Breed recommendation

[Aru]

Papillions are cracking little dogs and generally v healthy.
Borderpap if you want to try agility but with a smaller type dog.
I've a soft spot for Border terriers. Would be my pick if you were going to so down the terrier route.
Beddy×whippet I adore but prey drive would be a concern for cats, they are quite a function working cross for hunting afterall.
Love whippets but like others mentioned here I haven't met many brave ones. Again prey drive also a worry.

How do you feel about coats and barking? Some of the spitz dogs can be fab. Klein spitz would be my pick over japanese spitz or pomeranian if going for the under 10kg category.

 

[conkers]

Another vote for a whippet.

I've always had terriers and love their cheeky personality. But they can be selective about which dogs they like and aren't afraid to show it - part of why we love them.

I got my whippet as I needed something bigger than a terrier as my other half has mobility issues and kept falling over our terrier. I was also looking for a dog that was friendly with other dogs and who would be easy to have around. And I have to say that I love him. He is the easiest dog I have ever had and, much as I will always love terriers, I am a convert and would definately have another.

Granville is very confident, wants to know everyone and even went and did his KC puppy classes. He is quite tall at 20 inches to the shoulder but he doesn't actually take up any more room than my terrier when he's curled up. (Legs at full stretch is a different story though).
I have been told that the show bred whippets can be more nervy than racing / working bred ones. I don't know if thats true.

Picture of the pair of them from last summer because they are adorable.

 

[NinjaPony]

We’ve got a papillon and she is brilliant! Only health issues were created by another dog attacking her, she is much tougher than her dainty looks suggest! Absolutely full of personality and loves to be involved with everything, particularly sofa cuddles.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Border terrier
Cocker

Both seem reasonably available. Spitz are few and far between whenever I look.

Edit: there are several spitz litters on popular selling sites! I actually really like the look of the Black and Tan puppy on the left here.
https://www.pets4homes.co.uk/classifieds/b8-x0b7st-german-spitz-x-cocker-spaniel-stoke-on-trent/

 

[blackcob]

That cocker’s eyes are awful and at least one of the puppies already looks to have a ‘notch’ forming as if it’s going to follow suit.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Why would you cross those two breeds??

Second something Spitzy. There are good pups available if you make the right connections, they won't be advertised on free ad sites.

 

[Nasicus]

If you like Cavvies, Tibbies (Tibetan Spaniels) are often the next step along from them. Very similar temperament and size but a much healthier breed. Bags of personality, great with other dogs and they love cats. A well bred puppy will run you around £1000.

Only caveat is they can be stubborn little buttholes, and generally can't be trusted off lead, but they're perfectly happy on a longline or responsibly wielded flexi-lead I do notice you say trainability is important, and they're very smart and trainable, it's just a matter of whether they think there's good reason to listen at that particular moment

 

[palo1]

Simples: An Irish Terrier!! If they were too big how about a Lakie? Useful intro to the wonderful Irish: https://www.countrylife.co.uk/out-a...ursuits/irish-terrier-the-gentlemans-dog-9247 and a Lakeland hardly needs introducing but...https://www.countrylife.co.uk/out-and-about/dogs/the-lakeland-terrier-a-hard-working-handful-162973.

My Irish is about the size of a cocker spaniel if that is any help, and he is the best dog I've ever had!! I think they are hugely underrated tbh and yet they have the very desirable non/low shedding coat as well as all the fun and athleticism you could hope for. Mine gets accused of being all sorts of fancy cross breed (as well as a scruffy lurcher) but I am really proud to have such an old fashioned breed.

 

[GSD Woman]

palo1, are the Irish dog aggressive? That is always one of my worries. I like the breed and have seen some really nice ones, including temperament, at obedience trials. They aren't very common here.

 

[Cortez]

I have a sort-of-Jack Russell and a whippet. Love, love, love my whippet (mournful? Hardly: she's a hoot!), and spend a lot of time controlling the rage of the terrier if he spots a dog he doesn't like the look of, which equals 99% of the dog population.

ETA: the entirety of the Irish Terriers I have met (not a lot; they're strangely unpopular here (Ireland ) have been aggressive buggers.

 

[CorvusCorax]

The Irish terriers (all of them not just the IT) have a reputation as scrappers but like other terrier breeds I guess some of the traits are being bred out to suit the pet market.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

That cocker’s eyes are awful and at least one of the puppies already looks to have a ‘notch’ forming as if it’s going to follow suit.

Didnt even look at him-Horners, you mean?

Why would you cross those two breeds??

Not a cross I’ve ever considered! I like a good looking dog-yes, I’m superficial, I know the only thing to consider is health tests/pedigree/history/possibly FtCH. That puppy is cute, but not a cross I’d ever consider. I’d say an oops litter?

