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 ...

@500BusStops

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

I do like a Norfolk, but have never 'known' any. Always better to get a view from general pet homes I think, as breeders to them that is just the character of the breed, not necessarily always what it's like to live with in a pet home.

(Nothing against breeders, I was one, and am a 'show person' in my main breed.)

Westies are the besties. Super cute, rascally and mine loves snuggling on the couch. Wants to "help" with whatever I do. Very friendly. Where I live (not uk) we have a monthly westie meet up at various dog parks followed by a walk. 30-50 westies come along and there's never an issue.

Oh, if your large ones are only collies... my small suggestions probably wouldn’t meet your definition of small, lol

Yorkies.

They seem to be love/hate, i have had yorkies all my 40 odd years and they have all been utterly fab little dogs. A big part is how you socialise them though- you need to be very careful to treat them like dogs.

My current one is a show breeder reject. Yes he’s tiny, he was the runt of the litter and is too small for breed standard. Most breeders hate the “teacup” crap and have gone back to breeding sturdy little dogs around 4 kg.

Mine gets on with other dogs. Mostly ignores them or just stands still while they bounce around, until he gets to know them then he’s happy to play. Loves cats, kids, any sort of attention, will snooze on his bed but if you’re sat down prefers to sit with you.

Will walk all day, but if you don’t go out fine with a run round the garden. Easily trainable, i’m no trainer but mine has sit, stay, shake paws. Recall is fine, rarely goes anywhere on a lead as he sticks close, does some sniffing but seems to see his main job as making sure no one wanders off.

Even though he was bred to show he is still very terrier like. Better mouser than the cat, play involves stealing stuff and hiding it, or chasing cat toys.

Also great “alarm” dog- barks at the door but fine once introduced.

Only problem I have is visitors tend to automatically pick him up and carry him round like a baby. He loves it but I discourage it. Fil is the worse for it, would wander round all day with him!

Some of the westies on our Facebook page do lure coursing, obedience demos, aged care visiting etc

How about a Bichon Frise?

@Gin4thewin

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!

Not keen on anything short nosed, whatever I get will get a good amount of exercise and I don't want that worry. (Nor indeed the snoring, have the husband for that!)

@MobLife

How about a Bichon Frise?

I don't mind clipping a long haired dog, but a lot of our walking is in forest conditions, so anything with very soft coat is probably not a great idea even clipped, and I feel like Bichons come in to that?

Most breeders hate the “teacup” crap and have gone back to breeding sturdy little dogs around 4 kg.

I honestly cannot imagine owning a 4kg dog. I would be worried I'd break it LOL.

We lost our JR earlier this year - she was 19 yrs old. Lovely dog but not particularly biddable. Trainable to an extent - always on a lead. I now have a Border terrier puppy and the difference is remarkable - she is so eager to please and quick to learn. Seems to love all dogs that she meets and adores people especially children

What about a beagle? Mine is loveable, good to walk (good recall) but a manageable size - 10kg and not prone to masses of health conditions

I have a cavalier. Our first one died last year aged 11. There are health issues but we have been careful. We bought our 2nd one from a family who owned a few dogs and have a litter once a year. They use the same father and all dogs are health checked. I did look at some breeders that have very popular Facebook pages and long waiting lists but then I've heard bad things about them. Our puppy was part of a family home and settled in so quickly. He loves long walks but not bothered if it's raining!!! He loves to sit on your lap. I think they are great. He's so sociable.

Cairn terrier or Westie.

Cairns are incredible dogs. Mine is around 9kg at the moment. Loyal, intelligent, not yappy, completely trainable. Loves attention and children but equally happy to snooze in his bed when he's had enough. I grew up with them too.

Wouldn't trust him around small furries though....

@Whitney168 really? We haven’t had any problems housetraining our paps and I know the breeder we got our younger two from has all hers in the house and they’re all housetrained.

They look delicate but that’s very deceptive!

Looking forward to seeing what breed you decide on.

