So I want a whippet or a border terrier ?

[Houndofthebaskethills]

Been planning getting a dog for years but waited until the kids older. Now all high school age.
I have narrowed it down to the above breeds as good for first time dog owners.

wouldlike a dog that is great to snuggle with on the sofa ( or even sleep on the bed) but also will be good to walk out or play ball in the garden with. Neighbours don’t like noise but I believe neither of these breeds are loud.

I am out of the house for 5 hours twice a week but we can get a dog walker . Which would be happiest left alone for those times?

I have searched and searched rescues but nothing suitable comes up.they need adult only home or another pet or can’t be left or just aren’t the right breed. My first choice would have been a proper mongrel but they are gold dust!

Yayyayitsaholiholiday I think the breed is know for separation anxiety . My advice would be get a camera where you can see and hear your dog. You need to leave gradually longer each time. After a few mins they usually stop crying at least with the camera you can keep an eye. mine cried after lockdown as wasn’t used to being left but gradually extended the time once they realise you are coming back they will calm down and leave a nice treat. I used to worry he was crying for ages but could see on the camera he just moved from one sofa to another after crying for a short time and went to sleep. You can’t realistically never leave a dog you need to be able to go out. Yours is still very young so hopefully will settle , mine is three and very content now. I think he likes a bit of quiet without the kids!

Definiteiy a border! My girl is my first dog and she's been a dream. I take her to work with me and she's brilliant. As long as she gets her daily walk she's happy pottering about or sleeping.

Borders are feisty, stubborn, funny, active and also lazy. She loves everything and everyone unless you're a squirrel!! She mixes well with my two cats and the only negative thing I can say about her is she does love to go in the garden and have a good bark! Just for a few seconds! She's honestly the best company in the world and everyone loves her! Great little dogs, and easy to train as they like to learn.

I'm on my third whippet and wouldn't be without one . I leave mine for 5 hours 3x a week but he's asleep under his blanket and truly doesn't mind . They're incredibly affectionate to the point of being babies very quiet and they hate the rain . He has an hours walk every day and a bigger one on Sundays. Amazing loving dogs .

Both of those breeds are lovely but you can't beat a border terrier. Mine is calm, cuddly (currently snuggled next to me), doesn't bark and doesn't chase a thing.

I found his litter on the KC website but I would still be careful. I would be looking for a breeder who isn't producing lots of litters but isn't just pairing up the family dogs iykwim

@Houndofthebaskethills
A Whippet.
I detest yappy dog noise and like a quiet, unobtrusive dog.
Mine is well trained (Well mannered) and is so easy to live with and extremely loving.
Please go through a breed club, and never buy online via adverts.
The parent’s temperament is important-
They do need to run though.

Whippets very rarely ( Luckily) end up in rescue - If they do, it’s because someone has got frail or ill, rather than because the dog has issues.
( I know someone involved in Whippet Rescue who said this
It seems to be word of mouth finding a puppy and getting on a waiting list-
I reserved ours before she was even conceived.
Expect to be grilled by the person breeding a litter -
Don’t ever buy from adverts-
A well planned litter never needs advertising.

I had my Whippet Spayed, the Puppies would be “ Valuable “ but I’d not want the worry of a dog I’d bred potentially ending up in a “ Bad” home-
And it can happen.
So I spayed her.
Too many greedy people are breeding for money

What you ideally want is someone wanting to continue their showing line , where they want to keep one for themselves and to find extremely good homes for the others.

Avoid people breeding “ For colour” eg Blue
Breeding for colour is people wanting money above all else.

Health and Temperament is vital, not colour.

I'm biased as I love terrier breeds, my only experience with borders is that they are v v stubborn. I have a Jrt cross yorkie and think he's the best dog ever 😁

I could leave him for a couple of hours from a young age and could leave him all day now (we don't but could do if needed) as long as he's had a walk first.

Terriers need good socialisation and training but the rewards are a keen, loving and loyal little dog who will follow you to the ends of the Earth.

I have no whippet experience but borders are mouthy, snarky, bolshy, independent, incredibly loving, very clever and absolute shitbags. You'll have the time of your life with one 😂

Different breeds different needs. Terrier will need training and preferably a job to do (agility, obedience, scentwork - they can excel at all if the right motivation is given). They also need careful socialisation. Borders can walk all day but equally have an off switch. They are companionable but once nature, not needy dogs. They were bred to be independent workers. Most I know that are trouble are bored and have had no formal training.

Whippets - not so much. Quick blast that’s it. Rest of the time legs in the air. Much more needy and calm generally. You get a few in training circles but aside from the life skills stuff they don’t need it.

Borders need hard stripping a couple of times a year. Whippets not.

Both have a prey drive. Both could finish the job. You will have to train either to ignore your cats (done it with a terrier cross, currently training 11 week old BT pup).

so as ever, what can you offer and how much work do you want to put in?

They’re not stubborn. Dogs don’t have that higher brain function. They can be hard to motivate. You are working against their hunting instinct. They are very trainable though. It just takes more patience and more thought than a breed naturally used to working for a handler than being a lone worker like a terrier. There are lots of borders that compete at the highest level in obedience, agility and other sports but they tend to be less consistent. My terrier cross got to three agility national finals. But I never knew what dog I was getting until she showed up 😂 Could be amazing, could looks like she didn’t have a clue. I loved it but some people wouldn’t.