Edit: don’t like the look of the mum at all!

 

[twiggy2]

Border terriers can be such social little dogs, great choice.
I live pointy dogs, lurchers and the like but often you need to carry a coat, a towel on a wet day and something for them to lay on if you are out for a real hike on anything but the hottest of days IME, that's fine I do carry those things for mine but not everyone wants to.
Irish terrier?
If you jrt was a smooth coated one go for rough maybe and the other way round?

 

[twiggy2]

If you like Cavvies, Tibbies (Tibetan Spaniels) are often the next step along from them. Very similar temperament and size but a much healthier breed. Bags of personality, great with other dogs and they love cats. A well bred puppy will run you around £1000.

Only caveat is they can be stubborn little buttholes, and generally can't be trusted off lead, but they're perfectly happy on a longline or responsibly wielded flexi-lead I do notice you say trainability is important, and they're very smart and trainable, it's just a matter of whether they think there's good reason to listen at that particular moment

The timetable terriers I have met have be nothing like cavvies. High energy, very smart little dogs with as you say a stubborn streak, I have not met any that have not be OK off lead too.
Cavvies are far more easy going

 

[palo1]

palo1, are the Irish dog aggressive? That is always one of my worries. I like the breed and have seen some really nice ones, including temperament, at obedience trials. They aren't very common here.

I haven't met a single aggressive Irish and at the shows that I have been to they all seem pretty harmonious. Most Irish owners seem to have more than one. Mine is cool about other dogs; as a younger dog he was a bit 'in your face' but we worked on that and he is very polite, happy to come away and has never once shown any aggression. They are terriers though so are probably braver pound for pound than they need be!! I have had the odd unpleasant incident with another dog but thankfully my lad, whilst not running away was not prepared to pile in either and on both of those incidents (with spaniels actually) no harm was done. He has also mixed happily with a pack of trail hounds - I trust their keeper and all of them are very disciplined, with nothing other than utter bafflement on the part of all canines lol!

The Irish has got the 'daredevil' reputation but here there seem to be loads of breed walks/fun days out and no trouble!! I only know a couple of others locally and mine, as I say, is really level headed. As much would depend on socialisation and training as breed in this case I think but terriers can be a bit macho hahahaha!!

 

[palo1]

I have a sort-of-Jack Russell and a whippet. Love, love, love my whippet (mournful? Hardly: she's a hoot!), and spend a lot of time controlling the rage of the terrier if he spots a dog he doesn't like the look of, which equals 99% of the dog population.

ETA: the entirety of the Irish Terriers I have met (not a lot; they're strangely unpopular here (Ireland ) have been aggressive buggers.

I think in England they are probably bred to be more lovers than fighters but they have a reputation for scrappiness that I haven't actually seen.

 

[palo1]

The Irish terriers (all of them not just the IT) have a reputation as scrappers but like other terrier breeds I guess some of the traits are being bred out to suit the pet market.

The Irish probably have a better sense of humour than some terriers but their size and athleticism might make them more tricky. I haven't met a shirty one yet!!

 

[blackcob]

Didnt even look at him-Horners, you mean?

Ectropion - those are some baggy lower eye rims and sore, dry looking eyes all over. It was the black pup in pic five I was thinking would turn out similar.

 

[some show]

To all the whippet owners on here (lucky ducks, I'll have one one day!), how did you find their puppyhood? I only know one whippet (he's a hoot as well, and the cuddliest sweetest dog ever) and I believe he was pretty destructive as a pup and the 'teenage' period was quite long - eyes in the back of the head were required! Of course, everything's relative and depends on the dog/the owner!

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Ectropion - those are some baggy lower eye rims and sore, dry looking eyes all over. It was the black pup in pic five I was thinking would turn out similar.

Isn’t baggy lower rims=Horners?

 

[MurphysMinder]

Isn’t baggy lower rims=Horners?

Hornets syndrome is more a neurological condition . I think it affects the upper eyelid and actual eye more .

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Hornets syndrome is more a neurological condition . I think it affects the upper eyelid and actual eye more .

Interesting. I love learning about this stuff!

 

[Cortez]

To all the whippet owners on here (lucky ducks, I'll have one one day!), how did you find their puppyhood? I only know one whippet (he's a hoot as well, and the cuddliest sweetest dog ever) and I believe he was pretty destructive as a pup and the 'teenage' period was quite long - eyes in the back of the head were required! Of course, everything's relative and depends on the dog/the owner!

Not destructive, well no more so than any other pup, but my now 5 year old girly is the most accomplished thief I've ever had. She was a rescue, found starving having survived scavaging out of bins so I'll give her a pass on that.

