Small or medium dog - mini/toy poodle, bichon, maltese or westie?

[icelolly12]

Hi,

Here to pick your brains please..

I'm looking to get a small/medium dog, but keep reading up on various breeds and struggling to make a decision. I am mainly looking at the breeds of mini/toy poodle, bichon, maltese or westie, but open to other breeds too. What I am looking for:

-A dog that doesn't bark much - this is where I'm struggling to get useful info, websites just say 'low/average/high barking' for example but what does this mean in reality for the above small breeds? I really really do not want a 'yappy' dog this would drive me mad as I have noise sensitivity.

-Able to socialise easily with other dogs when walking - I don't want to be that dog owner that everyone hates. What small dogs are less likely to suffer from little dog syndrome? I know a lot is down to socialisation, but some breeds are more prone to being happy around other dogs than others.

-Low shedding/hypoallergenic, low scent and low drool - I don't want a stinky dog like a beagle or a spaniel although I love these dogs, they're not for me.

-easy to housetrain - this is where I'm a bit concerned about a bichon as they're difficult to housetrain apparently?

-Happy to snuggle up on the sofa in peace and contentment while watching tv/reading/chilling - gentle, happy companion dog

-Very affectionate and loving. I want a dog that is owner focused not a cat like dog that doesn't really care that much.

-Happy to come out for both short and long walks - bit worried about some smaller breeds stamina for long hikes as I do like to go for long hikes at weekends etc and obviously want a dog to join me.

So in summary, a sweet, calm loving dog that doesn't bark a lot and will also be great to take across the moors/hills/beach for nice long country walks at weekends.

Any specific experience of breeds would be great in relation to the above points particularly relating to barking- 'yappiness', walk ability- stamina and companionship.

Thanks in advance :-)

I have a 6year old male Bichon. No health problems bar a slightly sensitive tummy. Needs regular grooming. Good with other dogs but more interested in people, he:s extremely friendly and very good with children. House and crate trained easily although rarely use the crate now. He does bark if I have to go out but stops as soon as I'm out the door. Will also bark to let me know someone's coming to the door. I could probably have trained this out of him but it doesn't bother me. He adores cats but barks at squirrels!

He likes walks but is also happy to snuggle up on the sofa while I work or read. He's a sensitive soul and knows if I'm upset. He's just the best!

@Ruralbliss

We got a Yorkie pup in Feb and he is the sweetest, quietest, most loving, cuddly friendly chap you could ever wish for. Very submissive but friendly with other dogs.

Can walk for miles as proven on recent holidays but equally happy with tiny walks.

Hypoallergenic fur.

He's brilliant.

That's interesting. Family and neighbours yorkies have always tended to be quite yappy which has put me off...but maybe it was their training or lack of.

He sounds lovely @KateF with his white coat have you found any skin issues?

@Ylvamoon

Tibetan Terrier (not a Terrier but an all round utility dog!)

I will have to look into this breed, thank you.

I used to be a volunteer for Hearing Dogs, and they specifically bred cockapoos because they met pretty much all of your requirements.

You could even volunteer as a puppy walker for them yourself if there is a group in your area - and you’d get first dibs on keeping any that fail the training.

@Mamainthemaking - I agree with a lot of what you say but my westie is a bit of an aberration.

She's not the brightest (although I am comparing her to my other dog who is a cocker/westie cross and could solve world peace if she was willing to use her powers for good. Unfortunately, her main aim is to get one over on us).

She was reasonably easy to train. She is very eager to please so she will follow through. The cross is definitely one who wants to know what's in it for her though.

She is affectionate and, while she likes attention, she's not terribly demanding.

She does like exercise but she's fine with one decent walk a day and a bit of playing in the house. I wouldn't say she's very high needs in terms of exercise, more moderate. The cross is similar but is more fussy about her walks. She won't go out in the rain and she gets fed up if we're taking the same route too frequently.

She does shed but the cocker/westie mix is horrendous. You could stuff a mattress with her hair on a weekly basis.

They're both adorable though

I have 2 shih tzus and they have never been yappy. They used to be happy to walk a long distance but they're 16 and 17 now so can't manage it. Very loyal and calm.

@feesh I'm not a cocker or springer spaniel person as in my experience they smell really terrible especially as they age. I'd rather keep that aspect out of any mix just to be on the safe side! But thank you, and what a fab charity!

It's really interesting to hear what your dogs are like! This is why I posted so thank you.

I'd be too concerned about breathing issues with shih tzus @mrsjackrussell I also know somebody who has recently got one and it just looks bizarre, I'm not sure if it's the breed in general, or more likely the result of a bad breeder, but it's eyes literally point in different directions and it is a sweet thing, but totally clueless poor thing.

@OchonAgusOchonOh your post had me howling with laughter!

'could solve world peace if she was willing to use her powers for good. Unfortunately, her main aim is to get one over on us).'

Dogs are so funny aren't they! I agree not all Westies are like my overview. Like people, dogs are all different too!

Your two sound adorable!

@Mamainthemaking - Your two sound adorable!

