Please tell me about very small dogs

[MissTMornings]

I only lost my old girl on Monday so I'm still in shock and feeling bereft. But I have always had dogs and can't imagine being without one forever.

When the time is right I am thinking that my next dog would need to be a small one, I'm thinking Yorkie or similar. My youngest DC will be off to uni in a couple of years and I will be looking to downsize significantly.

The thing is all my previous dogs have been medium or large breeds. So what do I need to know? How far can a smaller breed walk? Are they more difficult to train etc.

I imagine other people may be my issue, wanting to pick up and cuddle a cute tiny dog? I'm all for snuggles but I do want a dog that is a dog and not a furry accessory.

I'm guessing that a dog is a dog is a dog and it will depend a lot on how it is trained/treated but I would like to hear your experiences please. Especially if you too have gone from bigger high energy dogs to little tiny ones.

Gratuitous photos.

Norfolk Terriers are my favourite little dogs, they're quite small but hardy and just adorable!

We have a poodle/shih tzu cross. He looks very small and delicate but in effect he is very hardy and has lots of stamina. He will walk for miles and he is the dog who gives the springer spaniels he plays with a run for their money when other dogs have long since given up.
I tend to think little dogs are made rather than bred tbh. If you pick them up and carry them it's what they learn to expect. Eric has never been picked up out of the house so he is happy to trudge through all terrains in all weathers because he knows no different. That's not to say though that once in the house he doesn't loved to be snuggled up on the sofa with you.

We are head over heels in love with our 10 month old jrt. Have/have had several large dogs before her and to be honest weren't really keen on a small terrier, especially a jrt.
She is totally different from all the breed descriptions I've ever read. Very, very cuddly and loving with everyone. Loves babies and toddlers. Great with other dogs. She is also a couch potato as long as her people are with her.
Even though she is very small (5 kg), she is very rugged and will walk long distances and plays well with kids/big dogs.
I think the main issue with jrts is that when they are kept as outdoor/stable dogs OR spoiled rotten because they are cute and little, they tend to make their own rules. Whereas when they live as part of the family with clear rules, they thrive.
Just need to train them like a big dog, and not rely on the fact that they are small and easy to manage by picking them up or containing them.
There may be some truth to the belief that the short legged type (and females in particular) is more docile.

This is our new little Dachshund! He's hard work currently but such a character. Hope you find a special little pup just right for you.

Han01 he’s freaking gorgeous although clearly unhappy and needs to come and live with me

What everyone has said about not treating small dogs differently is so true.

How cute is that Norfolk Terrier? Gorgeous!

Thanks Bagel! If he carries on like he is he may be on his way to you! 😉

My DD has a Chihuahua/poodle cross who does not moult and will walk miles. She is a bit yappy but lots of fun

Our new Chi joins us next Friday - needless to say my daughter (12) is absolutely besides herself with excitement. OH has always had large breeds so he was a little reluctant at first but think he's secretly smitten

We've bought from a family friend who raises her pups underfoot - she's adamant that little dogs can do all the things that big dogs can - just in a smaller package. I have plenty of friends who have small dogs and they're great fun.

OH has warned us about turning our pup into a 'lapdog' and is determined it's going to be treated like a normal dog would, regardless of his size and stature. I must admit that I agree with what he's saying.

Feel free to pm me and I'll let you know how we get on with training and socialising etc.

I'm so very sorry to hear about your loss xxx. I've a chi/ pug cross..possibly with some terrier in there too...she's like a little power rocket,will literally go untill she drops,which is nt good so I do need to be mindful of 10 minutes per month and call time on the run when I think she needs to rest..we had a lot of problems with people just picking her up while we were out on a walk...literally bend down pick up,no "please may I ,"either.. I'm tougher now,I say don't pick her up she bites...she dosnt thou...we've had ear problems,that I convinced myself were all manner of nasty diseases,but were infact ear problems...it's just the same as a big dog...but I find I worry more with her than with my last bigger dog..