Looking for a similar breed

[inneedofgooddogideas]

Hi
hope people may have some good ideas for dog breeds for us. We had our heart set on a Norfolk terrier but they are quite hard to come by it seems, especially girls which is our preference, so I wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions for something similar?
our criteria is below (aware a lot of this will rely on training and socialising which we plan to do as soon as we get her):
small (corgi size max but ideally smaller), good with other dogs, good with people, confident in both town and countryside environments, able to do a decent length walk, travels well

any and all suggestions welcome!

and alternatively if anyone is aware of any norfolk litters please let me know :)
thanks!

Cairn terriers? Westies? Scotties? I have friends who are v happy with wire haired dachshunds and saw a miniature dachshund run Park Run very well on Saturday.

Is a Border terrier too big ? The are taller but should not be heavy dogs

The females especially are very friendly wee things. Cannot say the same for Westies, or Cairns in my area - great with people, but somewhat intolerant of other dogs.

Border terrier. Fab dogs and very similar to Norfolks (slightly easier on the whole).

My border terriers is 6 Kg and about 34 cm to the shoulder so small.

They are very similar to Norfolk. Do be careful finding a breeder though. Ours is from good show/work lines and is a delight but it took a while to find her breeder as they have become popular so puppy farming and dealing is rife.

Borders if you can get a decent breeder. I personally am not a lover of a Westie

Border terrier or cairn terrier.

Norwich terrier? Very similar.

IME westies bark and bark. And bark. And just when you think they have finally STFU, they bark again.

Oh I love border terriers. Sensible little old men folk.

they don’t seem to have been messed around with like more popular breeds.

Agree that Border Terrier should tick all of your boxes. Fab dogs.

You mentioned corgis so what about a cardigan corgi? Ticks all your boxes and funny loyal not overly bright so not neurotic; happy go lucky type of dogs mine and my lady one loved everyone who came into the house, good with children, I leave mine for up to 5 hours twice a week he’s happy with that, easy to train (unlike some terriers) mine will walk three hours today but on some days only gets an hour he doesn’t care, he likes his food but not obsessed. My last one lived in the a town and rurally adapted easily and I’ve never had a problem with them travelling in a car. Not a dog bred by puppy farms so any breeder you’ll find will be reputable but go through the cardigan corgi club they have a list of breed dedicated breeders with puppies or up coming litters. They are a rare breed I think just over a hundred puppies bred every year but demand is low so I’m sure you’d find one in the near future. Oh finally exceedingly handsome or I guess pretty if it’s a bitch everyone admires him.
My first one lived till 14 not a days illness until 1 week before he died. I’ve had all sorts of breeds over the years but cardigan corgis are my top choice.
Only major downside they have a double coat and do shed particularly badly twice a year.

I dunno. My border can be a proper barky little shit bag but she is young (coming up to 10 months) and is improving. Most of it is puppy stuff and because terriers lack impulse control naturally she is learning that shouting at us doesn't get her anywhere fast.

She is not a quiet dog - she chatters - but again she is not the noisiest either. Pretty similar to my hound terrier cross when she was young. She mellowed a lot with age.

Lancashire Heeler? I know 2 they are fab little dogs!
But be aware that they are on the endangered breed list, so not sure how quickly you'll get a pup.

I do think, that maybe it's better to wait for the dog you want then settling for something else just because it's available now.

@Newpeep ours is 2 now and has calmed down massively. She barely opens an eye for the postie. She still barks at squirrels in the garden though.

I have a Westie Lovely temperament Great with people and other dogs. Extremely bright, but can be stubborn!
High energy but equally happy chilling on my lap
I love him to bits

Have you spoken to Norfolk breeders? Just because it sounds like you’re looking for a puppy when really what you want to do is look for a breeder.

I have always had dogs but bigger ones initially. My last dog was a Cairn though and she was the best dog ever. When I was considering what to get this time I didn’t want the same as I was worried about comparing them so Norfolk/Norwich Terriers we’re top of my list but as you say, so hard to come by which is such a shame.

In the end I went with a Miniature Schnauzer and she is a darling. She doesn’t have the same prey drive that my Cairn did so I’ve found recall easier which is nice. She is clever and friendly with all dogs and everyone she knows but a little wary of strangers which I don’t consider a bad thing.

I had heard that some could be yappy but she barely ever barks and neither did her Mum so I think, as with all traits, it depends on their upbringing and own personality.

Without knowing your home or situation it is difficult to advise further but if you have a young family with lots of strangers coming and going, as we did when we had ours, a Cairn may be a perfect fit. If you have a quieter home with less visitors, which I do now, maybe look at Mini Schnauzers as an option.

Thanks all. We have been looking at corgis but are concerned they are just a little on the large side as we only have a small car (dog would need to fit on one back seat) and are on outskirts of London so ideally dog would need to come along on public transport ( but not regularly). So we were really looking for a dog you could pick up if needed. I do love corgis though and their temperament sounds lovely. I will look into borders a bit more.
i have reached out to breeders but will continue to do so

Contact the breed club for the breed you’re interested in. You could even go to a dog show and try and meet some in person. Decent breeders rarely advertise litters and generally only let pups go to people they have vetted thoroughly.

small (corgi size max but ideally smaller), good with other dogs, good with people, confident in both town and countryside environments, able to do a decent length walk, travels well

Our second standard dachshund would have ticked all those boxes. But the first hated traffic and liked intimidating big dogs so wouldn't have ... it does depend a lot on the individual within any dog breed.

I met two corgis at the weekend and they were lovely lovely dogs. If I had time and money for more dogs, I'd be looking at corgis.
We had a dachsie years ago and she was fab. A great walker and impossible to tire. The ones I see around now have very short legs. I was never a fan of her proportions (I inherited her - long story) but I think they are breeding them with shorter and shorter legs.
Cairns seem lovely dogs. I've met a few and the owners rave about them.

A cardigan corgi would fit on the back seat of a car or in the boot of a small hatchback and you can fairly easily pick one up (mine weighs 13.5kg) to lift them into the boot of a car but you wouldn’t want to carry him far.
Ive also had a Pembroke corgi in the past (the same breed as the queen had) they are a little smaller but personally I prefer the rarer Cardigan corgi, they are a big dog personality on short legs.

I've got a Westie. Too smart for her own good and can be a PITA because of it, but I wouldn't change her for the world. Totally bomb-proof, nothing fazes her.

I've met so many snappy Borders in my time, but Cairns always seem lovely.

I'd love a Norfolk when I eventually lose my Westie.

We had a dachsie years ago and she was fab. A great walker and impossible to tire. The ones I see around now have very short legs. I was never a fan of her proportions (I inherited her - long story) but I think they are breeding them with shorter and shorter legs

We're seeing more shorter backs and longer legs in the last few years so hopefully there's a move away of over-exaggeration.

I was also going to suggest a well bred wire haired dachs. I know a few - a couple are ex breeding dogs and they are cracking. No exaggerated features and one I walked during covid for its owner when I lost my last dog and we walked miles in some fairly awful weather a few times and she was always up for more. Really sweet dogs and very fun and hardy.

Another Westie owner - I have two, aged 13 and nearly 5. The larger one (and he is big for a Westie) weights 11.5 kg, so easy to pick up

very smart
very stubborn
good amount of stamina
incredibly friendly
a big dog personality in a wee dogs body
love Love love to sniff
can have delicate tummies
show the dirt!