They are and yes, they are all individual. It's great seeing the different personalities.

Have you thought about a Havanese? I have one and he’s wonderful.

Very low-shedding, super sweet and affectionate, LOVES being around people, and not very barky. He’s pretty high energy when he’s awake and loves his playtime but takes long naps too so I get plenty of downtime.

They’re supposedly a little trickier than average to toilet train but I don’t have anything to compare it to, mine took to it pretty easily but had a fair few accidents along the way. If you get a puppy then you’re going to have to clean up some accidents though, no matter what breed you get.

A lot of the stuff you list will be down to training, especially the socialising aspect, but I think they could be a good choice for you.

Go for a Cavalier. They are the most gentle companion fogs I know. I have never met one that wasn’t friendly. They are neither yappy nor mean to other dogs and can go on long hikes.

We had a miniature poodle and although I lived him, he was extremely high energy up until old age and was too smart for first-time owners like we were. He was not an easy dog. He also required a lot of maintenance. But he was gorgeous (see photo) and friendly to other dogs and could handle long walks. And no real health problems until he was 16 (although ours was accident-probe and sprained his legs a lot!).

We now have a pug (photo attached) and he is 10 times easier than our poodle ever was and extremely friendly and cuddly, but long hikes would not be advisable for a pug.

Sorry for all the typos!

@XelaM - Go for a Cavalier. They are the most gentle companion fogs I know. I have never met one that wasn’t friendly.

You never met my sister's one then. She wasn't aggressive or anything she just had no interest in other dogs or people. No way would she allow people to pet her. She liked cats though. She was most definitely odd.

@OchonAgusOchonOh Oh wow, first time I hear this about a Cavalier. Was he a rescue?

PP's mentioned separation anxiety with poodles, ours definitely suffered hugely from it and had to stay with my grandparents during the day because they were always home. Otherwise he cried when we were away that neighbours were complaining. They definitely don't like being alone and adore their family

@XelaM - first time I hear this about a Cavalier. Was he a rescue?

No. Just an unsociable git. She was reared with a cat so I think she acquired cat like traits from her. Proof of nurture over nature

But yes, she's the only cav I ever met who wasn't friendly.

IME Westies are epic yappers. Nice dogs, but do they yap. And yap. And yap.

Cavaliers are very prone to heart disease and having brains that are too big for their skulls.

Whippets can be really affectionate, lively, and easy to love with. And quiet.

*live with

We had a Westie.
No issues.
Didn't bark much at all.
The vet commented on how lovely her temperament was.

I know a Westie who barks all the item. He is gorgeous and extremely gentle but just likes the sound of his own voice . Kind of just barks to himself.

I also know a Tibetan terrier who is quite 'lively'. She is friendly but does sometimes just suddenly take a dislike to other dogs.

I don't want to put a dampener on your search but I just want to say that you can research breeds until you're blue in the face and you should do your research but dogs aren't robots. You might hear stories and read online about a particular breed being calm and never barking but the dog you choose might not be like this. My own little dog was socialised from a tiny puppy, loved other dogs for several years and then suddenly started hating other dogs. He is reactive now. He adores people and is amazing in so many ways. I don't think it's fair to say that you don't want a dog that people hate. A dog who barks sometimes and is nervous is not a bad dog.

If I was to suggest breeds, I would say a miniature poodle, bichon or chihuahua. Trained and loved in the right way, I think any of these three breeds would be your best bet.

Sorry OP, I've been out and missed your question. Charlie's not really had major skin issues. He occasionally gets an irritated patch and has to be discouraged from licking it but it's very occasional. I give him oily fish regularly as good for coat and skin.

@KateF Omg he's like a white teddy bear how CUTE!!! Good tip with the oily fish

@RosiePosieDozy I know where're you're coming from...all dogs have their own unique characteristics and personalities and their owner will hugely influence that. But I also know that some dogs have strong genetic traits, for example a high prey drive that can't be trained out of them so I think breed characteristics are important, although of course not a guarantee of behaviour at all, but I do feel that it's important I find the right breed for me.

[quote XelaM]@OchonAgusOchonOh Oh wow, first time I hear this about a Cavalier. Was he a rescue?

PP's mentioned separation anxiety with poodles, ours definitely suffered hugely from it and had to stay with my grandparents during the day because they were always home. Otherwise he cried when we were away that neighbours were complaining. They definitely don't like being alone and adore their family[/quote]
Seperation anxiety does concern me.

We had a border collie cross when I was a child that had extreme seperation anxiety and the neighbours complained about the constant barking whenever we left... he never barked in our company at all so this was all news to us!

@GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman

IME Westies are epic yappers. Nice dogs, but do they yap. And yap. And yap.

Cavaliers are very prone to heart disease and having brains that are too big for their skulls.

Whippets can be really affectionate, lively, and easy to love with. And quiet.

A few people have mentioned whippets. I have to say I'm not initially drawn to them as I do prefer the cute dogs with some fur to cuddle into but maybe I need to open my eyes to this breed.