Cain Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer or Westie?

[CanIBuffalo]

I'm undecided. I'm looking for the least amount of shedding/allergens and a good companion who will bark at night if someone's outside.
Only adult kids at home and someone's there all day. I have the school holidays to settle a puppy in.
Please can I have your views

Think about the level of exercise you can give. It varies a lot between your shortlist. A westie needs as little as half an hour a day but would be happy to walk the hills all day too. I think Schnauzers are energetic little dogs and may need an hour per day.....can you give that, rain or shine?
Westies are not known as being especially behaviourally problematic as a breed, other than the stubborness. But you do need to find a good breeder and a nice line that's going to suit you. Via KC you probably won't get a westie pup just like that. Many KC breeders are clustered up in the East Midlands, and you will need to introduce yourself and go on a bitch waitlist. I know it's a long way away, but if it were me, I'd head up to Crufts and meet the dogs and the breeders there face to face.

I have a female mini schnauzer. Not yappy but will bark if someone knocks on the door. Very loyal but mine is a bit dopey, bless her. She's good with my 4 year old but does prefer the company of adults. Needs regular grooming and brushing. She's a sweet little thing

There's a puppy on a breeder link site being sold as a pet that might be a good fit. I've emailed but not had a reply yet. I won't post a link here but if I do get a response then if I could pm someone with a link who knows whether it might not be some awful puppy farm set up, that would be great. I'll wait on a reply from the breeder. We are so lucky where we live. Big garden and grass the size of half a football pitch in front - no through road too. And lots of good walks.
I've waited for a dog for 20 years. It's time now.

NEVER search for a pup online. Ever. Contact breed club.

I have a Cairn. She's good with children, rarely barks, minimal shedding. I thought of a mini shnauzer as well, but she came up. They're a healthy breed, with very few vet trips.

Ok general link then
www.cairnterrierpuppies.co.uk/whybuyfromus.htm

Unfortunately westies suffered the curse of the crufts winner, a couple of years back. Loads and loads of very funny looking white terriers now running around which do not begin to resemble this lovely breed. Avoid non KC breeders for westies, even then, do your homework and pick one with a long breeding history.
Westies can suffer with sunburn and be prone allergies .....mine didn't but I've certainly heard of this issue.

I have a Cairn! Before this I hadn’t encountered the breed but my wee dog is the most loving & loyal wee thing. He’s also incredibly lazy & if they’re given decent exercise will tire easily. They love a good sniff & are very nosey. You must start the training as soon as possible, as they can be incredibly stubborn & wilful given the chance. There’s a very useful online forum for advice, specific for Cairns if you do get one.

A few minutes ago you didn't even know if you wanted a Cairn. Slow down. Contact the breed club. Meet owners and breeders.

Another vote for a Schnauzer - we have met some minis who aren't yappy. Standard is a good size - too big to be treated as a toy . We had 2 standards - magic dogs. Allergies and asthma then size were the reason we went for this breed. @geekone - we would dither about maybe getting a giant!

I have a Border Terrier but have met quite a few Mini Schnauzers on our walks. I love them. The ones I've met are great dogs.

Have you considered a Norfolk? When we were looking I was torn between a Border and a Norfolk Terrier. Norfolk's are gorgeous but I couldn't find a breed club. I'm very glad I got my Border though.

I love terriers

I've got a Cairn Terrier, doesn't shed a huge amount but is soft as clarts and barely barks! Hes grown up with my young children and thinks he is one of them - goes down the slide, in the paddling pool, and just is generally a fab family pet!

@Trampire....Norfolk terriers, utterly adorable! ❤️

Westies! I'm partial, since we have one. Ddog only barks when someone comes in if there's already someone in the house with him! He does tend to having a slightly delicate tummy for such a scruffy little bugger. He's too clever for his own good but amazingly good company and I would never go past the breed. That said - choose your breeder wisely. We see so many oddly shaped muzzles on poorly bred Westies.

The other really cute thing about Westies is that they recognise other Westies. I've never seen another breed like it. They are also always puppies, no matter how old they are. they do steady down, but are always puppy- like.

@LittleCandle.....so true that westie recognition thing. Our little boy (god rest his soul) used to stop at about 10 paces in absolute amazement at the sight of another westie. So funny! Agree totally about the bad breeding of westies.

@Francis.....adorable westie! They always put a lump in my throat. We lost our Georgie in Jan just aged 10 , he had a lung tumour and died within 24hrs. I couldn't have westie another after him, so we've a Cockapoo bitch now whose a little treasure. They steal your hearts and eventually break them these doggies!

Mini Schnauzer all the way!! Yes they can bark but we find being rewarded with treats (his normal kibble) when not barking helps a lot!

They are honestly the most gorgeous, loving, loyal & funny dogs you could meet!

When you know, you know!!!

We always had Cairns, our current one is 14.

The first year is hard, house training and obedience, they are terriers so need work, if you want a dog that you can take anywhere, off lead, social and well behaved, staying at home alone etc.

Cairns are (for us) the best dogs ever.
Small but with character, protective, and stay playful like puppies well into old age.
They need stripping every 3/4 months, don’t shave them as they lose their double fur coat and just don’t look like cairns anymore.

Only buy from a kennel club registered breeder.

My schnauzer is the loveliest sweetest daftest dog ever. He loves literally everyone, people and animals alike. He’ll run or play all day but equally happy to snooze all day (whatever we’re doing he’s up for that). Utterly crap watch dog though...once he’s in bed, the house could fall down around him and he’ll carry on snoring.