I know this is the cat site, but I figure some of you probably know about dogs, too. I'm starting to do research into different dog breeds and breeders (not planning to actually adopt for another year and a half-two years, but I want to start early as it seems like a huge decision for me and I don't want to take it lightly or jump into anything, so I'm starting now). I'm an apartment dweller and probably always will be, so I definitely will want a small (under 20 pounds) dog - however I really dislike the yappiness and high strung temperments of a lot of the small breeds (I grew up with big dogs, border collies, so I guess I'm more used to that), so I'm trying to find small breeds that are known for NOT being yappy and high strung. So far based on the research I've done, I've found that pugs and boston terriers are said to be 'big dogs in small bodies', and not prone to yappiness or being high strung (the people down the hall have a pug, and he seems very hardy and clever and not at all yappy, great dog) - so my question is, does anyone know of any other small (under 20 lbs.) breeds like this? I realise that socialisation and training play a role, and that for any breed a non-yapper would be possible (yorkies are very popular around here, for example, and most of them are terribly yappy, but I know of one that isn't), and vice verse, that a generally non-yappy breed might have the occasional yapper, but I'm looking for breeds that are generally well known for not exhibiting those kinds of traits. Anyone know about dogs?
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Dog question...
- Thread starter juniper
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www.caninecrib.com can help you. The yappiness isn't always in the breed, it is sometimes in what the owner is doing, or not doing with a dog. Stay with the terrier group, but if you have cats, Jack Russells are not the way to go as they love to chase cats and have a high prey drive.
Back when I had roommates one of them had a Boston Terrier, she was SO sweet, and I don't remember hearing her bark too much. They do need a lot of excersize I think though.
The pugs that live in the apartment buildings near me are ALWAYS barking and howling.
Like you said though, it could just be socialization.
Maybe if you get an older dog they will already know if it is a barker or not?
Sorry I'm not much help though. I know little of dogs (I have to start researching soon myself). Good luck!
The pugs that live in the apartment buildings near me are ALWAYS barking and howling.
Like you said though, it could just be socialization.
Maybe if you get an older dog they will already know if it is a barker or not?
Sorry I'm not much help though. I know little of dogs (I have to start researching soon myself). Good luck!
How big is too big? Reason I ask is The Standard Poodle is about THE BEST all around dog there is! NOW they are breeding other dogs to it to make cross breeds.
They can be small - especially females - or less frequently VERY BIG! Show type ones are generally on the small side as they are easier to handle.
THEY do not bark are usually great with all people, cats, kids (SOME do have a Prey drive!) and you do NOT have to keep them in that stupid (IMHO) clip. They can be shaved down and just short all over. ONLY problem is they DO get ear problems from all the hair in their ears. Here is a photo of the BEST one EVER - and HE was a Tuxedo as well!
I'm biased I love Corgis.
Small, extremely smart and very energetic.
Small, extremely smart and very energetic.
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- #6
Awwww, he's beautiful! How big do standard poodles generally get? I think I'd be best sticking with something that would be 20 lbs. or under when full grown. Do the little poodles (not sure what they're called) have a similar tempermant to the standards?
Oh, and yes, I forgot to mention, I do have four cats (guess you guys could have figured that out from my siggy
), so a breed that does not have a high prey drive is a must, as well.
Oh, and yes, I forgot to mention, I do have four cats (guess you guys could have figured that out from my siggy
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- #7
Oh, but needing alot of exercise is a good thing (sorry, I should have thought to include all this in my original post) - I do a lot of walking for my own enjoyment, so I'd actually *prefer* a dog that would be able to handle a brisk, hour long walk or a run in the dog park, etc. (I know someone with a chihuahua, for example, and the little guy can't walk for more than a few minutes without needing to be picked up), as I'd like a companion for things like that.
Huskie is a good choice, but too big for what she wants
well I can throw my hat in the ring for a Basset Hound
generally they do weigh more than what you want, but they are low to the ground, small dogs, the weight comes in their..length, and chest girth.
Very good dogs, great with family, and from what i have seen and heard all around great with cats too! Athena protects her kitties like they are her very own charges! aint she great? lol.
They dont yap much, if something bothers them they can do the hound dog "Arrooooo" but they arent yippie. They do have a "hound smell" its not unplesant or stinky, just distinctive. And can get potent on their beds,and such. we wash Athenas things every week to keep it from getting "to houndy" in the house. And they are prone to ear, and back problems if not watched. But regular ear cleaning saves the ears, and making sure they dont do to much jumping and lots and lots of stairs as they get older, helps the back.
and they do LOVE to go on walks......harness works best for these guys, since they tend to be pullers, after all their nose is only second to the bloodhound
Very good dogs, great with family, and from what i have seen and heard all around great with cats too! Athena protects her kitties like they are her very own charges! aint she great? lol.
They dont yap much, if something bothers them they can do the hound dog "Arrooooo" but they arent yippie. They do have a "hound smell" its not unplesant or stinky, just distinctive. And can get potent on their beds,and such. we wash Athenas things every week to keep it from getting "to houndy" in the house. And they are prone to ear, and back problems if not watched. But regular ear cleaning saves the ears, and making sure they dont do to much jumping and lots and lots of stairs as they get older, helps the back.
and they do LOVE to go on walks......harness works best for these guys, since they tend to be pullers, after all their nose is only second to the bloodhound
I prefer big dogs like German Shepherds or Golden Retrievers, however, I did have Pomeranian, and he didn't yap at all. I know some of them do, but he didn't. He was a little bundle of energy though, and the sweetest little thing you'd ever want to meet.
