I often hear concerns from prospective owners who want a dog with a terrier character but fear the typical, sometimes overly lively terrier nature: constant barking, quick reactions to every movement, tension. There is a belief that every little terrier must be loud and "electric". At my kennel, Little Shining Angels, I set out to show this is not necessarily so.
Character is inherited just like colour
When people choose a dog, they often look mainly at appearance. But the truth is that character is inherited just as reliably as coat colour. When I plan matings for my black Terriers, chocolate Terriers and Biewer Terriers, temperament matters as much to me as looks. In fact, more.
I do not simply select dogs that meet the appearance standard. I consciously also choose those with a calmer character. Over years of experience I have gradually built calmness into my line. My dogs are not the ones to erupt at every sound. They are terriers with all the genuine intelligence, courage and curiosity, but without the nervousness that would disturb peaceful living together.
Upbringing begins with me and continues with you
Genetics alone are not enough. My kennel is a calm zone. Puppies grow up from the first days in an environment without unnecessary excitement and constant barking. The fact that my dogs are calm is no accident. It is the result of a consistent, settled environment I create for them every day.
When a puppy comes to your home, you take over. You become the one who builds on that foundation. If you want a dog that is composed, loyal and does not bark without reason, you will nurture that calmness with it too. But if you encourage tension and react nervously to every canine reaction, the dog will quickly take that on. Dogs are mirrors.
My promise
My philosophy is simple. To every owner I hand over a healthy, bright little terrier with a calm foundation. Anyone who wants a distinctly loud dog that reacts to every movement in the house will have to raise it that way themselves. At my home we stay true to the calm zone, because I believe it is the finest gift I can give both the dog and its new family.
Literature and sources
Serpell J, Duffy DL (2014). Dog breeds and their behavior. In: Horowitz A (ed.), Domestic Dog Cognition and Behavior. Springer, pp. 31–57.
Gazzano A, Mariti C, Notari L, Sighieri C, McBride EA (2008). Effects of early gentling and early environment on emotional development of puppies. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 110(3–4):294–304.
Overall KL (2013). Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats. Elsevier Mosby.
