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English Toy Terriers (ETTs) are elegant, hilarious, deeply loyal little dogs and they’re also one of the UK’s vulnerable native breeds. In this episode of The Yappy Hour, Nathan chats with Nikki Cole of Delightful Dogs Dog Training about what makes ETTs so special, what “vulnerable breed” really means, how trends affect the breeds we see, and how dog guardians can make informed, heart-led choices when bringing a dog into their lives.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ What an English Toy Terrier (ETT) is and why they’re often mistaken for Doberman puppies
✅ What “vulnerable breed” means in the UK, and why it matters
✅ The everyday joys of living with an ETT (including the iconic blanket-burrowing!)
✅ What to consider before welcoming an ETT into your home
✅ How to find a responsible breeder (health tests, paperwork, ethics, and red flags)
✅ What large-dog guardians should know before “downsizing” to a small breed
✅ How social media trends influence popular breeds and what gets overlooked
✅ The risks of “over-promoting” rare breeds (and how to advocate responsibly)
✅ Under-the-radar breeds worth exploring (Deerhounds, Norwich/Norfolk Terriers, Lancashire Heelers, setters + more)
✅ Enrichment ideas for terriers: scent work, trick training, and safe shredding outlets
Key Takeaways:
- English Toy Terriers are small dogs with big personalities: affectionate, loyal, and brilliantly portable companions.
- “Vulnerable breeds” need responsible awareness, not hype, preserving breed heritage without creating unhealthy trends.
- Good breeders welcome questions, share health testing evidence, and care deeply where each puppy ends up.
- Small dogs aren’t “easier”, they’re different: fragility, socialisation, and handling skills matter even more.
- Enrichment is everything: scent work and appropriate outlets can help make terriers calmer, happier.
- If you’re choosing a dog, look beyond what’s fashionable. Your best match might be a breed you’ve never heard of.
Thanks for tuning in! Let’s celebrate the joy and challenges of dog parenting together, because we’re all here for the dogs.
Connect with Nikki
Delightful Dog’s Dog Training Facebook page
Delightful Dog’s Dog Training website
Connect with Nathan and Yappily
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