Beagle or Lab? Which dog breed?

[varunik]

My sister has finally decided to get a substitute as I am going to college. She is now in search of a dog, to replace me



We are considering Beagle and Labrador Retriever.

Please help us

It'll be our first dog, not our first pet as we had an aquarium.
So, we need a dog, who has a good temperament, it should be good with kids.
It should be an average watch dog.
Should be affectionate.
A dog of breed who likes activity is preferred.
Should not shed too much, Ma doesnt likes that.

Now, I've seen Lab getting too friendly with strangers, that I dont expect from a dog. It should be a little suspicious and should sense danger quickly. Alsatian has been ruled out as it requires a good training and mishandles Alsatians can be dangerous. For first timers, I dont know..

Dad has given us 6k. So we can max extend it to 8k.

Please suggest us a breed that might fit in our requirements.
And also, from where can I get a healthy pup in Delhi/Noida or is there any adoption center available.

And also, things I should check before buying. Should I take it to a vet before buying?
And what needs to taken care of, while buying.

Thanks!

[kenhypno]

Lab any day ! of course i dont know much about Beagles ! Beagles look cuter like Swiss Army Knives ! But Lab is like a survival knife!I am using anologies related t knives so thet everyonr here owns on unlike guns and easy to understand!

[Kumarnishith]

Hi Varunik,

Nice to hear that you are planning to keep a dog as pet...Believe me years of joy, happiness and companionship awaits you..But before answering your query I would just like to know couple of details...In which type of house are you currently living in eg. Apartment, Bungalow with garden, Farmhouse etc. and also how much time you and your family is willing to spend on your pet dog every day for exercise, training, grooming etc
Regards,

Nishith

[prashantsingh]

If you have already shortlisted the breed.
Go for a Lab.

[varunik]

@kenhypno Thanks!

@Kumarnishith We live in an 2300 sq ft apartment. We are ready to spend 1 hour in grooming + 3 20-40 mins walk. And when I will be at home, i can spend hours in the park. My sister plans to take him to park on holidays.

@prashantsingh any other breed which fits will also be looked upon. Thanks!

[Safarigent]

A beagle is a pack animal and a very active breed.
It would be cruel to have only one, and that too in a flat.
Labrador retreivers are also working animals but cope well with city environs as long as they get their exercise and are not overfed.
Are you only interested in a pedigreed dog? Or will cross breeds etc also do?
If yes, head down to friendicoes/spca etc and have a look. They have the loveliest of pups and dogs of all breeds/ages/ temperaments to match you. Plus you will be doing a good deed.
Cheers

[mundaire]

If you are willing to tackle a longer haired breed (with the attendant shedding), don't discount the good ol' Pomeranian. Besides the hair shedding, they are low maintenance, relatively low requirement for daily outdoor exercise, relatively cheaper pups (they seem to be currently "out of fashion"), good with family and an excellent early warning system (as anyone who has ever kept/ encountered one will tell you).

Cheers!
Abhijeet

P.S. - Also, PLEASE DON'T buy a pup from a "pet shop"! Try and contact breeders directly.

[varunik]

@Safarigent we are open to cross breeds as well. We are visiting a NGO in sector 125, for this.

@mundair that's the key problem! hair!! We initially wanted a golden retriever but then, it would be a problem

[Safarigent]

Madras has a government run center for breeding and selling indigenous breeds.
Good dogs, hardy as hell, affectionate to the high heavens.
And low maintenance

[Moin.]

Varunik; Both make great pets, I doubt 8K will get you beagle. Look up dogsindia.com for list of breeders and pups available in your locality.

Regards
Moin.

[Kumarnishith]

@kenhypno Thanks!

@Kumarnishith We live in an 2300 sq ft apartment. We are ready to spend 1 hour in grooming + 3 20-40 mins walk. And when I will be at home, i can spend hours in the park. My sister plans to take him to park on holidays.

@prashantsingh any other breed which fits will also be looked upon. Thanks!

Go for either Lab or Cocker Spaniel...

[Vikram]

My to paise.

If it must be either of the two you mentioned, I would go with a lab. Excellent dogs. Hopeless as watch dogs or guarding. But remember, as Safarigent said, they can put on weight quite fast.After all, they were bred to be working dogs.Same with Beagle. They can put on weight quickly. Have the puppy checked by a vet before buying.Especially, have the hip examined.

I would also look for other breeds. Pomeranians do a good job of watch dogs.While they may not be good guard dogs, they are quite watchful and loud and are not easily scared. However, they tend to get pampered a lot and as a result, begin to think they own you. We had one as kids.

I would also look at the charities to find a nice pup which may not be a pedigree pup but may make a great pet.

Training is important irrespective of the breed.

Best-
Vikram

[lakecity_shooter]

Had a couple of labs in past, and found them exceptionally good as guard dogs.!!!!!!!!!!

I bought the last one for guarding the young Filly when the mare Breeded . Labs can be good with other pets but takes time (at least the one i bought took)


Breed matter but no substitute for training !

[xl_target]

IMHO, if you live in an apartment, no matter how big, you need a smaller dog that doesn't require much exercise.
Labs are excellent dogs but they need to run. It's cruelty to pen up dogs like a Lab in an apartment. They will suffer hip and joint problems later in life if they don't get enough exercise. It doesn't matter how many walks, on a leash, you take them for.

[YogiBear]

Aloha,

We currently have 3 Australian Cattle Dogs.

Our property is about 11,000 square feet.

We have a 6 foot hollow tile wall all around the property.

These dogs were bred to handle the heat and dust of the Australian Outback.

We got them originally because the place we lived before(5,000 sq feet property) was very hot and dry.

It was not a nice area to live. There were homeless, idiot kids, druggies and dealers in the area.

The dogs kept them honest (so to speak). We had 3 dogs because a Determined crook can defeat one dog if

enough force is used. One crook 2 dogs harder. 3 dogs, he'll go looking for easier pickings. Especially if I

come out waving a laser around at night. Not saying what it May be attached to.

We were Never burgled or had our vehicles messed with. Word did get out that we were gun owners.

After we moved to a much nicer area, the dogs really didn't have any jobs and became couch potatoes.

They adapted very well to a life of leasure.

They are very Protective of me and the Wife. Can be Overly protective to family children if other children

play to rough with your kids.

ACDs are also rated very high in intelligence and are known to be able to open gates. Our male could.

One of our females could get over a 4 foot chain link fence with no problem. We had to build it higher.

Get a dog suited to the Climate of the area that you live. Some breeds do not do well in Hot areas. Heat will

shorten their life span greatly.

Training is also a Must do.