Later this year/early next year, i want to add to the family :) I want a small ish dog (i have collies and GSD). My current dogs are from working lines and i would really like a dog with the potential to show. I dont have toooo many criteria, but what i do list is important to me.....

- Small (whippet size and under)
- Able to cope with long walks/rambles (not necessarily every day as i can walk the dogs seperately, but i do like to go on long walks to different places at the weekend)
- Happy to chill out/curl up in front of fire etc in an evening (lazy is fine!)
- Not too fragile, obviously i have larger dogs and also have a child under 5.

Ok, so i have thought of a few breeds that im considering...

- Toy poodle (absolutely love this breed- the thing that is putting me off is the show cut (if i do show- which i really want to have a go at)
- Italian greyhound- again, love this breed but im a bit worried as to how delicate they are
- whippet
- Mini dachs

Any suggestions welcome!! :)

From your criteria, a Whippet would fit in well
They love walks but if it's raining they are perfectly happy to stay by the fire......
There is no brushing of coat involved & are low maintainence
They are good with children too if brought up with them...I have some here that are not keen on children but others are fine with children(I dont have children myself)

I dont own or have never owned a It Grey but I think they would be difficult to get hold of & they can have problems with legs (although they are sturdier than they used to be)

Mini Dachies seem to fit the bill. The long haired ones will obviously require more grooming than the shorted haired ones but I suppose it is all down to personal preference. My mothers dog have always enjoyed comeing out with my Lab girls and can keep up with them in duration but perhaps not in speed ! :-D

If your used to working line Collies and GSD, a Lancashire Heeler would fit the bill they wouldn't be intimidated by a bigger dog for a second lol

Border Terrier?

try a pem corgi it is a standing joke in the breed that the coat character and temperment of a gsd but in a smaller package, ther must be five of six people in the breed who have gone down form gsds,  i grew up with gsds when mum hit fifty and wanted a smaller breed to show in came the corgis a one time three gsds and one corgi got on like a house on fire now no gsds only corgis and would not have had gsds for as long if we had one sooner, will take 5 mins exercise or 5 miles and only stand 12 inches at shoulder

how about a portugese podengo..

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Have you considered a Cavalier? Ours can do a several mile walk with hubby at the weekends, but will settle for a short 10 minutes with me before work if that's all we can manage, and they don't go mad if they don't get a walk because it's raining. They love nothing better than to curl up with you in the evening, though they'd prefer the sofa or your lap to the hearthrug! They are superb with children of all ages, and although small are pretty sturdy. I think an IG or mini daxie might be a little too delicate for very young children and you'd have to be more careful around the big dogs too. And if you're interested in showing, all you have to do is not trim their hair and they are ready for the ring! Buy from a reputable breeder who tests their hearts and scans for SM, and you have a good chance of a loving healthy companion.

Thanks very much for the suggestions so far....keep em coming!!!!

Im off to research a bit about the breeds named.....but oh my, the podengo is gorggggggeous!

Anyone know anything about pbgv's ? How do they compare in size to other breeds? ...off to research!

> Anyone know anything about pbgv's

PM Dakkobear (Marion) she has a young bitch and seems very smitten :) :)

What about a mini schnauzer? They'd fit in with your pack and lifestyle easily

Schipperke?

Also consider Cardigan Corgis. 12" at the shoulder, but tough very adaptable dogs and fit in well with whatever you want to do.
Get on well with children and easy to train.
If you wanted to show, we are always pleased to see newcomers, not much preparation needed for showing, plus we have small classes.!

Cardigan Corgis are also a British Heritage Breed so need all the support we can get.xx

I had a mini-wire dachshund, Muffin, he adored my daughter. I also had a GSD, Muffin was a lovely little dog, we really miss him! I now have a whippet who is kept with a GSD. Stanley (whippet) is also a lovely boy. He loves children, loves a good run, he exercises all the dogs in the area, as he is not at all nervous of larger dogs, as he is used to my GSD. Whippets are very low maintenance, only problem I have with him, he is a bit of a thief where food is concerned, mind you Muffin couldn't reach anywhere, so there was no contest! Both breeds had no problem keeping up with a GSD.

> PM Dakkobear (Marion) she has a young bitch and seems very smitten :-) :-)

Me? smitten? Yes i am a PBGV-aholic :-)

I've PM'd you Qwerty and yes they are the best wee dog I know of - fabulous happy wee creatures, nearly as beautiful as a Bernese and not quite as nutty as a gordon :-)
M x

Finnish  laphund, another smaller pastoral.

