Puppy dog

It just shows how important reading up on breeds of dogs actually is, before buying one! Not a great idea 'to fall in love' with a furry/hairy face before you choose one [this goes for MEN as well.]
Although you want a dog to bark if he hears someone fumbling at your door [that isn't you] you don't want a dog that left alone barks non stop and drives the neighbours crazy.Big dogs have short lives as well.Check health faults in certain breeds.

Advertising methinks!!!

Another translation methinks.

Reported.

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Here's a training site for beagle owners, written by beagle experts. It accords with what I found helpful with my basset, although much of the credit goes to the doggie daycare team where she goes twice a week. As they told me 'it's a matter of you being just that bit more persistent and stubborn than your dog!'

m.wikihow.com/Train-Beagles

I have an elderly friend that wouldn't dream of having any dog other than an Akita [a dog I'd be scared of owning]. He's even a pat dog. But she's had so many of them she knows exactly how to train them.

I think all dogs of the hound variety are difficult to train; I mean just think of the term 'thieving hound'; until I had whippets I didn't understand why they were referred to in that way [having had dogs that you could leave food on the coffee table in front of them and they wouldn't dream of stealing it]. And as for keeping of the furniture [something else my spaniels would never do]; gave up long ago trying to stop that.

GA i found this online, but i expect you know it already.

"The Beagle is loving, sweet and gentle, happy to see everyone, greeting them with a wagging tail. It is sociable, brave and intelligent. The Beagle is excellent with children and generally good with other dogs, but because of its hunting instincts, should not be trusted with non-canine pets, unless socialized with cats and other household animals when young. Beagles have minds of their own. They are determined and watchful and require patient, firm training. It is important you are this dog's pack leader and that you provide the proper amount of mental and physical exercise, including daily pack walks, to avoid separation anxiety. With enough exercise they will be calm. You can also purchase animal scents and play tracking games with your Beagle to help satisfy its instinct to track. The Beagle does not have a normal sounding bark, but rather a loud bay cry that almost sounds like a short howl. Beagles are curious and have a tendency to follow their noses. If they pick up a scent they may wander off and not even hear you calling them back, or care to listen, as they will be too busy trying to find the critter at the other end. Take care when letting them off leash that you are in a safe area. Beagles that are allowed to be pack leaders over their humans can develop a varying degree of behavior issues, including, but not limited to, guarding, obsessive barking, snapping, biting and destructive behaviors when left alone. These are not Beagle traits, but rather behaviors brought on by lack of leadership and/or exercise from their humans. The behaviors can be corrected when the dog’s instincts are met."

Sounds like a good dog but for someone with experience of dog ownership.

I had a long chat with my son last night and he's proceeding very slowly; thinking carefully about breeds, age - young or older puppy, from breeder or rescue centre etc. I'm quite proud of him; whatever he decides I don't think it'll be a decision he'll come to regret.
He's also heard when that beagles are difficult to train and it's giving him pause because he's hoping to put in the work and have an obedient dog eventually.

Aka; no they're more swimming rescue dogs [webbed feet]. Trouble with huge dogs is that they don't live very long .

The polar bear?

Knut?

Talking of Great Danes, we looked after one for a month when a friend was ill. He made himself at home, picked the best seat in the house and we all fell in love with him to the point that it was a hard job giving him back.

I've never known such a laid back dog.

ga the electrician who was doing a job in my house today was comparing his beagle with my basset and declared them to be very similar in temperament and training challenges. His beagle is a good guard dog at home and barks if anyone comes near. He tried clicker-training to no avail, but found that having tiny liver treats in his hand always motivates his beagle to perform first time and to return if he is let off the lead. He said his beagle is a small dog that thinks it's a Great Dane!

Do they come with a barrel of brandy round their necks?

I'm really jealous cause the S.O. was in a supermarket car park today and there was a lady there with a Leonberger; he asked her what it was because it was the biggest dog he'd ever seen. I've just looked them up because I assumed they were European sheepdogs but they are more rescue dogs and sound absolutely adorable. Unlike a lot of large breeds that I'd be very wary of with children, they are real family dogs. They'd probably make good guard dogs in that someone would be terrified at seeing a dog that size, but they don't sound at all agressive.

My Lhasas are great guard dogs.

I'm interested in the notion that bassets like walks. We had one for two weeks. I got it out the car, walked for 200 yards then he sat down and refused to budge. When I tried to 'make' it move I was harangued by two old dears. I nearly passed them his lead and said 'he's yours'.

The only time I ever saw him animated was when he attempted to shag mount the cat, cushions, my foot.

He went as a stud dog in the end. It was very appropriate.

There are two dogs in my daughters village that have a habit of escaping and they are a huskie and a beagle. I think if a burglar came to a house with abeagle the only thing the beagle would think of would be 'wahay; open door, freedom...!' And a Basset would say 'hi; have you got any food on you?'. As for my whippet, she'd just carry on sleeping under her duvet. I agree that a feisty little terrier would be the best bet. Or a goose??

They also tend to have what is described as "hybrid vigour" so often less ailments. Some breeds seem to have built in problems, such as spaniels with anal gland issues, and I have encountered at least 3 Labradors with recurring ear problems.

I agree with phoenix, my last 4 dogs have been "rescues", and cross breeds too. Much better than pedigree dogs I think and as ga has said - so many dogs looking for homes without breeding any more

I've been looking at rescue dog websites and I'm appalled at how many dogs there currently are that need re-homing. When a dog costs so much to buy I can't imagine why people wouldn't, at the very least, take care of their 'investment'.

Personally, my best dogs have been first cross rescue ones.

Having had both beagles and bassets, I go for a basset every time as they are much lazier in terms of running away but more that happy to go for a walk whenyou want them too. They are also brilliant with children.

I agree with Wen about Beagles and Bassets being stubborn. They are however, very charming.
I remember your post GA about your son's burglary and given the fact he's been a reliable pet owner when younger, it sounds like he'll really enjoy having his own dog. My sister had a dog throughout her Uni years, and then for the following 12 years as she developed a career. That dog spent a year with me, when my sister was in no dog accommodation. She was a border collie, very very clever and like many border collies, impatient at times. I really enjoyed having her, along with my spaniel.
I have always shared my life with dogs but my two current poodle crosses have been a bit of a challenge. They have taught me more than I thought I needed to know about dog training. I've also fostered for a specific dog charity. So, I am now a born again advocate for puppy socialisation, and training that suits the temperament of the dog.
Best wishes to your son for many happy years of sharing his life with a dog.