Small dog foster...

[Florianna]

Hi,

Having recently lost our beloved JRT, we've been looking to get another dog.

We approached a local rescue about a JRT that was being advertised, but it had already been rehomed. However, they rang us back and suggested another dog - a Chorkie (Yorkie x chihuahua). He's apparently an affectionate little chap, a bit neglected in his previous home, and needs work on toilet training and being dog reactive (which we've dealt with previously). We've been offered the opportunity to foster him with a view to adopt.

However, the size issue is putting me off. Simply put, I'm not a toy dog person. I've read they need 30 mins walking a day - that's less than half what our old JRT used to get. Also, we love a longer walk at the weekend - maybe 3-7 miles. Surely that's impossible with such a little dog? I don't want to exhaust the little chap, but I don't really want to give up something we love doing, and I'm wondering if we should wait for a slightly bigger dog.

So, my main questions are:

• Am I wrong with my toy dog prejudice?
• How far is it sensible to walk such a tiny breed? (He is 5kg at the moment, but he's a bit overweight!)

We’ve been fostering a chihuahua cross, having only ever had big dogs. I love him!! It has been strange adapting to short walks, and I’m not sure that we would adopt him. We have discussed the idea of carrying him on our long walks.

You may need to have a solution for carrying him when you go on your long walks? Or wait for a bigger dog. It’s hard to advise, as it’s personal choice isn’t it, and what you’re prepared to change about your expectations.

I’m not a small dog person - to me JRTs are tiny

But, yorkies are originally bred for hunting... I know they’re often fairly far removed from that, but they’re still terriers and I’ve known people with chi’s who walk them miles.

Unless there’s a medical issue there’s no reason toy dogs can’t be walked normally - yes people get them and only do 30 minutes... but there’s not many dogs wouldn’t do more than that if it’s on offer.

You’d have to build up to it a bit if they’re not fit, but other than that...

Many years ago, my Grandmother had a tiny (runt of the litter) Pekinese. As Grandma got older we, the younger generation, took over walking him. We regularly took him across the Yorkshire moors where for him every clump of heather was a case of jump over, squeeze under, or go round. We used to reckon he was fine up to about seven miles. After that we would sometimes offer to carry him which he hated and would wriggle to get down and plod along with us. Tiny certainly does not stop a dog doing long walks if they are used to it

Don’t underestimate small dogs, my friends Shih Tzu runs 10miles with her!

Yorkies are terriers, they are quite hardy.

How old is the dog?

We have had 3 yorkies, one we only managed to tire out once, they are very tough small dogs, give it ago, its a great thing to do.
We now have a Dandie Dinmont which has very short legs but she loves walking, we often think no this will be too far but she has been fine, she just loves being outside

I have a friend with a chihuahua and a dachshund , they walk miles a day , she used to have Doberman’s but wanted something smaller .

Oh, this is all very encouraging! I'm feeling quite excited now.

He's 4 years old and has a clean bill of health. I'm really looking forward to meeting him after all your comments.

www.donthibernate.co.uk/dummys-guide-to-dandie-dinmont-terriers/

May we have a picture when he does arrive please