Happy Breed

Your Next Pet – 3 Small Dogs Compared

Unless you have a particular type of dog in mind, it isn’t easy deciding which breed to purchase. The first step is to think about the size of the dog you want. Can you manage a large dog where you live? Or do you only have a courtyard? Small dogs can provide great companionship. And there are a lot of different types of small dogs, vastly unique in both temperament and appearance. You probably know about toy dogs, however there are others that bear more resemblance to their larger canine siblings.

I’ll run through 3 breeds in this article – whippets, welsh terriers, and brussels griffons.

Brussels Griffon Information

Rumors have it that the big, soulful eyes of the brussels griffon were part of what led George Lucas, of Star Wars fame, to create the Ewoks. Looking at these cute dogs, you can see the kinship.

Brussels griffons are extremely sensitive and devoted dogs who will bond with one person in particular. They should be socialized when they are young pups. Brussels griffon are not really well suited as a family pet because of their sensitivity and one-person nature.

Brussels griffon get along well with other animals, particularly cats. You will need to keep an eye out on how they are around bigger dogs, however. They can challenge for dominance, not really aware of their small size.

Welsh Terriers

These lovely dogs are fairly calm when you compare them to other terrier breeds. They are sturdy looking dogs with quite a big personality, especially the males. They are affectionate, curious, outgoing, joyous, and without fear.

Used to control rats and other vermin, consequently welsh terriers love to chase things – including cats. Consequently, if you already have a cat, or are planning on getting one, this probably isn’t the ideal dog for your family.

Great with children,  welsh terriers need a backyard where they can’t escape as they have a predilection for digging, and may thus escape. When walking a welsh terrier, be sure he stays on the leash, because his road sense when on a quest for fun is not good at all.

Welsh terriers require quite a commitment from their owners. They need grooming regularly, and get bored when left alone for many hours in a day. They are better suited to someone with a part time job instead of a full time job. When they’re bored, they can cause destruction around the house.  

The Whippet Dog Breed

Whippets belong to the family of dogs known as sighthounds, so known as that because they hunt using sight and speed instead of smell. whippets are small, elegant dogs, ranging in height from 18.5 to 20 inches for male whippets, or 17.5 to 18.5 inches for female whippets. And the whippet dog breed look just like small versions of greyhounds!

Whippets have been described as being like toy dogs in nature, in that they are happy to sleep on your lap. These are very loyal dogs, bonding with their owner strongly, though still good natured around strangers and children. The whippet dog breed are very gentle, so much so that they have been used in aged care facilities.

These dogs need to be kept inside. Their coats don’t keep them warm enough outside, and they have a strong bond to their owners. If you’re prepared to exercise them regularly, whippets are great for apartment living.

British Film – This Happy Breed (1944) Clip 1