Small dog breed best for us

Squeak

Well-Known Member
Joined
6 April 2009
Messages
3,792
Visit site
Yes walking is something she really wants to do too like I said she wants to be as much involved as I am.

That's fair enough, sometimes looking at it in a different way can make things possible but it sounds like you've both thought about it and you're happy enough to go for something different. There are lots of lovely breeds out there :)
 

GoldenLife

Member
Joined
22 February 2024
Messages
28
Visit site
That's fair enough, sometimes looking at it in a different way can make things possible but it sounds like you've both thought about it and you're happy enough to go for something different. There are lots of lovely breeds out there :)
I'm still fairly young ( nearly 30 but not quite there yet) so I know I'll get another Golden one day that's why it doesn't bother me too much and I want mom to be happy too.

To bring everyone up to speed who has helped so far after speaking with @The Fuzzy Furry we both agreed the Shih Tzu is not for us.

But after speaking to @DabDab were really considering the Westie now and would like no further reccomdations as I feel the Westie is going to be the one just need to do further research
 

Jenko109

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 July 2020
Messages
1,216
Visit site
Oh gosh. I do love a Westie.

A friend got one as first time dog owners and it was just the most perfect, sweet natured, polite little thing.
 

AmyMay

Situation normal
Joined
1 July 2004
Messages
66,210
Location
South
Visit site
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
Show line Spaniels are not small, and they’re - well Spaniels.

I’ve never known Westies to be particularly vocal.
 

GoldenLife

Member
Joined
22 February 2024
Messages
28
Visit site
Do a lot of research in your breeders and bloodlines for westies, they have so many health problems when care isn't taken. Also tend to be quite reactive and terrier-ish if not socialised well.
I will were in no rush I'll be doing a lot of research first and talking to more owners as well as getting in touch with the breed club and I'll research the heath very carefully so I know what to look for in a breeder with health testing ect.

I also will be using a trainer who helped me with Bobby who helped me raise him into a wonderful happy confidant boy so I will be getting her help again and I know they are easier than some terriers too
 

Supercalifragilistic

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 August 2020
Messages
123
Visit site
What about a Border Terrier? Loads of personality but ours adores a cuddle and is a complete people person. Will bark when the doorbell rings or when chasing a squirrel up a tree in the garden but otherwise not generally ‘yappy’. Ours is entire still and mixes happily with other dogs when required (although will stand his ground if he feels picked on).

Needs stripping just a couple of times a year. I have never met one that I didn’t like.
 

SkylarkAscending

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 March 2023
Messages
862
Visit site
How could you not want one of these
View attachment 136084

She is lovely - and it’s not often I say that about a cavalier 😊

My sisters is a ruby as well, which is odd since Mum had particolours for most of her career - all her champions were Blenheim - but her last couple of litters were whole colours, I like them a lot more personally 😊
 

Clodagh

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 August 2005
Messages
25,229
Location
Devon
Visit site
I see a lot of Westies. Sadly always while I’m in the vets waiting room. I think they are allergic to life, or do it seems. Smart little dogs though.
 

FinnishLapphund

There's no cow on the ice
Joined
28 June 2008
Messages
11,300
Location
w(b)est coast of Sweden
Visit site
...
Have you thought about a Lapphund type dog. I love the look of them. @FinnishLapphund could tell you more about the breed because I don't know much more than they look lovely.

Not a Finnish Lapphund, but like the Spitz fan I am, could I tempt your mom @GoldenLife with a Mittelspitz, or German Spitz Mittel as I think they're called in the UK? According to what I've read, they're 7-11 kg in weight, and about 30-38 cm in height. Bitches usually weigh less than dogs, so if your mum absolutely want the dog to be below 10 kg, get a bitch?

For somone like you who have had a Golden, I can't imagine caring for a Spitz coat should cause much trouble. As I understand it, German Spitz Mittels are like my Lapphunds, they shed a lot about 2 times per year, but the rest of the year there's minimal shedding.

Some pictures I've found through google
a81439ef8e79ba98930f6c686940236a.jpg

i285978589399899742.jpg

865bc81a976e9ca044925e3fffb63fec_600x880_fill.jpg

b7f9442fe8510c1df0009029b0813e29.jpg


ETA: As adults they should be more than able to do long walks, I've read about Swedish owners having theirs as both jogging partners, and exercising them via bike. The coat often protects quite well against overheating, but if you're not into dog showing, you could always consider shaving parts of the coat off.
 
Last edited:

Kunoichi73

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 October 2022
Messages
5,058
Visit site
Not a Finnish Lapphund, but like the Spitz fan I am, could I tempt your mum @GoldenLife with a Mittelspitz, or German Spitz Mittel as I think they're called in the UK? According to what I've read, they're 7-11 kg in weight, and about 30-38 cm in height. Bitches usually weigh less than dogs, so if your mum absolutely want the dog to be below 10 kg, get a bitch?

For somone like you who have had a Golden, I can't imagine caring for a Spitz coat should cause much trouble, as I understand it, German Spitz Mittels are like my Lapphunds, they shed a lot about 2 times per year, but the rest of the year there's minimal shedding.

