Recommend A Breed

[AnotherOne4]

Hi all, we are thinking about getting out first dog, but can't decide on what breed to get. What would you recommend? Below is a list of what we are after:

• Small dog you can pick up and carry (if needed too)
• Dog that likes to socialise with other dogs, particularly Shih Tzu's (as my parents have two, and we will see these often)
• Low maintenance (ie, doesn't require trips to the beauty parlour every three months!)

Pup/dog would need to be male. He would have company 24/7 mostly, but we would leave him on his own occassionally (just so he is used to it). We have plenty of garden space/fields near by etc.

Just undecided on what to get.....I like the idea of a Maltese or Bichon Frise

Following as about to start my own thread on this but have a few more requirements than you.

What about shih tzus?

Maltese and bichon in my experience are both high maintenance breeds in regards of grooming.
What about terriers? We have a border terrier. They're small, you can groom them yourselves, and if socialised correctly, they are fab with other dogs.
My experience when we had a bichon was it needed grooming every 10 weeks. Friend had similar with a Maltese.

It’s too early for me to update but I’ve bought a male chihuahua who I am hopeful will grow up to fulfil all that criteria 🤞🏻

A border terrier ?

How about a litter Manchester Terrier a Lancashire Heeler? I have no experience with either, but they look fun! Have a low maintenance coat and is something different to the current X poo trent.

@Wonderdog5 A Shih Tzu is definitely a contender, but the grooming side puts me off. My parents Shih Tzu's have a lovely temperament though, so I know they can make fantastic pets.

That's useful to know @Theawkwardblonde Although we can afford groomers, I hate the idea of spending so regularly on them (as they are really expensive!) Bichon and Maltese are probably off the list now.

Border Terrier @islaviolent that's a good one. They seem to have a 'wirey' feel to them though (if that makes sense) I like the idea of something nice to stoke (but saying that, I probably cross the line with if I want a soft fluffy dog, I'm gonna have to pay for a groomer)

@Ylvamoon Manchester Terrier looks big. Lancashire Heeler looks more the size I was thinking.

There are so many breeds, and don't get me started on all the cross breeds popping up.

[quote AnotherOne4]@Wonderdog5 A Shih Tzu is definitely a contender, but the grooming side puts me off. My parents Shih Tzu's have a lovely temperament though, so I know they can make fantastic pets.

That's useful to know @Theawkwardblonde Although we can afford groomers, I hate the idea of spending so regularly on them (as they are really expensive!) Bichon and Maltese are probably off the list now.

Border Terrier @islaviolent that's a good one. They seem to have a 'wirey' feel to them though (if that makes sense) I like the idea of something nice to stoke (but saying that, I probably cross the line with if I want a soft fluffy dog, I'm gonna have to pay for a groomer)

@Ylvamoon Manchester Terrier looks big. Lancashire Heeler looks more the size I was thinking.

There are so many breeds, and don't get me started on all the cross breeds popping up.[/quote]
Mine is only 5 months old at the minute but will become quite rough. We haven't had her stripped yet , but it only needs doing twice a year and we have found someone who will do it for £35.

She's an absolute joy , we went through a kennel club breeder , so didn't pay ££££ for her , I was also on a waiting list for a year . I'm so pleased i waited , she so friendly , never barks and is brilliant with the kids and other dogs . Not happy at all. Best thing we ever did

Depending on your exercise requirements, what about something like a cairn terrier?

They need clipping but you can do it yourself.

Tibetan spaniel. The silky hair just needs the occasional brush no professional grooming.
Very calm nature.

Border Terriers are fab, they need to be well socialised though, to look after their coat properly will need hand stripping, you can do this yourself or find a reputable groomer who hand strips, their coat should never be sheared/cut. They are great little dogs though, ticked all our boxes.

