[hutais]

Ok I was dead set on a dachshund because I have had one in the past and I suppose there is comfort in knowing what to expect. Now I also have had boxers which are my favourite breed without a doubt however things are different now I am married with kids.
We live in the easten subs of sydney so our house has a small backyard so a boxer would hate it although I would love to run it nearly everyday if not walk it.

So I wanted a breed that was low maintence hence the dachshund but after talking to a breeder she gave me all the warnings like my girls handling the pup.I have a 6 year old and a 13 month old and as careful as I am I know the baby could hurt it So the beagle then is a bit more sturdy? Also we have stairs upstairs which apparently a problem for dachshund too

I read here a few people saying that beagles shed alot of hair and that turned me off however we dont have carpet excpet upstairs so how much of a problem is it? Also we were considering 2 pups as I find it easier. Also price wise beagles are much cheaper for some reason also?

Any positive or negative feedback would be very much apprieciated

[sarah-m]

Ive never had one, but my vote would be Beagle!! Purely because I think they are gorgeous!

I've never heard of them shedding a lot of hair... I'll remember that one!!

[caddalina]

i highly, highly reccommend a doco on abc1 at 8.30 tonight called pedigree dogs exposed

[3_for_me]

My only concern with a beagle is that you say you have a small backyard and beagles are quite high energy dogs. If you like the look of both these breeds you could always go for a gorgeous, squishy basset hound like we settled on. They are wonderful with kids and aren't as high energy as a beagle. Higher in price I would imagine butn I think their wonderful temperament more than makes up for it. Also they generally speaking don't have any major health issues(no moreso than a beagle or dachshund may have), like a dachshund you just can't let them jump from high places(stairs are OK), etc and it's best to try and keep water out of their ears if possible.



This post has been edited by 3_for_me: 10/09/2009, 01:06 PM

[lsolaBella]

LOVE Beagles .

http://www.beagleclubvictoria.com/about-the-breed.asp

Only thing I would say is to make sure that your yard is "beagle proof" as my two beagles growing up were escape artists wanting to follow any scent they could get. We ended up with 6ft high fences and in some places chicken wire in the garden beds to stop then from digging under and trying to go over the fences.

I was under 1 yr when my folks got our first beagle and then 15 when we got two pups to replace the one which had died. Two pups entertained and exercised eachother in the yard

[elgood]

Hi I agree

Just check with the breed re energry levels, temperment - Beagles are wonderful dogs am sure and i always thought they needed fairly lengthy walks/execrcise. just remember they are working dogs - i had a good friend who had a Beagle - one hook on a scent and it was off walks 'off lead' had to be careful - though this is also about training.

We have a small back yard and ironically we have a Great dane, lazy, low energy, cheap to buy (unless like most dogs if you want to show them), low maintainence and great I mean great with kids...

Good luck on your search - i too will be checking out ABC tonight

[hutais]

Thanks ladies!! I do what a high energy dog as ideally I would like to take it running when its old enough hence why I love boxers. Oh that basset hound is so cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We do have quite high fences so its good in that sense.

[*Dragonfly*]

Another one here voting for a Beagle! They are wonderful family dogs.

I grew up with one (she lived until she was nearly 16 years old!). One of the backyards of a house we lived in was quite small and she coped really well. This was probably due to the fact that with myself and two brothers she was walked nearly everyday! She did escape a number of times (notorious escapists beagles!) but we were so lucky to get her back! She either found her own way back or we managed to find her. Once those little noses go to ground they are off!

When we are ready to have a family pet beagles are on top of my list!

[hutais]

Ok I am sold! Now I need to find one All the ones I have called are sold

[shelly1]

http://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/puppies/beagle.asp

Have you tried here?