Possible new family member (dog)

a lot of what you are asking is more relative to the particular dog(s) then the breed in general.  I have never owned one, but I have trained plenty of them.  In terms of training, they are not the easiest.  However a good trainer who is well versed in the art of positive reenforcement training should be able to help you find something that motivates him to listen.

If you have the time to devote to the dog, there is no reason for him to be unsettled, destructive, barky, ect.  Some dogs just need more then others.  If he looks like a needy dog, then chances are he will be a needy dog and you will need to come up with ways to keep him occupied doing things you want him to do, so he doesn't do the thing you don't want him to do.  Don't be afraid of getting creative.  High energy dogs enjoy doing high energy activities.  Signing up for agility classes or even tracking classes could be a good outlet for his energy and help him settle down at home.  It's hard to tell what he's going to be interested in doing until you get him home and he gets to know you.

Some of the best animals I've ever had are rescues, but they are also the quirkiest.  So realize that you may be in for some surprises (some good, some not so good).

As for two dogs....again.  depends how much time you can invest in them.  In my experience, two dogs tend to occupy each other and make your job easier, but when they get into trouble, they get into twice as much.  There are usually issues between two dogs when you first put them together.  They work themselves out.  As rescue dogs, there might be some bigger issues depending on his/her background.  Those might take some more effort to work out, but it wouldn't be impossible.

I say, if you have the will to do what you need to do to make sure their life is happy, then you should get them.  Although by reading your post, I think you've already made up your mind are looking for us to agree  

tracking classes..... as in teaching him to track things with scent.  Even if you don't go into service, it can still be fun to do.

Stop being such a comitment phobe.   Your kid turned out just fine.  A dog is a million times easier to handle.  You know you will be a good doggy-mom to him.  The only question you should have in your head is whether you have the time and patience to do it.  That should be a simple question to answer.

"I'm honestly terrified of this decision, I feel like I've decided to adopt a baby. "

Heh, that's how I feel about dogs. I love dogs, but I don't want more children. I'll stick with cats...for now anyway!

Good luck in the decision making tho'

My mother has a rescued female Beagle and she takes her with her when she goes to visit her sister in Virginia all the time. Her sister has an older female Beagle and they get along like best buds, sharing chew treats, entertaining each other, etc.

Beagles do shed, and any hound has a smell to them that some other breeds don't have. I grew up having a basset. However, neither the shedding or the doggy smell would ever keep me away from adopting one. Keeping them bathed is important, as is regular brushing.

My mom's beagle is very low energy and just wants to be a snuggle bunny all the time. She travels really well in the car and will even drink water from a cup in the cup holder in the car. Very sweet.

Go with your gut instinct. Don't let fear rule your decision.

Think if adopting a dog as being along the same lines as having a child.  Life seems so damn busy before a child you wonder who you will HAVE the time for them.  You don’t HAVE the time, you MAKE the time because it’s important.  That’s what I told the wife when we first thought of a dog.  She made the comment that we are so busy and I said we will be just a busy when he have kids, we just make the time for them.

So, if you are able, willing and ready to MAKE the time for a dog (or dogs), then it’s a easy decision.

If you are seriously considering two dogs (from the same shelter) then make sure they let you put them together at the shelter to get an idea if they 1) like each other, or 2) will tolerate each other.   Do not get both until you are comfortable with their interaction at the shelter.

First of all I apologize in advance for the tone of this post.  It is certainly not directed at you, Lara, even if I keep saying YOU!  It's just that I'm a huge animal advocate, and I have very strong feelings that most people suck at being dog owners....hence my stronger stance on the matter.  So here goes:

Let me just say that it is my personal opinion, only from my personal experience.... that most people do not take pet ownership seriously enough.  The think of a dog as something much less significant than a child...and something that if it does not work out to their satisfaction, they have the option of dumping it, not unlike a bag of trash.  And then, they make absolutely zero effort to learn HOW to train that dog properly to become a valued member of the family, and instead only do the absolute minimum to make sure it is, perhaps, housebroken - and put all of the responsibility for further good behavior on the dog. 

If you get a dog, you have got to understand that they take time and effort. If you get a puppy it is still a ton of work....but you've got the raw material to work with, so it's a tad easier.  If you get an adult dog, the odds are overwhelmingly in favor of, first you have to UNDO all the undesirable behaviors that are a result of the neglect that put the animal in the shelter in the first place, while simultaneously turning it into the dog you want it to be. Sure, I some people might get a perfect animal from the shelter, but you should probably just tell yourself, that's not going to be the case.

There are very well documented methods for training dogs, and you should be willing to learn what those methods are and take the time to apply them.  If you think you can just wing it, you will fail, and the dog will pay the price.   And you have to take seriously the time committment that is involved here.  If you have kid and that kid wants your time and attention and you flat don't have it in you right that minute, you CAN redirect the child to do some quiet activity on their own temporarily, or be nearby you but not involved right that second.  Dogs do not work that way.  Dogs want and need your time and attention every single day of their lives, if they don't get it, they can't redirect and they can't be understanding.  At that point, you ARE neglecting your dog, even if you want to tell yourself it's well cared for.   A dog can add so much to your life, and they ask so little in return....and sadly, most of the time, that's exactly what they get.

OK, I've said enough, I will turn off the rant-o-meter!  Like I said, please just attribute my strong feelings to my love for dogs and my lack of love for most dog owners 

Sorry I will clarify:

Our family's  bluetick hound, our basset hound, and our beagles have all had a certain smell about them that is dinstinct. It's a doggy smell, not particularly bad, but not particularly good either. My dad often referred to it as the "hound" smell.  Once again, it wasn't really bad, just distinct.

My Springer Spaniel never got this doggy smell, even if it had been 4-5 weeks since her last bath. After she died I put her collar in a ziploc bag so it would retain her smell and every so often when I'm missing her like crazy, I'll take it out and smell her smell.

I agree with everything Tania said. I want another one so badly right now but know it's not the time because of what she said.

Not only are beagles the best dogs in the world...ok they bark, they shed and you can't keep a trash can anywhere they can get to it...They are the most loving, sweet natured, family friendly dogs ever...they are also superhero's!!

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