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?

Labrador tail = Weapon of Mass Destruction

So, with my dog trainer hat on, the important questions.........what do you want to enjoy doing with the dog, what amount of time do you have available for training/exercise, how do you feel about a house full of hair, how much access do you have to offload walking areas, do you want to do any particular activities which include the dog, how much time will the dog be expected to be alone (beagles more than most are a very pack orientated breed and tend towards separation anxiety)
Do you have the stamina for 2 years minimum of over excited bouncy lunging Labrador intent on being everything's best friend regardless of their opinion and who will gallop full tilt towards every living being at top speed with a 'bull in China shop' approach and no respect for a recall command? Are you happy to accept that an average beagle will struggle to hear you (and therefore recall) in any environment where there is potential to scent, probably for life?

Most importantly, what specific breed characteristics have narrowed down your choice to these 2 breeds?

The more you can decide now on what specific things you want and what 'downsides' (all breeds have them) you can live with, the better your chance of the right match for both you and the dog

Oh, Whoknowswhocares what a great post!

Beagle=nose down, find scent, goodbye.

Labradors are so popular that they can be overbred and unscrupulous breeders don't health test. Sadly, many labs will have hip/elbow issues later (or sooner) in life. If you go for a lab, insist on health tests (not checks) eg hip scores and ensure you actually see the genuine certificates (these can be verified on the KC website) and that they are low. Elbow scores should be zero.

Maybe you could go to a breed rescue for whatever breed you choose. There are so many needing homes.

Try this quiz, just for fun because it threw up breeds I'd never considered and made me laugh! It does make you consider coat maintenance, exercise requirements etc.

www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/findabreed/default.aspx

Maybe you could go to a breed rescue for whatever breed you choose. There are so many needing homes.

But unless you work from home or are retired, the main ones are unlikely to touch you. Breed rescues may be better, although I'd always want a pup.

Please consider visiting a few rescues, it may help you to choose and you may just fall in love with a dog who needs a home while you are there! Some are happy for you to exercise the dogs too so you will see whether bouncy or more reserved is your thing.
Rescues do have certain criteria for rehoming, I agree, and that’s for the well being of the dog, can only be a good thing in my opinion.

Another vote for Labrador but I am biased. Ours is 9 years old and a dream. Great on the lead, even better off the lead. And apart from the moulting (although I hear a labradoodle doesn't have this problem) has been easy to train and a lovely companion. In comparison to our cocker spaniel who is the craziest yet loveliest little nutter in the world

Surely Maelstrop, if you have a puppy, then you should be at home anyway? The Lab rescue we have used is sensible about it so as long as the dog isnt left for more than 4 hours, its fine, assuming its an adult of course.