Dog breed ideas …

[Tacobell]

Hi all,
We have a short legged Jack Russell who goes against the grain of a Jack Russell … very calm, could take or leave a walk, likes her home comforts .
However we actually love our dog walks, just moved house where we have countryside dog walks galore!
We had said we would get a second dog when we move house but would want someone that does enjoy a long countryside walk .

We both love small dogs and considering another jack Russell as our Jr that we lost before our current jr loved his walks ..
Ideally a smaller dog but would go up to lab size .
our walks tend to be 30 mins min twice a day . One of us home the majority of the time .
Just wanted some inspiration or should we stick to another jr

 

[splashgirl45]

Border terrier would be my choice as long as you establish a good recall from the beginning as some can be prey driven.

 

[Bradsmum]

How about looking for another type of terrier. I had a gorgeous JR and thought I would always have one and I had another then inherited a JR x Border. They have all been wonderful dogs so when we became dogless I looked at rescues for another JR but they all seemed to have issues and required special homes and we weren’t successful when we enquired about a few. However we were accepted for a Lakeland x Border terrier and he settled in very well and we are so glad he came to us. i Think we are very much terrier type of people so if I was looking again I’d be looking at Borders, Lakeland or Welsh terriers. Westies and Cairns would definitely get a look in too . Good luck.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Parson jrt. Ours loves her walks but is also a snuggle bug at home!! And my god is she a character!!

 

[Clodagh]

Borders are great fun. We always had one in the past.

 

[rabatsa]

Whippet.

 

[LilMyPony]

One of our dogs is a Labradoodle. She’s fabulous.
She loves any people, fuss, walks, cuddles, food (hugely food motivated!) and playing fetch. She’s super smart and I’ve even taught her whistle and hand signal commands! I wash, clip, her myself, she’s a dote.
Her dad was a miniature poodle so she’s not as big as a lab. Shes actually the perfect size imo - I can still lift her but she’s well able to keep up walking etc.

 

[Morwenna]

Another vote for Border terrier. Great little dogs.

 

[poiuytrewq]

One thing I’d say bear in mind, if you’re used to a neat little dog! Long country walks with a bouncy lab are another level in this weather I often come home not quite sure who’s the muddiest (it’s never the terrier!)

I mean I’d never change him but the dirt level is eye opening! That said he’s very quickly learnt that he has a leg and tummy wash and towel dry and stands nicely for both off with no fuss.
I’ve never had a border but they do seem very popular.

 

[Hackback]

I'd have a cocker spaniel (or 2) but not sure 2 x 30 minute walks would be enough for a working type?

 

[Annette4]

I mean I'm going to suggest a whippet but I do love our 16yo jr.

 

[Parrotperson]

my jrt needs at least an hour and a half "big" walk a day otherwise he's crazy! it very much depends on the dog. I used ti look after a lab that was quite happy pootling along for twenty mins. Certainly for some breeds 2 thirty min walks won't be enough.

would a greyhound be too big?

 

[Moobli]

In your shoes I’d have another JRT, a Parson or a Border.

 

[ArklePig]

I'd have a border or potentially a poodle if you can offer a lot of mental stimulation outside of walks.

 

[AmyMay]

I'd have a cocker spaniel (or 2) but not sure 2 x 30 minute walks would be enough for a working type?

Or even, perhaps, a smaller breed. I know a lot is what they’re used to. But, as an example, my Bichon gets a minimum of 1.5 hours a day - some days longer.

Certainly a larger breed is going to need longer than 2 x 30 min walks.

 

[Jenko109]

Hmmm. I'm actually loath to recommend a whippet. Mine certainly still has a lot of bounce after a 30 minute walk.

An older whippet perhaps?

Bigger than you have asked for, but you would find a retired greyhound who would be quite happy with that amount of exercise.

 

[Clodagh]

Or even, perhaps, a smaller breed. I know a lot is what they’re used to. But, as an example, my Bichon gets a minimum of 1.5 hours a day - some days longer.

Certainly a larger breed is going to need longer than 2 x 30 min walks.

My labs don’t have more than that for half the year and are fine.

 

[skinnydipper]

Certainly a larger breed is going to need longer than 2 x 30 min walks.

Must depend on the breed. The big girl would be happy with that.

 

[AmyMay]

Must depend on the breed. The big girl would be happy with that.

