Any ideas

Unholy Behemoth

Im looking to get a dog soon, but it needs to fit certain 'specifications'. Small to medium size, short haired, friendly, be comfortable to live out side and most important must be good around young kids. I've beem thinking a beagle but I want to see if any body had any better surggestions before I get one. Any suggestions will be much appricated.

tovalee

beagles are high maintenace. they will chase anything that moves, can be pretty dominating around small children and get bored easy(and become destructive) ,so they need tons of excercise and attention. i've found labradors to be the perfect family dog. they're a little larger than you might want, but are pretty low key once out of the puppy phase, have fairly easy care coats and are very loyal. but any dog is a social animal, and needs tons of attention .if its left outside , will there be someone to play with it and walk it every day?

Unholy Behemoth

yeah most of the time there will be some one there and it will always get walked etc. I just mean the odd day that no one was there for a couple of hours, I needs to be comfortable out side.

rummy

I have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and it is fantastic with kids!!!! Also they are so easy to look after. The one draw back is that it is a house dog.

They are small, short hair and fantastically tempered - the only time in the 8 years that I have had him that I have seen him growl was when my sisters dog was in the house a Veinerama (who was about 3 foot high!!) Otherwise extremely loyal and excellent temperment.

Good luck with your choice

Unholy Behemoth

Thanks for the advice man, its much appreciated

kestrel

i have a cocker spaniel at the moment, and i'm recommending them to everyone! i know they have long hair, but you can get them groomed every 3/4 months. they are really friendly and playful, quite small, not as hyper as a springer, and really trainable. and they make the wierdest crooning and growling noises that are really funny! excellent watch-dogs, terrible guard-dogs!

downsides: they can be prone to lots of vocal activity and they can be fairly nervous. you really have to work at the socalisation before they reach twelve weeks. my dog never had the oppertunity to meet children, so she's not so good around them, they scare her. but a neighbour of mine has one and she has a family of 3 all under 6, and their dog gets on really well with them. it's just how you socialise them, and make sure you meet the mother and see how she reacts to you.

dawballz

tovalee wrote:

beagles are high maintenace. they will chase anything that moves, can be pretty dominating around small children and get bored easy(and become destructive) ,so they need tons of excercise and attention. i've found labradors to be the perfect family dog. they're a little larger than you might want, but are pretty low key once out of the puppy phase, have fairly easy care coats and are very loyal. but any dog is a social animal, and needs tons of attention .if its left outside , will there be someone to play with it and walk it every day?

My friend got a pup lab 2.5-3 years ago and it is still in the puppy phase.
Eating shoes/slippers, running around jumping up on people etc.

I think the jumping up on people could be cured with training though.


To whoever said to get a cocker; do.
They're lovely dogs. The female is a good bit smaller than the male i think.
My parents one is about 4 now and she is still cute like a puppy but not too crazy. Very friendly too.
The springer is nice too, but bigger and more energetic.
Both nice dogs.