If you want small consider a terrier. They are really under rated as pets.
They're smart, really trainable, cuddly, independent, hardy and really fun little dogs.
You do need to choose carefully. Terriers are still inherently working dogs but most don’t have the drive now unless they are from long lines of working stock.
Some are more terrier than others. Borders, cairns and westies are biddable great little dogs. Jack Russells can be but you’d need to make sure they have been bred for sound temperament.
I have a border terrier from a very good breeder. Mum is a lovely calm, friendly pet. Dad is a show dog. She’s cuddly, affectionate, fun, loves learning and is excelling at Dog School compared to a lot of other, more traditionally people orientated breeds. She’s growing every day in confidence and is a pleasure to take out (albeit at 5 months is still very puppy).
She is bouncy around our cat but it’s all play. Her relatives lived happily with the breeders cat and chickens! So we’re hoping when she’s less Puppy she’ll be less irritating. Our cat doesn’t care but we mostly keep them separate.
Grooming she’s not all that hairy but she’s likely to need hand stripping once every 9 months or so. She doesn’t really shed much.
Our last dog was a terrier sight hound cross. Again really trainable, lived with cats with zero issues and got to grade 5 in agility. She was a rescue we adopted at 6 months old.
Ive got a lot of experience of multiple breeds through my volunteer role of agility trainer. I know I could not live with a working gun dog personally. They need so much to keep them genuinely happy. They are busy busy dogs. They’re a disaster in the wrong home.
Anything with poodle in it is a real gamble. Can be great can be neurotic and really hard work. Pure poodles are lovely. I’d love a mini poodle as they are wonderful. But husband has a thing about them.
Agood idea would be to visit Discover Dogs at Crufts. Speak to breed enthusiasts and meet the dogs.