Maltese or Shih--tzu

[Wishimaywishimight]

DH and I have been thinking about getting a dog for years and I think we will be in a good position to do so soon. I wfh full time, DH is in the office 2 days pw. We have a smallish secure garden. Finances are good, mortgage will paid off early 2023. No children, we are early 50s.

We both had dogs growing up, love them and know there is work and lots of patience involved.

We do go away a few times a year but my sister lives nearby and would be an eager dog minder. Also our next door neighbour walks / minds dogs.

We definitely want a small breed and are thinking either maltese or shih-tzu. Wondering if anyone has any tips / advice.

@ilovepixie Your dog is lovely. I agree Lhasa Apsos are the best, small dogs with big personalities and really loyal to their family. Ours guards the house but if I'm not in and my adult dc are she positions herself on the landing outside their bedroom doors and guards them instead. She takes her role very seriously.

I adore my Lhasa Apso. She is loyal, loving, calm and was so easy to train. However she is stubborn, doesn't like dog food and will only eat home cooked food and 1 brand of dog biscuits, walks on her own terms ranging from miles and miles to a few hundred yards before downing tools! Thankfully she is very portable so can be carried if needs be.
She happily can be left for a good few hours, enjoys going out with her dog walker and adores playing.
They were bred as barking alert dogs so they are not always quiet and mine is happily sitting on the window ledge on guard duty woofing at any passing person or animal.
She is my baby and the princess of the family.

We had two Lhasa Apso's when the kids where growing up one lasted to 14 the other 17! Great friendly little non moulting dogs.
We now have two Dandie Dinmont Terriers which are fantastic pets, a bit more playful than the Lhasa's.
Have a look at the native endangered breed list as some excellent pets are sadly endangered
www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog/are-you-ready/vulnerable-native-breeds/

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