For a few years now, my parents, my little brother and I have been thinking about getting a dog. Since both my parents grew up with dogs, they were quite concerned about how much we would actually get stuck in and help out.
This year, they’ve given me the green light to adopt my first dog, on the understanding that I'll obviously take it with me when I move out.
So, I have loads of questions!
Would a Beagle – a breed I’ve really set my heart on – be a good choice for a first-time owner?
Is it a good idea to get one now, given that its environment is likely to change in about a year or 18 months' time?
Is it better to get a boy or a girl (or is it just down to personal preference)?
Would they be able to live with two guinea pigs?
I’ve already done a bit of research on the breed; I know they need plenty of walks and that they can potentially live in a flat (just to clarify, I currently live in a house with a garden). But I’d really love some real-life opinions ^^
Thanks in advance! 0/
Translated from French
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There’s no doubt you’d be a brilliant owner for a high-energy beagle, given how well you look after your lovely Sana and how much time you spend making sure she’s happy and thriving.
Yeah, it’s true that beagles do bark quite a bit, and often for no reason at all. Every evening in the garden, I’m treated to a concert of "woof woof woof hooooowwwl"—it’s like a strange rallying cry and all the other dogs in the neighbourhood join in, even the ones who are usually quiet. People absolutely curse me; you get all the grumpy neighbours throwing their windows open, fuming, "Are those bloody mutts ever going to shut up?" Some have even gone as far as buying anti-bark collars for their dogs because of this nightly concert.
I have to admit, I just let him get on with it. We’re in the countryside and it’s a reasonable time of night, so there’s no need to overreact—he’s allowed to express himself a bit! Meanwhile, the neighbours are constantly yelling, "Shut up, Fido!" I really am a dreadful neighbour...... 😁
Hi there,
I agree with the others—I don't think a Beagle would be a good fit; we did actually discuss this in another thread.
I think for Energie, he could be a good match for you, but for someone who just wants a companion dog, it’s best to avoid Beagles unless you can offer them scent work and tracking activities really frequently. That’s the catch—it’s not about doing it once a week, it’s almost every single day...
I love their cute little faces, but I wouldn't take on a dog like that myself. It’s the same with Malinois; I love them, but forget it—I wouldn't be able to keep one happy, and it’s better to just accept that. It’s not a problem if you can't walk a dog for 4 or 5 hours a day; you just have to adopt the one that’s right for you.
You’ll find quite a few threads on here about Beagles and the challenges they pose as family pets. The main issue was brought up again just this morning: they’re dogs with a massive need to burn off energy, but they're almost impossible to let off-lead because they won't come back to you once they've caught a scent...
The result: either you’ve got a dog pulling your arm off on the lead (and who isn't particularly happy, for that matter), or you’ve got a dog bolting into the wild, completely ignoring your calls. Unless you're a hunter, I wouldn't recommend a Beagle to anyone.
I don't entirely agree with you there, but they are a breed that takes work, a bit of a knack, and ideally — for it to be a genuinely enjoyable experience for both of you — a real passion for scenthounds.
I’d love to have a Beagle. *I* would get so much out of it because I love watching a dog sniff around. Seeing them get 100% stuck into what they’re doing.
Having a Beagle off-lead is possible. I haven't the slightest doubt about it, provided you start at 10 weeks, as soon as you bring them home. We have Beagles in our little community, and they can do it just like all the others. The ones I know are even quite clingy "velcro dogs" once they're past 3 years old. Much easier than my dog, Sana.
But.
The Beagle’s biggest flaw. Even for someone like me who is obsessed with dogs. I’m not sure I’d manage to stop them from barking. So, if you leave them alone often, and one day your work rota means you have to get up early — oops, no time to sort the Beagle out this morning, oops, it’ll have to wait until tonight — they eventually end up developing neuroses, and when they bark, THEY BARK. It’s not cute at all. It’s quite something. They were bred for it. They aren't just trackers; their job when they track down a bear, a wild boar, or whatever else, is obviously to keep their distance and bay at the top of their lungs. Because the rest of the pack will take a while to arrive; no one can keep up with them. It’s mental.
And, it’s a known thing. Socially they’re alright, but the whole "pack" business isn't really their thing. They just want to sniff. So they can often be a bit odd with other dogs. They only have two things on their mind: sex and sniffing. Maybe their superior sense of smell makes them more of a "connoisseur" of pheromones, I don't know. Sana has had a few interactions with Beagles though, especially Elvis and Neptune. They’re lovely and they never try to hump her.
