Best small dog to have?

4leggedfurries

4leggedfurries

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I already own a staffy, and have decided that now is the time to get him a friend, but am unsure what type would be best.

It has to be a small dog (terrier size) as mom and dad cant handle two big dogs when I am at work. The staffy is pretty easy going with other dogs, he has been round labs, Jack Russels, English bull terriers, french bull dogs, Patterdales so is used to different breeds but obviously it is different when he will be living with it.

I was thinking of a Jack russel as they are the right size and he's seen and played with them before, but someone mentioned that they wouldnt normally put those two breeds together.

So advice please on what you think would be best.

Thanks in advance!
 
Me have a 7 year old Mini Jack Russell ans rehomed a 2 year old staffie cross in Novmber and the get on fine. Never had any problems. (I posted some picture of them on the beach below if you want to see them)
 
Here's ours. She's just fab

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You cant beat a Jack Russell - not that i am at all biased...

They are very cute
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Enjoy a lot of fun
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not always the brightest of sparks...
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but they do like to be the centre of attention - this was supposed to be a nice photo of my lurcher!
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I have a Jack Russell. A short legged one, she is tiny! I rehomed her a couple of months ago. She is really cute and loving but can be quite aggressive and nasty. She is always full of energy and wants to play all the time. Oh and she barks at EVERYTHING. Hates horses, cats, chickens, cyclists.... The list is endless! :rolleyes:

It really depends on what kind of temperament you want as to what breed you get. And the budget you have, as most small dogs have a large pricetag! I like Pugs, I think they are very comical but dont think I can justify spending the best part of 1k on a dog that small!!

Amymay - That Bichon is adorable! :D
 
Thanks for the replies so far! Did hear the bichon is supposed to be great, but my dad really doesnt like them and the price tag is a bit hefty. Looking for something tbh thats short hair and pref smooth coated (as my yard is permanently in mud atm) and dont have the time to bath it every night. Price tag of up to about £200 as I'm also looking for another horse (cant afford to take too much out of my budget as its pretty small anyway). I know Jack Russels can be a handful but the staffy is already a hyperactive loon so a little bit more madness wont be a problem.
 
When I was dog-shopping, I posted a 'small dog wanted' advert on various websites. I put how much my budget was and got loads of replies. :D
 
I would go for a rescue too, especially as the breed of the dog isn't your highest concern.

Amymay, love your Bichon by the way :)

We have a Westie, she's fab, can highly recommend them. She doesn't moult, and we keep her clipped short so easy to look after - you'd think that white wouldn't be the most practical colour, but she seems to have teflon-coated fur :D

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FWB said:
AmyMay your Bichon is gorgeous, I will attempt to post a big of mine,They are the best small dogs ever and great with young children :D
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Thanks.

I've been amazed at how wonderful she is - but have learn't that it is common to the breed.

We usually keep her clipped shorter than that - makes life much easier.
 
Have never heard anyone say that staffies and JR's don't get on... our experience has been that they've always been fantastic together although there is often a lot of blood curdling 'play' growling but that's all part of the terrier breeding.

If you can I'd get a JR or patterdale terrier or a cross. Definitely look at rescue dogs there is a specialist terrier rehoming group (I forget the name) or look at googling 'The Little Dog Rescue' too. The latter have a good mix of dogs available and will work with you to get one which suits best. There are so many in rescues at the moment - all with good tempraments - that it would be a real shame not to rehome a rescue.
 
We have an 18yr old JRT, a 4yr old staffie and a 20 month old JRT x Patterdale. All were rescue dogs and originally the old girl was to keep our original Patterdale company. Personally i love having the Staffie and JRT x together, they play non stop, the playfull growling can sometimes seem a bit much but the Staffie soon puts the young dog in his place when she needs to:)
 
I am extremely biased but Westies are such gorgeous dogs. Very playful, miraculously stay clean somehow, great with kids and just generally great. I would definitely consider rescuing one though, much cheaper and you could get an equally fantastic dog.
 
Border Terrier every time for me - good natured, not too prey driven or possessive, big enough to hold their own in rough & tumble or to run around together, but not too big to handle easily. :)

I have always had them, my family has bred them for years, the one I have down here came from the last litter, he is 5 and gorgeous! Two years ago, we got him a companion in the form of a JRT X Lakey bitch pup - she is a holey terror; she has major fear agression for no apparent reason, anything with wheels, other dogs, hats, small furry/feathered beings and children, she turns into a warthog alligator cross, akin to Alien! She is very protective and possessive of our very sociable Border - he now has no friends! Much as I love her - and although sorely tempted at times, I wouldn't part with her, she is a never to be repeated experience...
 
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I'd advise to avoid patterdales. They can be a real handful, especially the smooth coats. They are like turbo charged JR and are have a really high prey drive and a tendancy to wander as they are very independent. They really need a job and don't really suit sitting around all day. I'd say give another staffie a home, there are so many being PTS every day. You can get pretty small ones too, if size is an issue.
 
springtime13 said:
I'd advise to avoid patterdales. They can be a real handful, especially the smooth coats. They are like turbo charged JR and are have a really high prey drive and a tendancy to wander as they are very independent. They really need a job and don't really suit sitting around all day. I'd say give another staffie a home, there are so many being PTS every day. You can get pretty small ones too, if size is an issue.
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See my farrier has a patterdale and I have never met such a wonderful, well behaved dog. Have known her 4 years and have never seen her do anything! I would love another staffie, unfortunately mom has a hard enough time walking the one we have as he's like a steam train, he has already pulled her over a few times, and dad is riddled with RA so cant afford to be dragged roung by another, hence the small dog required.

And yes, we are considering rescues, will be looking at the local rescue centre soon.
 
Small dogs pull too!
I think like a lot of dogs it is exceptions and rules with Patterdales. They are still primarily working dogs with the temperament and energy levels to match.

Have you thought about a headcollar for the dog that pulls? Harness or flat collar will be useless on a puller.
 
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