Small dog advice

[user1460471313]

I have finally managed to convince my husband to allow us to get a dog and I am researching breeds. I would prefer a smaller dog. We had Lhasa Apso’s growing up which were very happy on their own during the day but also not hugely intelligent and very yappy. My research keeps bring in me back to a miniature/ toy poodle or some sort of poodle cross. Havanese and Maltese look suitable also but I’m concerned about their ability to be left alone. We generally work from home but would like the ability to go out for a few hours. I also want minimal shedding and yapping. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated! 🙏

I have a toy poodle and he’s super yappy unfortunately. The front door going, anyone walking past the house, even shadows 🫣 they are very intelligent though.

How much walking are you able to do each day? And grooming wise how much would you be willing to spend on a scale of DIY bath and brush when needed to full groom every 6 weeks?

I don’t mind moderate grooming and hair cuts but definitely don’t want shedding. Equally some yapping is ok as long as the dog has a generally friendly disposition. I’d prefer a dog which doesn’t require a huge amount of walking but is also happy to join in on a longer jaunt at times!

Don't get a jack Russell . I love ours dearly but he barks at absolutely everything and would happily walk 20 miles a day.

Shih Tzu could be a nice fit, or a Yorkshire terrier or westie.

No dog will naturally be happy left alone from day one.
It’s something you can’t force until they are ready.
Puppies shouldn’t be left at all, until they are independently choosing to spend time in a separate room, not follow you about etc

But most people get a dog and work, so they just leave them and say they’ll get used to it but of course they don’t cope, so they develop nervous/neurotic behaviour, if not separation anxiety

A friendly disposition is partly genetics and partly a good start/socialising appropriately.

Some dogs are naturally calmer/lap dogs, but there’s no guarantee.

An intelligent breed like a poodle needs a job to do. So trained in some sort of sport, ideally.

I appreciate that training will play a large part in it and I am prepared to put in the effort. I keep on reading about separation anxiety with many of these dogs which is what has concerned me. I know not all breeds are like this as my Lhasa apso’s weren’t. I was wondering what people’s experience with any of these breeds are

If I was after a small dog I’d get a border terrier.

I recommend King Charles spaniels. I grew up with them after our very yappy poodle died.
They were so quiet! Some grooming required but they are lovely gentle souls ime

bichon frise?

I have a terrier cross who is perfect, he’s not yappy, no separation anxiety, will walk all day or happy with two short walks, he’s really clever and knows loads of tricks. He’s not keen on other dogs but we’ve trained him to walk past and ignore them.

I was thinking of King Charles spaniel. They sound lovely. My only concern was the separation anxiety again. I don’t know much about bichon frise

I have a miniature poodle - get one!! 😍

King Charles spaniels are the most unhealthy breed, I think they die younger (on average) than pugs and frenchies 😢 they are also companion dogs so wouldn’t be happy being left for long.

I have only ever met very friendly bichon fries, they would need regular grooms but overall seem like a lovely small dog.

Whippet or miniture schnauzer.

My Border Terrier also doubles as the doorbell. Other than that, he’s perfect. He sheds a bit, not yappy, and can be left for 3 hours or so. Super intelligent, he was a dream to toilet train. Loves a long sniffy walk. Loves a snuggle. He genuinely makes me belly laugh everyday.

My Boston terrier is a sweetheart, playful a cuddly, v easy to train. Rarely barks at all, loves people coming to the house.

We got a pomeranian recently, the breed really surprised me and we really enjoy her. Shes really smart, I enjoy brushing her to be honest and she hs such a lovely character.

Cavalier king Charles spaniels and king Charles spaniels malt like hell and both with issues.

Italian greyhound other wise might be a good fit

Cairn. Very underrated. Or a yorkie. I’ve had 3 and none were yappy.

I'm not a dog person and maybe because of that it sounds as if you're not that keen deep down. I mean, you like the idea of a dog, but none of the responsibility, like the frequent walks. You also don't want dog fur or dog noise. None of this says that you genuinely want a dog. Pets are a huge responsibility. When they get older, they can cost hundreds in pet insurance, or thousands without pet insurance.

@RogueFemale thanks for your insight. I can assure you that I do want a dog and I understand the work involved. Many of these requirements are from my husband. Also I don’t think it’s that unusual for people to choose a breed which requires less walking. Isn’t that most smaller dogs which are very popular in general. My primary question was regarding the breeds ability to be left alone at home as I don’t want to take on the responsibility and then find that we are unable to leave the house without the dog

My poodle has terrible separation anxiety and is very yappy, particularly when he wants attention.

I think Havanese are the most perfect little dogs. Happy, friendly etc.
They are companion breeds so you'll need to put in the effort with training them to be happy on their own when young, but that's fairly standard with most breeds.

I’ve a cairn x yorkie x poodle but she looks like a tea cup yorkie.
she’s very quiet, placid and such a lovely easy dog.
From what I’ve seen it’s the yorkie and cairn breeds in her that have this personality.
Also no shedding, no yapping etc.

We had a westie who was lovely- non shedding,happy with a long ir short walk,very easy to house train and great with the DC with a lovely temperment

I know you said no to a Lhasa, but ours only barks, if the doorbell goes, which we haven’t trained her out of, as we prefer that, and when she needs to go outside. Otherwise no yapping. She’s 14.

Perfectly happy to be on her own or with us. Happy for short or long walks. Up to the last 6 months or so when she has slowed down a tad. No separation anxiety whatsoever. Maybe we are lucky.

She’s sometimes left at home, and knows the word kitchen and off she trots to her bed. If we go to my family we take her. If dh’s, we leave her as they have cats. It works and we come home and she’s usually asleep. (Snoring).