Alternative to euphorbia?

If it's a choice between handling a thorny climbing rose and a sappy euphorbia I'd take the euphorbia every time. If you know it's likely to be a problem (and it isn't with everybody) at least you can take special care for the five minutes it takes to chop the euphorbia down and place it in the bin. Whereas a rose is likely to leave light flesh wounds after every encounter with its awkward branches.

Euphorbias are overall better-looking plants as part of a design as well.