What are your suggestions and/or experience?

As a child we had a lakeland terrier and then a wire haired fox terrier. They were selected as although they enjoyed being groomed they didnt shed hair like some breeds. In the early summer they then had a 'haircut' to keep them cooler. As you say they were very loyal and courageous.
They used to get 2 x 1hr walks a day as a bare minimum. Often longer especially in the summer months.
They didnt take up too much floor space when trying to get in front of the fire, especially with 4 children and 3 adults in the house.

Both dogs had lovely personalities and the lakeland was a really cheeky chappie. I have photos of them both like your photo.

cant comment on the other 2 breeds .

Seaburngirl@Can you upload the photo of your lakeland terrier? I am afraid this sort of terrier is rare here, as well as kerryblue terrier. I agree terriers are lovely. Mine was able to lie still as a doll in a puschair and I was strolling with her like that. She was covered with blankets for my doll and had umbrella as well. Of course, it was long time ago, when I was seven or so, not now, lol.

What a good idea to ask people like this kat, it's so difficult to make the right decision but I'm sure you will love having a dog.
My dad used to have one like the first photo, he loved it as it was very friendly and playful. So that would be my choice out of those three. I haven't kept any of those particular three, the dog I had was a mix of breeds, she was a medium sized dog, lovely and friendly and not particularly demanding.

Bilbobaggin@Thank you very much for your suggestions. It is evident you know a lot about dogs. I know too :)) as since my childhood we always had some sort of dogs - terriers, dobermans, Irish Setter, German Shepherd dog...
I would like a dog for long walks and a lot of pampering, too :)))

I would say that although all breeds have characteristics that are typical, they still vary in personality.If possible I would try and find a dog I liked as a person and then try to get one from the same bloodline. This approach has worked for us with both horses and dogs.

Jenfren@Thank you for suggestion, I understand you speak from your own experience. I am aware, that dogs as well as cats and even rabbits :)) have their own personality, however, my job doesn´t enable me to visit different places to look for a right personality.
I decided first to choose the breed and then visit those, who have puppies of this breed. Maybe I will find among them a proper personality for me :))

Bilbobaggins@...and they are always prepared to listen to our pains - with a joy, right? :)
I wish to have something smaller....

What a lovely thing to mull over Katrina. I hope you get the dog you truly want. I was desperate for a dog for so many years (My husband wasnt keen). I would have had anything on four legs. However when hubby took up pheasant shooting (I know this is not politically correct so please excuse) we got our first black labrador retriever. They love long walks and are very easy to train. What I particularly like about them is they will relax around the house with you when you dont feel energetic and then at a moments notice be up and ready to go for a walk!! I like Bilbo have also found them great to confide in when I may be feeling down. They never give up your secrets.
A word of warning on the Westhighland terrier breed. A friend of mine had one of these a few years ago. Admittedly it was a rescue dog. It was quite grumpy and aggressive if the mood took it. She ended up being bitten quite alot although I know she showed it nothing but kindness and tried to hide the bites.
Good luck and happy hunting for your canine friend.

I'd love to put the photos on but they are with my brother in Sunderland and go back 40-50yrs. our lakeland had 'white socks' on his front paws which made him stand out from the other 2 lakelands in the area

another consideration is bigger dogs need bigger food bowls! that can be very expensive and people often forget this. I like the idea of a rescue dog from a dogs home/trust. My eldest says that is where she will get hers from when she finally has her own home etc.

Poppylover@Thank you very much for your lovely comment. What is interesting, you are not the only one who warns me from Westhighland terrier. I was told that they are moody, stubborn, introverts (lol) etc. Who knows. But thank you for that note.

Seaburngirl@I already found Lakeland terrier by Google. They are cute dogs:) We have a very old Aerdel terrier, so Lakeland terrier seems to me like his smaller copy :)))

My half brothers partner has a West Highland terrier , they need clipping and are very noisy / yappy , also this is our experience we use to have a lovely friendly old dog he wouldn't hurt a thing , A couple moved into a house at the bottom of our garden they had a West Highland Terrier it jumped the fence and plunged it's fangs into Barneys neck ( our dog ) and wouldn't let go , I managed to get it off and literally threw it back over the fence before I had time to turn round to inspect the damage it was back over and attacking him again , we might have been unlucky in our meetings with them but we wouldn't consider having one ... I like the Fox Terrior and you already know his character .......

