Dog people, some ? About beagle/wire haired terrier mix and mini poodle or poodle mix

[JadeOrchidSong]

We have been searching for a small to medium sized dog for our family. We like mini poodles. However, we saw this type of dog for adoption: beagle wire haired terrier mix. Do you own such kind of dog? Can you tell me your experience? How big are they as adult? What are good and bad about them? Here is. A link for two dogs that we like, Botas and Carina. My boys like Carina. I think Botas looks nice and a good size, too!

http://www.petprojectrescue.com/available-dogs

[vettechmomof2]

Unless you know the parents you really do not have an idea on size. Beagles can range from 15lbs-30 lbs. Wire haired terriers can range from 12 lbs- 50 lbs depending on the type of terrier. Breed wise, beagles are hunters who follow their nose/ terriers can be very head strong and have high prey drive.

 

What are you looking for in a puppy?

 

What sort of activity level, training requirements,etc?

[Pawz4me]

You need to really think about what you want in a dog in terms of personality and energy level. Because there's likely going to be a vast difference between a mini poodle and a beagle/terrier mix.

 

What is it that appeals to you about poodles?

 

I love beagles. I think they usually make wonderful pets for children because they tend to be very tolerant and loving. But they're walking noses. If a beagle smells something interesting all else is totally and completely forgotten. Their world narrows to nothing but the smell they're following. Combine that with the (likely) prey drive contributed by the terrier genes and you could have your hands full with a dog very intent on tracking down and killing any little critter that wonders into it's territory.

[JadeOrchidSong]

You really made me think. I like mini poodles because my next door neighbor has two and my sister in law has one that is a red mini poodle, which is very endearing. I don't know dogs well. I have just been researching. I would like a dog that is affectionate, playful, intelligent, and companionable. I like to walk or run for 30 to 40 minutes every morning and I think a dog that likes walks is great. So I really want a mini poodle.

I know beagles live for smells. I probably won't get a beagle or beagle mix, then. Thanks for responding! It helps to cool my love struck head seeing those cute puppy faces.

[deannajo]

Beagles are great dogs. SO good with kids and families. Smart, easy to train, very friendly. I wouldn't rule one out based on their nose. :rolleyes: Since you want a dog that enjoys walks, that will help - beagles love walks - all those new smells! Heaven! All dogs have a natural hunting instinct to some degree.

[JadeOrchidSong]

But they might follow their nose instead of keeping a steady walking pace with me. I need to research more. Can someone with poodle or beagle share some more, please?

 

[Pawz4me]

I had a beagle and volunteered with beagle rescue for years, and my mom had a beagle. So I was speaking from quite a bit of experience when I posted earlier. I don't know anyone very familiar with the breed who would describe beagles as easy to train. In general they're the total opposite of that. Some people call them stubborn but IMO they're not. If you look at it from a genetic standpoint, they've been bred for centuries to work in packs and hunt far out in front of a hunter. Thus they're bred to be able to think for themselves, as they're too far away from a hunter to follow his commands. So IMO what they are is independent, not stubborn. They certainly can be trained, but you have to convince them why it's beneficial for them to do what you want them to do. Unlike many breeds, a beagle generally won't follow a command just because it makes his owner happy. Many beagles, but not all, can have a distinctive "houndy" odor. Bathing and feeding a high quality food can help minimally, but the odor will always be there. Beagles bay. A beagle in full bay is loud. Very loud. That can be a bad thing or a good thing. It'll scare you to death if a beagle lets loose with a full bay and you're not expecting it. It can also scare away someone lurking outside your house (who doesn't realize that very loud noise is coming from a small dog). Beagles do adore their walkies, but they will want to stop and sniff every two feet.

 

I'm not trying to talk you out of a beagle or beagle mix. As I said in my first post, I love the breed and think they make wonderful family pets. But when looking at any breed or mix I think it's very important to consider the negatives. Way too many people only focus on the positives and totally gloss over the negatives. It's the negatives that get a dog turned into a shelter or rescue.

