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?

[PookieDo]

This is my baby after being groomed

[Fraggleface]

We have an Australian terrier- lovely dog, brilliant with our toddler and baby, not yappy, great off lead and doesn’t mind that he only gets 1 walk a day at the mo.

[DuchessOfDukeStreet]

Another Border terrier owner here - ours is a huge personality in a small body. He's calmed down a lot with the incessant 'postman! squirrel! rain!' barking now he's getting on in years but still the best door bell/alarm system you could want. Loves children, happiest with his family, but content to be left snoozing for an afternoon/morning if we're all out. He'd still walk for miles if we let him, despite his arthritis - they're quite stoic little souls and love being active.

BUT training is never going to be his strong point. I put in a lot of hours trying to get a recall and have more or less given up; it's not that he doesn't know what he's supposed to do, it's just that I'll never have a reward that tastes sweeter than FREEEEEEEEDOM does to him. He will give me a paw if there's nothing else going on, though.

[BertrandRussell]

Yes- I think Borders are notoriously difficult to train. Ours has good recall, but that’s more or less it.
Someone once said about her “She’s not very well trained, but she’s very well brought up”

[DuchessOfDukeStreet]

Ha! that's such a great description.

[Wolfiefan]

Just a word of caution. Borders do need VERY careful early socialisation. And be VERY careful where it comes from. Met too many recently who are dog reactive.

[TheSandgroper]

No prey drive. - in your dreams. We lose two pair of blue tongue goannas each summer. And they were bred to have a mind of their own so she is always walked on her lead. But she is bright, cheerful and happy in our family. Not bred for the heat so that’s a problem in Perth in summer. I strip her myself over a week because I start with a bad wrist and have to manage it. Likes routine so fits the family well. Great bladder overnight.

[Girliefriendlikescake]

Thumper I reckon with yorkie Russell's you get the best of both breeds! Was yours a yorkie mum jrt dad out of interest?

[thumper59]

@Girliefriendlikescake I think so! He is perfect honestly I couldn't ask for a better dog. I believe so- to be honest we stumbled across him by chance as a pup rather then went out looking for him so I don't know a whole lot! He's my best pal 🙂 as loyal as they come and not a bad bone in his body. X

[mumofthree321]

Spaniels can be fairly high energy dogs compared to a Norfolk Terrier. We have a spaniel and another very large dog and the spaniel is definitely the harder work of the two :)

[Elphame]

Most of the Borders around here seem quite aggressive.

My Welsh terrier is lovely - perfect temperament, highly intelligent and a perfect PAT dog. However - easy to train? Yes. Very easy. He knows what you want him to do. Whether he'll do it is another thing entirely! They do lack the desire to please at times.

[lastqueenofscotland]

PIL have a wee border terrier and she is a delight.

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

Have you considered a papillon? They're a similar size to a Norfolk Terrier, a companion breed, but technically a toy sized spaniel (sometimes called a continental toy spaniel). Intelligent, biddable, often used for agility, very people focussed... could be the sort of thing you're looking for.

[SarfE4sticated]

I’ve had two cairns and loved them. Fun and spirited but affectionate and loving. Small enough to be picked up when needed tho. Norfolk’s are really difficult to get hold of whereas Cairns are easier to find.

[SarfE4sticated]

You could be very fancy and try for a [http://www.lucasterrierclub.co.uk/drupal/node/30 Lucas terrier]] I’ve never met one but they look adorable.

[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.

[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.

[Confusedbeetle]

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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[MrsCasares]

It’s such a hard life being a terrier.