The Dog Blog

If you don’t have the space for a large dog, there are a lot of smaller breeds that are fine in apartments or smaller yards. Yet while lap dogs are very popular these days, there are also those that prefer the temperament of larger dogs. For the latter group, who like the temperament of larger dogs but cannot get one, small terrier dogs are an ideal pet. Small terrier dogs were bred down from regular terriers, so they retain the temperament of their ancestors. They aren’t 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. Consequently they need an owner who knows how to be ‘top-dog’, so they always know their place in the ‘pack’. This is not the dog to get 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 be dominant, even for a moment. – Because 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 fantastic dogs. They’re affectionate and happy. 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. Terriers have a high prey drive, a leftover from the ratting days, so if you have small children and you have or want a terrier, they should not be left alone with each other.

You can see the many small breed terriers below

• 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

Of course, even though terriers share the common characteristics described, the various breeds have their own unique qualities. These range from the obvious, like coat type and color, to temperament. Some breeds require more grooming than others, even within the terrier group. That might also be something to think about when choosing a dog.

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