If you don’t have the space for a large dog, there are a lot of smaller breeds that are fine in condos or smaller backyards. Yet while lap dogs are very popular these days, there are also those that prefer the temperament of larger dogs. For these people, who like the temperament of larger dogs but cannot have one, small terrier dogs may be the answer. Small terrier dogs were bred down from regular terriers, so they retain the characteristics of their original, vermin-hunting ancestors. They aren’t at all submissive like a lap dog.

Small terriers are, actually, quite the opposite of submissive. You’ll discover they are fearless, outgoing, willful, and confident. Because of this they need strong leadership from their owners, 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 let any situation develop, even when you’re playing, when your terrier gets to win, even for a moment. Most terriers will challenge their owner some time 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 wonderful dogs. They’re very happy and affectionate with their humans. If they’re socialized properly the household cat should be okay, although all other cats will be prey. Terriers have a high prey drive, a leftover from the ratting days, so if you have small kids and you have or want a terrier, you should always supervise them together.

There are a lot of terriers that come in a small size. The breeds are:

•  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

Though terriers share the common characteristics described, the various breeds have their own unique traits. These range from the obvious, like coat type and color, to temperament. Some breeds take longer to groom than others, even within the terrier group. That can be an important consideration when choosing a dog.