To ask whether we should get a Labrador or beagle?

[Eleanorrr]

We’d like to get a dog- have a dd aged 16 and a dd aged 10 and live in a Victorian terraced house in london, with a garden and a minute away from a park. We’re deciding between a beagle and a Labrador and I was wondering whether you wise mumsnetters would have advice on which breed to go for?

Labradors moult and beagles smell.

Cocker spaniel is your dog. A show type will be calmer than a working type.

Maybe consider rescue? There are breed specific rescues with some wonderful dogs.

I was going to say Cocker Spaniel. I love them. I grew up with them

No way am I having a cocker spaniel I know they’re generally lovely but my aunt had two of the most horrible things when I was growing up and I just can’t get that association out of my head

Labrador! Beagles howl....

They both eat everything given the opportunity.

My beagle doesn’t smell or howl...he is very loving and cuddly but also very greedy...

Aren't beagles complete fruit loops?

Beagles very difficult to train.

Labradors are amazing.

Get a beagle if you like shouting. Well known for being stubborn and don't like coming back when called.

Well Labs also smell and beagles also moult...

The main problem with beagles is their noses. In EVERYTHING. Ours is a rescue so not sure whether that makes his bin raiding garden escaping car seat chewing antics worse than normal. We have adapted life to fit and it's fine. He is the most snuggliest loving dog ever with the softest ears in the world. Much more placid than our barking mad cocker spaniel.

Beagles tend to dig and run, and eat literally everything in sight, and even not in sight. Maybe a schnauzer or border may suit? Or a rescue puppy/younger dog needing a good home?

Labrador! They moult like crazy but they are smart, beautiful and loving.

I find the beagle smell comforting but that's probably about memories. I'd say beagles are amazing but can be prone to separation anxiety, are not always easy to train and seem to take a while to get through adolescence. There's a beagle specific rescue group and I think dogs tend to wind up there because of the last two issues (or ex-lab dogs). Could be worth checking though - it's on Facebook and called beagle welfare.

Oh and our beagle never ever howls. He was at least 4 when we got him and I put in 6 months hard graft at training and his recall is great.

Try Dogsblog op

Beagles deliberately don't understand the concept of recall. Don't get one if you want to let it off the lead at any time. They will just run away again and again.

Labs are lovely family dogs

Show cockers are the best dogs in the world.

Beagles are very vocal and have a reputation for bogging off at the merest hint of an interesting smell.

Labradors moult like crazy and eat anything you put in front of them and lots that you don't (my friend's lab had expensive surgery to remove a bit of wire from an underwired bra that she'd scoffed).

Both need a lot of exercise.

I'd go for the beagle, I think, but that's because I've had a soft spot for the breed for the best part of 60 years. I like the way they always look smart, have a jaunty way of walking and always seem happy, with their tails waving gaily.

If you want a hassle-free dog, whippets are great, and very cuddly.

Definitely a Labrador. Very biddable whereas beagles head off and don't want to come back!. Use a furminator to sort out any moulding concerns

Beagles are really, really, really hard work. I wouldn't change my beagle cross for anything, but holy shit does she test my patience

Beagles lovely nature BUT the food scavenging does become very trying. If you have young children you will have to make sure the beagle is securely elsewhere when they have their snacks in hand.
I would make sure you google Beagle owning before committing so you will know what you are letting yourself in for.
They have selective hearing and once they get a scent they can be off so unsuitable to be off a lead .
A Labrador would be a doddle to own in comparison
I speak from experience.

Do not get a beagle

Do not get a beagle.

DO NOT GET A BEAGLE!!!!

(Unless you are going to devote every second of every minute of every day trying to train it for the next 10 years. No breaks.
your life will be a half life, like those creatures in Lord of the Rings)

Well they are wildly different breeds so quite an odd pair to be debating between tbh. One's a gundog known for being biddable and eager to please, and the other's a hound known for following its nose rather than commands

If you are an inexperienced owner I would recommend a Lab (or a spaniel since I am a spaniel owner!). Beagles are fantastic but can be hard work, whenever I see an owner standing alone in my local moors blowing fruitlessly on a dog whistle I know they must be waiting for a Beagle.

Definitely labrador

Are you sure
Hate to be honest but have you practiced picking up dog droppings
whose walking the mut at night you wont let the kids in case they get robbed of the mut
You'll be the principle carer after 2 weeks the kids wont sorry but true - get a cat

Labrador. Because of everything everyone else has just said about beagles. Noisy, greedy, wilful, naughty things they are. Gorgeous dogs, but impossible.