Recommendations for a small family dog, great with kids & country walks - border terrier?
Staffy. The rescue places are full of them.
Something that doesn't have small dog syndrome. And preferably not annoying, yappy, jumpy, aggressive, poorly trained or fit in a handbag
I like big dogs!
I think the smallest I could go would be a beagle or spaniel. Need lots of exercise though
Staffy +1
Go to a rescue center. Meet a few.
Gorgeous things if you get a well treated one.
Edit: Whippet for choice number 2.
Staffy +1
Go to a rescue center. Meet a few.
Gorgeous things if you get a well treated one.
Most of them are there because they're soft puffs. Ideal!
Or a Border.
Both will play all day with the kids instead of ignoring them ,going off to run round in circles like a spaniel would.
Male Patterdale.
Most staffys are rescued because some idiot got it as it's cool for their kids for christmas. They grow, need exercising feeding and vet bills. The idiots don't understand this so let them go into the street.
They end up in rescue centers.
My mum got her Sophie from [url= http://www.freshfieldsrescue.org.uk/ ]here[/url] who checked her temperament. She's absolutely lovely.
One which bags its own crap and carries it home for disposal.
Failing that a Jack Russell.
got molly the snauzer in sept shes fab, great house dog doesnt smell well behaved likes a walk cheap to insure cheap to feed whats not to like.. love her..
+ 1 for a Staffordshire Bull Terrier I see them going all the time at the rescue places but my wife thinks 2 large dogs is enough for us. If it were up to me I'd have one in a heartbeat, great little dogs and amazing with kids.
Bedlington whippet lurcher, small, fast and love sleeping.
Whippet.
My favourite "what dog?" comment: "I want a dog that's small enough to be in the house, but big enough to be a dog" - Overheard in a bar in Canada.
+1 for rescue staffie, so many need homes and I meet many happy new owners.
We had a rescue dachsund pup last, literally chucked into the street and dodging cars. She was loyal, engaging, funny, well mannered and loved the outdoors, lived to 14.
Miniature Schnauzer.
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One of those that sits on the parcel shelf and nods its head.
I was out for a walk on Friday with my 2-year-old daughter on my shoulders. A woman came along with 2 little dogs and my daughter pointed and shouted "SQUIRREL"
I laughed.
French Bulldog
Jack Russell
you will never have a dull day and great with kids and very loyal
Miniature Schnauzer.
Mate of mine has two Giant Schnauzers; the biggest one ("Wordsworth") is about the size of a Shetland pony. Fabulous temperament though and full of character, if the miniatures are the same (I've no idea) then they'd be a good choice.
French Bulldog
You serious?
Border terrier no contest, I got 4 kids small they love him & he tolerates anything they do. Just back from a week in lakes took him over grizedale pike Causey pike cat bells etc & on Sunday he did 40k with me on the bike in epping forest, believe the hype they will go all day no problem & have wonderful temperament. He recently dispatched of 10 small vermin invaders in the house & even the cat loves him.
I generally don't like small dogs - mainly because of the yapping - but our neighbours have a mini Schnauzer which is a cool little dog, friendly and doesn't make any noise.
I was very taken with a Boston Terrier I met recently, bags of character. Love Cockerpoos but more medium sized really. Can't go wrong with a Border Terrier, great dogs.
Nothing yappy.
Riding 40k with a small dog is quite silly.
Please don't tell me you do that regularly.
Wordsworth is a great name for a dog it's from Jamie and the magic torch IIRC, proper nostalga.
"....border terrier dogs were mainly bred for hunting foxes they possess incredible speed and endurance, in fact they were chosen for hunting because they were able to run among the horses that their masters would ride. The speed and endurance of a border terrier dogs also enabled it to not only hunt foxes but also larger game such as wild boar, also for other faster game like rabbits, flightless birds and even be used in duck hunts..."
as it says all day no problem it what they are bred for
Another vote for a border terrier. Our two have been great.
They aren't yappy or snappy like a lot of terriers, and happy to run all day as much as sleep all day.
Lol at the Patterdale suggestion. The real Tyson of the terrier family.
Riding 40k with any dog is daft. As for what they were bred for in the past is irrelevant. Foxes, rabbits and wild boar etc dont run 40km.
