Ok I have been given the ok for an arachnid by the mrs.

Being me I want a goliath but my sensible side tells me I might be better with a rosie.

I do want one I can handle and I have heard goliaths can be handled what are your views.

All input welcome really.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

IMO the amount of any handling of spideys will be determined by how badly you are affected by their urticating hairs.

I was unlucky in that I developed quite a severe reaction to these after a couple of years. This meant that not only could I not handle Octavia, but I also couldn't be in her presence for anything more than a couple of minutes at a time and I couldn't clean out her vivarium. This is why she was rehomed in the end.

All spiders *can* be handled, wether you'd really want to is another question ;)
I'm very much of the opinion that Ts (assuming you are wanting a tarantula rather than a scorp) shouldn't be handled, for a couple of reasons, but there are plenty of people that disagree with that.

Seriously, don't try to handle a goliath :D

My hands were itching for nearly two weeks when I forgot to wear gloves to clean out the tank! Anti-histamines helped (over the counter hayfever tablets worked for me) to reduce the itching but it was still very unpleasant.

Goliaths are good eaters and while they tend to use the hair flicking as primary defense, I doubt they would be shy of nipping (forget the venom for a moment, have you seen the size of those fangs?!).

Goliaths are very impressive spiders, but not one for handling.

Chilean Rose (http://www.petbugs.com/caresheets/G-rosea.html) Ts are often recommended as a 1st time spider because they are relatively docile compared to some other species and readily available as captive bred* animals.

Personally they don't do much for me... not particularly big, colourful or agressive (I like to have at least 1 of those 3 in the species I choose for myself) but if you are determined you want a handleable species and if it will be a first spider then if may well be the one for you.

*Please, please, please..... when you are looking about for a seller, make sure you buy an animal that is CB. One of my pet hates (excuse the pun ;) ) is taking animals from the wild, that will not be bred from, for our own enjoyment when there are captive bred specimens available for a small premium. CB animals are less likely to be affected by parasites, can generally be confident of their health and you know how old they are when you get them.



EDIT:
Will try to find a few 'what spider?' pages for you...

RFUK (http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/spiders-inverts/43641-how-choose-your-first-spider.html)
Carl Portman (http://www.thebts.co.uk/so_you_want_to_keep.htm) is a well respected figure in Arachnid keeping
Arachnoboards (http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=40987)

Forgot to say...
Congratulations on persuading the missus :banana:
I had spiders before I had the missus so she's had to learn to live with them ;)

I'm with the whole captive bred thing too BTW- taking them from the wild is unnecessary and IMO not something to invest in.

Thanks for the input Dafoot I have come to a decision kind of:-

Im gonna get 2 wife permitting I'll make something up lol

1 chile rose for me to be able to handle

2 Goliath spiderling - Because its the one I want and I dont think id be happy till I get one.

Let me explain my decision.

You guys all know I rescue snakes , Lizards and most reptiles and rehome them with people who will give them a froever home or they stay with me. Well most of the snakes I rescue tend to be corn snakes and if I didnt rehome them I would have about a thousand now. But to me cornsnakes are safe and boring but great for begnners. and this is how I come to my decision.

Im not bothered about being bitten I get it everyday and have been bitten by poisonous snakes not that I want a bite from a goliath.

But other T's look kind of boring.

OMG I've just googled Goliath spider and now i'm shaking in my boots! Anything with more than 4 legs should be illegal :hihi:

Going to look around today and see if anything takes my fancy.

You want one of those? (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=39twz5PIxKQ&feature=related) :o