Of course, you’re right. That was a silly blanket statement- there are plenty of dogs, large and small for which that would be enough.

I was just trying to reconcile long countryside walks, and 2 x 30 mins.

 

[skinnydipper]

Of course, you’re right. That was a silly blanket statement- there are plenty of dogs, large and small for which that would be enough.

I was just trying to reconcile long countryside walks, and 2 x 30 mins.

No, I don't think 30 mins is a long walk, in fact I would say its a short walk. We do both.

 

[MurphysMinder]

Lancashire Heeler . Full of energy but switch off well too.

 

[Squeak]

How about looking for another type of terrier. I had a gorgeous JR and thought I would always have one and I had another then inherited a JR x Border. They have all been wonderful dogs so when we became dogless I looked at rescues for another JR but they all seemed to have issues and required special homes and we weren’t successful when we enquired about a few. However we were accepted for a Lakeland x Border terrier and he settled in very well and we are so glad he came to us. i Think we are very much terrier type of people so if I was looking again I’d be looking at Borders, Lakeland or Welsh terriers. Westies and Cairns would definitely get a look in too . Good luck.

Agree with this, I'd have an explore in to some of the terrier breeds. Quite a few of them are on the rare breeds list and it's such a shame as they're lovely dogs.

Vulnerable native breeds | The Kennel Club

Vulnerable native breeds are British and Irish in origin and are considered to be vulnerable due to their declining registration numbers.

www.thekennelclub.org.uk

Eta a link to the list of the vulnerable breeds.

 

[ponyparty]

Have a look at Manchester Terriers there was a thread about them recently with lots of info… they’re definitely terriers by nature, but a bit bigger than a JRT. Two 30 min walks per day would do my boy, although he does still like a game of tug of war/find the treat/some kind of mental stimulation at home as well. The rest of the day he’s a lazy sofa-hogger, or this time of year can be found in front of the log burner!

 

[Jenko109]

Oh I misread and thought it was just 30 minutes a day. Not twice.

Ignore me. Just pretend I'm not here. Put me on mute.

 

[TGM]

I do wonder if it is not a dog breed problem but an individual dog problem? 30 mins twice a day is not a lot of walking, so if your current dog doesn't want to do that, I would wonder why? Could it be a physical problem (something like arthritis), or if it is seasonal then getting wet or cold, or perhapsi it might be possible the walks are a bit boring (do they get to go off lead somewhere interesting eg woods/fields). Obviously I don't know the specifics of your personal situation, but I'm not sure that getting a different breed is the answer, as most people I know who have JRs need to give them at least 2 x 30 mins a day!

Speaking personally, I have a whippet who is a bit of a lazy wotsit! But happy to go for a long walk (2hrs plus) if it is warm enough, or she has a coat on, or has doggy company, or if there is ample opportunity to run off lead. Less enthused about 30 mins around the lanes on a lead in the wet and cold though!

 

[Birker2020]

Why don't you see if there is anything at your local dogs home? They sometimes have pedigrees and sometimes there are pedigree rescues, we got our beagle for example from Beagle Welfare.

Just a thought.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

I'd be inclined to get similar re size but unless you do the research, you won't know if it's a dog that'll be happy with 30 minutes twice a day. Even with research, you never know what you're getting. One of mine will bounce round if not adequately exercised, the other is a cuddle bug and settles for naps. They're litter mates.

 

[splashgirl45]

I would call 30 min a short walk, I’m feeling guilty because mine are only getting a 30min walk as I’ve got covid and feeling quite ill. Even twice a day wouldn’t be enough for mine especially if it was all on lead

 

[Merry neddy man]

Whippet. So friendly will lie on the settee all day and you'll never tire it out on walks , small enough for travelling in the car very easy to keep clean good with other dogs, win win win.

 

[misst]

Just get another terrier of some sort. I have had JRT and JRT crosses for years. They are very full on as pups and then after about 3 or 4 are more sensible. They still love their walks unless it is pouring with rain and still aren't bothered by cold or frost. Deep snow puts them off as they are fairly low built but a coat helps if the snow is on their belly. I think most dogs as they mature will be quieter and less insistent on walks after the age of 4 or 5 but that doesn't mean they don't enjoy them. 30 minutes twice a day is not a huge amount of excercise, mine prefer a woodland off lead walk, or a mad run across open common land. They are not bothered by pavement walking.