> - Small (whippet size and under)
> - Able to cope with long walks/rambles (not necessarily every day as i can walk the dogs seperately, but i do like to go on long walks to different places at the weekend)
> - Happy to chill out/curl up in front of fire etc in an evening (lazy is fine!)
> - Not too fragile, obviously i have larger dogs and also have a child under 5.
>

A Silken Windhound ticks all those boxes too :-)

Hi, italian greyhounds are not at all delicate if you are careful which lines you go for

I've had quite a few pbgvs through my training classes.  They are fabulous little dogs with great and happy personalities.  A bit similar to a beagle, in terms of personality.  Not at all delicate and often enjoying some rough and tumble with labs and boxers etc.

The only thing I'd say is that they can be a bit hard to train, as they like to put their noses down and sniff trails on the floor and are not the most-focussed on their handler.

Podengos are great and both of mine easily keep up with the aussie and collie

Swedish vallhunds, they are great little dogs.

Cocker spaniel? I love PGBVs :) Always seem such happy little souls and are robust and will take the exercise ...

Thankyou for all the suggestions...

I have to say, podengo's, pbgv and italian greyhounds have really caught my eye.

How do i go about finding the "less delicate" lines in iggies? ...seems like a silly question lol

I shall definately be researching more on the breeds mentioned...any more suggestions are welcome :)

Norwich Terrier!!

I have a 15 week old Norwich and don't understand why they aren't more popular :)

That's true, I have a couple of Norfolks I groom and I think they and the Norwich terriers are lovely little dogs!

As hounds and terriers have been mentioned it's worth considering what other traits you can live with, or even which traits might drive you up the wall with frustration!  Barking, recall, ease of training, reactive, recall (worth mentioning twice :) ) ?

There are always exceptions within breeds and not every hound is hard to recall and not every terrier is a barker but these are often things that get a mention when talking to owners.  I have Basset Fauve de Bretagne on my one day list but recognise that time isn't now, or possibly even where I currently live as the urge to leg it wouldn't be wise in my village.  After speaking to a few owner/breeders I'm waiting until I own my own field, with good boundaries!

If you want to show your dog it might well be worth hanging around a few shows to see what the other owners are like.  Some breeds always seem very friendly and approachable...

Are you able to get to Crufts this year.  You might get some useful advice and opinion at Discover Dogs and a good look at Toy Poodles in the ring will give you some guidance about show cut too.

Hi, thanks, i can live with barking/noise (gsds are VERY vocal- she has a sound for every mood!) I grew up with terriers of different kinds and am definately willing to put the work in with these breeds as i realise selective hearing can be a trait with hounds and terriers (and others of course!)

Someone mentioned about hounds being theives...no problem there as i have a gsd who will raid bins and steal (once stole 2 huge expensive steaks off the side after i left the room for 20 seconds...didnt even touch the sides! and i learnt my lesson ha!)

Im not able to get to crufts this year unfortunately, otherwise i would be spending alot of time around discover dogs.

I was going to suggest a Fauve too, I was very taken with them at the Border Union show, such happy go lucky wee souls and very likely to be my next dog in a few years time.

My Mum had one of these what a character beautiful dog's.

Anyone catch Amanda Burton on James Martin cook show? she had me in stictches explaining how her dog pinched a whole gammon on the bone and she had to retrieve it and cut the bite marks off one chiristmas - it was hilarious a Weimerer?? (Sp) Bet she didnt eat gammon that year.

Hi my only question mark re terriers would be your kiddie- as you know, you have to be extra careful terrier pups don't get pulled around by toddlers. That said, if you like whippets and pods and have grown up with terriers, how about a Manchester? Sparky yet sensitive, active but cuddle bunnies, short coat, very bright,great at agility.

Hi, my son is actually autistic, he doesnt stroke or interact with any dog but my gsd who is his support dog, it makes him extra careful around them compared to most children his age so that isnt a concern :)

I shall have a look into manchesters :)

Okay it is my duty at this point to tell you Australian terriers are all and more of the above............
Gorgeous, all you could want. Personality and calm. Grooming minimal, robust yet small. Fun and very loving and loyal.
Sdaly they too are in the minority, but that is great if you want to show too!

Karen  :)