Only thing is bassets aren't great house dogs.. My aunt's fred drools everywhere lol
In my experience mixed terriers seem to be less yappy.. but it also seems the smaller they are the yappier they are
How about a kign charles? I'v never ever known a yappy one.
In my experience mixed terriers seem to be less yappy.. but it also seems the smaller they are the yappier they are
How about a kign charles? I'v never ever known a yappy one.
Hey now...lol Athena is a wonderfull house dog...yeah she drools soemtimes, lol but we clean it up..her favourite thing to do in the house? SLEEP!Originally Posted by AbbeyCat
Only thing is bassets aren't great house dogs.. My aunt's fred drools everywhere lol
In my experience mixed terriers seem to be less yappy.. but it also seems the smaller they are the yappier they are
How about a kign charles? I'v never ever known a yappy one.
I used to breed Shelties. They are a very sweet breed of dog. I had our bitch in the house with our cats and never once had a problem with them even when she had a litter. When she died I just did not have the heart to get another one and quit breeding. I now have a Min Pin that I rescued from the shelter and a mixed breed. They are both under 20 pounds. The Min Pin totally ignores the cats and will even go out of his way to avoid them. He has never bitten a cat BUT they are very loyal and will bite if they feel the person they are attached to is in danger. (Mine bit my husbands ex-wife. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. That still makes me laugh.) I would not suggest having a Min Pin (or a doberman. They have the same traits) around children that will play to rough or aggressive adults. The best dog I think if you are not wanting to breed or having a pure bred is not a requirement is a mut. Trainers for the movies a lot of times will find dogs right out of a shelter. If it is a reputable shelter the animal will be healthy and already be fixed. They will have a play room for you to go and spend all the time you need with them to see if they fit in your family. Plus they really need a home. If you start with a puppy you can usually train them not to be yappy (usually) and not to chase the cats. One of our dogs NEVER chases our cats but if the neighbors cat comes accross the property line away he goes. (It is kinda funny but he knows that our cats are supposed to be there but the other cats are not.) But I have had him since he was a puppy. He is a terrier mix and he only barks when someone comes to the door.
Well that was probably a lot of useless information but hopefully you got something good out of it.
Well that was probably a lot of useless information but hopefully you got something good out of it.
Actually Athena is a very active dog, she spends countless hours walking, and playing with me. (i spend alot of my spare time outside) and when I am at the barn doing chores, she is running around..keeping guard as well..Originally Posted by AbbeyCat
yeah they are dead lazy aren't theyso cuddly too with all their loose skinI love all dogs it's hard to pick one breed
but in the house,LOl up shes lazy but she is so sweet and cuddly, and hard to resist them eyes.
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- #17
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- #18
When I was growing up, my aunt had the sweetest little pomeranian named Bear - she got him when I was probably six, and he and I really bonded - whenever I'd go over to their house, he'd get very excited, I loved playing with him, he was very energetic as you said, and he never yapped. However, after he died, she got a second pom, and this one was (I hate to say this about an animal, but...) horrid - everytime anything moved it was yapping, and it was also a snapper. So I have mixed feelings about poms - I guess another case when it might depend on training - anyone know if poms are good with cats?
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- #19
I don't like kids and don't ever have them at my house or anything, so a dog that wasn't good with kids would be fine (actually, I wouldn't mind one that would chase 'em away - I know, I know, I'm horribleOriginally Posted by dvandyke
I used to breed Shelties. They are a very sweet breed of dog. I had our bitch in the house with our cats and never once had a problem with them even when she had a litter. When she died I just did not have the heart to get another one and quit breeding. I now have a Min Pin that I rescued from the shelter and a mixed breed. They are both under 20 pounds. The Min Pin totally ignores the cats and will even go out of his way to avoid them. He has never bitten a cat BUT they are very loyal and will bite if they feel the person they are attached to is in danger. (Mine bit my husbands ex-wife. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. That still makes me laugh.) I would not suggest having a Min Pin (or a doberman. They have the same traits) around children that will play to rough or aggressive adults. The best dog I think if you are not wanting to breed or having a pure bred is not a requirement is a mut. Trainers for the movies a lot of times will find dogs right out of a shelter. If it is a reputable shelter the animal will be healthy and already be fixed. They will have a play room for you to go and spend all the time you need with them to see if they fit in your family. Plus they really need a home. If you start with a puppy you can usually train them not to be yappy (usually) and not to chase the cats. One of our dogs NEVER chases our cats but if the neighbors cat comes accross the property line away he goes. (It is kinda funny but he knows that our cats are supposed to be there but the other cats are not.) But I have had him since he was a puppy. He is a terrier mix and he only barks when someone comes to the door.
Well that was probably a lot of useless information but hopefully you got something good out of it.
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- #20
I've only ever seen one of these in person, he was beautiful, but I don't know anything about them. Anyone know anything about cavelier king charles spaniels?Originally Posted by AbbeyCat
Only thing is bassets aren't great house dogs.. My aunt's fred drools everywhere lol
In my experience mixed terriers seem to be less yappy.. but it also seems the smaller they are the yappier they are
How about a kign charles? I'v never ever known a yappy one.
