First dog... Is a Beagle a good idea?

The problem is that beagles are hunting dogs, so your little guinea pigs will definitely be at risk. You’d need a breed that gets on well with other pets – and that’s clearly not a hunting dog. When you say you’re happy to provide plenty of exercise, how many hours a day are we talking about?

Thanks for the quick replies! I wasn't expecting such negative feedback; I’d only heard good things until now and lots of websites recommended them, so I’m a bit surprised... In terms of my lifestyle, I’m currently living with my parents. I usually work in retail, but my last contract ended at the start of January, so I’m taking the opportunity to focus on my driving test and my career plans. My boyfriend and I are planning to move in together by late 2018 or early 2019, and we'll be looking for a little house with a garden. We’ve also got two fairly young guinea pigs. So, that’s my situation. As for the dog itself, an affectionate companion would be my ideal. If it’s an active breed, I’ll make sure it gets as much exercise as possible. The only "issue", so to speak, is that because I’m "imposing" it on my parents, I need to choose a dog that isn’t too big, as I am still living at home for now. I initially thought about getting a Shiba Inu, but I was strongly advised against it as a first dog. I’ve since turned to the Beagle, which was my second favourite.

A dog of roughly the same size, which is a great choice for a first-time owner and has a really adorable face in my opinion, is the Shetland Sheepdog. They’re active as well but know how to settle down and they absolutely love a cuddle! Definitely a better candidate than a Beagle, as Lorna rightly pointed out! What sort of qualities are you looking for in a dog?