I've got 2 border terriers, and 2 young kids. One dog, and both kids are terrors, but other dog is soft as anything. Sleeps most of the time, won't leave the house if it's raining, and keeps the unwanted wildlife out of the garden.
The other dog has bitten me, mrs TG, and the kids, and really not sure why we still have him.
The other dog has bitten me, mrs TG, and the kids, and really not sure why we still have him.
Quote of the week! 😆
I've got a Scottie crossed with a westie, he is great happy to run a 5k, like hugs, very gentle, doesn't yap and was easy to train. People say he looks like a cairn terrier. Fiancée wanted a smaller dog I wanted a bigger one so he was kind of a compromise and I am so glad we got him.
Jake obviously thought 40k wasn't enough coz when he came in he went straight into a game of football with my eldest 12yr old lad and won
Your lad must be shit at football.
'Oh sorry about that he's got small dog syndrome'.... 'thats okay my dogs got well behaved syndrome'!
Staffies are lovely dogs, border terriers are hardy small dogs, got the terrier nature though. Dont under estimate the tenacity of a terrier, whether thats good or bad depends on your situation and your family!
40k dog at bike speed means joint problems and heart problems in time.
Good luck doggie.
"....border terrier dogs were mainly bred for hunting foxes they possess incredible speed and endurance, in fact they were chosen for hunting because they were able to run among the horses that their masters would ride. The speed and endurance of a border terrier dogs also enabled it to not only hunt foxes but also larger game such as wild boar, also for other faster game like rabbits, flightless birds and even be used in duck hunts..."as it says all day no problem it what they are bred for
That was 100years ago when they were regarded as disposable. If a dog looked a bit ropey after a day's run it got the bullet.
Since then they've been softened up a fair bit by kennel club ideal standards.
Not doubting the dog's capable of that distance, but at cycling pace it certainly won't do him any good. Do you regard him as disposable?
I'm a bit worried about posting as I don't want to argue, but I have two Borders & I must say I'm not enamoured with them.
The fit one had it's first experience with me out on the bike yesterday (I've had him 4+ years & he has always been up for a longer than 12 mile walk but I didn't want to push him whilst his pads were young) but we "only" covered about 12 miles with a substantial break at half way (lunch & two pints), I had to keep stopping to make sure he was OK & on occasion just force feed him water because I was worried he may dehydrate.
Also their hair is a pain & the fit one defiantly has the terrier attitude so is a bastard with other dogs.
HTH
Our Cavapoo 🙂 is quality with our children,
has a super temperament and doesn't leave fur everywhere..
Perfect except the breeds name
Colgi!
Good luck finding one, we think ours is an accident. He was a rescue dog. He's fab.
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[url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/judeyp/5005512381/ ]DSC_05810021[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/judeyp/ ]judeyt78[/url], on Flickr
Disposable ? Not sure what you mean but he's a pet dog not one of my kids. 100 years ago again not sure what that means particularly as the breed was only established about that time. He's a dog that has had generations of specific breeding to capable of running all day with a pack of hounds & horses, hence the term 'incredible endurance' Also pretty sure it's been substantially less than 100 years since fox hunting was banned & ohe came from a working family that was used to run alongside quad bikes round acres of fields.
He runs he hunts & damn he even swims across lakes anything different would be wrong in my eyes.
He does smell though
@2unfittoride I built him up over time to get to this point starting him when he was v.young with just 10mins etc. I met a fell runner who had taken his over marathon distance & he said 10 - 20mins for ever month of age.
Wordsworth is a great name for a dog it's from Jamie and the magic torch IIRC, proper nostalga.
Knowing his owners, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if that's exactly why my mate came up with the name, and his wife is blissfully unaware and thinks he's named after the poet.
Carbonfiend, When did you last come accross a working hunting dog over 5 years old that runs along quads all day long.
Of course doggie loves to chase daddy but will not stop. It twists its leg it will keep running. Spinal issues will ensue. The vet bill will be too much as you need a new crankset so you tell your son his little dog ran away during a bike ride (euthanasia) and your son will be staring out of his bedroom window waiting for the loveable super terrier to return.
I hope you will feel proud.
Border Terrier of course great with kids and will run all day without you having to shoot them for being a hundred years old.
