Tell me your experience of your 'small breed' please

[Whitney168]

Having had a large coated breed for 30+ years, I am fancying adding a small dog to the house. with the big'uns.

I would love a Cavalier, but the more I read about the health issues, the more I am concerned.

My inclination is towards something more 'toy' than 'terrier' for temperament and outlook. There are some small terriers I like, but I have no wish to own a dog that isn't amenable to other dogs and makes walks difficult, although as I'm typing this I think that i.e. Westies I don't particularly see as an issue when out, so maybe that's unfair.

Would prefer a stable confident outgoing temperament, without being bolshy - am not keen on 'flighty' breeds.

Would happily have a wire coated Jack Russell if I could guarantee I got a nice one, but they seem to be saints or devils.

I don't really want anything that needs major grooming, have enough of that with the big dogs, but obviously clipping is an option.

I wouldn't be automatically averse to a crossbreed, but the chances of getting a responsibly bred one are so vanishingly small that I think that's probably off the table.

Breeds I've seriously considered:

• Cavalier King Charles (health concerns)
• Tibetan Spaniel (noise?)
• Lhasa Apso/Shih Tzu (would keep clipped) - no experience of them to know temperament.

Ermmmm ... what else am I missing? Tell me about your small breeds please ...

Oh, and I would strongly prefer a breed that can be trained to be safe off the lead.

We have a miniature poodle who would meet your needs! He’s about 6kg so very compact but incredibly friendly, loving and adores other dogs. So easy to train. Too.

Thanks, JuiceyBetty. I feel like I can't quite imagine having something that small and slight around the house and with the bigger dogs (although they're not a hugely boisterous breed). I'd also wonder if the poodles would come under my 'flighty' description?

I take it you keep him clipped? How often does this need doing, and how much grooming do you need to do in between? I don't feel like anything completely smooth coated is ever going to hit the spot with me, but I definitely don't want another breed with major grooming requirements.

(Sorry, I feel like I am going to be a pain who pushes back on everything LOL. Just genuinely don't have much experience of small dogs. Am in no rush, so want to explore lots of things and challenge my perceptions.)

I have a rescue jrt chihuahua cross. He's a darling. Barks maybe a little too much at outside noise etc but never at night or early in the morning, plays with other dogs and has a lovely temperament. He's super tiny and pretty well behaved.

What’s the larger breed? If you like cavaliers, working cocker spaniels are smaller than show ones and are lovely but lots of walking needed - but you may be used to that already with the big dogs. Mine is currently snuggled up beside me licking my ankle. I like dachshunds and miniature pinschers. I’ve never met a nice really small dog - yorkies/chihuahuas/pomeranians - they always seem to be horrible yappy untrained things (I’m going to be piled on for that!). I agree that poodles are nice though possibly flighty, but they’re very clever and easily trained, I think often (like the tiny dogs) people treat them as toys and don’t put in the training. Italian greyhounds are nice too. I’ve met nice miniature schnauzers too.

We’ve got papillons - 3 different dogs, 3 different characters but they’re all very loving and sweet.

They all love people, love to be out in the park or sleeping on the back of the sofa and are more cat like than most cats I know.

They’re a very intelligent breed, that love to learn new tricks and enjoy training sessions.

There is some coat care but that mostly trimming their feet and fringing. Some people clip them out but they’re a very easy and wear sort of breed and the mud literally drops off them once it’s dried. You do need to brush them on a daily basis but we brush ours while we’re watching the tv in the evenings and they snooze through it all.

They are small - our smallest is 3kgs and 6in at the shoulder but they’ve got bucketloads I’d character.

I’m amazed you didn’t instantly think of a Shetland Sheepdog as if you are the poster I think you are, you have rough collies?
Shelties are roughs in miniature

Big breed are Collies, walked 3 or 4 times a day, but (I realise this will sound ridiculous LOL) I don't want a full on working type dog - hence the 'toy rather than terrier' type thought process. Ideal is something that can enjoy walks with the others when old enough, but definitely not something that needs more. Robust 'lap dog' more than 'working dog'. This will be a complete novelty for me, after years owning and showing the one breed.

I quite like a Miniature Dachshund, but again I don't think they are the healthiest breed in any of their varieties.

Never met a nice Pomeranian, hate the twirling.

Min Pins don't really appeal. Ditto Chihuahuas.

My sister has a Miniature Schnauzer. Fabulous family dog, but too needy and clingy for me.

Italian Greyhounds definitely too slight, shivery and easily broken for me.

Yorkies - hmmm, not entirely averse, but probably away from the show type to the slightly bigger and more robust pet type, and again not sure buying that ethically is going to be all that easy.

I am like bloody Goldilocks LOL - not too big, not too small, not too hairy, not too smooth ...

Cavalier really is spot on in all areas (size, coat, steady temperament, cuddly sofa dog but robust enough for proper walking) but health for what I want. I am talking to a breeder who really does seem to do all that is available at the moment, but I'm still not convinced it's enough.

@MrsJunglelow

I’m amazed you didn’t instantly think of a Shetland Sheepdog as if you are the poster I think you are, you have rough collies? Shelties are roughs in miniature

Nope, definitely not a Sheltie. See 'flighty' and too much grooming.

