They are both great lizards and very good for a beginner. Personally, I would go with a sexed pair of Bearded Dragons and breed them. It is quite easy to do with Bearded Dragons. If you want to spend a little more i would get an Australian Spiny Tail monitor (Acanthurus) They are great lizards and so hearty they are almost Bulletproof. They stay small and become very tame as do Beardies. RJ