What ever dog you choose Kat I hope it will be a lovely natured dog. A true companion and a faithful friend!

In U.K. Kat we have the Greyhound Trust who look after greyhounds to save them being destroyed when they are no longer wanted by thugs of men for greyhound racing tracks.
The Greyhound Trust foster these dogs out with people so that they can enjoy having a real home after the horrible life they have had.
My neighbours had one, then had a second one to make a friend for the first one.
They love them so much, and these dogs are so friendly, gentle and grateful. They only need a 20 minute walk twice a day.
There may be a similar organisation in Czeckoslovakia.

We always had mixed breed dogs, of various parentage. tTe best ever was part Alsation, such an intelligent dog, as was the Labrador cross.

I'd love to have a dog now, but I'm not sure I'd be able to look after it properly, so I won't risk it - of course, the only way to findo ut is to have a go! I've been looking for a dog refuge locally, so that I could visit, and be an "auntie", to see how I get on with that first.

It'd mean a complete turn around of lifestyle, which is the other reason I hesitate - having to house train a puppy and teach it not to chew everything - not sure how good I'd be at that. It would get me out more, with daily walks.

lol I'd get a mixed breed dog myself, I think - can't have a dog whose pedigree is more impressive than my own!

Hello Dianne, I am almost sure we do not have such trust or organization. First, we do not have greyhound racing (at least in Slovakia, I am not sure about Czech republic), second-lack of money. Although they look elegant creatures, for some reason I have always impression from them, that these dogs are sad and very much keep under control their temperament. I need spontaneous and playful dog, to cheer me up :)
Also, I cannot imagine myself walking here, in this Slovak village, with greyhound, lol.

Lol, Fran, you are right with mixed breed (or "bumsa rasa" as I call them in Slovak). We had just one as far as I rememeber and we loved him enormously. He was cross of black Tibetian dog and beardie or poodle, that what vet told us. One day he appeared as already adult, but still young dog, in front of our doors. Mother didn´t want him, so asked father to bring some meal for the dog very far from the house. He did. but every morning the dog was in front of our doors. Once he slipped into the garage and - stayed with us. We named him TULISH (which means vagabond). He was embodiement of emotional intelligence and joy. When he wanted to enter the room, he scratched the door and sitted down waiting patiently for somebody to open. He was always sitting on the chair behind table having Sunday lunch with us. He ate his small portion and the rest of time was watching us across the table, and waggled with tail if somebody spoke to him. My mother used to take him for walks. And as she is old, her walk is slowly. He was imitating her and walked as slowly as she, never pulled her. This was very funny and villagers always stoped and wanted to touch him, his name became familiar to many people. When Tulisko died, we cried several days, as if family memeber died. My mother was mourning so much, that she lost seven kilos and since that time hasn´t wanted any dog in the house.

when i was little i called wire haired fox terriers white lakelands :o) similar size and in our case personality.

my dad and gradmother had airedales but were too big for our family situation hence the lakeland.

FRan@And Fran, I think for dogs there are no obstacles, considering love. I would recommend you to get one, too. You will see, that they do not complicate life, they make it easier. What about Golden Retriever?

Seaburngirl@ :) I agree, if I choose terrier, then not bigger then foxie :))
By the way, did you see the film "As good as it gets" with Jack Nicholson? It showed, beside the main story line, that dog is master in psychology and thus is really for everybody :))

Fran@
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itIDxKxfGJI

Do you have Rescue Centres in Slovakia ?