Have known people with Papillons and my over-riding view of them is a complete inability to housetrain. Also a bit too delicate for me.

Gah. I want a bloody Cavalier really.

Check out the Border Terrier? Most steady of the terrier breeds, health issues can be minimised through good breeding, friendly and affable temperament, can be high energy but more inclined to laziness, not particularly barky, happy with a mooch around the block or a 10 mile hike. Mostly good with other dogs, mine certainly is although he's young (and currently a bit needy but that's our fault, not his). He plays with dogs of all sizes and hasn't shown the slightest bit of temper or irritability.

He sheds a bit but he'll be handstripped professionally twice a year. They can be clipped but it wrecks the coat and makes them a bit woolly! Stripping is better.

Here's mine.

Border Terrier should also have been on my 'have considered' list. Was very keen on this at one point, but have been a bit put off for temperament by a couple of friends that live with them. I am used to dogs that love everything going, and although obviously there are no guarantees, I do want to maximise my chances of that continuing.

Sorry, I do realise I'm really irritating. Have just been going round in circles with this for a good while, and thought this would a) be interesting and b) might throw up something else that I've not considered.

Oh, and definitely yes to handstripping if I got a terrier. Clipping was more aimed at the Lhasa/Shih Tzu types.

Blimey, you should have seen the temperament of my old Patterdale - now she was feral! My Border is a pussycat by comparison.

Looks like a cavalier for you then.

I'd get a border terrier too. I've got a JRT, very smart cute and sweet but also can be aggressive and barks too much. Also prone to allergies and a sensitive tummy

LOL yes, Patterdale wouldn't be on the list.

We have a border X jrt . He's robust and low maintenance. Doesn't require stripping, but his siblings are all different and some do need stripping.

Friend has a poodle, clipped (but flat all over, not like the pompoms!) And he's lovely, sturdy and calm.

Think I'd be concerned about the other dogs being too much for a tiny, tiny dog. Unless kept seperate. We rescued a tiny terrier who had been in with 3 spaniels and she was basically traumatised and it took about 3 years before she came out as a personality. She wasn't reactive or aggressive. She had just basically been brow beaten and was extremely passive and would let other dogs trample all over her boundaries if we didn't intervene . You could see over the years how she 'grew' into her terrierness, she eventually became fearless and confident.

@MaryLennoxsScowl

What’s the larger breed? If you like cavaliers, working cocker spaniels are smaller than show ones and are lovely but lots of walking needed - but you may be used to that already with the big dogs. Mine is currently snuggled up beside me licking my ankle. I like dachshunds and miniature pinschers. I’ve never met a nice really small dog - yorkies/chihuahuas/pomeranians - they always seem to be horrible yappy untrained things (I’m going to be piled on for that!). I agree that poodles are nice though possibly flighty, but they’re very clever and easily trained, I think often (like the tiny dogs) people treat them as toys and don’t put in the training. Italian greyhounds are nice too. I’ve met nice miniature schnauzers too.

It's all in the training!

My nana had two (separate times) poodles, one miniature the other not and I just recall both of them being yappy and bitey.

Neighbour has a mini pin who although a bit yappy is great with people she knows, doesn't seem to require much walking but does like a walk. Huge bark which is good for scaring intruders. Neighbour also had a mini dachshund/Jack russell cross which was lovely but had the dachshund (I think) temperament of something they needed to do!

My grandad's Yorkie was lovely very non snappy and very affectionate and friendly.

We have 2 Lhasa’s and they are the nicest gentle dogs I could have hoped for.
They are totally amazing, both took less than 2 weeks to be fully housetrained and are fab with kids.

I have TibetanTerriers, maybe a bit bigger than you want ( but they are not Terriers!).

They have next to no prey drive and love being with their owners!
Mine like a little play but will just happily walk beside/ behind me when on longer walks.

They are a "go with the flow ' type dog and don't seem to be faced by much. Mine are happy in a crowded noisy places as well as following DC climbing rocks on the moors.
If it's raining or I'm short of time, they are happy with a quick walk ot the garden.

I find them relatively easy to train, they respond very well to kindness and attention. On that front, I think they do have all the attributes that people want from the pooX. Intelligent & happy to please.
But they are also full of fun and character... known as a dog with a sense of humour.

The only downside is the grooming needs, you can get them in a "puppy cut" every 4-6 weeks for ease. Mine are currently in full coat, but it's brushing every 2-3 days!

Sure you want one!

My friend has Brussels Griffon, theyre lovely little things. She has ddb and a rottweiler aswell so she holds her own well! She couldnt sing the breeds praiseses anymore more!

You need a Norfolk terrier! So sweet and loving, but robust little things. Difficult to come by though as they have small litters.

We are the same. Had cockers and German shepherds in t he past but going for a cavalier. We have chosen a breeder who does all the health checks in depth to try and make sure we get one that has less chance of health issues.
My sister has two and such lovely dogs x

Schipperke?
Great with the family, arsey with intruders (but okay with guests), okay off-lead. Robust and long-lived and full of character.