There are loads of adorable breeds that aren't exactly going to put you off dogs for the rest of your life lol. I find Pugs quite ugly, but they're so cute when they give you those love-struck looks. Personally, I quite like Tibetan Terriers, I love Corgis, I melt for Cavaliers, and I'm a sucker for Chinese Cresteds too... well, there are just so many breeds...
I wouldn't say a Shiba is discouraged as a first dog – mine is actually my first – but they are dogs that require a lot of self-control and self-reflection if you want an obedient and well-behaved pet (within reason! ^^). As misanthrope said, if you don’t want any hassle with your future dog, you’re better off choosing a pug, they’re much easier ^^
Aww, that’s right, you’ve got a Shiba! I really wanted one as a first dog as well. Do you have a recent photo of her? (She looks such a cutie in her profile picture already!)
I wouldn’t say that a Shiba is a bad choice for a first dog—mine is actually my first—but they’re the sort of breed that requires a lot of self-control and being prepared to rethink your approach if you want a dog that’s obedient and well-behaved (within reason, anyway! ^^). Like misanthrope said, if you don't want any hassle with your new pet, you'd be better off with a Pug; they’re much more straightforward! ^^
A Shiba Inu for a beginner? Honestly, no! They're far too difficult to train for a first-time owner. On the other hand, a pug is a little dog that would be a perfect fit. They're very easy-going and require much less commitment than a gundog or a primitive breed. I'd recommend a fawn pug with a black mask; not only do they look lovely, but they also tend to have the fewest health issues. There's certainly less inbreeding than with the others. Their main drawback is a tendency to get a bit overweight, but if you keep a close eye on it from the start, they can be a brilliant choice!
Thanks so much for all your brilliant advice.
I have to say, I really didn't realise any of that – I thought I'd done my homework! Clearly not enough, but I’m definitely not giving up on the idea of getting a dog.
Could you maybe give me a few pointers? Breed-wise, I was thinking of a Shiba Inu (as I mentioned before) or a Pug – would they be more suited to my lifestyle?
I honestly think it’s better not to risk it. Having a beagle as your first dog is a sure-fire way to drive yourself round the bend! There’s a reason why the rescue centres are overflowing with them. There are plenty of other lovely little dogs that would be much better suited to your situation. Everyone needs to be happy, after all!
Hi there, I have a beagle myself and as others have said, they aren't the easiest dogs to own. Sadly, they’re fashionable because of their cute faces, but rescue centres are overflowing with them—mine actually came from a rescue. I’ll try to sum up the breed in a few lines: they are incredibly kind, brave, not at all aggressive, very cheerful and always in a good mood. They’re also extremely social with both people and other dogs, but they are also stubborn as a mule if they don't want to do something. They’re absolute bottomless pits when it comes to food (mine constantly steals food the moment our backs are turned; he has an insatiable appetite). They’re real little actors too—they’ll melt your heart with those sad "beagle eyes" to get what they want, and it’s hard not to fall for it. They can't stand being left alone, so you need to be around a lot; otherwise, you’ll find your house trashed if they get bored. Most importantly, they are extremely high-energy. I adopted mine when he was 10—a senior dog—and even now, we go out for an hour and a half every day, and that’s nowhere near enough for him. A young beagle needs about 4 hours of exercise a day, and I don’t just mean a leisurely stroll; I’m talking running, cycling, etc. If those needs aren't met, a beagle becomes destructive and an escape artist (even with a fenced garden, they’ll dig under the wire—speaking from experience!). To sum up: they are a bit "extra" in every way, both good and bad. They’re best suited to a very active owner who works from home or only works a few hours, so they can spend most of their time together. It’s a no-go for retirees staying at home; they’d be pulled over within 10 minutes of a walk because the dog is just too active. Maybe a younger, recently retired hunter at a push... Basically, there’s a reason they were strictly hunting dogs for so long. I’m not saying they don’t deserve a non-hunting home, but only under certain conditions; otherwise, it can be an absolute nightmare. Finding that perfect owner—young, ultra-fit, and home most of the time—is easier said than done. That’s why so many beagles are given up; they’re misunderstood by owners who just can’t keep them happy, even with the best intentions. Who really has 4 hours a day for dog activities? I’m often quite glad I have a senior beagle because it’s already a handful; I think a young one would have driven me mad. That said, life is never boring with them, and when mine eventually passes away, I’ll be completely lost for a long time... 🙂. If you think you tick the right boxes, go for it—and please consider a rescue beagle or an ex-lab dog (sadly, because they are so gentle, beagles are one of the few breeds still frequently used in laboratory testing).
