What type of dog - Pug, Beagle ????

[GJM]

DS has been bugging us for a dog. I love dogs, and know I will be stuck doing all the work. DH keeps saying DS needs a dog. MY DH likes Pug's I like a beagle. Can anyone suggest what a good type dog would be for us. We don't want a big dog, we both work during the day, my DS is 5, and I don't want a dog that is going to shed a lot. The dog doesn't have to be a pure breed, we will probably adopt one. Does anyone have any experience with adopting a dog that is a couple of years old. Do they adjust well to a new house. I have heard mixed opinions on this, but I can't see spending a lot of money on a dog when so many need a home.

I appreciate any input.

 

[Christine]

I have a beagle mix and I absolutely HATE the howling. I have heard wonderful things about pugs and that they are really good with children. Beagles are too, but I think pugs are better (usually smaller too). I'd go with the pug.

 

[jgmklmhem]

We have always found Cockers to be very good dogs for children. I had 2 growing up and they were great. Very friendly...their only drawback is their ears tend to get infected often when they get a bit older...but as far as disposition and all they were great and never really had hair issues.

 

[Mimi Q]

Love my pug, but she sheds and sheds and sheds some more.

 

[Aurora63]

I can't give you any advice as far as a certain breed, but I will say I agree with you about adoption. There are so many animals that need a home out there. I would definetly go to your local animal shelter and adopt.

From what I know, dogs up for adoption have passed certain temperment guidelines, i.e., they can't be agressive, etc. So as far as adjusting, I think most would be okay, but of course that depends on the dog and the environment s/he is put in.

We used to have a black lab mix. She was the sweetest dog ever, and because she was a mutt, she didn't get too big. I'd adopt a lab type dog in a heart beat if DH would let me! Good luck in your search.

 

[Pugdog007]

Dogs adjust to new homes amazingly well, and I highly recommend adopting an adult or even an older dog. They are typically much more mellow and much less destructive than a puppy.

But if you cannot tolerate shedding, do NOT choose a pug. Pugs shed 365 days a year.

http://www.alabamapugrescue.org/

Please click on: "A Pug: You HAVE to have one" for more info.

 

[DMickey28]

If you are going to adopt I would go with a Lab mix of some sort. Stay away from Chow mixes and similar breeds.....

I have a Corgi, which is a small dog, doesn't shed too too much... my cats shed more. He is a Lab, Shepard type dog with the pointey ears but he is in a dachushand body. I can't spell, sorry!!! He has little legs and a long back... I'll try to get a pic up....

 

[GJM]

Thanks for the info on the pug, I would never think that it would shed all the time. I sent that info. to my DH to read.

Thanks for the response so far, keep them coming!

 

[kikipug]

We have a retired Greyhound... she is wonderful, even though she is large!! Doesn't shed much, and sleeps all day while we are at work- sometimes doesn't even bother to wake up once we DO get home.

In terms of a small dog, before we 'super-sized it', we had a long-haird daschund... she was THE BEST! We still miss her so much! Great temperment, travelled well, didn't bark much, and was great company!!!

 

[Sandy22]

My friend's Pug sheds like crazy. Another "so ugly it's cute" dog is a Boston Terrier. Don't know how much they shed though. But they have fantastic dispositions. I have 2 miniature schnauzers - virtually no shedding, but they tend to bark. OK, they bark a lot. But with proper training....

With purebreds these days you're going to pay big money so adopting from the pound or a rescue group is ideal. Don't be tempted to buy a cheaper purebred dog from just anyone...you don't want to buy a puppy mill dog.

Try to find a terrier mix...most wire-haired terriers shed little, are friendly and intelligent dogs.

 

[Pam]

We have a purepred beagle - he just turned a year old in October. We bought him from a man a couple of miles away for $125.00. He is the love of my life!

He lives inside full time and is spoiled rotten. He is actually my son's dog and he and my DH do hunt him. He can be pretty vocal - but if you work with them and train them, the excessive howling can be contained.

Beagles are curious, lovable, and very smart. Beagles love to be part of the family and are very affectionate. He loves to cuddle, ride in the car, and go to the DQ. He was pretty easy to housebreak. He can be obstinate - but then, so can the rest of the family. Shedding is pretty minimal.

 

[gallaj0]

Another vote for a greyhound. They are very low key, and used to being vrated, if you want to go that way. We let ours out after a couple of weeks at home, and she adjusted very nicely.

She doesn't shed, they don't have the hereditary health problems you see in a lot of dogs.

She is perfectly happy to be home alone during the day, and loves the attention when everyone gets home.

She hardly barks at all; when we got her, she didn't ever bark; she usaed to stand by the door, waiting patiently to be let in our out. We had to train her to bark a little, in case she was out in the rain.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

We have a beagle. As much as I love this dog he is pretty high maintenance. He has chronic ear infections. The vet bills were out of control for awhile. Now I treat him with human antibiotics. He sheds uncontrollably, he howls and bays when he's out by himself. He steals food and has no control over eating, just eats and eats and eats.

