Adopting an older dog - any tips?

pboae

roxalana wrote: »

I want to get a small dog (terrier-esque) as we don't have a great deal of space, but I don't know what else to look for. As it is my first dog, I don't feel confident enough to take on a dog with lots of behavioural/medical problems.

Obviously I don't know how much doggy experience you have, but terriers often don't make the best first dog. People sometimes think they will be biddable lap dogs because they are small, but they are more likely to be incredibly tenacious and stubborn. They also usually need a lot of exercise, more than many bigger dogs do.

So although they make lovely pets in the right home and with the right training, they are not for the faint hearted!

Smallish mutts/cross breeds are likely to be an easier choice, something with a calm character and no excessive behaviour traits. Smart enough to be easily trained, but not so smart it will run rings around you.