Chihuahua (and other toy) owners!

[Borderstotheleftofme]

How noisy are your dogs..?

Space constraints mean next dog has to be small really.
Think we are decided on a chihuahua, but, I hate barking...

This is the plan which was followed for current (exceptionally quiet) dog and I’m hoping will work for pup?

• The puppy will be taught to go to it’s bed when the doorbell rings/door is knocked and stay there until released.

Lots and lots of treats for silence.

• Any barking and/or fence running outside mean an immediate end to being in the garden

• Complete ignoring of attention seeking barking.

• immediate doggy time out for barking eg at postman or people walking past window

Is it likely to work and result in a nice, quiet, non barking chihuahua?
Current dog virtually never barks in the house and that is exactly how I like it.

Exactly

And they love each other so much too. Big girl sees little girl as her own pup and is always washing her and cleaning her.

She even came into milk when we first got her and little girl nursed from big girl

In a lighthearted way it seems like your husband wants a "manly" looking dog and you want a small cute one
I suppose that’s partly true yes!
I wouldn’t say no to for example a Staffordshire bull terrier if they seemed perfect in every other way, I just don’t find them a very attractive breed!

We like biddable dogs who want to work for you and do as they are told, we like quiet dogs who don’t bark much, we like dogs that have stamina who can be out all day but will chill and sleep if required.
Those are our only real requirements.

Our current dog really couldn’t be more perfect for us but she’s fairly big and I don’t know if we could really squeeze in another the same size.

We have a lhasa apso a small one so about the same size as a chihuahua. She barks at a sparrow's fart and should a speck of dust three streets away be disturbed. She does go to her bed when somebody comes to the door but she has barked as they came on the street, walked down the path and knocked on the door. She only shuts up when they come in. It's what she was bred for, good job we love her and the neighbour is deaf though.

I had a CCKS who was beautiful, quiet, very trainable and a total pleasure to live with.

Which is the total opposite of my current thug of a jack russell 😭🤣 (I'm kidding mostly. He's a lovely dog but I've never met one who is as pig headed!)

As a PP said, it’s starting to look like all the Littlies are quite vocal while the bigger guys tend to be quieter.

We have thought a lot about getting another of the same breed but im not sure it’ll fit 😖
They also shed a tonne and I’m not massively enthusiastic about the shedding doubled.
I already groom the dog and vacuum daily..

Aside from being on the go all day, a King Charles Spaniel could be good? Very friendly dogs and not yappy.

My mom had a quiet Chi but we were astonished about her quietness...

You need a Labrador but pocket sized...

You need a Labrador but pocket sized...
I do!
But I’m struggling to find anything suitable.
Current dog is Labrador sized.

Have a look at Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

I'd suggest a terrier but they're generally not the most biddable.

Miniature Schnauzer? I've only known one and she was quiet and happy but she was the farrier's dog so I only saw her in two hour slots.

Cocker Spaniel?

my neighbour has chihuauas. I swear i cant even put a cup down on the surface in my own kitchen without them going nuts next door.
My own dogs rarely bark at anything. Some breeds are more vocal than others, but ive never known a small dog to be quiet. Thats how they make up for their size

My family had a Staffie when I was a child and I can count on one hand the number of times I heard him bark.

He absolutely loved people and was great with my brother and I, although hadn’t been brought up meeting other dogs so didn’t get on well with them. I’ve known others since who are really friendly with dogs so I think it was a case of him not having had sufficient socialisation as a pup.

I wouldn’t describe any terrier as biddable however! They all seem to have a stubborn streak.

I’d still say a miniature poodle would suit your requirements most or maybe a cocker spaniel.

I know what you mean about men not wanting poodle type dogs though - my Dad was the same. Such a shame as they’re so trainable, can walk/run all day when needed and I like the fact that there’s no shedding!

Most dogs bark at one time or another it's a form of communication. I had a chihuahua he was yappy. If you don't want a dog barking don't get a dog. Two of my dogs bark at doorbell which I don't stop them as if I'm in the garden I would not hear the doorbell go. They stop barking once I open door. You can't expect a dog not to bark but you can train them to stop on command. I live rural and my dogs bark if someone is around that shouldn't be.

Looking at your requirements, what about a cocker spaniel? They're fairly small, hardy (will go all day) but are equally happy to snuggle up on your lap and sleep.

Perhaps a cocker, I was keen on Shelties too before I read that like chihuahuas they also are typically very noisy 😖

It seems that with regards to noise, pretty much all of the toy breeds seem to be out!
Which is really disappointing.

What about a toy or mini Aussie?

A friend has a chihuahua and it is by far the noisiest dog I have ever known. Walking him can be very embarrassing as he barks at everyone and everything,. however I don't know how much of this is down to personality and how much down to training.

Hm, I think I may have to let go of little dog dreams.

I have lived briefly next door to a dog that barks at every little noise and it’s awful, I personally really dislike the sound of barking and would really struggle with a dog that barked every time the door went or every time someone walked past etc.

Plus I would be so anxious as to the effect on neighbours and worrying constantly if I was going to get a council letter.

I have seen a lot of barky little dogs, not just chihuahuas but terriers, paps etc too.
I have always assumed it’s due to poor training and poor socialisation.

Our current dog doesn’t bark indoors, well, she has let out the (very) occasional one when startled by something but she virtually never barks.

I’ve been quite smug thinking it’s down to my training but maybe it’s just who she is and she was always going to be a naturally quiet dog.
Who knows.

Toy breeds are notorious for being noisy gobshites

They are also very stubborn and can be difficult to train.

Staffies are lovely dogs and you can find tiny ones too which is how big they were originally bred.

My old next door neighbour has a lovely little staffie called Sonya and she’s no bigger than a Jack Russell terrier. She’s diddy. Still strong but very loyal

my staffie doesnt bark, but she does make whimpery little chirping sounds if shes stressed

We have 2 chihuahua in our close one true to sterotype other is lovely .But always been treated same as a big dog

I have a chihuahua cross with a poodle. He can bark, especially when he wants something but we've put him in training and we properly socialised him. It really helped him and the training was also good for us too. He's 7 months now and no more of a barker than next doors labrador. I know that they are prone to being yappy but if you put the work in then they are lovely little dogs. Also, just a tip... try not to carry around so much. I know it would be hard as they're so small but apparently it can cause problems with them.. apparently they can become dominant and think you're all for them (trainer tip) Ours is very loving and we wouldn't be without him..

Certain breeds are well known for being noisy and it’s not lack of training. I’v been trying to stop my dog’s constant barking ever since he was three months old, I hate the noise, but nothing stops him.
Don’t buy a dog of a quiet breed which has awful health problems, like Cavaliers or Pugs.

I have two chihuahuas I wouldnt say they bark more than normal dogs at home, they dont bark in the house.
They are the most loving dogs I have ever encountered. They are always cuddling up to someone.
They also sleep alot.
They are very loyal.
The key to a great Chi is socialising them well.
I wouldnt be without one now.