In my search for small dog I thought I'd ask: If you have a small breed, what made you choose that breed and why? If you don't have small breed but was gonna get one, which breed and why? Thanks
The smallest dog I've ever had is Witty - one quarter Yorkshire Terrier, rest almost certainly Jack Russell. I didn't choose him - he was in a very bad home and I managed to persuade them to part with him. I do have frequent yearnings for chihuahuas, but might well opt for another nuisance, I mean Jack Russell, because they have the advantage of being small but not in the slightest bit fragile!
We have Mojo a small JRT. I have had a JRT before and really do like the breed, they compliment my Border Collies. Mojo is a delightful JRT she loves people and children and her cuddles and kisses from me. She is a very clever dog and often out smarts the other dogs, not only is she clever but she is a real problem solver and gets on with all outs cats and little furries, including our chickens;-) Yes I would have another JRT defo.
I have a Border Terrier. I like the terrier mischievousness, but felt a BT would suit me best because they are not as feisty as some of the terrier breeds. They are quite happy to exercise as much as you want them to and yet have an off-switch that means they will happily curl up on the sofa or your knee and basically 'chill-out'. Funny, mischievous and plenty of fun. Love my particular BT and wouldn't be without her
I liked pics of these but was put off cos guy at end of estate has one and it goes absolutely mental everytime I go past. i think its noise of scooter/chair so I thought they must be really sound sensitive? Having said that new neighbours have moved in further down who also have a little BT and its completely different! Seems very obedient both on and off lead where I've bumped into them so that's got me thinking! ... do they come in Black?
Mojo sounds similar to Witty - and he definitely complimented my lurcher. They were always together, yet complete opposites - one never still, the other laid-back. Despite being a terrier, he completely lacks any killing instinct. He'll shake and 'kill' toys etc, but is really gentle with any little creatures, including various pet rats we've had in the past. Very clever. He outwits the other dogs and me.
I have a Yorkie. I didn't choose her or her breed but I am now definitely a small dog convert. They are everything a large dog is but in a smaller, cheaper, easier package. Win win.
I used to have a Prt he was very laid back and chilled as he got older but a bit manic as a puppy. They are low maintenance and a very robust breed. I'd have another. I currently have a terrier mix who is now my OH's ideal dog, he is happy to walk all day or doze all day, he loves to play, is quick to learn and very fit and capable. I would have another but he's unique so unlikely to happen. I also have 2 Pugs and contrary to popular belief they have no difficulty breathing or running about on walks. They are extremely loving and playful, happy and comical little dogs. They are quite capable of jumping up onto the sofa, over logs on walks etc. and they are friendly and outgoing with other dogs. I'd certainly have another.
The parson is longer legged, I much prefer the short legged (or in some cases they can look queen Ann style legs) thankfully Mojo isn't QA legged. Mojo is not at all feisty and she has been brought up exactly the same as the BC's when No is NO it means NO Like Witty she will rag stuff that she plays with (incuding the BC's necks ) but is one of the most gentlest JRT's with other furries...no killing instinct what-so-ever.....but when the BC's/cats kill a rat she does like to parade around with it in her mouth
Someone I once worked with was married to a gamekeeper. They had loads of working gundogs which lived outside, and a Pug who was a housepet. It used to accompany the gamekeeper along with his spaniels etc, and kept up with them with no trouble.
Yuck to dead rats! Yes I know PRT are bit taller but that work better for me about 15" that's why I looked at Miniature poodle, but I don't think lady will get back to me. I'd like one about same size though 12-15" not too heavy to lift If I needed to in an emergency, but it wouldn't be carried everywhere. What height are Border terrier and Pugs? I do like the black ones I seem to be naturally drawn to dogs that are black or mostly black mixed with white like collie colours or tan. (or Tri). My Inca is BC cross with black tux look and bit of white on tip of tail, looks like she caught it on paint..lol! But she is 23" tall and I don't want dog as large now I need wheelchair I didn't have mobility problems when I got her or know I was gonna be in wheelchair by time I was 35, but our dogs have always been with us for life so I found ways to meet her exercise needs etc by getting a mobility scooter and training her to be my little helper! But a smaller breed would be easier for me for the next 10-15yrs. Inca is nearly 12 now so not needing as much exercise and sleeps more. What breeds be ok with 1hr walk on mornings , about 30-45mns later in day and playing in garden and helping around the house? I have agility course, paddling pool, ball pit and ball launcher for them to exercise too when I don't manage as long walks due to pain levels or bad weather. (ball launcher and ball pit can be played indoors too) and a large collection of food puzzles/treat dispensers for them to have dinner in to keep them occupied. A breed that would enjoy playing and learning, kind of like BC in a smaller package but not quite hyper. It also can't be really sound sensitive for walking alongside powered chair/mobility scooter. I looked at black pugs but breathing problems mentioned everywhere put me off, and the extremely sound sensitive BT at end of my road had put me off those too!
I think a Jack Russell might be worth thinking about - they do vary in height though. I've been trying to think of other breeds, but a problem you will have in your situation is that if you choose one of the more unusual breeds the only litters available might be some distance away. A Jack Russell should be easier to find, including adults. I think I mentioned before that I do see someone out and about with a mobility scooter with a Jack Russell trotting alongside and jumping into his lap when another dog passes. A Border Terrier is probably about the height you're thinking about, Pugs a bit smaller I think.
Thanks. Maybe a JRT cross will be a little taller, but I will see what happens with Dogs Trust first when they visit next week. It's good to know what their temperaments are like then even if its a rescue cross I have some reference to what the breeds he/she is crossed with are like. Have you seen Paul O'Grady's dogs on beginning of program 'For the love of Dogs'? I like the black one he calls Olga too. I do like Shih tzu and Lhasa's too but not sure they manage some of jobs Inca helps me with, and would if possible prefer one that doesn't need professional clipping though I can manage just trimming. I'm not sure what 'hand stripping' is that some terriers need? but is it a special kind of brush? ..and something I could learn to do? I like black mini schnauzers too, anyone got one of those?
Hand stripping is how wirehaired dogs are groomed; they are hand stripped (which is as it sounds) as apposed to being clipped with razor blades. Traditional clipping would ruin the coat on these dogs, thus they are hand stripped. Yes you can hand strip a dog yourself. You can look at tutorials online. It isn't difficult but it is time consuming. I pay someone to strip my wire coated breed twice a year; it looks a lot more 'professional' than when I do it myself!
Which breeds would need hand stripping if I wanted to avoid that? .though twice a year sounds better than every 6 weeks!
