Small dog breed best for us

G

GoldenLife

Active Member
Joined
22 February 2024
Messages
30
Visit site
Hi

I owned a Golden retriever who passed the rainbow bridge 3yrs ago and I'm ready to open my heart now to another and would have gone for another golden but in the last year or so my mom has moved in with me because she can't take living alone anymore and I suggested she could move in with me, she's also excited for us to get a dog.

Mom's never owned a dog before just cats in the past she has told me she wouldn't be strong enough to handle a large dog and would like us to go small which I'm fine with so I looked at what she wanted in a dog and she was describing a Golden retriever but unfortunately there too big so I'm trying to find a dog breed who is as easy going , happy go lucky as a golden and our first thought was a Cavalier but speaking to many owners I'm really concerned at the health issues and how hard it is to find one who has been fully tested.

So we're now not sure what to get and I'm hoping someone here will have a suggestion for us.

We also apart from small size ( no bigger than 10kg but not tiny like a papillon) want an easy going dog like a Golden , not too vocal. We both agree we like coats like the cavalier long coats.


Any other breeds we could look at besides the cavalier?
 
GoldenLife said:
Hi

I owned a Golden retriever who passed the rainbow bridge 3yrs ago and I'm ready to open my heart now to another and would have gone for another golden but in the last year or so my mom has moved in with me because she can't take living alone anymore and I suggested she could move in with me, she's also excited for us to get a dog.

Mom's never owned a dog before just cats in the past she has told me she wouldn't be strong enough to handle a large dog and would like us to go small which I'm fine with so I looked at what she wanted in a dog and she was describing a Golden retriever but unfortunately there too big so I'm trying to find a dog breed who is as easy going , happy go lucky as a golden and our first thought was a Cavalier but speaking to many owners I'm really concerned at the health issues and how hard it is to find one who has been fully tested.

So we're now not sure what to get and I'm hoping someone here will have a suggestion for us.

We also apart from small size ( no bigger than 10kg but not tiny like a papillon) want an easy going dog like a Golden , not too vocal. We both agree we like coats like the cavalier long coats.


Any other breeds we could look at besides the cavalier?
Click to expand...
We also don't mind coats like a westie
 
I have had Mini Schnauzers in the past and they are less dog aggressive and calmer in general than most terrier.
Or a Mini Poodle if you don't mind coats - I've never owned one but the ones I see are nice.
 
Such a shame you've just missed discover dogs at crufts, that would have been perfect for you. Miniature schnauzers are great dogs, really easy and happy but maybe their coats aren't what you had in mind - possibly a tibetan terrier? I've met two and they were delightful but I don't know that much about the breed. It could be worth having a look through lists/ photos of breeds on websites and the Kennel club etc. and seeing what appeals to you, my only word of warning would be that I don't find that their breed character descriptions are always accurate so if their is a breed that appeals to you then it's worth speaking to the breed club.
 
Get a smaller whippet. If you look at the previous thread on here about which dog, there's lots of info about them. A small bitch will be under 10kgs. I'd get a dog though, they are more outgoing and they are incredibly gentle dogs. I love goldens and often stop to fuss them and talk to their owners. They remind me very, very much of my boys. Goofy, happy clowns up for everything. But they are too big for me, I don't want the hair issue and the thought of dealing with a golden that had been wallowing in mud scares the bejeezus out of me!
 
AmyMay said:
Westie or mini Schnauzer would be my suggestion.
Click to expand...
We both like westies but every single one I've ever come across has been very noisy but I know very little about terriers just my impression everytime I've seen one.
Squeak said:
Such a shame you've just missed discover dogs at crufts, that would have been perfect for you. Miniature schnauzers are great dogs, really easy and happy but maybe their coats aren't what you had in mind - possibly a tibetan terrier? I've met two and they were delightful but I don't know that much about the breed. It could be worth having a look through lists/ photos of breeds on websites and the Kennel club etc. and seeing what appeals to you, my only word of warning would be that I don't find that their breed character descriptions are always accurate so if their is a breed that appeals to you then it's worth speaking to the breed club.
Click to expand...