With all that being said, he is the absolute bestest friend in the world!!! Would not trade him for anything. My kids adore him and he them. Would I pick him all over again.......you betcha!

Good luck in deciding.

 

[chyam]

I know you said that you wanted a small dog, and I think adoption is the best way to go but........as a previous poster said consider a greyhound (retired) these dogs are pretty well house broken when you get them, most have been fostered in homes so they are evaluated as far as temperment etc. They are crate trained, shed very little (most people that are allergic to dogs can tolerate them) They are quiet, just need a fenced in yard and they love to walk on a leash! Very friendly also. Ditto on the Pugs shedding and frankly beagles to me have a hound smell not to mention the howling. Just take your time and find what is right for you. Labs are great family pets also. There are some small greyhounds, my female only weighed 53 lbs, but on the other end I had a male that weighed 95lbs. One thing I have noticed about greyhound owners though once they get one they usually end up with 2!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Almost all breeds come with plusses and minuses.

If you are torn beween a pug, and a beagle, I would suggest looking for rescue groups and seeing about spending some time with each breed and learning as much as you can about them.

Beagles and Pugs are both good with kids. They are both smart and friendly and average/to easy to train. Beagles do tend to howl, which can be corrected through training. Pugs may be prone to respiritory illness because of the shapes of their faces (many dogs with that shape are prone to these illnesses). Both shed an average amount.

Please consider an older dog. As some other posters have mentioned, older dogs do tend to adjust easily to a new home, esp. dogs from rescues where they work with dogs to train them...in fact, many dogs will come from a shelter housebroken and with a few basic commands already learned.

Puppies are A LOT of work. I can't stress how much work they are. The reason so many dogs wind up in shelters is because people buy puppies and don't consider how much work they really are.

Mixed breeds are also good. You can find a good dog in almost any breed, mixed or otherwise. 99% of how a dog will behave as an adult is in it's early training. My 12 year old niece has a ....are you ready for this... a full bred American Staffordshire Terrier (known to the masses as a "pitbull") and this dog is probably the most gentle, easy going dog I've ever seen. Not that I'd really recommend a terrier of any sort for a kid to have but my point is, every breed has good apples/bad apples. It's almost all in how you raise them.

Some breeds are more work than others (terriers, for instance tend to be among the most stubborn breeds - I have a Jack Russell Terrier and while they can be good with kids with a lot of training, it takes a LONG time to train them and I would not suggest a Jack Russell for a family with young kids).

However, I'd say Beagles and Pugs are about equal as far as work goes. So it really just comes down to preference.

Look up rescues or breeders in your area and try to spend some time with dogs (preferably older ones) before you decide.

Good luck!

Sheri

 

[GJM]

Thanks everyone for the replies. We are not getting a puppy, that's for sure, I really do want and older dog that is housebroken already. My son seems to think that the puppies will stay little forever!

 

[HisEllyNelly]

I had a beagle mix that was wonderful. She never howled or barked unless a stranger approached the house. Be careful what they are mixed with though. Our beagle mix was part English Fox hound and ended up 80 pounds . She was a wonderful dog though and so gentle with all the kids. I miss her so much

 

[EsmeraldaX]

My son seems to think that the puppies will stay little forever!

Well, the good thing about Pugs (and beagles to an extent) and other small breeds is that they do kind of stay little forever!

 

[WilmaBud]

Beagles are the best! I have had 6 beagles in the past 15 years (still have 4 of them). Five of them have been rescues. They do howl when they catch a scent, but it's nothing excessive. My dogs are kept inside except to play or "do their business," so howling has never been a problem.

Beagles are pretty stubborn, but they are the most loving breed I've ever come across (my family has has A LOT of dogs, and so has my DH's). They are wonderful with children and other animals. They are completely food driven, and you can never have them outside without having them fenced in or on a leash - once they catch a scent, they're off!

There are tons of beagles in shelters and in need of rescue. Many hunters have tons of them, and they don't always treat them well, and they could care less when one disappears. Some hunters will even shoot beagle who won't hunt, or they'll just let them loose in the woods to fend for themselves.

Beagles don't shed too much, in my experience. They are docile, affectionate, and very alert, which means they're great watchdogs. I think beagles are God's perfect creatures. If you'd like some links to beagle rescue sites, I'd be happy to provide them But you can just do a search on beagle rescue. Good luck!

 

[Momto2Minnies]

Adopting an older dog may be the way to go, but first i would make sure the dog is good with kids. Some dogs are not used to children and the dogs get nervous and possibly nippy with kids because kids generally move much quicker and in unexpected ways from adults. We have a wonderful mini dachshund who loves kids. My youngest was only 4 when we got him. However, we have friends who have a mini dachshund who is nippy around kids as he has always lived in an adult household. That said, doxies are great. The smooth coat ones hardly shed. Mine is great company and he doesn't mind being home alone all day while we are at work and school. He was easy to housebreak and can hold it for hours on end. We all love him!