What little dog for a big dog person?

[PeanutsOnTheFloor]

We have a biggish dog and she needs a friend. Practically, a small dog would mean we could take both on holiday. Really non lap-dog people, what non-terrier would you recommend? (Recently saw a terrier named dog that isn't a real terrier - can't remember what it was).

[Capewrath]

Honestly, when a staffie smiles at you, it's like that first smile from your firstborn. And there are masses in rescue. And they sit on laps.

Mind you, so do several lapradors I know.

[nooka]

I think that if you are really aiming for a companion dog then going down a rescue route is the best approach (well to be honest I think it's the best approach full stop) as rather than a tiny pup who may turn out in all sorts of ways you most likely adopt a dog knowing what sort of character they might have. Lost of smaller rescues have their dogs in foster homes so you will get a much better idea as to their characters too.

Choosing a breed doesn't mean you know what sort of character a dog might have. My mum and big sisters both have miniature schnauzers, and apart from their teddy bear aspect they are very different dogs. My sister's dog is fairly obedient but very very yappy. My mum's dog is a badly behaved escape artist! Both much loved.

Also surely soppy pretty much equals lap dog in a dog small enough to fit on a lap? Quite a few bigger dogs manage to fit on laps too of course (like my mother's previous collie, and collie like mut).

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Another vote for a corgi here [smike]

[TooOldForGlitter]

I wasn't fair, I know. I shot my gob off. I'm just so tired, so bloodytired of picking up the pieces. It honestly feels like nobody cares. Every day it seems we take in another pregnant bitch or another litter left in a bin bag by the road and nobody seems to be able to form the connection to, I want a puppy, hey let's buy one - to, I love and genuinely care about dogs, we'll wait and rescue the perfect one. Read the puppy threads. People on day 3 who are "tearing their hair out". Didn't you bother to research how hard a puppy is?? People screaming that their 10 week old pup won't ve dry in its crate. Again, did you just bowl up cash in hand and buy a living creature? Yeah, you did.

It's exhausting. It's relentless .I'mso worn down with it. My ndn is aware to an extent of my involvement in rescue. He's 5 dogs. 2 bitches, 3 dogs. None neutered. His youngest bitch, 6 yes SIX months is pregnant. He's no clue which dog has fathered these pups. He's not bothered. He's going to sell them and breed her again next year. I'm so so tired of all this that I cannot be arsed to be nice to people who work forty million hours a day but want to buy a puppy. IM PICKING UP AFTER YOU.

[PeanutsOnTheFloor]

Oh God - I'm going to end up with twenty small dogs at this rate!

Twunting crow - that's the dog I was trying to remember - I remember reading about Tibetan Terriers a while ago and asking DH if he liked them. The only thing is, they are described as 'sensitive' in the blurb I have read. We have an incredibly active and noisy house - we are all quite loud at home - would that be too much?

Also, Twunting - I love the scruffy look rather than the long flowing coat. Would it be awful to take scissors to it and make it choppy looking? I don't want to have eggs thrown at me in the street!

[trevortrevorslatterfry]

YY Flora don't get a patterdale if you don't want a terrier - Patterdales are as terrier as terrier can be!

[Murloc]

What about an English Toy Terrier? They're on the vulnerable breeds list, and there's not many breeders about but they're fabulous. They're also very un-terrier like.

Great with children and cats, and they just don't know that they're little. They look like a miniature Doberman, don't take much grooming and are very easily portable. Can you tell I'm a fan?

[TwuntingCrow]

Here he is with his doggy cousin a bichon

[TwuntingCrow]

I grew up withabs and border collies - definitely not a small dog person but we currently have a Tibetan terrier - no terrier in them at all but they were simply named that as there was nothing like them
Coming from Tinet there they are known as 'little people " they are active but not too active unbelievably loyal and gentle creatures - also the perfect size - 18-20 in at shoulder

[VivaLeBeaver]

Portugese Podengo pequano.

Best dog ever.

[Gymbob]

border terrier. massive personality. love long walks but don't demand them, more than happy with small ones. love company. big dog in a little body. I adore mine. he's sat here now gazing lovingly at me

[PeanutsOnTheFloor]

Oh great - lots of good ideas. Thank you everyone keep them coming!

[BagelwithButter]

What about a poodle? Smaller size one, robust, intelligent, non-shedding, what's not to like?

[daydreamnation]

We have a jack russel chihuaha cross, small but perfectly formed, smart, very amusing, friendly and almost mess free! Lap dogs are only that way because of their upbringing, we have always treated like a .'proper' dog and all her 'friends' in our local park are huge dogs but she very much holds her own and can walk for miles!

[CMOTDibbler]

If you were interested in a puppy, born in rescue, then these little cuties are pug/patterdale/another terrier mixtures

[Floralnomad]

Patterdales are not for people who don't want a terrier , they are very much a working terrier ,they are also often not suitable for multiple dog households as many like to be only dogs .

[Howlingwithlaughter]

Motherofbleach you have described our JRT cross perfectly. She is the most sweet and lovable dog but really thinks she's a Rottweiler when out on the lead!

Senecafalls - I am so jealous. I grew up with a Welsh corgi and would love one of my own. Just need to persuade DH that our dog needs a friend!

[insanityscatching]

We have a shih tzu cross poodle, he's small but he is a huge character and he is anything but a lapdog. He'll walk and run for miles, he'll chase a ball for as long as anyone will throw one, he'll happily play with any dog big or small, he's smart and picks up new tricks in no time and he'll happily snooze on your feet to keep them warm or lay by the side of you in the hope of a tummy rub.

[BertrandRussell]

Rose - that picture made me feel guilty - ours is a bit chunky at the moment because of lazy summer holidays! Must roust her and teen out and send them for a run.....

[TheHoundsBitch]

Staffie, small, short haired, hardy, affectionate, plenty of energy but love to snuggle too, they're the best. We're planning on a staffie in a year or so to be another substitute baby for me pals with our big beastie.

[exexpat]

Border terrier would definitely fit the bill. Compact, but longer legs than Jack Russells, dachshunds etc so can keep up with big dogs on long walks. Very friendly and good with children, very few health issues.

I grew up with Labradors and was always a bit sniffy about little dogs, but my border has definitely changed my mind.

[roseandgrey]

Highly recommend BT's. Fantastic little dogs

[tabulahrasa]

"All pedigree dogs have issues."

That's not strictly speaking true...some breeds are more prone to some medical conditions, but good breeders test for those conditions and don't breed from affected animals.

The issue with bracycephalic breeds is that it's their conformation that causes breathing problems...so very few people are willing to change that as then they'd look different. So while with hips you can prevent it by only breeding dogs with low hip scores or with PRA there's now a DNA test, you can't prevent breathing problems by breeding dogs that don't have problems because their shape isn't different enough to ensure it definitely won't be an issue and you can't control exactly how the traits will express themselves.

[CoogerAndDark]

Another vote for Border Terrier. Friendly, enthusiastic, lovely dogs.