We're looking for a little dog that acts like a big dog.

[UterusUterusGhali]

DH & I have always had big dogs. (Him boxers, me GSD X, lurcher etc).

We have decided we are ready for, and would dearly love another dog, but if we are realistic we don't have the space for a big 'un in our house/car/garden.

So what breeds should I look out for? (I much prefer mongrels. )
We can't stand yappy, nervous, bolshy dogs. Are all terriers like this?

I'd say Westie or Scotty. They are sweet-tempered, loyal, sociable (usually) and quite hardy and athletic. JRTs (although agile) can be difficult with other dogs and the toy/lap breeds can tend towards nervousness.

Mini Schnauzer, ours is great fun, we describe her as a big dog in a little body!

We have a 3/4 jack russell cross 1/4 beagle. I know i'm biased but she is the most beautiful looking dog i've ever seen

She can get defensive, this is proberly just loyalty tho. I hope.
Not really yappy, thankfully.

Seriously though she's a great dog all round. I'm used to Greyhounds and springer spaniels.

Good luck on finding the perfect addition (:

Border terrier. OK, I'm biased, I have one, but I grew up with labradors and was very anti-small dog - but we live in a city and have a tiny garden. Borders have very big-dog personalities, and aren't usually as yappy/snappy as other terriers. Extremely friendly to people and generally to other dogs, though perhaps not to cats or other small fluffy creatures. They also have longer legs than most terriers and love to go on long walks.

But if you like mongrels, then there is no reason not to go and see what your local dog rescue has to offer? Or do you have small children and might not be considered suitable?

Dachshunds are very big dogs in a very little body though they are prone to being barky (it's a proper big dog bark, not a yap, if that makes any difference).

Done properly a terrier is a smashing dog but if you don't know what you're doing they tend to incline towards the yappy and bolshy.

Do boxers/GSDs/lurchers really take up that much room? I have bugger all space but we're used to stepping over sleeping dogs and I just removed the rear seats in my small hatchback to install dog travel crates.

Oooh, YY to Schnauzers .

West Highland Terrier. THey're dignified (even when wearing tartan collars).

Thank you for all of your suggestions!

I love border terriers! They don't look like they'd mind getting muddy.
JRTs seem a bit hectic.
I knew a cairn that I looked after when I had my GSD. They'd proper play fight. It was lovely.
I like westies but don't want White. (I know, I know. Fussy, but they show up the dirt )

We do have DC, so although registered with some rescue centres, many aren't suitable.

TBG, I need really small so they will fit on a child's lap in the car.
We love staffys, but they might be a bit big.

Why not go for a small lurcher then? We have a bedlington terrier X whippet and he is just lovely, all the lovely lurcher traits, but small enough to pick up and very bold with other dog, but friendly, fast and scruffy, we just love him.

Cocker spaniel?

Or is that too big? I always think spaniels have big dog attitudes, and are so pretty to boot.

Jack Russell terrier

Borders definitely don't mind getting wet and muddy in my experience, though luckily aren't as keen as wallowing in wet, muddy, smelly stuff as most Labradors of my acquaintance. And mine loves playing with bigger dogs - never happier than when wrestling with a dog five times his size.

I have a whippet - same as a greyhound in a smaller package. VERY unobstrusive in the home. We live in a flat so know what you mean about space.

Why not go for a whippet or italian greyhound cross if you know y'all like lurchers?

Lurcherlink and scruples whippet rescue are national charities that may have that petite lurcher for you.

You need a staffy. The ulitmate little-big dog.

A staffy will quite happily curl up on a small childs lap. You might have trouble convincing him not to curl up on the small child's lap

Our Scotties think that they are WOLVES. They have serious dignity (except for when they let themselves down by attempting to catch deer or chasing leaves). They also have a great sense of humour. They need it, living in this house.

Have you considered a chihuahua? I really dislike the look of them, but MIL has one by accident and he definitely thinks he is a Big Dog. He likes to try and take on my collie

Papillon.

Honestly, I am the least small dog orinetated person you will ever meet but my friend has Papillons (along with a large breed) and they are ALL dog in tiny bodies. Friendly, sociable, highly trainable and will easily fit in a child's lap. Don't let the look of them put you off...that pretty, fluffy exterior hides the heart of a much bigger canine.

Another vote for border here. Into grew up with labs and dh had gods we both love our 8 month old by. He loves walk, riding in my bike basket, playing with ds. He rarely barks apart from at Hoover and is not bothered about mud, etc not so keen on water. Tried to drink from river today and fell in.. They are v bright and he has been easy to toilet train etc

My lovely long haired chihuahua thought he was a german shepherd but yappy and snappy. We adored him though.

Cairns are fab dogs - hardy, good with children, playful and have a sense of humour. Have just lost my 17 year-old Cairn, she was a great dog.

Small lurcher!! We have a whippety-based rescued lurcher and he is fab, just the right size, only weighs 16kg so we can pick him up if need be and he is a true lapdog whilst being up for playing, running, hiking at the same time

Our neighbour has a mini schnauzer and we have a Schitzu both are 'little big dogs' - our has a proper 'big dog' bark and tries to play with the boxers in the park. He isn't really in to hiking though - he prefers a nice walk to the pub!!

He does look a bit floppy and erm 'feminine' though. Gets called she a lot.

We have a tea cup size Yorkshire terrier who thinks she is a doberman