Some pictures I've found through google
a81439ef8e79ba98930f6c686940236a.jpg

i285978589399899742.jpg

865bc81a976e9ca044925e3fffb63fec_600x880_fill.jpg

b7f9442fe8510c1df0009029b0813e29.jpg


ETA: As adults they should be more than able to do long walks, I've read about Swedish owners having theirs as both jogging partners, and exercising them via bike. The coat often protects quite well against overheating, but if you're not into dog showing, you could always consider shaving parts of the coat off.
Ooh, they're lovely! 😃
 

Pinkvboots

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 August 2010
Messages
21,743
Location
Hertfordshire
Visit site
Not a Finnish Lapphund, but like the Spitz fan I am, could I tempt your mum @GoldenLife with a Mittelspitz, or German Spitz Mittel as I think they're called in the UK? According to what I've read, they're 7-11 kg in weight, and about 30-38 cm in height. Bitches usually weigh less than dogs, so if your mum absolutely want the dog to be below 10 kg, get a bitch?

For somone like you who have had a Golden, I can't imagine caring for a Spitz coat should cause much trouble. As I understand it, German Spitz Mittels are like my Lapphunds, they shed a lot about 2 times per year, but the rest of the year there's minimal shedding.

Some pictures I've found through google
a81439ef8e79ba98930f6c686940236a.jpg

i285978589399899742.jpg

865bc81a976e9ca044925e3fffb63fec_600x880_fill.jpg

b7f9442fe8510c1df0009029b0813e29.jpg


ETA: As adults they should be more than able to do long walks, I've read about Swedish owners having theirs as both jogging partners, and exercising them via bike. The coat often protects quite well against overheating, but if you're not into dog showing, you could always consider shaving parts of the coat off.
I love them such pretty little dogs 😍
 

Pinkvboots

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 August 2010
Messages
21,743
Location
Hertfordshire
Visit site
She is lovely - and it’s not often I say that about a cavalier 😊

My sisters is a ruby as well, which is odd since Mum had particolours for most of her career - all her champions were Blenheim - but her last couple of litters were whole colours, I like them a lot more personally 😊
I've known a few of them but she is the first one I have had I've only had her since August, I saw her on here looking for a home and had to have her courtesy of Amymay on here.

She is just the perfect little dog we love her 😍
 

DabDab

Ah mud, splendid
Joined
6 May 2013
Messages
12,671
Visit site
I see a lot of Westies. Sadly always while I’m in the vets waiting room. I think they are allergic to life, or do it seems. Smart little dogs though.
Mine will be 14 this year and has only once troubled the vets outside routine stuff, and that was this year when she ate a stone. Obviously not a representative sample size but I know plenty of others who have been similarly trouble free. I have sort of come to the conclusion that the vast majority of commercial feeds just don't work for them, and it did take quite a few years to get the feeding of mine right so that she was genuinely non-itchy, but since finding a food that works her skin has been no bother
 

FinnishLapphund

There's no cow on the ice
Joined
28 June 2008
Messages
11,300
Location
w(b)est coast of Sweden
Visit site
Yep @FinnishLapphund that’s a German spitz mittel here in the UK - my mum was friends with one of the people who established the breed over here. She had them alongside Alaskan Malamutes which I love to this day (despite being scared of them at 5 years old!)

😮 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon strikes again! 😁 Someone knows someone who knew "Kevin Bacon"/in this case The people who established the German Spitz Mittel in the UK. The world is smaller than we think.
 

DabDab

Ah mud, splendid
Joined
6 May 2013
Messages
12,671
Visit site
Not a Finnish Lapphund, but like the Spitz fan I am, could I tempt your mum @GoldenLife with a Mittelspitz, or German Spitz Mittel as I think they're called in the UK? According to what I've read, they're 7-11 kg in weight, and about 30-38 cm in height. Bitches usually weigh less than dogs, so if your mum absolutely want the dog to be below 10 kg, get a bitch?

For somone like you who have had a Golden, I can't imagine caring for a Spitz coat should cause much trouble. As I understand it, German Spitz Mittels are like my Lapphunds, they shed a lot about 2 times per year, but the rest of the year there's minimal shedding.

Some pictures I've found through google
a81439ef8e79ba98930f6c686940236a.jpg

i285978589399899742.jpg

865bc81a976e9ca044925e3fffb63fec_600x880_fill.jpg

b7f9442fe8510c1df0009029b0813e29.jpg


ETA: As adults they should be more than able to do long walks, I've read about Swedish owners having theirs as both jogging partners, and exercising them via bike. The coat often protects quite well against overheating, but if you're not into dog showing, you could always consider shaving parts of the coat off.
The little spitzys are glorious little dogs. However, not terribly well known for being quiet...
 

FinnishLapphund

There's no cow on the ice
Joined
28 June 2008
Messages
11,300
Location
w(b)est coast of Sweden
Visit site
The little spitzys are glorious little dogs. However, not terribly well known for being quiet...

I've heard that they're not as bad as the reputation says.

...
But after speaking to @DabDab were really considering the Westie now and would like no further recommendations as I feel the Westie is going to be the one just need to do further research

Sorry, didn't see this reply until after I'd already posted my suggestion. Hope it doesn't take you too long to find a Westie which suits you, and your mom.
 

AmyMay

Situation normal
Joined
1 July 2004
Messages
66,210
Location
South
Visit site
Amymay on here has a bishon who looks lovely and I think a good size, perhaps message her for info on temperament etc
My little Bichon is the perfect little dog, but I think may be a slight freak of nature on the amount of exercise she enjoys. At 10 years old we’ve slowed things down a bit, and whilst 3 hours exercise a day is the norm, I’m not sure I’d stomp some of the miles I used to do with her.

So whilst the perfect breed for me, I’m not sure it’s the one I’d recommend for the OP xx

However, any excuse….IMG_9614.jpeg
 
Top