Opinions on terriers or other people focused small breeds?

[stressystressy]

I’m currently dogsitting a Norfolk Terrier with a broken leg (I spent a huge amount of time with this dog before he broke the leg and think he’s generally great). He is an utter delight - great with children, fab with other dogs, smart, and happy to left alone for a few hours (or come along and experience the world). Generally a happy go lucky little chap with medium energy. However I’ve always loved the biddable nature of spaniels, and how people focused they are.

I’m in a position to get a dog (happy to rescue or rehome an oldie). I’ve never much liked terriers, but this guy has completely changed my mind. I also love how portable he is, and how I can literally take him anywhere - so I love his size. Any small terrier breeds which generally have biddable, people focused temperaments?

[shinynewapple]

JRT here - he's a very friendly, loving little dog but he's very yappy.

[Elphame]

It is indeed a hard life being a terrier!

[beachcomber70]

A bit off topic... but I've had a cavalier king Charles spaniel who lived to be 12.5 years with no health problems, no murmur. But had kidney failure.

A neighbour who is see regularly has a cavalier who has just been diagnosed with a murmur...but she is 11.5 years, it is managed with medication and the dog is happy and still enjoying daily walks.

Her previous dog was 13 when he died, so not all bad stories. Not in this area anyway. I agree though that for a dog to die because of bad breeding within the first 5-7 years is tragic.

[Girliefriendlikescake]

I'm loving the pictures! It's amazing how different all the yorkie/jrt are. Even within my puppy's litter the three puppies all looked completely different to each other!!

Another pic of my gorgeous boy.

[stressystressy]

Thank you for all your replies, I’ve loved seeing the photos! I like Borders, and was nearly convinced they’d suit me by all of your lovely stories.

Cavalier King Charles have popped up as a suggestion before, but I couldn’t support the breeding given their hereditary health issues.

@AvocadosBeforeMortgages I think you’ve hit on the breed for me. I’ve been watching Papillons doing agility and I had no idea they were quite so much fun. Many thanks.

A photo of the little munchkin I’m currently nursing for tax 😉

[Hemlock2013]

We have a jrt x Yorkie and he’s the absolute best ! Loves the kids, other dogs, all people and animals. He’s such a sweet dog. Our house is on a fairly busy road and he just watches everyone pass by without barking. Loves cuddles. Comes to work with me where there are horses, hounds and sheep and will run off and investigate then check back in with me. He’s amazing.

[LaurieFairyCake]

My beautiful, full of personality Scottie. Great around everyone, very highly socialised.

I am besotted with her, she's hilarious. Has a big Woof (but is not remotely barky unless there's a horse on the TV)

She is very independent- doesn't whine when we go out without her. Our last dog was a spaniel and we tried everything to cure him of the separation anxiety but he just hated not being pressed against me every minute.

Much prefer my independent girl. She still cuddles me in bed and gets her tummy out - plus she comes on the bus/tube/train and is completely unphased by life. She's resilient and fiesty (in a good way).

I think terriers are the best dogs and now couldn't imagine being without her - she's my insides.

[BertrandRussell]

This is a better one....

[BertrandRussell]

Oh- that’s not the picture I meant. That’s one of her Ewok ones!

[LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD]

He looks positively evil! Like he is hatching a plan.

[BertrandRussell]

“Why wouldn’t you want me?”

[thinkofausernameplease]

My border terrier is a dream! Perfect in every way, I think she is more of a baby than a dog though.

[Warmhandscoldheart]

Best/worst of all worlds, a Patterdale terrier and Cocker spaniel cross.
Love him to bits but hell of a combination 😂

[MrsCasares]

Another example of a hard life.

[MrsCasares]

It’s such a hard life being a terrier.

[MattMagnolia]

Cavaliers are gentle, happy and easy but they have such bad health problems that they should not be bred or bought. Don’t be tempted.

[Knitclubchatter]

I have a Tibetan spaniel, not really a spaniel. Sucky little thing adored by children.
And an Airedale, he’s a lovely loving boy. Excellent with other dogs.
My dd is looking to get a miniature schnauzer.

[beachcomber70]

In the past I have had a jack Russell x dachshund and a jack Russell x yorkie. Both females.
Both were lovely home loving, quiet dogs. Only barked to welcome people into the house or rarely when they had good reason to growl at a stranger who was acting strangely.
Both were friendly with other dogs and people.
I would have a terrier cross [maybe not a pure JR] over a spaniel any day [apart from a cavalier king Charles who are gorgeous] who I find are too high energy.
But would have a cavalier king Charles spaniel, they are gorgeous.

[greentheme23]

I love my little border/patterdale cross. She's literally everyone's favourite dog that meets her. I will never ever be able to replace her. She's been so fab for our family.

[augustagain]

Never wanted a terrier until I had a Cairn. Now, I really appreciate them for their fun-loving personalities and their persistence. He barks a lot though, but I wouldn't swap him for anything. Beautiful nature - you can take toys out of his mouth.

[Vaquita5]

I love terriers too, but a dog is generally only as good as it's training. Puppies are hard work, but time put into them is well spent. I sometimes think people expect puppies to come ready trained (not you, obvs doing some homework!). Gundogs should be biddable, but are also the most stolen so be warned! Also, make sure you get insurance, some breeds are prone to expensive skin conditions or other complaints. Some terrier breeds are softer than others, poss depends on what they've been bred for.
I'm currently fostering a Yorkie (a big 'un!) and we're trying to get to the bottom of his itching before he can go up for adoption. He's cute, but hard work!
Good luck! And let us know what you decide.

[Confusedbeetle]

I like a dog who is easy to train. Not really my experience of terriers

[Cath2907]

I have a Bichon Frise who thinks he is a labrador. Had him since 8 weeks. He loves all dogs and kids and is pretty indifferent to people but happy enough to be patted if they need to pat him. He gets two long walks a day and loves to be off in the mud and galloping through fields. He sleeps the rest of the time. I can leave him for 4hrs without issue (but am generally always home - although he was left on Sunday and monday this week as I wanted to go out and it was too hot for a dog). He sits next to me on the sofa, sleeps on or under my bed or under my desk (he is leaning on my feet now!) He only barks if someone comes to the door and then only until I open the door and he can go sniff them.

His three issues:

1. He needs grooming. I pay £30 every 6 weeks for a professional groom and brush him regularly in between. Currently spending 15 mins a day picking out grass seeds from his coat.
   
2. He chases sheep
   
3. He hates the vet. He is terrified and I muzzle him at the vets as a precaution.
   
   Other than that he is pretty much the perfect laid back dog.

[ErrolTheDragon]

The only border terrier I know at the moment has a hobby of escaping and killing poultry on neighbouring farms.

OTOH my dachshund absolutely CBA to do anything antisocial like that, he is very 'people focussed'. He's 13 now, until recently he'd do a good long hill walk - but not actually need a walk in the way 'high energy' dogs do, which is handy in bad weather.

Not a quiet option though.