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

Border Terriers are very easy to groom yourself😁, I hand strip mine myself, self taught, it’s quite therapeutic really, easy to do, there’s lots of help on line with tutorials etc.

Oh wow, I just googled and watched a quick video on stripping a border terrier @Fastforwardtospring That is something I would totally love to do (I'm weird like that lol)
We used to do something similiar to the cat (she loved it) and the amount of hair that came out was astonishing!

@AnotherOne it is indeed very satisfying, some people knit, crochet etc, I sit and strip my border of an evening🤣

@Fastforwardtospring
Handstripping is like marmite you either love it or hate it haha! (I am the latter I hate to say lol)

@AnotherOne4
Breed clubs sometimes do seminars and teach-ins it's worth having a look at some of the websites of Breeds you are interested in and getting in touch with the secretaries etc. to find out when next events are. I know the Southern Bichon Breeders Association recently held an online seminar for grooming. Best of luck ❤

@AnotherOne4 I would not ask anyone to recommend a breed they are going to say the breed they own. You need to work out what dog fits in with your family and lifestyle.

Jack Russell! Ours is small, 5kg. He's almost 2. I clip his nails myself. We brush and bath him at home if it's needed (he doesn't like either much!)

He's very friendly and loves to play with other dogs and children. He's lazy and loves nothing more than sleeping on the sofa cuddled up to us.

I would not ask anyone to recommend a breed they are going to say the breed they own. You need to work out what dog fits in with your family and lifestyle

I would!

It's a great way to find out about dog ownership and what's to like/not like about it (which might be breed trait, or might be just generally useful stuff).

I am of course assuming that people will explain why their breed suits them, not just chuck out a few names.

It does look as if OP is getting sold in the smaller strippable terriers.

Border (fairly common), Norfolk (watch list) and Norwich (vulnerable) are similar in size and the latter two are notably good natured/easy going for terriers; all three are all IMO suitable for first time owners as less stubborn that most terrier. Border is also slightly bigger, but still a small dog. All fairly robust in health terms.

I wouldn't recommend the breed I own without checking out the person first. Are you prepared for these breed traits? For working drive? For this level of exercise? For the need for ongoing training?

I think one of the few people I didn't put off was a former dog handler from the police.