Small dog breed recommendations

[Help987]

So excited to have a dog of my own for the first time. Growing up we had labradors and collies but I'd like a small/medium dog. Able to walk twice a day. Id like a more chilled/relaxed breed if that exists. Any recommendations or dogs to avoid?

Also can't stand yappy dogs

Hi! I have a Shi-poo. She’s a very intelligent little dog. About 7 kg. Looks very much like a poodle when cut short and like a little terrier when needing a cut. She has been the perfect dog for me. She goes everywhere with me within reason yet can stay home happily 6 hours a day if needed, after a morning walk and with an evening walk. She comes to work with me every day! I work in a school and she’s fantastic with kids. So calm, listens to the kids read and watches them playing. Loves other dogs on the walks but also happy being an ‘only child’. I’d recommend this cross breed and most poodle breeds however as pups they can be very over excited. You need experience training. My girl is very well behaved and sits quietly for example for hours on a train because we’ve done this from puppy hood. I think training is the key though.

Most small dogs are yappers though. Border terriers are nice.

Cockers are lovely, but I’m not convinced they’re a first time dog owners dog - not unless your eyes are open to the behavioural issues and you are sure to buy from the right breeder (lots of health issues)

I'd say avoid a crossbreed and go for a purebred, from a breeder recommended by your chosen breed club.

Soft coated Wheaten Terrier always seems to be one of the less yappy smaller breeds. I also know a couple of whippets that are pretty calm and not barky.

Regarding the yappy comment, this is usually down to how they are bred. I see people carry their small dogs, pick them up when other dogs come over etc. and then they wonder why they’re fearful and vocal.

I have a small breed that might be called a handbag dog. He has never sat in a handbag or been carried around, and therefore is just your average normal dog!

My last Border Terrier didn't bark at anything, my current BT is making up for that 🤣. Only really when she's playing now, but it is a breed trait related to the job they were bred for. My first dog, a Miniature Poodle, was definitely more chilled.

Totally agree that training is key. If you get a puppy, most (not all) behavioural problems will come down to a lack of appropriate training and exposure to things in those first few formative months.

Yes, particularly for working dogs, there are traits that sit with the breed but, with proper, positive training no dog should be a yappy nightmare.
There are certain dogs, like Kokonis, that are bred to be passive, relaxed ‘house dogs’ but even they can be difficult. I’ve had THE most chilled terrier and my friend had an incredibly highly strung Lab… No guarantees unless you get a rescue from a trusted source and they can tell you truthfully that dog’s personality. That said, small, well trained, chilled rescues are probably hard to come by…

We have a cavashon and she's been the best dog (for us!). Very chill, doesn't need heaps of walking and a sweet, affectionate temperament. My son has extra needs so we wanted a very manageable breed. She's a very good 'starter dog', I'd say

Just to add.. because she's so sociable she doesn't like being left alone for long periods but great if there's usually someone around the house.

I had a Yorkshire terrier and she was the sweetest little dog. I never thought she was particularly yappy. She barked when people came to the door or if she heard something outside which many many dogs do. It wasn’t excessive.

Get a whippet, it'll sleep all day and all night.

Our border terrier is a complete delight and lots of our friends with different breeds remark on how easy she is.

Super friendly, loves kids and other dogs, gets excited when the doorbell goes but is otherwise not at all yappy. Can walk/run for miles but loves lounging around with us too and settles well. Not fussy with food, really healthy and fit. Lots of personality - makes us laugh all the time.

Not a bad bone in her body.

Have a look a papillons, beautiful and extremely intelligent little dogs.

Border terrier- here's mine. Best. Dog. Ever.
I can see several other Border owners have best dogs ever too- I'll never have another breed. And I've noticed there's an affinity between Border families who always seem to stop and compare notes on how they love each other's dogs.

I know chihuahuas are generally considered yappy, but I have two and they never ever yap/bark at other dogs or people. They're honestly so sweet and loving, and just funny little characters! It's definitely important to socialise them well, but I honestly couldn't recommend them more.

There’s not a lot of love here for various poos or doodles, but we have one (fairly recently) and she’s been great (so far!)

You have to be super careful with the breeders, as there are a lot of unethical ones out there. Ideally going with one where you know others have had good experiences is best, and avoid anybody who won’t give you good verifiable information about the health of the parents and grandparents. When we bought ours we were being checked out as owners as much as we checked them out, and they were very clear that they wanted first call if anything went wrong no matter how long down the line.

As for the dog herself, she’s well socialised, well trainable, and nicely confident. Although I’m not so keen on her habit of trying to lick the cat’s butt, the charms of which I’m hoping will wear off over time…

My chihuahua isn't yappy. He barks when someone comes to the door, but not otherwise.

He's calm and just likes to cuddle.

Border or bedlington terrier. Both very easy in my experience, while still being feisty enough to be fun.

Another Border Terrier lover here!
Mine isn’t a yapper at all, although he does make a great doorbell!
Easy to train despite a little stubbornness, loves everyone. In my neighbourhood, we are always getting stopped, everyone knows his name!

He’s the best companion, and he makes me belly laugh daily.

Another Border Terrier household here. Ours is an absolute cuddly delight but also the yappiest wee shite that has ever lived 😬

Havanese... fabulous little dogs. My brother has one, and he can walk for miles but then curls up on your lap like a cat. Not yappy.

Ex-Border owner joining the ranks of BT praisers: ours was a sweetie who adored his family, and was adored back. We still miss him, especially now I’ve started to forget about his deep-seated and socially awkward loathing of black labradors.