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Original poster

First dog, Border Terrier or Havanese?

28 replies

ashmummy · 20/07/2017 18:52

Hi,
We have been researching dog breeds for over a year. We have it narrowed down to 2 breeds. The Border Terrier. Which is my husband's top pick, and the Havanese, mine.

My husband and I have an 8 year old boy. We have 1 cat. I'm a stay at home mom so I'm home all day. We live in a condo, and have a park with trails next to us.

The dog would mostly be a companion for me since I'm home all day and my husband works long hours.

We are looking for a good family dog. Good with kids.
Not a lot of barking since we are in a condo.
Small size. Under 25lbs.
Moderate exercise needs.
Calm temperament.
Good dog for novice owners as this would be our first.

My husband prefers the looks of the Border terrier to the Havanese. Go anywhere, do anything kind of dog. Very adaptable, smart, trainable. Small but sturdy. Good with children.

As I'm mostly looking for a companion, and one good with a family I like the traits of the Havanese.

Ultimately my husband said he would support whatever decision I make and said he would be happy with whatever I choose. Trying to do my homework though so I get a breed that best fits our lifestyle.

Thanks. Honest opinions welcomed. Anyone experienced with either Borders or Havanese please chime in.

OP posts:
pigsDOfly · 20/07/2017 20:53

Not sure I'd be looking at getting a Border Terrier around a cat, given that they were bred to hunt small fury things and generally have a fairly high prey drive. Although, I'm sure others will say they have cats and border terriers and it's fine.

I can understand why your DH wants one, they're hardy high energy little dogs and most can go on running for miles. Not sure that's what you want though.

Don't tend to be awfully barky though, which is a plus.

Havanese are probably more what you're looking for as they're super friendly and not so 'full on'. Might make a better pet, especially if this is your first dog.

villainousbroodmare · 20/07/2017 21:00

Either would be fine; I think both breeds are relatively easy. Individual personalities vary obviously and I would be trying to identify a relaxed, good-humoured puppy who is not overly timid.
Somebody will be on here in a moment to tell you that you must adopt from a rescue centre, though.

Owlish · 20/07/2017 21:11

I'm obviously biased, but I vote for border terrier. My girl was introduced to my two cats at the time with no problems. Little bugger with strange cats out and about, mind. We sadly lost her just after Christmas and still miss her so much Sad

First dog, Border Terrier or Havanese?
Original poster
ashmummy · 20/07/2017 23:02

Thanks,

PigsDOfly. You get it. I also wonder if the Border would be a bit much for me since I've never had a dog. But I don't want to disappoint my husband. He would obviously prefer a more masculine, tough little dog. And I get that. But I am trying to think of what fits our lifestyle....Stressing...Lol.

OP posts:
Original poster
ashmummy · 20/07/2017 23:03

Thanks so much villainousbroodmare. Great advice, I will look for those qualities in whatever breed I decide upon. Very helpful.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 20/07/2017 23:05

Have a look at your pure bred puppy .com.
Info on breeds. Suggest Havanese can be prone to separation anxiety and barking. House breaking can be an issue and grooming would be a concern for me.

Original poster
ashmummy · 20/07/2017 23:05

What a doll of a dog Owlish! Whatever dog I choose I won't jump into lightly. Nice to hear how lovely your Border was. Will you get another someday?

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 20/07/2017 23:06

My mum has a border. Stubborn as they come. Could never live with a cat. And recall? She doesn't!

Original poster
ashmummy · 20/07/2017 23:07

Thanks wolfiefan. I will go check that site out, very helpful.

OP posts:
Modestine · 20/07/2017 23:09

Our border is not trainable and has an impossible prey drive. We are undoubtedly at fault, but it was a serious mistake to get him as a first dog. Of course he is cute, but we should not have chosen him. I found him very demanding indeed as a young dog. They have vast, vast amounts of energy which they have to do something with.

Modestine · 20/07/2017 23:10

Haha, x post with Wolfiefan. Yup, stubborn. Recall? No chance.

Original poster
ashmummy · 20/07/2017 23:11

Wolfiefan...thanks.

The seperation anxiety/barking wouldn't worry me too much as I'm home all day....But the exercise needs of an active Border scares the hell outta me. I guess no breed is perfect. I would be going to obedience and puppy training whichever dog we get.

OP posts:
Modestine · 20/07/2017 23:14

I'm afraid our border laughed in the face of all obedience training. And god knows he attended the classes.

Original poster
ashmummy · 20/07/2017 23:14

Thanks for your honest answer Modestine. I have been researching for over a year and I see these issues are common of the Borders..Just like you I think the Border would kick my ass to hell and back as a first time dog owner.

