Hello everyone, new poster here and whilst not sure of the etiquette, thought I'd use my first post to say 'Hi' to everyone and I hope that despite lockdown, you're having a lovely weekend.

I came across this site as I've been looking at getting a dog in the future and I've been researching various breeds and this site came up. My wife and I both live in London though we're planning to move out in the next 3 to 5 years, probably Dorset way. We would love to have a dog but having a small 2 bed house in south London (plus two-cats) don't think it fair on any new addition to the household - when we move out, then definitely - we'll have much more space, a bigger garden and more importantly, countryside on our doorstep to explore.

Why Dorset? Well, I used to be in the military and was based there for several years and have always felt an affinity to the place - I've been returning every year for the last twenty or so years to go camping, mostly on the Isle of Purbeck which is were we'll probably settle.

As to what type of dogs, I adore Terriers and on our longer list are the Airedale, Welsh, Lakeland & Flat Coat Fox Terriers - having joined the forum I'm looking to learn more about these wonderful breeds so that when we do bring Mr. Terrier home, we know all can know to make them feel loved and welcome.

Anyway, hello everyone and I look forward to chatting with you all :)

Crash Williams:  Brilliant you are sourcing lots of advice and I am sure lots will be offered.  Great Big Welcome to you

Welcome

Your doing things the best way.

Research breed.

Meet a good cross section of the breed, at shows (once they are back), and in their homes.

Research breeders whose dogs you admire

Ask to go on their waiting list as litters are planned ahead and by time born can be mostly reserved.

I am sure you meant Smooth Fox Terrier.

You might also consider Irish Terriers, not smooth coated but a close coat on an elegant silouette, a true feisty terrier..

Most sociable Terrier is my favourite the Border.Terrier, but as they have become popular choose breeder and dogs carefully for the correct sociable temperament.

Also love Bedlingtons.

Manchrstets are smart in appearance, but some can be a bit shy.

Many Terrier breeds are low in numbers bred.  Try to go on a waiting list and form a relationship with a breeder, as far in advance of when you hope to have your new family member, as you can.

Thanks for the warm welcome @hoggie and @brainless, it's nice to hear from you both.

Indeed, I did mean the Smooth Fox Terrier   and thank you the rest of your comprehensive message - all that you wrote is part of our plan, get to know the breeds some more, attend some shows and get to know some breeders - I think our plans of three to five years is a good time frame, I'd move sooner but we're not yet quite ready - there's no rush.

Funnily enough, we've also/are considering Irish, Border and Bedlington - we both just adore Terriers!

Thanks again, have a great Sunday evening :)

How lovely that you are planning over that time frame. With all that's going on atm you will get really could chance to make good choices , hopefully shows will be back on soon and you can get to know people in which ever breed you decide on

Discover dogs when ever it can return is very useful to see lots of different breeds as well

Also nice part of the country to be moving too

You might want to look into Wheaten Terriers, not quite as ‘terroist’ as some terriers and really nice looking dogs. Not a terrier person but Wheatens are ones I would consider.

Thanks furriefriends - lovely to 'meet' you, thanks for stopping by to say hello.

We think 3 years min is a good time frame and we look forward to meeting lots of doggies and breeders, learning about the Terriers we like - no doubt finding others that we equally like! It's funny, when ever we're out in London's parks, we always seem to see lots of Airedales and Welsh Terriers - it's a definitely a sign!

Agreed re Dorset, its our favourite.

Have a great evening.

Thanks Jodi, we'll add the Wheaten Terrier to our 'terriers we need to know' list - I think our timeframe allows for some deviations along the way :)

I love that comment '...not quite as 'terroist' as some terriers...' it really made me smile.

Welcome
It's nice to see a someone actually doing their research rather than just seeing a photo of a breed of mix and rushing out and buying one. Well done to you!
I took a few years deciding on my breed mainly because I wasn't allowed a dog and the first two I liked were banned breeds. Glad I had the time to think it all threw and make the right choice in the end. I can't see myself ever owning another breed last maybe one dog of a larger breed.

Thanks for the welcome and message Jo.

We're really looking forward to doing our research and finding out all we can.

Have a great start to the week everyone :)

Hi CrashWilliams!

Perfect planning going on here! I'm biased but take a look a Jack Russell Terriers. Super loving, hardy, intelligent breed but they do have a very strong prey drive. I wouldn't be without them though.

Good morning masajackrussell - I love JRTs, one of my long term ex-girlfriends mum had four Jack Russells, all of them were little characters in their own ways - great dogs!

> I can't see myself ever owning another breed last maybe one dog of a larger breed

Hey Jo come over to the dark side, similar to what your used to, look like yours on more leg, less busy, handy size and look the part to look after you.  Effective watchdog

> Hey Jo come over to the dark side, similar to what your used to, look like yours on more leg, less busy, handy size and look the part to look after you.  Effective watchdog

Lol they were originally on my breed list but went off as I love with my mother who is afraid of dogs so it has to be small. Won't be for a very long time yet, just  thinking for if I ever live alone I'd like something that's more a visual deterrent to any would be burglars. Mine may sound vicious but once seen I don't think I'd be put off breaking in lol

Saying that Jo, I did see something on twitter - a Rhino being chased off by a small dog, it's was quite amusing :)

I had a work colleague who was frightened of large dogs after her in-laws Boxer attacked her.

She met someone with a Doberman bitch puppy that she gradually befriended.

Her husband worked nights and she wanted the reassurance of a large dog.

She realised that they didn't start big, and that she wasn't afraid of a puppy.

She ended up with a huge male dobe.

Lol Cash that's funny.

I do like dobes Barbara, although have no plans to move out but do like to look into breeds anyway. Unless I annoy her enough to be kicked out lol also like the Anatolian, American bulldog (the sport type), gsd, breconon. I do really like American bullies but would have the picket size as there not that much bigger than a vallhund so should be less likely to fall fowl of being deemed type under the law than the classic and xl ones could be (doesn't help that some breeders of the xl are importing ones that are directly out of APBT) Id be too worried about it to have a bigger one.