Pygmy's or Regular sized??

[katgurl]

I'm looking at getting a frill neck lizard or two for my very responsible 8 year old son for his birthday. I thought 2 pygmy bearded's would be fantastic and great company for eachother plus they don't grow too big so the enclosure wouldn't have to be huge but I was recently told that the normal sized bearded dragons are a lot better in personalitly, handling etc. How true is this guys?? He will spend every waking/non-school minute with his new found friend so handling is important.

 

[Inlandtaipan078]

so what is it you want A frilly or A beardy

 

[Dave]

P.Vitticeps (Central Bearded Dragon) Are the bigger ones and are much better for handling (A tame adult would be best as hatchies are normally flighty/skittish. They need a 4ft tank for adults and are best kept by themselves.

 

[Eylandt]

Having owned Centrals and Easterns and having bred Pygmy's I must say that my Pygmy's have always handled better. The bigger guys do tend to have more personality though.

 

[falconboy]

P.Vitticeps (Central Bearded Dragon) Are the bigger ones and are much better for handling

What rubbish.

I think Pygmys are faster when they want to get away, but with the same handling from young theres no reason a Pygmy isn't as tame as a Central.

I will say though for a young child I would recommend a central only because its a lot easier to hurt a pygmy then a central accidentally.

 

[Dave]

From what I've seen Pygmies seem to be more nervous/flighty then centrals..

What rubbish.

I think Pygmys are faster when they want to get away, but with the same handling from young theres no reason a Pygmy isn't as tame as a Central.

I will say though for a young child I would recommend a central only because its a lot easier to hurt a pygmy then a central accidentally.

 

[mark83]

I was looking at getting a pygmy but got a 3 month old central instead. He handles really well already and runs to the front of the tank when i walk past. He has heaps of personality.

 

[Noongato]

At 8??
I dunno. Kids can be very cruel. Even i am guilty of putting the dog under the laundry basket and tormenting it for hours when i was that age!
My boss's boy is 8 and has a new pitbull pup, and already kicks it in the chest and he'll tell you "its a fighting dog, it needs to be kicked to make it tough"

Im not a big kid person, so i might only see bad examples...

 

[falconboy]

Im not a big kid person, so i might only see bad examples...

Nah, I think they are all the same. Thats why I have dogs, not kids.

 

[melgalea]

i got my 7 year old girl a central and she is great with it. only holds it maybe 2 times a week. feeds it, checks its water. if ur kid is responsible with animals and u always supervise there is no reason u cant get them a hatchie. at least then they get to watch it grow.

 

[funcouple]

At 8??
I dunno. Kids can be very cruel. Even i am guilty of putting the dog under the laundry basket and tormenting it for hours when i was that age!
My boss's boy is 8 and has a new pitbull pup, and already kicks it in the chest and he'll tell you "its a fighting dog, it needs to be kicked to make it tough"

Im not a big kid person, so i might only see bad examples...

mid the kid needs to have some brains kicked into him. is there any wonder why these dogs end up savage when theres people like your bosses kid owning them.

i wouldnt go past a central (inland) beardie. we have 6 that are all great handlers and all have different personalities

 

[katgurl]

well guys, thanks for all the replies My son is one of those unique kids that's quiet and loves and respects animals. I'm a dog groomer and believe it's up to the parents as to how children are with animals and others. Mine respect our pets like another sibling so there's no probs there Hey Midnight, if that 8 year old boy of your bosses is saying those things, he's hearing it from somewhere don't you think? Well, most of you seem to be giving the thumbs up to central beardies, they seem really popular. I think as a single pet, they sound better too, those cute little pygmy's sound like they're better with more than one. Not that that worries me. The way that I love them we may end up with both! Thanks so much guys for your help. Will keep you updated and send some pics when our baby/babies arrive depending on the outcome.