Of course we do, but I do not want dog from there. They are in majority adult dogs there, some mutilated. I want dog from his early age in order he could accustom better and one of those three above.

the problem with adoptiung an adult dog is that you don't know how it's been treated previously. Friend of mine once rescued a Saluki that would otherwise have been put down - it wouldn't eat dog food from a dish, only scraps from a plate - and when she picked up a broom to do some sweeping, it ran away crying, so not hard to guess how it had been previously treated. Sadly, she had to take it to the vets when it began to threaten her kids - and Salukis are big dogs.l

I agree. That´s very sad. From psychology point of view people, who torture animals as children, later, when they become adult, do the same to other people. They do not all become snipers. For instance, they do it in a hidden manner or socially less detectable, like soldiers or as bullying. Some of them take jobs which enable them to manipule others in some way (like police, secret services, computer specialists, higher public offices). I noticed it very often in my life.
That´s why I have become very radical with all kids treating animals bad. When I worked and studied in Cracow, I was looking for appartment to rent and visit a family of the captain, sailor, whose wife had 4 kids and took care of daughter of her sister. She had one room free, so she wanted to rent it to me. I visited them and when the doors opened, I was warmly welcomed by brown medium sized dog, very nice, with sailors´ scarf around the neck. I asked later about the dog, which was very friendly with all her kids. She answered to me, that they found him in woods, crucified to the trunk of the tree. They took him to the vet and children had so compassion with him that she finally decided to keep him.

I should have mentioned Katerina, my neighbours who are fostering the Greyhounds have problems, as hubby has Emphysema, so the smooth coated pets suit him perfectly, and the walking distance is just right. He has to go on Oxygen twice daily to get his breath.

Good luck in your search Katarina...maybe a young pup will find you! I mean that someday soon you will hear of some puppies, go see them and fall in love with one!
Having 3 large pure bred dogs, English Pointers they are beautiful and very good natured.
I am also wondering if a cross breed is best healthwise?

Dianebulley@lol. You made me laugh. Fortunately, I have very good lung capacity, due to years of swimming and cycling.

You are right Lulu, pure breeds have very often health problems - usually musculosceletal or cardiovascular.That´s what I am afraid of. I know English pointers, my Uncle, who was huntsman, had one. But I do not rememeber him as nice and playful as was Uncle´s next dog, Irish setter.

Look on this French buldog. It is incredible how intelligent is he.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN5I-f2x_aY

I met a friend last night who is about to pick up a French bulldog puppy!!

Oh, Lucky! I contacted few guys, but all puppies are already gone.

Free to a good home .
One middle age Springer Spaniel,Two reconditioned front legs,
Eats like a horse.Affectionate to the extreme,said to have a handsome attractive face which is more than can be said for the other end,does everything he's told (but in his own time)Will run through fire and water to catch a squirrel.
Low maintenance other than he needs bathing and drying most days and James Wellbeloved to finish off.
Photo above.lol

BJS @ Hahahaha :))

HB@I wish a dog, as with bitches there are problems each spring and sometimes even each autumn, lol.
The foxterier Asta, the one I had as a child, ran every other day for neighbours´ hens and ducks, lol.

I dont see whats funny about Emphysema. I had a Whippet from a Rescue Centre, she was so used to scavenging for something to eat she didnt stop picking up orange peel in the street for 3 weeks. Grew on to become a lovely devoted friend to me. She knew I am deaf, and made it her job to listen for anyone coming to the door. I could tell from her reaction who it was, even the relatives coming next door. Very sad when she grew old and I had to take her on a one way trip to the Vet.
Think Kat has to learn to understand a dog, not demand it adapts itself to her orders.

I think we just have very different points of view Dianne Bulley and I see no reason why you should persevere on commenting my intentions and wishes. Only if you have other intention.
As respiratory physician I do not see anything funny on emphysema, which is mostly caused by the patient herself/himself (smoking). I considered funny something else - association of this disease with certain breed. I think dogs are useful for man in many health conditions and he/she must do their own choice at the end.

Does somebody have experience with Boston terrier?

Not me Kat...only experience with Pointers, whippets, daschunds, labrador, spaniel and a few cats along the way! 1 rabbit eaten by wild cat, 1 guinea pig eaten by my dog the spaniel who was by far, the naughties dog we ever had! He was meant to be the best bred as well!

Fuj, Lulu. Poor piggy. My terrier never ate our guinea pigs, although they are all claimed to be rat-catchers by blood.

I think my scope is narrowing to Boston terrier. Found a breed with father from the USA :))

You must have had a very well behaved terrier!!
Good luck with your search.

Yes SHe was so wise. Unfortunately, they shot her.

Oh dear :(((