Miniature snauzers and other non shedding breeds

[Coffeesnob11]

I have had dogs in the past and am looking to get one next year. I have been looking for non shedding dogs and think that a miniature snauzer would fit best. The only thing is do they bark a lot? I appreciate dogs bark but what I don't want is something that is noisy all the time.
If anyone would like to suggest any low allergy small dog breeds I may not have considered I would be grateful. It is just me and my 3 year old. I work form home some of the time and have doggy daycare sorted for the rest. I am looking for something that is family friendly, happy to be an only dog, is happy with a couple of shorter walks a day and that is generally happy and easy to do (dog groomer also sorted)

These threads normally tell you that most miniature schnauzers do bark a lot. I don’t have any experience myself but I do have a friend with a very lovely one who doesn’t bark much at all. Another friend has one which doesn’t like children. I think it’s quite unpredictable what they will be like and it’s helps to research breeders carefully.

Lots of people will tell you border terriers are a good alternative and I think if you research breeders you should be able to find a lovely border too.

They can bark a lot, even ones trained as an assistance dog.
They don't "sing the song of their people" like a Beagle. However, if they ask for their ball, they expect their ball and will remind you constantly. Personally I rather like their persistent stubbornness, I should imagine some will find it wearing.

Have you looked at Yorkies?

If you are willing to put the effort into training and can cope with them sometimes being a bit demanding, they are lovely.
The schnauzer is by far the easiest of this crew.

I definitely don't was a border. My mil has 3 who all need hours of walks a day and have a high terrier drive.
I haven't looked at yorkies. I maybe wrong assumed they were good with kids and were very vocal with short dog syndrome.

I ruled out a tibetan terrier as they were bigger than I thought and more vocal.
I quite liked the ceskys I met but just preferred the snauzer.

Schnauzers are pretty noisy - I've never met a quiet one. They are lovely dogs but I think you need to have a high tolerance for noise.

What's your thoughts on mini poodles? They don't need huge amounts of exercise, really, but they do love company and would need some mental stimulation/brain work too.

Mine’s a quiet one!
The breeder told me his litter was the chillest they’d ever had, so obviously a bit of an exception. He yawns loudly (yaraooo) if he can’t have something and can “whine/whistle” when he wants attention.

But apart from one bark if the doorbell rings he’s quiet. He clatters on the wooden floor with his nails if he’s doing something exciting or naughty (stealing socks). People have been known to step back on him as he sneaks up behind you quietly and we often ask each other which of his hiding places he’s in.

About the non shedding. Since Ralph arrived our dust bunnies are darker but he doesn’t leave visible fur around the house.
I strip his back “jacket” with a stripping knife to take out the undercoat (YouTube) and he has a professional groom every 6 weeks. A shower with professional shampoo when necessary, maybe every three weeks.
A stripped Schnauzer doesn’t smell, although he was ill recently with D&V and stank of cheese rinds!

I have a shih tzu/Bichon frise cross and he ticks your boxes. He's the same as a previous poster in that he barks for attention as in want ball bark want food bark but otherwise he is generally good.

About being an “only dog”. Mine definitely suffers from loneliness. He has three teddies to bully and carry around the house and he lies down in front of a mirror to watch the other dog. At 8 months he’s a bit calmer about meeting other dogs but he’d play with and trot after any dog, any size.
There’s no way we’re getting another dog, so we make up for it by going to the dog park a lot.

I would recommend a bichon frise to tick all your boxes.

Miniature poodles are delightful, but as puppies they have an awful lot of energy.

Tibetan terrier?

@ramonaquimby

Tibetan terrier?

They were bigger than expected and very reactive bark wise. I found them a lot noisier than the snauzers I met.

I know 2, they are so cute. Not too barky but then they are not mine. Good luck with the search

I have a schnauzer who barks at the doorbell, but is otherwise quiet. Doesn't bark at all when she's out and about. She'll make a variety of excited noises if any of her people turn up, and let me know the post has come(!), but otherwise she's a peaceful soul.
It sounds as though they'd be a great breed for you in many ways. I think the barking is the luck of the draw though.

I haven't looked at yorkies. I maybe wrong assumed they were good with kids and were very vocal with short dog syndrome

Yorkies are fab. Happy to walk all day, equally happy hunting mice in the garden if not. Great with kids, good alert dogs but not yappy if you train them properly. You do need to train them though, it’s not short dog syndrome so much as owners who cba with training, and they learn very quickly how to get what they want! Very clever and easily trainable if you bother with it.

Also look at cairns. Underrated but amazing little dogs.

We got a non shedding Yorkie last Feb as our first dog. We couldn't be more thrilled with our choice. Very friendly, quiet and cuddly but a proper little character. Sleeps a lot too. Barks when post arrives but that's about it.

I have 2 yorkies, they are non shedding! They can be a little yappy, but as soon as I say shh they stop!

Anything with poodle in it. I have a terrier, poodle, Spaniel mix and it doesn't shed at all. The terrier means it's barky tho. My friend has a cockerpoo and she's not barky and doesn't shed

What about a Tibetan terrier? Non
Shedding and you won't need a doorbell but generally fairly quiet otherwise and easy going.

Westie! Don’t shed, non oily coat, amazing with children. I think some can be a bit barky, but we trained ours not to when he was young and he rarely does now. The occasional single bark to alert us to something or a one-off hearty bark when first let out in the morning but that’s it.

Westie? Kept short the shedding is minimal, mine is great fun and doesn't bark or whine. Great with kids and loves other dogs. Always happy to be involved whether that means a party or a nap on the sofa. Loves a hike but will tolerate a week of short walks if life gets busy.

Oh cross post! But see - westies are ace!

I love westies but aren't they prone to a skin condition that turns their skin purple and itchy?

I do like the idea of a yorkie too.

I am in no rush so will do my best to speak to a few people and try and meet some of the other breeds. Unfortunately the westies and yorkies weren't at discover dogs this weekend.

another vote for Yorkshire terrier here to. I have noticed they are usually only yappy if people have more than 1 a single yorkie in the house is usually quiet unless like another poster said the post arrives!. lovely playful dogs, hypoallergenic and non shedding. they do love a good walk but as they are only small they do not require hours of exercise each day.

If you're not keen on barking I'd suggest a cat.

My westie had a lovely laid back character most of the time but was very vocal, especially in the house. And yes, he did have the skin complaint but it was easily managed with medicated shampoo.

My sister's poodle is neurotic, yappy and hates children (has to be muzzled when we visit). Obviously, he might not be representative of the breed.

Norfolk terriers would be my preferred breed and our choice for our next dog, but they have small litters and it can be tricky to find a puppy I think.