I have a 7 year old Beagle. (Not Snoopy).

[Turn CO Blue]

She is very sweet and a little chubby and a lot lazy. I swear she sleeps 18 or more hours a day. She is very much a house dog. Very spoiled. She has been well-trained to not chew things or to bark (which are the two most challenging habits of Beagles.) She can sit, lie down, roll over, "dance", scoot back, and crawl. Everybody loves my dog! Oh...her name is Shiloh (like the book) -- yes, it's very corny, but when we got our Beagle puppy, our daughter was 7 years old at the time and it was she who had the privilege of naming the puppy.

Anyway, I think Shiloh gets a little lonely during the day when we're all at work or school, so we've decided to get another dog. (I like to tell Shiloh, "We're getting you your own doggie!" Or else I say, "She needs a buddy!" I was NEVER an animal person before we got this dog. Now I am in love with this dog. I am almost afraid to chance it.

So, (to get to the point of the thread I guess) -- I'm not quite sure what kind of dog to get. People say et a male. Get a puppy. Get a mature dog. Get another female. Don't get another Beagle. Get another Beagle.

You get the point. How to decide? I do know that I don't want to get a dog bigger than Shiloh, as this dog shouldn't overpower her and should be able to get through the current doggie door. Shiloh is a slightly-smaller-than-medium beagle - about 12" high. I think I'd prefer a male (because I've heard two females would fight.) I want a dog with a sweet temperament like hers.


Any thoughts?

[havocmom]

1. Probably best to go with a male

Keep checking your local shelters. The right dog will announce himself. Ask the shelter if they have an enclosed yard where you can introduce your hound to any new prospective friends.

My sister did this when we found a dog we though might be a good pet for her dog ;). Worked out very well. The dogs met on 'neutral' ground so nobody was overly defensive or territorial. He dog took a somewhat defensive position in front of the pup when another family brought a dog into the yard to play with it. Her dog got concerned when she took the new dog back inside the shelter to do the paper work. All the way home he sorta 'hummed' and yodeled to the pup. They have been best pals for years now.

Consider a male because a mixed gender pair will probably have less issues. Beyond that, consider if your dog is a strong alpha or likes a more relaxed, subordinate position and let that help guide your choice.
Keep an open mind but a dog with similar activity level might be best. A really rowdy dog might annoy your dog. But one a bit more active might help her 'get it in gear'. Sometimes lethargy is just boredom.

Good luck. Let me know how the project goes.

[hfojvt]

2. I have three dogs

mamma dog, who is 9
sondog who is 7 in November
and prospective daughter in law, who is 3.

I say get a puppy. The younger dog will attach itself to the older dog, and the older dog will treat the younger one like its own child. Which does not mean they won't fight. A few times I thought I might need to separate mother and son.

I like beagles though. I do not see how you can do better than another beagle mix. Plus that gives you a better shot at a compatible size.

[thedailyshow]

3. my friend has a basset hound and a beagle

They seem to be very well-matched in temperament.