Pet Lovers

[Seannie]

Four terriers.  Two smooth-haired fox terriers as a child (one lived 17 years despite having epilepsy!) and scottish terrier and cairn terrier for my child beginning when she was six.

All very intelligent but the cairn had the very sweetest personality.  He's a senior citizen now and I'm so lucky that we're besties.  Although he is one world-class barker-yikes!

One suggestion for anyone seeking a small dog: if you like to travel, many hotels that we've stayed in restrict the size of the dog in room to 15 pounds or less.  Our cairn meets that criteria so he gets to go on lots of road trips with his parents.

Seannie

[tarsmom]

I was never a small dog person - too yappy.  However, after my black lab passed, my coworker and friend suggested getting a small dog.  I was a bit resistant but ended up rescueing a tri-color jack russell/rat terrier mix.  He was 5 years old.  

We had him from Feb. 2010 to this past July.  He was a feisty, fun, full of personality pup.  Everyone thought he was a puppy (he weighed about 10 lbs and had short legs).  

The first night home he jumped on the couch and gave me a look like "well, are you going to let me under your lap throw??"  I did and he was there every night after I got home from work (he used to jump in my arms after I got home each night!).  

I loved that naughty little dog.  He did bark which was annoying and he went after my husband's pantlegs now and then but he was such a comfort to me when my mom passed away in 2012.  

I am taking a break until next spring and then will decide what to get next but honestly, my heart is with a lab or a golden (which I had before my lab).  They are more work though and much hairier!!  

We'll see how it goes when the time comes

[threecees]

We have always had medium to large size dogs. When I was growing up

we had mixed collies. Our first was a collie/shepherd mix, then we took care

of my brother's farm collie when he worked. We also had a full bred sable

collie and then a blue merle collie. He had one blue and one brown eye.

After I got married, we decided to get a golden retriever and now we are

on our second one of the breed. They are amazing dogs as well. I have

nothing against small dogs, just never had any. I really like all dogs, could

never not like a dog just because of its size.

[MoonieBaby]

SCOTTISH TERRIER

Stylish, distinguished, smart, easily trained, and lil clowns too.

My first dog was a Scottie named MacGregor.

He was GORGEOUS - we gave him the famous Scottie haircut in the spring every year, when it grew out he looked like a tiny sheepdog, his fur was dark brindle and unusually silky for a terrier.

If you have ever seen pics of Roosevelt's Scottie named Fala - our Gregor looked exactly like him.  And Roosevelt also let Fala's fur grow out from the Scottie cut - they look like lil stuffed animals like that.  So darling.

In truth - I LOVE ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL - and adore all dogs in all shapes and sizes. 

[threecees]

@MoonieBaby  Looked Fala up, so I thought I would just post him.

So cute, your dog must have been too!

[doxie1]

@chiclet 

You have gotten some good advice. I agree with doing the research on the akc website as well as determining what you want a dog for.

Everybody's dog is the best dog! You need what fits with you and your lifestyle.

There are pros and cons for most breeds. Another option is to foster one to see if it fits. I have purebred and rescue dogs and would not trade either.

I had to go from big dogs (Great Pyrenees) to smaller dogs to be able to handle them better. All small dogs are not yappy. One of mine is when there is a stranger around but she has been trained to shut her trap.

My rescue is a cross between a jack russel and a dachshund.  I can tell you that no dust settles on the ceiling fans or top of the refrigerator. She is wide open like Tigger in Winnie the pooh. I would not trade her for anything.

You can find some nice ones in rescue groups.

Good luck with your new pet. Let us know what you get.

doxie

[AngelPuppy1]

I had a Havanese and he was the love of my life!  He was so happy all the time and he never ceased to make me happy and lift me up, no matter how badly I was feeling!

He was playful and energetic and could be a little clown!  But he also loved to sit on your lap, or cuddle witrh you whenever.  Any time you wanted to sleep in, he was good with that, too.  He was a great watch dog and was very protective.  

He had the most beautiful hair --- so soft and silky --- hardly shed at all -- and always had that sweet puppy smell.  

No matter where you were or what you were doing, he wanted to be with you.

He's been gone many years, but I still miss him so much and cry over him all the time.  He is where I got my name for these forums!  He truly was my Angel Puppy!  I was so blessed to have him in my life.  

[MoonieBaby]

@threecees 

YOU ARE THE  B  E  S  T  Three Cees!

I so adore Fala and he's super presh with his Scottie cut grown out as shown in your post.

That was ENORMOUSLY thoughtful of you - thank you V E R Y  much!

[KBEANS]

I absolutely love the Yorkshire Terrier. Sasha is the reason why! She has the prettiest face, she is soooo well behaved, smarter than any dog that I've known, and she is not yappy at all! I know that this Yorkie wants to talk back to me, and I think some day she will 😆. She sounds like she's mumbling at times in response to me. I always had big beautiful dogs before this little Yorkie.  I had pre conceived notions about little dogs and I was wrong.  They are just like people in that  they have individual personalities. 

[SurferWife]

Pekingese will always be my favorite small breed.  I've had them all my adult life until my last puppy, who is a Tibetan Spaniel.

Pekingese are the most loving puppies in the world.  They give so much sugar and are never moody.

My Tibetan Spaniel (I love him dearly, but I'm being truthful) can be a grumpy little turd.  He will give sugar only when he's in the mood, is the definition of stubborn and can pitch a fit like the worst toddler on the planet if he doesn't get his way.  He is the king of the castle & he knows it.