igpr.org) and and found them to be big, hugable love bugs. They don't usually jump up on people, or lick.
Our neighbor has an 8 yr old autistic son and they adopted one of my fosters. That dog loves that little boy, and lets him hang all over her.

My Holly (from animal control)

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My past fosters:

 

[goofy's friends]

We have three beagle-mixes from shelters. Two of mine love children, and don't wander or bark.

Also, I foster Great Pyrenees (www.igpr.org) and and found them to be big, hugable love bugs. They don't usually jump up on people, or lick.
Our neighbor has an 8 yr old autistic son and they adopted one of my fosters. That dog loves that little boy, and lets him hang all over her.

My Holly (from animal control)

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My past fosters:

Holly is beautiful! What is she mixed with--do you know? GP are great dogs--my inlaws had some to herd sheep and loved them, but I never considered them a family pet--hmmm, may have to check into that........