Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

What breed would you recommend for me, small, not too bonkers, wire haired

51 replies

CormorantStrikesBack · 15/07/2024 20:55

So adult only household, I wfh 3 days a week, have a dog walker the other days. On days when I wfh and at weekends dog would get a minimum of an hour off lead walk.

i have previously had a greyhound (can’t cope with being the unofficial hare courser of the village again), a Portuguese podengo Pequano and currently have a cavachon.

My cavachon is lovely though not the most athletic. She kept up with hill walking to about the age of 6yo and then refused to come hill walking anymore. Though now she’s 10yo she still happily runs around in the fields for an hour. To be honest the main thing which puts me off another cavachon is the grooming.

i am torn between getting another dog of a similar temperament to her (but what) or getting something slightly more energetic but is that a good idea if I’m out at work two days a week? Occasionally three days a week.

dogs I’ve considered

wire haired daschund, am worried about back issues
jack Russell, border terrier, welsh terriers…..are they too bonkers?

is there a terrier league table of bonkers levels?

I like Norfolk and Norwich terriers but read about hip problems and heart problems.

i might consider another podengo pequano. The last one was a “rescue” and a horrible temperament and savaged people left tight and centre……but i do know a good breeder who I’ve spoken to in the past so would be more confident of a puppy from her. Dh still has ptsd from that dog though and might shoot me! 😆🙈

OP posts:
FastFood · 15/07/2024 21:37

Border terrier or cairn terrier. Both excellent breeds. Active but not bonkers.
But too be honest, I don't really subscribe to the idea that terriers are difficult dogs in general, they're smart so they're highly trainable, provided they have enough mental stimulation and exercise.

thistimelastweek · 15/07/2024 21:45

I've had a Norfolk and a Cairn.

Fab dogs both.

Terriers have their own personalities and traits for sure. But they are quirky and hilarious.

They are worth the effort.

Brilliant little dogs.

Dozycuntlaters · 15/07/2024 21:46

I have a border terrier, she's brilliant.

I get her stripped twice to three times a year, she loves her walks but when in the house she's such a chilled dog. Borders love their walks but can also be quite lazy, my girl loves her sleep.

Shes not bonkers at all but she's a typical terrier in that she can be fiesty, stubborn and sometimes goes deaf, especially if there is a squirrel involved. They do have a prey drive so recall training is a must but they are clever little dogs and eager to please.

I am biased as I have one but borders are the best breed ever and I'll never be without one.

ThePoshUns · 15/07/2024 21:47

I'd say a border as well for the reasons above. Mine I very chilled , an easy dog all round.

kitkatkat · 15/07/2024 21:53

Australian terrier! Super cute, active but trainable, friendly, funny little dogs. The uk breed club is very helpful and approachable so it’s relatively easy to find the good breeders.

Justwingingit2005 · 15/07/2024 21:55

We have a rescue Parsons. He is wire haired.
He is an amazing boy and wouldn't be without him.

thatstakingalongtimetoboil · 15/07/2024 21:56

Please don't buy from a breeder. Give a dog In need a home.

EdithStourton · 15/07/2024 21:56

A show-line border, from temperamentally sound parents. Some borders are right little fuckers: our local charmer tried biting one of my dogs a week or two ago. The other local border is very sweet (albeit almost entirely untrained...)

We had a working lines JRT. Not recommended if you want a quiet life.

kitkatkat · 15/07/2024 21:57

My Aussie girl

What breed would you recommend for me, small, not too bonkers, wire haired
FastFood · 15/07/2024 21:59

She's gorgeous!

Tanfastic · 15/07/2024 22:04

I've a Border Terrier, he's a bit bonkers to be fair and has often been described as a "bit much". He's quite full on but then there's his other side....chilled, loving, full of personality and character. I wouldn't have him any other way. Not all borders are as crazy as mine, I've met quite a few that are much more chilled. Wonderful little dogs.

CormorantStrikesBack · 15/07/2024 22:08

thatstakingalongtimetoboil · 15/07/2024 21:56

Please don't buy from a breeder. Give a dog In need a home.

Sadly that won’t be happening after my podengo experience. I can’t take the risk of accidentally bringing an aggressive dog home again.

also meant to add I have two house cats so getting a dog as a puppy will make introductions a lot better.

OP posts:
CormorantStrikesBack · 15/07/2024 22:09

kitkatkat · 15/07/2024 21:53

Australian terrier! Super cute, active but trainable, friendly, funny little dogs. The uk breed club is very helpful and approachable so it’s relatively easy to find the good breeders.

Not come across them before, thanks will do a bit more research.

nice to hear all the border terrier love, I know they often top the chart as best family pet breed.

OP posts:
CormorantStrikesBack · 15/07/2024 22:10

There’s someone near me who has two Scottie dogs who are beautiful. But he says the prey drive is awful.

OP posts:
RappersNeedChapstick · 15/07/2024 22:20

Sorry to hear about your previous experience. I think I remember you posting about it at the time?

Anyway wanted to suggest the Glen of Imaal terrier.

Probably doesn't fit your criteria at all but we met one on holiday and it was the most gorgeous dog Wink

RappersNeedChapstick · 15/07/2024 22:20

Probably doesn't fit your criteria at all

It wasn't even that small either but I was smitten Grin

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 15/07/2024 22:36

Border!

We take our spaniels out with a welsh terrier and he is now a delight, but the teenage stage lasted until he was about 6

CormorantStrikesBack · 15/07/2024 22:42

RappersNeedChapstick · 15/07/2024 22:20

Sorry to hear about your previous experience. I think I remember you posting about it at the time?

Anyway wanted to suggest the Glen of Imaal terrier.

Probably doesn't fit your criteria at all but we met one on holiday and it was the most gorgeous dog Wink

They sound perfect, though hard to get hold of by the sounds of it. Yes, I posted all about my previous dog issues a lot at the time. 2 years of hell.

OP posts:
muddyford · 16/07/2024 06:42

Border terrier.

iliveinhappyvalley · 16/07/2024 06:49

Borders are brilliant and mine is very chilled although can be stubborn.

What breed would you recommend for me, small, not too bonkers, wire haired
Willmafrockfit · 16/07/2024 06:51

or a Jack Russell
they are the best, full of character

ricecrispiecakes · 16/07/2024 06:59

Cairn terrier.

Personally I'd be very wary of border terriers and cats together.

earlyretirement · 16/07/2024 07:21

I have a Norfolk and he’s the happiest most sweet natured little dog. I didn’t expect a terrier to be so affectionate. Very healthy, bit of arthritis now he’s getting on a bit and likes to sniff everything and greet everyone so walks take ages!

CormorantStrikesBack · 16/07/2024 07:40

ricecrispiecakes · 16/07/2024 06:59

Cairn terrier.

Personally I'd be very wary of border terriers and cats together.

I would worry about a terrier and cats but am hoping if introduced when the dog is a puppy it would be ok. The greyhound was ok with the cats after a strictly controlled introduction.

OP posts:
ricecrispiecakes · 16/07/2024 07:46

@CormorantStrikesBack all the borders in particular that I know I have very strong prey drives compared to some others.

Swipe left for the next trending thread