 

I don't know a whole lot about mini poodles. In general -- poodles were originally water retrieving dogs. Many of the standards (maybe the bigger minis?) are still used as retrievers. It's the source of the "fou fou" haircuts. The purpose was to leave hair over the joints and internal organs to keep then warm, but trim away the rest of the hair so it wouldn't weigh the dog down when wet. As water retrievers they've been bred to work close by a hunter and follow direct commands. So in general they're considered smart and easy to train.

 

Grooming differences will be huge between a mini poodle and those beagle mix puppies. A beagle (and many of the wire haired terrier breeds) needs very little in the way of regular grooming. You'll need to clip nails every two to four weeks, and keep watch on the ears. They may need regular cleaning. Brushing is kind of optional with such a short haired breed. It'll help control shedding and keep the coat shiny, but it doesn't *have* to be done. A poodle is a high maintenance dog in terms of grooming. Unless you keep it clipped very short regularly, you'll have to commit to daily brushing/combing to keep the mats away. Poodles need regular clipping, usually every 4 to 8 weeks depending on what style you keep them in. It can get very spendy over the life of a dog if you use a professional groomer. You can learn to do it yourself, but you'll have to outlay a few hundred dollars on grooming equipment. But a poodle absolutely must get regular grooming or it will become a matted mess. And a badly matted dog is a dog in pain. You probably already know all that since your neighbor and sister have poodles.

 

I'm not sure I agree that all dogs have hunting instincts. Or maybe the better way to phrase that is that the hunting instincts some breeds have is so very miniscule that you're not likely to notice them.

[Suzanne115]

Poodles are awesome dogs. Right now, we have two standard poodles. I grew up with a great mini poodle and I've had toys as well. They are smart, eager to please, and great companions. They grow to adore you and the best thing in the world for them is to spend time with you. The grooming does get expensive so that is something to consider. I don't brush mine daily, but they are brushed regularly. We take ours ever two weeks to the groomer for a bath and a touch up. When I had smaller poodles, we bathed them at home and took them to the groomer about every six weeks. It depends upon the cut you choose. My brother had beagles so I am familiar with those as well. They are great little all around dogs, but I prefer the poodle personality much more. Think carefully about what you want in a dog because it is a commitment.

 

 

Suzanne

[JadeOrchidSong]

Pawz4me and Suzanne,

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond. My neighbors grooms her two standard poodles herself and one friend grooms her beagle/poodle mix and can teach me to do it, too. I don't plan to spend $40 or $60 every 4 or 6 weeks on grooming. I saw the beagle/terrier mix puppy today. She is very cute!

I am more interested in poodles. I am also thinking about Jack Russel terriers. What do you know about them?

[mysterious_jedi]

Pawz4me and Suzanne,

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond. My neighbors grooms her two standard poodles herself and one friend grooms her beagle/poodle mix and can teach me to do it, too. I don't plan to spend $40 or $60 every 4 or 6 weeks on grooming. I saw the beagle/terrier mix puppy today. She is very cute!

I am more interested in poodles. I am also thinking about Jack Russel terriers. What do you know about them?

 

 

Jack Russels have a reputation for being very hyper...

 

FWIW I have a rescued Beagle mix and he is very sweet to me but will snap at anyone who approaches to pet him. He has to approach them and give them a thorough, all-over sniffing before he deems them worthy of the privilege of scratching him.

[deannajo]

But they might follow their nose instead of keeping a steady walking pace with me. I need to research more. Can someone with poodle or beagle share some more, please?

 

 

We actually do have a beagle - so I was speaking with some experience. They are great family pets. But you're right on the walking, our Beagle doesn't heel so well, he likes to be in front with his nose, and sometimes we do have to redirect him back to the path because he will find something that smells interesting. I just think Beagles are such a sweet breed, but poodles are awesome too. Super smart, I've heard. I don't have as much experience with them. A beagle/poodle mix? Poogle? :001_smile:

 

ETA - I should mention that our beagle is a beagle-mix.