We did actually go to crufts this year and spoke to some owners we met the cavaliers there but I was still very worried about the health and we were told it's just accepted in the breed now that they get MVD which really saddened me.

We also saw the mini schnauzer but we're told they do love there own voice so mom was put off and we met the Scottish terrier who we loved but we're told not for inexperienced owners which mom is. We couldn't get to see the westie because every time we went it was packed with people.

I also stayed at the Golden stand for way too long too and mom was upset that she can't handle a large dog because she really really loves goldens and they suit her as much as me.
 
I'm Dun said:
Get a smaller whippet. If you look at the previous thread on here about which dog, there's lots of info about them. A small bitch will be under 10kgs. I'd get a dog though, they are more outgoing and they are incredibly gentle dogs. I love goldens and often stop to fuss them and talk to their owners. They remind me very, very much of my boys. Goofy, happy clowns up for everything. But they are too big for me, I don't want the hair issue and the thought of dealing with a golden that had been wallowing in mud scares the bejeezus out of me!
Click to expand...

There lovely dogs but I like fluffy dogs I miss my goldens long coat I could never own a smooth coat breed it's just my preference.
 
GoldenLife said:
We both like westies but every single one I've ever come across has been very noisy but I know very little about terriers just my impression everytime I've seen one.


We did actually go to crufts this year and spoke to some owners we met the cavaliers there but I was still very worried about the health and we were told it's just accepted in the breed now that they get MVD which really saddened me.

We also saw the mini schnauzer but we're told they do love there own voice so mom was put off and we met the Scottish terrier who we loved but we're told not for inexperienced owners which mom is. We couldn't get to see the westie because every time we went it was packed with people.

I also stayed at the Golden stand for way too long too and mom was upset that she can't handle a large dog because she really really loves goldens and they suit her as much as me.
Click to expand...

Others might know some mini schnauzers as well but the ones I knew (I fostered for a charity) weren't yappy/ barky and it would potentially be a trait that you could keep on top of with training. If you like them apart from that I wouldn't discount it because of it. Some people say my breed like the sound of their own voice but mine have been fine and not yappy.
 
Do any of you know if anyone here owns Westie's?

We really like them just don't know loads about them and weren't able to see them at discover dogs. Mainly concerned everyone I've ever come across has been very noisy but don't know if that's a breed trait or an individual dog thing.
 
Also thinking of a showline Cocker spaniel still small bit bigger than a cavalier or westie but still a size moms comfortable with and we want a very active dog like a golden as we both enjoy hikes at the weekends exploring different parts of the countryside not all cockers I've know have been vocal either
 
Not sure who told you that it was “accepted” that cavaliers get NVO but that is incorrect, there are still a few reputable breeders out there! My sisters current cavalier - bred by my mim - has just turned 15 so quite a reasonable age I’d say 😊
 
GoldenLife said:
Also thinking of a showline Cocker spaniel still small bit bigger than a cavalier or westie but still a size moms comfortable with and we want a very active dog like a golden as we both enjoy hikes at the weekends exploring different parts of the countryside not all cockers I've know have been vocal either
Click to expand...

Cockers have totally different temperaments to cavaliers - not nearly as easy to manage if my sisters cocker is anything to go by 🤣
 
Last edited:
SkylarkAscending said:
Cockers have totally different temperaments to cavaliers - not nearly as easy to manage if my sisters cocker is anything to go buy 🤣
Click to expand...
Is your sisters working or show?

Cavaliers are also not like goldens either as nothing is like Goldens and I'm no comparing just looking for the best smaller breed to suit us.

I know cockers are know as hyper or nuts but I've only met a few workers who were definitely lively but around here I mainly often see show cockers and none have seemed hyper to me they've been pretty chill and very happy dogs wagging there tail all the time
 
It’s a show one - it’s neurotic, barks incessantly, needs sedating to go to the vet etc etc! It might just be that one of course, but it’s certainly put me off the breed. He is 7 now and she adores him
 
SkylarkAscending said:
It’s a show one - it’s neurotic, barks incessantly, needs sedating to go to the vet etc etc! It might just be that one of course, but it’s certainly put me off the breed. He is 7 now and she adores him
Click to expand...
The one thing I know is you have to research breeders very carefully because some lines have temperament issues so I suppose it depends were she got him from and how she's raised /trained him too ect
 
GoldenLife said:
The one thing I know is you have to research breeders very carefully because some lines have temperament issues so I suppose it depends were she got him from and how she's raised /trained him too ect
Click to expand...