 

[TGM]

I have a whippet and she is the easiest dog I've ever had. Very clean, avoids mud and puddles and her coat seems to shed any dirt very quickly. Naturally very clean in the house and was toilet trained by 10 weeks old. Will walk for miles if you want to, but happy to have 20 mins twice a day if I'm busy. Great with other dogs and children, and never had a problem with the cats in the neighbourhood. Loves people and very cuddly. Only downsides is she hates being cold, so a coat is required outside in adverse weather conditions and will bother you to put a blanket over her if she feels cold in the house!

Previously have had the following:

Springer spaniel - fantastic temperament, 100% reliable with kids, but mad as a box of frogs, recall dodgy, always diving into muddy puddles, ponds, water troughs etc., and therefore coming back into the house wet and filthy! Needed tons of exercise and stimulation as well.

Weimaraner (rescue) - never again, unpredictable with other dogs and humans.

Long-haired lurcher (with some collie blood and a bit of poodle) - fabulous temperament but a coat that was like a sponge and soaked up all filth and wet and then spread it around the house.

Parents had:

Golden retriever - lovely with people but not good with other dogs

West Highland White - suffered from skin problems (breed trait) and typical terrier attitude to other dogs (little dog syndrome)

Rottweiler x GSD (rescue) - lovely dog

GSD x Collie (rescue) - lovely dog but very noise sensitive and barked at everything.

 

[Clodagh]

The only Irish terrier I know is very dog aggressive and used to attack my poor Labradors at any opportunity, in their own farmyard. She also killed chickens and was a very good guard dog, as in would bite intruders (my husband!).
Palos seems a delight but I wouldn’t say they are easy.

 

[some show]

Funnily enough was just watching Paul O'Grady's 'for the love of dogs' on ITV and Battersea had a litter of whippet puppies - they had three out in a playpen and two were confident, playful things and one was an anxious scaredy-cat with the shivering, mournful look some of you have mentioned up-thread.

 

[I'm Dun]

To all the whippet owners on here (lucky ducks, I'll have one one day!), how did you find their puppyhood? I only know one whippet (he's a hoot as well, and the cuddliest sweetest dog ever) and I believe he was pretty destructive as a pup and the 'teenage' period was quite long - eyes in the back of the head were required! Of course, everything's relative and depends on the dog/the owner!

The one I got at 13weeks having been passed around was tricky! The one I got straight from the breeder was the easiest puppy I've ever met. Only had two accidents in the house and I think the only things he wrecked were his puppy school homework sheet which cracked me up and the washing basket lid. But even that he brought it proudly in to show me first. I think some of it was I knew more about raising puppies, but he really was easy.

Separation anxiety is a much bigger problem than being destructive. Handled badly it can be an issue. The older dog was so bad I considered having him PTS in the early days, the younger one is fine. He can fret if I leave him with other people oddly but left home alone and he sleeps.

 

[some show]

Separation anxiety is a much bigger problem than being destructive. Handled badly it can be an issue. The older dog was so bad I considered having him PTS in the early days, the younger one is fine. He can fret if I leave him with other people oddly but left home alone and he sleeps.

That's something I'll always prioritise in future dogs, I worked really hard with Joe when I got him because he had it moderately badly, and the hard work paid off - he's now fine being left for 4 hours no problem. I can't imagine how stressful it is to have a dog with permanent full-blown SA - glad you managed to keep your older dog despite it!

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Blimey, Irish terriers are expensive! I’m enjoying looking at pictures, gone down a bit of a rabbit hole.

 

[palo1]

Blimey, Irish terriers are expensive! I’m enjoying looking at pictures, gone down a bit of a rabbit hole.

They are now! Mine wasn't madly expensive but I waited a while and had some help from the breed society to find him. His temperament is exemplary. I am interested to hear of all the horrible Irish terriers too actually - I have had a number of people tell me I am brave to have an Irish and I was prepared for a challenge when I got my pup. Red has met a number of other Irish and all has been well but there is a kind of Irish Terrier Disaster Society where owners compare notes about all the wicked but not nasty things their dogs do! I haven't had an aggressive dog ever and I have had rescues and all sorts of breeds and types but I know that terriers in general and some of the larger wire-haired breeds can be switched on to aggressive behaviour more easily than some dogs. I was very aware of that when I had my lad and took the approach that dog neutral was the way forward. I avoided puppy classes and the kind of canine free-for-all playtime that some people like. I just needed a dog that wasn't that bothered about other dogs tbh. I am intrigued to think I might have a difficult breed tbh as I have never had an easier dog to bond with or train; not that Red is very highly trained but his recall is spot on, even when meeting other dogs, he learnt very early not to hassle chickens, was simple to stock train and he is very responsive to most training. Ironically I have had very similar conversations about how 'tricky' the Welsh cobs can be and my mare is actually pretty much angelic and just fun. Maybe bloodlines count for a lot, alongside exercise. Red gets a lot of exercise!!