Any other breed ideas please?

[Patterdale]

I am pretty much set on a Border Terrier but this is a big decision, just wondered if there were any suggestions I’d missed!

Criteria is:

- small dog
- long legs and athletic
- prefer as short hair as possible
- trainable
- friendly
- cute

Not a JRT fan but I did consider a Parson’s?

The Border is looking like the best fit but is there anything I’ve missed?

Thanks!

 

[Spotherisk]

I think you’ve nailed it with the Border tbh.

 

[Chiffy]

I am not a terrier fan but if I considered one it would be a Border. The only other one to fit your criteria is a Manchester Terrier. We had one many years ago. They are so smart looking, perfect size, beautiful coat. They are a terrier so need plenty of training but they are clever and learn quickly. You just have to be careful they learn the things you want!

 

[millikins]

Wire or smooth haired fox terrier? I saw a smooth recently when I visited a patient, lovely little dog and now rather rare.

 

[Smitty]

Err, what about a Patterdale?

I have a mix: He is Pat/Lakey/JRT. Long legs, short coat, athletic and apparently cute as wherever I take him someone remarks on what a lovely little dog he is.

QuantockHills on here knows him.

 

[Bradsmum]

I was just about to suggest a Lakeland or Lakeland x but Smitty beat me to it. They are taller than the Border but a cross might give you the size you prefer. We have a Border x Lakie who is a really friendly chap and has enough leg to keep out of the mud .

 

[Highmileagecob]

Whippet or Whippet cross. Whippet - terrier crosses can be terrible thieves, and have the agility to reach anything!

 

[tda]

I vote Parsons terrier . My dad had a patterdale but he was quite short legged, I think they're usually bigger
bigger
Ooh yes a small whippet

 

[Patterdale]

I would love a Patterdale, but having had possibly the best dog in the world ever, I think if we had the same breed again then it would never measure up and we’d always be comparing them. Plus my Patt had none of the undesirable traits - she never needed a lead, never nipped or snapped. She was the most lovely dog.
Sounds silly I know, but we’ll never get another as good!

 

[Patterdale]

My only slight reservation with a Border is that a lot of those you see look quite scruffy, fat with long wet hair round their chops. But I suppose that’s probably a management issue - if you get them stripped regularly then they can stay smart surely!?

The breeder I’m hoping to buy from shows and has lovely, beautiful lean, fit terriers. So hopefully it’s a type/management thing. I just really don’t want a smelly long haired dog

 

[Patterdale]

Fox terriers are lovely but not for me.

Whippets again lovely, but I’d be afraid of breaking it! And I don’t think they’re the smartest..? Ditto Bedlingtons - love them but I’ve heard they’re not v clever/easy to train

 

[Moobli]

Unless you want a proper working terrier I’d avoid Patterdales. It sounds like your girl was atypical of the breed in general.
If I were to have a terrier it would be a Border or Parsons. If you’re on FB look up the group Countryside Capers and speak to Nancy Hogg. She pointed me in the direction of a working type litter for a friend last year.
Also look up Sheala Hill Border Terriers based in Cumbria. My friend has one from Kath and he’s a fab wee chap. Fearless, friendly and relatively long legged for the breed too.

 

[Annette4]

I won't tell Fizz and Dobby that you have heard whippets aren't smart!

You won't break them......they're designed to hunt! Lines are important in terms of drive but you just have to be willing to find what motivates them, the same as any dog. Mine between them do 3 sports (one involves lots of tricks including back flips!), one is a therapy dog, they know lots of tricks and always learning more and love to work as much as they love the sofa. One is softer about the cold than the other but when she's working she's not bothered.

I was going to suggest whippets or Italian Greyhounds, can't help in terms of terriers but you're looking about the same in terms of prey drive with a sighthound or terrier.

 

[Cortez]

Unless you want a proper working terrier I’d avoid Patterdales. It sounds like your girl was atypical of the breed in general.
If I were to have a terrier it would be a Border or Parsons. If you’re on FB look up the group Countryside Capers and speak to Nancy Hogg. She pointed me in the direction of a working type litter for a friend last year.
Also look up Sheala Hill Border Terriers based in Cumbria. My friend has one from Kath and he’s a fab wee chap. Fearless, friendly and relatively long legged for the breed too.

How very dare you! My whippet is the smartest dog I've ever had. And she's tough too, having survived a fractured skull (kicked in the head by a mule), starving alone on the streets after escaping from thieves. Terriers are cantankerous little demons (I have one of those too).

 

[ihatework]

Manchester terrier!! How could you not??

 

[ArklePig]

He is fabulous @ihatework

 

[ponyparty]

Another vote for the Manchester terrier - here’s mine. They’re hard wired to find the warmest spot in the house

 

[rextherobber]

Err, what about a Patterdale?

I have a mix: He is Pat/Lakey/JRT. Long legs, short coat, athletic and apparently cute as wherever I take him someone remarks on what a lovely little dog he is.

QuantockHills on here knows him.

I've yet to meet a trained Patterdale - do they exist?!
I know a lovely Manchester Terrier, and a friend has a Border terrier who she says is the least friendly dog she's ever had. he's very much an aloof character. A different friend has a cracking Cocker Spaniel/JRT cross, very obedient, but another friend with one from the same litter says hers is very much a loose cannon...Wonder if it's nature or nurture?

 

[Quoth]

Jagdterrier
Lagotto Romagnolo, small variations on the theme of poodle, the coat being as short as it’s clipped

 

[P3LH]

Manchester terrier or smooth fox. The latter is a firm favourite of mine and I cannot for the life of me understand why they aren’t more popular.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I'd def have another Manchester again, the lad I had in the 80s alongside my shepherds and Rott was a poppet.

Thinking laterally, what about a Norfolk or Norwich and get them stilts......

 

[JJS]

Miniature Pinscher?

 

[TGM]

I was going to suggest a whippet too and mine has certainly proved to be very trainable. Obviously they don’t have the trainability of, say, a border collie, but mine is certainly as trainable or more so than most of the terriers I know.

 

[Squeak]

Out of interest - those of you who have/ had manchester terriers do they moult much?

 

[Squeak]

Fox terriers are lovely but not for me.

Whippets again lovely, but I’d be afraid of breaking it! And I don’t think they’re the smartest..? Ditto Bedlingtons - love them but I’ve heard they’re not v clever/easy to train

I had a bedlington who was clever and easy to train, she was a really fabulous dog and much more trainable than my current terrier but maybe she was the exception not the norm.

 

[Clarabel]

I think a Staffordshire bull terrier would meet all your requirements

 

[MurphysMinder]

Ok so they’d fail on the long legs but Lancashire Heelers would tick the rest of your list

 

[ihatework]

Out of interest - those of you who have/ had manchester terriers do they moult much?

No they don’t. Single coats.
You do need a vast array of coats to keep them warm though

 

[Shady]

Manchester terrier!! How could you not??View attachment 108144

What a gorgeous little dog. Like a tiny Dobe( which I love)

 

[Prancerpoos]

I‘ve always fancied the idea of an Italian greyhound when I get too old for curly coats. The ones I have met have been fabulous little dogs, but they do look fragile.