I think its safe to say she did her research - our mum bred showed and judged dogs internationally all her life, so we have had quite a lot of exposure….
 
I have a westie, she's a dude, and I know quite a lot of others. They are not particularly goldie-esk in terms of temperament, but probably closer than some other small dogs. They do have their own health issues with skin and eyes mainly, but there is some prevalence of hip stuff too. Mostly pretty manageable with decent diet etc though.

Temperament wise they are immense fun and excellent companions if you like a dog to take out and about places with you. They are quite self-sufficient too, and will happily sit and watch the world go by for hours. They don't have a huge amount of training drive tbh, but are easily bought with food so generally pretty straightforward to get the basics installed. Can be a bit resource-guardy with other dogs, but relatively easy to keep on top of that and they are mostly all talk (mine has snapped once at one of my others, but otherwise just grumbles or takes herself off). They have a big personality, and are really fun in the way they express themselves, I love them.
 
DabDab said:
I have a westie, she's a dude, and I know quite a lot of others. They are not particularly goldie-esk in terms of temperament, but probably closer than some other small dogs. They do have their own health issues with skin and eyes mainly, but there is some prevalence of hip stuff too. Mostly pretty manageable with decent diet etc though.

Temperament wise they are immense fun and excellent companions if you like a dog to take out and about places with you. They are quite self-sufficient too, and will happily sit and watch the world go by for hours. They don't have a huge amount of training drive tbh, but are easily bought with food so generally pretty straightforward to get the basics installed. Can be a bit resource-guardy with other dogs, but relatively easy to keep on top of that and they are mostly all talk (mine has snapped once at one of my others, but otherwise just grumbles or takes herself off). They have a big personality, and are really fun in the way they express themselves, I love them.
Click to expand...

Also don’t forget Westie lung - I only mention that because I lost George from something very similar ☹️
 
Miniature Australian Shepherd? Might just be on the edge of too big if <10kg is a hard rule, but the smaller ones would be 10-12kg
 
SkylarkAscending said:
I think its safe to say she did her research - our mum bred showed and judged dogs internationally all her life, so we have had quite a lot of exposure….
Click to expand...
I wanted to say I still appreciate you sharing that with me because it is something well consider.

I'm also as you've properly seen looking at the Westie.
 
GoldenLife said:
Is your sisters working or show?

Cavaliers are also not like goldens either as nothing is like Goldens and I'm no comparing just looking for the best smaller breed to suit us.

I know cockers are know as hyper or nuts but I've only met a few workers who were definitely lively but around here I mainly often see show cockers and none have seemed hyper to me they've been pretty chill and very happy dogs wagging there tail all the time
Click to expand...

Show cocker might be a good shout, but likely to be >10kg.
I’d avoid workers for what you want.
 
DabDab said:
I have a westie, she's a dude, and I know quite a lot of others. They are not particularly goldie-esk in terms of temperament, but probably closer than some other small dogs. They do have their own health issues with skin and eyes mainly, but there is some prevalence of hip stuff too. Mostly pretty manageable with decent diet etc though.

Temperament wise they are immense fun and excellent companions if you like a dog to take out and about places with you. They are quite self-sufficient too, and will happily sit and watch the world go by for hours. They don't have a huge amount of training drive tbh, but are easily bought with food so generally pretty straightforward to get the basics installed. Can be a bit resource-guardy with other dogs, but relatively easy to keep on top of that and they are mostly all talk (mine has snapped once at one of my others, but otherwise just grumbles or takes herself off). They have a big personality, and are really fun in the way they express themselves, I love them.
Click to expand...
Do you mind if I DM you with some questions?

Your Westie sounds delightful and it doesn't bother me that they don't have a huge training drive because we only want to train the basics to have a well behaved dog
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top