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Another Jake.
I've done 10 miles runs with my dog the vet said of course it's ok he's a healthy strong dog.
Drac, your dogs gorgeous!
French BulldogYou serious?
Yeah ! check 'em out, they're brilliant !
Border Terrier of course great with kids and will run all day without you having to shoot them for being a hundred years old.
I think what many people are missing here is the variability between individuals. I have met a number of shy, nervous, aggressive and lazy Border Terriers as well as a few happy, athletic and outgoing ones. You dont really know what you are going to get and individuals personalities vary even between the same litter.
Its misleading to recommend a breed because you have one that behaves in a certain way and you (quite rightly) adore your pet.
To say Border Terriers are ....... is not reliable.
Lakeland terrier. Just don't get a working one.
+1 for the Border Terrier, ours is a fantastic family pooch. Getting on to 10 years old now and still going like a rocket. However they do have issues. They will chase anything, so care is needed off the lead. Ours has brought down a sheep by its throat 😯 . Luckily it was just wool it had hold of, and sheep being stupid, just gave up, and the farmer wasn't there either....
They also suffer from a genetic issue called spikes syndrome which can be passed down from generation to generation. It is similar to epilepsy and can cause seizures, so ensure there is no history within the family. Linky-
http://www.borderterrier-cecs.com/
Sorry I'm an animal lover but dog who brings a sheep down by it's throat should be shot.
The owner should be prosecuted.
Sorry I'm an animal lover but dog who brings a sheep down by it's throat should be shot.
The owner should be prosecuted.
I thought you were going to over react there for a moment 🙂
Dogs attacking sheep should not be tolerated.
Ever.
Be it rottweiler, pitbull, chihuahua, border terrier. Had the farmer seen the attack the dog would be dead now. No doubt.
I agree. The distress caused to the livestock by out of control dogs is phenomenal. The number of sheep who miscarriage as the dog was just "playing". The number of sheep "accidentally" killed by a strangers dog.
To say Border Terriers are ....... is not reliable.
I'd agree with this.
We have one, and although he is a great dog at home. He's a bit of a pain on walks.
• He'll go for other dogs at random - there's no logic to it - some he'll sniff and play with, others he'll want to kill.
• He stops dead ever 10 yards for a sniff and pee - after a few miles this gets very tiresome! We often have to drag him away from a scent.
• He gets hot very quickly in summer and just flops down and won't move. I had to carry him 1/2 a mile home last summer! He's stripped often so isn't one of the bog-brush types you see. And we walk him early morning or late at night.
They are great characters, but to say they are perfect is a little wide of the mark.
Patterdale terrier without a doubt, ours is an amazing little character with astounding capabilities (great trail dog too), and even though she's fully grown (2yrs) she still looks like a pup, she's fantastic with children and other pets (none working stock) and if you are an outdoor type of family then one would suit you to the ground, our Minnie had 5 puppies almost 6 weeks ago now and all bar one are sold and to close friends on the strength of how impressed they are with Minnie (speaks for its self really) do some research (we did a years worth) before you buy any type of dog and see their 'possible' pro's and cons inherent health problems and bred characteristics, we got it down to patterdales and borders and we both loved the patterdale looks and smooth coat more (easy to sit and stroke) HTH in some way.
Email me if you want some pics of her in action or the puppies (everyone loves puppy pics) Lmao
Cocker Spaniel. Fine temperament, good with kids, will walk forever and can be run with a bike if you hold back.
Most Mongrels make lovely dogs.
OP,if you do get a dog please try and get a rescue one. Mongrel or Pedigree.
Pedigree dogs are made to give someone profit by selling them.
Unwanted dogs (and there are thousands) will give you so much love affection too.
Just go to your local park and see what medium/small dog you fancy the look of. "What dog" threads on STW are full of confirmation bias (apart from, to be fair, a few posts on this one) - you might as well ask "why do you love your dog?" Yes, certain breeds will display certain characteristics more strongly than others but it's how you raise it for the first four or five months which will decide what temperament of dog you have.
I will trade mine for one that is able to close doors not just open them
I think it's reasonable to suggest a breed may have certain characteristics. But personality does, like humans, change over time and become a bit unpredictable.
