Beagle or shih tzu

We are planning on adopting a dog, I am going to drive down on Monday to a high kill shelter in west virginia and either adopt a beagle or a shih tzu.

I want the shih tzu, my DH wants the beagle. We live in an apartment and are moving to a 2nd floor condo, so I think a shih tzu would be a better indoor dog. But my DH wants a dog he can play with. I'm afraid the beagle will be very barky and loud and annoy our neighbors.

opinions, anyone have either of these breeds, pros or cons about them?

Either dog we will love, its just hard to choose, I wish I could save both.

Re: Beagle or shih tzu

i sorta have both. i have a shih tzu and a puggle, half pug half beagle. the shih tzu was very hard to train with the potty issue. my shih tzu is very attached to me, she doesn't like to be alone. the puggle is crazy but then again she is a mix she likes to play alot. i would go with the beagle i think they are easier to train, i even had a pure beagle growing up he was a good dog.

Re: Beagle or shih tzu

Did you do breed research online?

I was researching beagles years ago, just a bit though. I was under the impression beagles are very hard to potty train (re poo). Also they tend to howl and I do believe they need to have an outside area as they like to be outside. But I am not 100% sure, since I never did get one.

Re: Beagle or shih tzu

I would research your breeds carefully online. I was considering a beagle before I fell in love w/ Havanese. They howl a lot, which may be hard in an apartment situation. Beagles are frequently found in shelters so it's important that this dog is a good match for you before you go ahead w/ adopting. As far as a shih tzu goes, your DH will definitely be able to play w/ the dog. I don't see why he wouldn't. You probably shouldn't wrestle w/ any dog to avoid instilling aggressive play habits, but they definitely have enough energy for a substantial play session. I had a friend who had a shih tzu pup and she was very playful.

DH had the same concerns about havanese (another foo foo breed), but he and Oreo are playmates. Oreo has lots of energy. Plus, you want a smaller dog w/ a little less energy in an apartment since they are limited w/ exercise space w/ out a yard. A dog that does not get the exercise he needs can act out.

Here is some info on both breeds:
Beagle

Shih Tzu

Pick your breeds carefully so you can ensure that whichever dog your pick has a forever home w/ YOU

ETA: As you can see from the above links, a shih tzu can do well in an apartment, while beagle prefer a large yard to romp in.

Message edited 6/8/2008 11:49:23 AM.

Re: Beagle or shih tzu

I did look into those breed standards, but I know from other people's dogs they can defenitly vary a lot, with eah dogs personality.

The other problem is these are dogs they basically found running on the side of the street, so the breeds are their best guess, and they are probably mixes anyway.

My best friend growin up had shih tzu and it was the sweetest little dog ever.

My DH had some sort of beagle mutt, which is why he wants a beagle. And he lived in Queens so he claims a beagle can be a city dog, my concern in the with the howling due to their hunting background.

We would be able to give either dog excercise in the form of a few walks a day and we will be living right near a park with a large off leash area. In particular with a beagle my DH would take it on his morning run and I would take it on my afternoon run. Plus with either dog I can come home from work at lunch and let it out for a few minutes

Message edited 6/8/2008 11:55:43 AM.

Re: Beagle or shih tzu

BTW, I wanted to say how wonderful I think it is that not only are you opening you life and home to a new pet, but you are also acting as a guardian angel and saving a fur baby's life.

Re: Beagle or shih tzu

We had a beagle growing up. She was sweet, but extremely hyper - she needed A LOT of exercising. We had a huge backyard for her to run around in, but it never seemed to be enough. She was always getting into something - stealing remotes and hiding them - all kinds of mischief. She didn't really bark that much, but she did howl.

My main concern with the beagle would be the energy/exercise factor - especially since you mentioned that you live in a condo...


It is awesome, though, that you are rescuing a pup!

Re: Beagle or shih tzu

Posted by scarletbegonia

We had a beagle growing up. She was sweet, but extremely hyper - she needed A LOT of exercising. We had a huge backyard for her to run around in, but it never seemed to be enough. She was always getting into something - stealing remotes and hiding them - all kinds of mischief. She didn't really bark that much, but she did howl.

My main concern with the beagle would be the energy/exercise factor - especially since you mentioned that you live in a condo...


It is awesome, though, that you are rescuing a pup!

Re: Beagle or shih tzu

Shih Tzu as you can see by my avatar!

I love my boy! He was not that hard to potty train, and we ended up taking 3 of the training classes at Petsmart because he was passing all of them. He was great to train, any dog training takes patience.

I live above a beagle, he is noisy! The bark is so bad sometimes. I acutally think my shih tzu has developed a howl because of him.

Look at that face to the left, how could say no!

Re: Beagle or shih tzu

I would personally go for the shitzu I know beagles have a deep and loud bark, almost like howling......if that makes a difference

Re: Beagle or shih tzu

Good for you for adopting from a high kill shelter

Based on your living situation, it seems to me that a shih tzu may be your better bet.

Re: Beagle or shih tzu

A shih tzu! I had no problem training my dog. He is so well behaved and is soo friendly esp with children.

Re: Beagle or shih tzu

I have a shih tzu as well, and she is the love of my life! Such a good dog, friendly with everyone, and she only barks when someone is at the door. Beagles are known to be barkers and howlers, and they need a lot of exercise. Shih Tzus can be playful, but they are also perfectly OK being an apartment lap dog.

Re: Beagle or shih tzu

Thanks for all the advice, both of them were gone before I could get there. They only had large dogs left which we arent allowed to have, although I wish I couldve taken one of them.

We'll be keeping our eyes open for another dog over this summer.