Why Not Get A Small Breed Terrier?
If you don’t have the space for a large dog, there are a lot of smaller breeds that are suited to apartments or smaller backyards. Yet while lap dogs are very popular these days, there are also those that prefer the characteristics of larger dogs. For the latter group, who like the temperament of larger dogs but cannot get one, small terrier dogs may be the answer. Small terrier dogs were bred down from regular terriers, so they retain the temperament of their ancestors. They are not at all submissive like a lap dog.
Small terriers are, actually, quite the opposite of submissive. They are feisty, strong-willed, self-confident dogs that are tenacious and fearless. Because of this they need strong leadership from their owners, so they always know their place in the ‘pack’. Don’t get a small terrier if you can’t be firm and assertive when it’s necessary. And you can’t allow a situation to develop, even when you’re playing, when your dog gets to win, even for a moment. Most terriers will challenge their owner at some point anyway, even if you do keep the structure of the pack. But if you don’t, you set up some potentially disruptive behaviour in your terrier.
Terriers are wonderful dogs. They are very happy and affectionate with their humans. As long as they’re socialized properly the household cat should be okay, although to a terrier, other cats will always be seen as prey. This is because terriers have a high prey drive, a leftover from the ratting days, so if you have small kids and you have or want a terrier, they should not be left alone with each other.
There are a lot of terriers that come in a small size. The breeds are:
- Welsh Terrier
- Irish Terrier
- Scottish Terrier
- Smooth Fox Terrier
- Border Terrier
- Cairn Terrier
- West Highland White Terrier
- Norwich Terrier and Norfolk Terrier
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Australian Terrier
- Toy Manchester Terrier
- Manchester Terrier
- Miniature Bull Terrier
- Sealyham Terrier
Kerry Blue Terrier - Boston Terrier
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Though terriers share the above characteristics in common, the various breeds have their own unique traits. These range from the obvious, like coat type and color, to temperament. Some breeds require more grooming compared to others, even within the terrier group. That can be an important consideration when choosing a dog.
Posted under Miscellaneous Content
This post was written by Noel DCosta on April 19, 2009
