Corgis or Beagles?

There will be a time in the near future when we rent a house. Apartments are just too risky of hosting annoying, inconsiderate neighbors and limitations. Renting a house at affordable prices just makes sense.

Well, along with this is the possibility of finally... FINALLY getting a pet! I've been waiting years for it. I flourish around animals, and I've had cats most of my life; now I want a dog.

So, a question to owners of this breed or dog experts. Corgis or Beagles?

Corgis are, let's face it, downright adorable. They're like little teddy bear puppies! I'm very into the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, which has no tail. The temperament would be good for us: just a young couple, pretty active. They're said to be loyal and very sociable. They're the right size: I don't want a little tiny Chihuahua, nor a huuuuge mastiff. Not boisterous. Love the colors. They're good with kids, which is good if we are to have any in the future, even though it's best to raise both baby and puppy together. Grooming is a mere brushing several times a week, no washing needed unless it gets into something nasty.

Beagles are cute, too. They are friendly and loyal and sociable, as well. I've read that a fence isn't enough, though, since they're quite clever and will find ways to leave if bored. The fact that they're hunters means they can wander during walks, and that trait will have to be stimulated through hunting games, which wouldn't be too hard, but we humans won't always have the free time. I've also read they can bark and howl a lot (usually from boredom or isolation). Barely any odor, unless they roll in crud. Good with kids, a loyal family guard dog. Great colors. Medium size.

It would have to be outside. One reason I've had no pets, especially inside, is because my loved one is very allergic. It's okay at first, but several hours with a fluffy cat and his nose gets bloody. So outside is the key part. Obviously fenced in, or I'd freak out all of the time.

And, thinking on Cesar Millan's techniques, the fact is this: if we went to a shelter, and there was a Corgi and a Beagle puppy, we'd pick the one who was the most calm and submissive (and chooses us), regardless of breed. It'd just be our preference. So, with this said, which breed do you think would be best for us? Which one handles outdoors better?

Woodcutting.

Woodcutting is not easy. No, really, it isn't. The first couple of assignments in Printmaking involved cutting linoleum blocks, which wasn't the easiest thing to do per se, but at least linoleum is soft. (Tip: placing the block in contact with heat makes it even softer. I put boiling water in a small tin, covered it with foil, and placed the block face-down on the foil.)

Woodcutting is our weapon of choice now, and it's difficult. The block has to be bigger (minimum 8x10"), and we're using wood (mine's some sort of poplar). The tools have to be continuously sharpened, and they've been used so they aren't in perfect shape (too expensive to purchase on our own). You have to consider carving against the grain, and around knots. I tried my best to purchase blocks that had little to no knots on either side. Even then, it's still arduous, and it's so easy to slip and knick an area. Once it's cut, you can't get it back. The one pictured above is a re-do!! :(

I just like the look of my pen drawing, which is there to simply mark my areas as guidelines. I'm really worried about getting to the details of the metal handles on the brushes... not sure how to go about cutting those correctly.

Any experienced woodcutters out there to lend some helpful tips? :)