We have a great Border, and good regular walking and training is the key to a happy dog. She is very suitable given our environment, small flat situated in big grounds.
They can be a bit stubborn, and are *generally* quite sociable.
Good to see the love for Staffys, both mine were rescues and both were brilliant dogs even though they were very different in personalities.
Go save a Staffy
iolo - Member
Sorry I'm an animal lover but dog who brings a sheep down by it's throat should be shot.The owner should be prosecuted.
Much better to shove them in a truck, stun them and slit their throats?
This could be useful OP:
http://www.petguide.com/dog-breeds/
You could browse it without iolo jumping up and yapping in your face like a demented Jack Russell every few posts 😉
Livestock are there to make babies and meat.
Dog are there to heard sheep and be human companions (ok eaten in the East but not here)
The amount of people (mainly cityfolk I may add)who allow their dogs to run riot near farm animals is phenomenal here in Snowdonia. Every footpath gate has a keep dog on lead sign but they must be dyslexic.
What's your point rogerthecat on a what dog thread?
Dez, I'll bite your ankles you naughty boy
😀
My dog chased a sheep once. I didn't kill her or turn myself into the law, but I didn't "tolerate" it. She's never done it again.
Good. You had control to stop her.
She didn't have a sheep by its neck on the floor.
You did what was needed to stop the same thing happening again.
But why was she allowed to roam free on agricultural land?
They are great characters, but to say they are perfect is a little wide of the mark.
Phew! It's a good job no one did.
[i]But why was she allowed to roam free on agricultural land?[/i]
GSPs need a lot of exercise and sheep are good runners.
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Hihi.
GSP's make great target practice.
Any excuse to post a pic of a BT 😀
Daisy is now 4 months and it generally really nervous around sheep as was our last BT, Meg.
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Yay pics of Daisy.
And almost forgot.
Drac, your dogs gorgeous!
Cheers. He was a re-home so keeps the get one from a shelter bods happy, his owner was terminally ill and wanted to him to go to the right home. I've had border's for over 30 years so his owner was happy for us to to take him.
He a real character a proper border, can be friends with any dog and anyone but every now and then decides he doesn't want to be friends with a dog that shows him aggression. Sadly can't trust him with sheep he's chased them in the past, that's down to individual dogs though none of my other borders have ever done it, so goes on the lead where there's stock.
Re: OP's question about the best small dogs – we have a Border/Poodle cross for 18 years, seemed to have limitless energy, very few visits to the vets. Bit willful on occasions, looked like an animated door mat but would happily follow me on some long training runs then take my dad for a walk 10 mins later.
@Iolo – just that these seem to be oxymoronic assertions to me, "Livestock are there to make babies and meat," and “Sorry I'm an animal lover”.
Hi Daisy!
Look!! an Eagle.
Here is Izzy (8yrs) and Monty (6 months)
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Cant go wrong with a mixed breed/mongrel terrier.
They're generally hardier than pedigree dogs, cost less (if you're buying rather than rescuing) and are completely unique.
We've two now after growing up with Great Danes and saying I'd never have a small dog.
Cedric, a Jack Russel cross Norfolk and Bella - a terrier mix/dachshund/god knows what else. Both good as gold with bags of character.
Disposable ? Not sure what you mean but he's a pet dog not one of my kids. 100 years ago again not sure what that means particularly as the breed was only established about that time. He's a dog that has had generations of specific breeding to capable of running all day with a pack of hounds & horses, hence the term 'incredible endurance' Also pretty sure it's been substantially less than 100 years since fox hunting was banned & ohe came from a working family that was used to run alongside quad bikes round acres of fields.
He runs he hunts & damn he even swims across lakes anything different would be wrong in my eyes.He does smell though
@2unfittoride I built him up over time to get to this point starting him when he was v.young with just 10mins etc. I met a fell runner who had taken his over marathon distance & he said 10 - 20mins for ever month of age.
There's a big difference between following a hunt all day and 40k at cycling pace. There's a lot of walking, trotting and standing around doing nothing involved. It's not all tally-ho and away.
Don't get a Miniature Schnauzer, just come back from the pub with mine and it's snoring so loud i can't hear the bleeding telly.
[i] It's not all tally-ho and away.[/i]
Bike riding with a dog is certainly not tally-ho and away.