@icedcoffees I actually did a silly questionnaire thing on 'what breed of dog suits you best', and it came back with a cairn terrier Defo a contender.
@fallfallfall Tibetan spaniel looks like they need a lot of grooming. Good suggestion though, as looks like the right size.
Oh no @Fastforwardtospring I can't decide which I prefer, a Border Terrier or a Cairn Terrier. Both on the list now!

Thank-you for all your help and suggestions

Sorry @fallfallfall, I didn't read your message properly. You said Tibetan spaniels need no grooming. Ok....that's one more to add to the list then

@AnotherOne4 - they're really lovely dogs but hard to find these days sadly. They're very similar to Westies but without all the skin issues associated with the white coat.

If you like the look of Borders and Cairns, add Norfolks and Norwiches to your list. One is a watch-list bred, and the other a vulnerable native. They are fantastic little dogs

@icedcoffees Yeah I've read some stuff about skin issues/white dogs.

It's such a big decision getting a pup/dog. I really want to research all the breeds I'm interested in, and then find the best one.

@AnotherOne4, they need brushing (our gets brushed once a week if that) but no fancy clipping. I vacuum daily, which is needed whether I brush or not.

Cairn Terriers are wonderful, I grew up with one and had my own as a young woman. They need brushing every week or so, but that's it, unless you want to have them stripped, which you can just have done once or twice a year. They are independent, loving, and pretty-bomb proof, they have a feisty reputation, but they just know how to stand up for themselves. I'd have another like a shot.

They're very similar to Westies but without all the skin issues associated with the white coat
As I understand it, a white dog is never genetically white and is always a solid colour, they have inherited the white spotting gene which turns patches, or sometimes the whole dog white but they are genetically still a different colour.

I suspect that Westies are like Swiss Shepherds who are actually German Shepherds and are in fact actually Cairn terriers expressing white spotting gene covering over their actual colour of black or brown and appearing white.

I don’t know anything about them but you could maybe look into a Miniature Pinscher OP?
Very small, extremely close, short coat.

Westies are quite a bit bigger than Cairns

Cairns share an ancestry (way back) with Norfolks and Norwiches.

I think there's a fair amount of historic overlap with the smaller terrier breeds

A papillon? I would love a papillon but they’re not for small children, sigh…Easy enough to groom, by all accounts. A miniature pinscher, needs no grooming?

I do know a min pin, he’s fine with other dogs (well he was a little fiery as a pup but has mellowed a year on).

Westies are amazing little dogs, I think the best dog all round that I've ever had. He came with skin problems but I know a few who are not affected. We did have him clipped every couple of months though.
Have also had a Cairn but think the Westie has a sunnier temperament.
Scotties are also fabulous in a different way, super loyal, if you like terriers.
@Powertothepetal Chihuahuas are brilliant little dogs, I've had a few, all amazing little characters and not at all what you'd expect. Mine were long haired though and again had them groomed about every 8 weeks.
Currently on my second Poodle cross. I wouldn't discount them OP, they're popular for a reason.

Chihuahuas are brilliant little dogs, I've had a few, all amazing little characters and not at all what you'd expect. Mine were long haired though and again had them groomed about every 8 weeks
Thank you for this!
No one we’ve told has anything much positive to say
His parents have lovely temperaments so fingers crossed.

Chihuahuas aren’t always big fans of other dogs so I wouldn’t get one if getting along with others is a must.

Terriers are wonderful BUT are working dogs. That makes them more demanding in terms of exercise and mental stimulation than dogs that were bred purely as companions (such as shih tzus). Factor in more walks and training sessions.

In your situation OP I would consider a Papillon. I think they fulfil your criteria. However, bear in mind that very few dogs enjoy being picked up and carried. They like their feet on the ground regardless of breed!

We have Maltese Shih Tzu cross-Malshi she is such a lovely little soul, she doesn't shed at all she is so lovely brilliant with human, other dogs with every living creature she is brilliant she does need grooming every 8 weeks though but I don't care about that she makes our lives so wonderful 🥰