OP posts:
BuoysTwo · 20/07/2017 23:19

Whatever you get I'd defo recommend a dog cage....It acts like their bed room, somewhere they can go and be left alone. Also handy to go in when they are puppies and are left alone / night time. We had a Rhodesian Ridgeback - obviously a lot bigger than what you're after- but the cage was a god send. We o my used it with him for the first 8 months then he was fine to be left alone roaming in the house when we were out. Good luck

CornflakeHomunculus · 20/07/2017 23:19

But I don't want to disappoint my husband. He would obviously prefer a more masculine, tough little dog.

It's fine having a preference when it comes to appearance but the best dog is always going to be the one that suits your family the most. Your DH should be more concerned by finding the most suitable breed, not setting his heart on a potentially less suitable one because he's worried about his masculinity.

The 'Is the Border Terrier right for you and your family?' page on the breed club site is worth a read.

Have you met many examples of both breeds? It's really worth going along to shows and meeting not only lots of dogs but chatting to breeders, owners and breed enthusiasts. You get a far better idea of whether you're the right home for a particular breed that way than any amount of reading online will give you.

Ginlinessisnexttogodliness · 20/07/2017 23:20

My mother's friend had an border terrier. He was very lovable but barked. A lot. And didn't do a thing he was told.

Lovely dog though, I can still see his little face now

Wolfiefan · 20/07/2017 23:20

Mum's Border Terrorist (no. Not a typo!) actually doesn't need much exercise at all. But training is an issue. She is um hard work. Often barking at night and very highly strung. And she doesn't laugh in the face of training. She sort of snootily refuses to acknowledge that any attempt at aforementioned training is happening! Grin

pigsDOfly · 21/07/2017 08:51

Where I used to live there were a few people with Border Terriers and I can honestly say that I never saw one of them doing what they were told. Lovely dogs with lots of character but not for the faint hearted.

The problem with barking is always going to be a potential issue for you OP living in an apartment, especially with some small dog breeds (I'm a small dog owner) but it is possible, and in my opinion essential, to train a dog to control a lot of the barking.

No dog is ideal. They are all individuals with their own personalities and funny ways. It really is a case of choosing the best puppy for you, getting started on, reward based, training straight away and then hoping for the best.

Alittlepotofrosie · 21/07/2017 08:58

I've known a lot of Border Terriers and I would not recommend them for a first pet as they tend to be stubborn and difficult to motivate. The only havanese I have met is at a dog show that they were absolutely gorgeous and their owners said that they were very laid back and easy to live with. Do you know anyone who has either of these breeds?

ggirl · 21/07/2017 09:13

A thought about the grooming-I have a tibetan terrier , looks like a havanese. I don't keep her in a long coat , have bought some good quality dog clippers and keep her in a puppy cut ..about an inch all over ..quite easy to maintain because i can clip her quite often.
When she was being groomed at groomer it was quite expensive £35 every 8 weeks .

Ollycat · 21/07/2017 09:33

I have a border terrier- she is fine with our cat but does chase any others she sees.

She is very sweet and nice natured but does essentially do as she feels like and pretty much ignores any suggestions of cooperation! Oh and she can demolish an indistructable toy in a matter of seconds! She is also quite barky and seems to think she's personally responsible for our safety.

She is inexhaustible with exercise but similarly will happily spend the day curled up on the sofa.

She's the only dog I've ever had so can offer no comparisons.

KoalaDownUnder · 21/07/2017 09:35

Owlish, your dog is 😍! (Sorry, no useful input on breeds!)

Molecule · 21/07/2017 09:57

My cousin has a Havanese and he seems very chilled. She lives in NYC in an apartment and works so he gets left for a few hours, doesnt bark or appear stressed. He flies back to the UK at least twice a year and happily settles in my aunt's house with her cat, and also travels by train with my cousin, who doesn't drive.

He was an impulse purchase (my cousin now knows this was totally the wrong way to acquire a dog, so no lectures please) as cousin had gone to buy a kitten from a pet shop, which apparently still sell kittens and puppies in the USA, and fell in love with the Havanese puppy. So he definitely went to a novice owner, with no prior knowledge of of dog ownership (my uncle thought they were dirty, filthy beasts).

He's the only one I've met, so might not be typical, but if he is he would certainly fit your requirements. He might not be the most macho dog, but he's certainly more manly looking (though not in temperament ) than my pomeranian.

Munchyseeds · 21/07/2017 14:22

Havanese is a lovely dog and b trainable....my brother and his family have one ( he is a big bald bloke but loves his dog!)
The coat does take a lot of looking after and needs grooming EVERY day....they found this out the hard way so now just keep her clipped...
Everything that has been said about terriers is true
Lovely dog but poss not the best for you