mutex

Hi,

I'm thinking of adding a second dog to my household. I currently have a
wonderful golden retriever. I'm looking for a smallish but durable dog
that would be able to romp and play (somewhat roughly) with my GR, hike
with us (we currently hike about 10-20 miles per week - not long,
weekend hikes but 5-7 short hikes per week), and be as gentle and
tolerant of my children as my GR is. Size is a consideration. I'm
thinking less then 30 pounds.

I like beagles. They have most of the characteristics I'd want in a
second dog. Their wanderlust concerns me a bit, though. When my GR was
a puppy, I "trained" her to stay near me off lead. The training method
was simple: walk with her in the woods and when she wandered off, I hid
behind a tree. Being a puppy, she'd get nervous and start looking for
me. When (and if) she found me, I would congratulate her profusely.
This technique worked very well and to this day, my GR will not let me
out of her sight when off lead. I couldn't hide on her now if I wanted
to (she is too smart and too fast!). It's really, really nice being
able to hike with her off lead and not worry about her running off and
getting lost.

I don't know what this technique is called - but it is a known technique
as I read it in a book somewhere. Could this technique possibly work
for a beagle? Also, how fast are beagles? I mean, 13" is pretty small
- if one started after a scent, shouldn't a fit, full-grown man be able
to corral the little bugger before it got too far? My point is, I
guess, is it realistic to expect that I could ever take a beagle hiking
off lead like I currently do with my GR?

If a beagle would be completely inappropriate for off lead hiking, then
could someone recommend another breed that has the good, friendly
temperament (with people and other dogs), is small, but durable enough
to romp with a healthy and playful GR, and that could (with modest
effort) be trained to hike off lead. Thanks!

diddy

I REALLY don't think you want a beagle. I mean.. I REALLY REALLY REALLY
think you do NOT want a beagle.
(I have 2 beagles)

sulkhalil

Howdy mutex,
Look into Australia Cattle Dogs.

Frank X. Morris
http://community.webtv.net/Sulkhalil/SalukiCornerChime

darby wiggins

I'm not an expert, but why don't you look at the local shelter? I've
personally never owned a shelter dog - not because I wouldn't - never had
the situation arise, but lots of folks here have shelter dogs and find them
to be wonderful additions. However, most shelter dogs are about the size of
a golden or larger....but if your flexible.....

If your looking for a purebred, try breed rescue. Often you can skip the
puppy stage if that's what you want.

What about well bred ****er spaniel? There are some nice terriers as well,
but they can be a bit stubborn but make up for it in lots of other ways.

On the larger end, perhaps a springer spaniel? They are fairly high energy
but if bred properly, I don't see why an ESS and a Golden couldn't become
great pals and help exercise themselves in play. Also a Brittany Spaniel (a
bit more high energy I believe) or a Welsh Springer (larger than ESS's).
Certainly these are all going to weigh more than 30lbs though...but perhaps
they might steal your heart.

I'd steer clear of a beagle and take a rid on down to the shelter...most
will be more than 30lbs but if size is truly flexible, then let one of them
steal your heart. If your bound and determined on pure bred not from a
shelter, look into rescue or for a good breeder.

Happy looking
Darby

asdf

Thanks Darby,

Some good suggestions there. I probably will go pure bred again only
because I have had a really good experience with my retriever, which I
purchased from a good, local hobby breeder. I got to meet the parents,
saw all the relevant clearances, have a support person behind me, etc.
Most importantly, I got her as a young pup and was able to use that
'hide behind a tree' training I mentioned - This is only supposed to
work on puppies younger than 16 weeks!

I had considered ****er spaniels - but I don't know much about that
breed. The size is right, and the termperament is probably similar to
my GR.

I like the Brittany suggestion - that one didn't occur to me. I know
they're smaller than a GR - how much so, I dunno. Might be kind of
rare.

Thanks for the suggestions - I'm going to look into those two breeds!

melissa s. frye

A well-breed one - be careful in your selection of a breeder. You will have
more coat care unless you keep them clipped down which is my recomendation for pet owners.

Pointing breed. I.e. not breed to follow human direction but their noses.
Very high energy.

Field bred springers are fairly high energy but very nice dogs. I would not
recommend a show bred springer for your situation, unles syou did very very
careful screening.


--
Melissa S. Frye
Skyrocket ****ers http://www.mfrye.com/skyrocket/

asdf

In article <13079-40A50188-79@storefull-3273.bay.webtv.net>,
Sulkhalil@webtv.net says...

Someone in my neighborhood has one of those - cool looking dog. Maybe
next time I see her I'll ask her about it.

I've always thought cattle dogs were a little too rough and tough -
maybe I'm wrong - I'll take a look.

Thanks!

asdf

Thanks Melissa,

I should point out that high energy is not a problem - as long as the
dog is suitable for off lead hiking. Like I mentioned, I hike 2-3 miles
almost every day (well, I do 2-3 miles while my Golden does about 6-9
miles, at high speed!).

Point noted about ****ers. Are they significantly overbred?

In article <rMapc.9717$KE6.1551@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink. net>,
mfrye@surfree.com says...

Looked at Springer Spaniel on AKC - might be a little large... If I
were to get a second dog in the 50lb. range, I'd just get another golden
. Too bad they don't make miniatures!

jade

Cattle dogs can get nippy (they aren't called blue heelers for nothing), but
we had them all of our life, and as with every kind of dog, they should be
supervised when around children.
:0)
Good luck,
Jade.