My friend has a small working cocker spaniel. He is amazing. He's 6kg, very easy to train, laid-back and loves a good chew toy before his sleep. He sleeps so much I swear he's part cat!!!

I have a toy cockapoo (rescue before the breed snobs arrive!) She has lots of poodle in her so is quite opinionated but she is amazing. She's 5kg, holds her own against her bestie who is a Labrador and is just lovely with people and other animals. Her second bestie is my friends cat!

Our next dog will probably be a staffie. They are amazing but probably bigger than you want.

Lhasa, Norfolk, Border and Westie definitely on the list for further investigation.

No to Staffie, no appeal at all for me.

No to Beagle, a good recall is rare, in the areas we walk I'd probably never see it again. If I had the urge for something like this that I'd have a good chance of having to keep on a lead, it would undoubtedly be a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.

Tibetan Terrier an interesting one, perhaps temperaments have improved or vary between lines? They had a reputation of being very sharp in the past.

@tabulahrasa

Oh, if your large ones are only collies... my small suggestions probably wouldn’t meet your definition of small, lol

Oh they're not Newfoundlands, Danes or owt (although husband would love a Newfoundland), but they are good sized males, 27kg or so - a fair amount of dog, and to me too much for something of 5kg or so.

I’ve just adopted my foster shih Tzu. Not a breed I would have ever considered but boy she’s a star! Hefty at 11kgs she’s up for anything, walks miles plays with any manner of dog and doesn’t have a cross bone in her body. Very huggable and loving. She spent her first four years as a breeding bitch in a puppy farm and has been free for 6 months. Every day a joy.

Our JRT is the apple of my eye. Her recall is as close to 100% as you can get and she’s off lead everywhere that’s away from traffic. She’s sunny natured, loving and friendly. Very sociable with other dogs but comes away when called. She’s currently curled up on my knee asleep. I absolutely adore her - can you tell?

I don't mind clipping a long haired dog, but a lot of our walking is in forest conditions, so anything with very soft coat is probably not a great idea even clipped, and I feel like Bichons come in to that

Mine have "Poodle Feet" makes a massive difference in terms of dirt trapped around their feet and dropped all around the house. I highly recommend it!

Tibetan Terrier an interesting one, perhaps temperaments have improved or vary between lines? They had a reputation of being very sharp in the past

I have never experienced a "sharp" (as in aggressive tendency?) TT. I have had several, including rescue/ cast offs from people who couldn't cope with a dog in general. I managed to turn them round within a few months. They really are generally a sweet, people loving dog.
unless you refer to the puppies, they can be demanding little shits. But you will end up with a calm loyal and loving pet dog

Shih Tzus are the best! Very friendly and cuddly, floppy and comfy, they’re not hugely active and make good lap dogs. They like to be able to peer out of windows. They retain that playful puppy type temperament their entire lives and are just lovely dogs. In my experience they only need short walks and can’t handle a long hike. They can be prone to arthritis in old age and may need carrying up and down the stairs. Mine doesn’t go on walks any more because her legs give way, she just wanders around the garden. Typical lifespan is 12-15 years. I’ve kept Shih Tzus for the past 35 years and wouldn’t have another breed. I would recommend getting one from a breeder via the Shih Tzu Club because if they’re not bred by professionals (who do genetic testing) they can suffer lots of health issues.

Norfolk terrier. Sturdy little dog with little grooming.

Schipperkes are great - lovely little dogs and full of character.
I came across the Markiesje in Holland - not recognised by the KC, but really lovely sized, active companion dog. Might have a bit too much coat for you...

Great thread, such useful information from posters - looking for a very similar thing!

“Oh they're not Newfoundlands, Danes or owt (although husband would love a Newfoundland), but they are good sized males, 27kg or so - a fair amount of dog, and to me too much for something of 5kg or so.”

Oh I know collies aren’t tiny just, I was going to suggest bigger spaniels than a cav, but then realised... they’re still not small really, not next to a collie, just small next to really large dog’s, lol