Little Dogs
 

A friend of mine is moving to town in a few months and we will be living together in an apartment. We both love dogs but have agreed that a big dog probably wouldn't work out too well unless we end up renting a house (probably won't happen). We do, however, both want a dog - - so that we both have our own and so that we don't fight over the one whenever one of us or both of us move. Chihuahua has come up, as has Min-Pin's. Anyone have any suggestions as to what little dogs aren't too hyperactive and yappy? I know Chihuahuas can be, but if you get them from when they're puppies, they're not that bad. What breeds have miniatures (ie poodles, shit-zu, etc). The idea here is the smaller the better.

Tanks! :)

Poodles are good little dogs because they don't shed and are good for people with allergies to pet dander. They come in teacup size.

One of my sisters has 2 Chihuahuas - they were very hyper as pups but they're about a year & 1/2 now and they've calmed down a LOT. I think this is one of those things that really depends on the dogs' parents' temperament.

Daschaund- ie. hot dog, they come in standard and miniature, you'd want a miniature doxie because it won't get larger than 11lbs, if that. You'll have to look at the parents to really know but mine weighs 8.5 lbs. They are definitely not yappy dogs, my doxie's bark sounds like it's a large dogs bark, but she's pretty quiet. If you look at them when they're puppies you'll be able to tell the hyper ones from the calm ones, mines really laid back, she just sleeps or lays on the couch all day pretty much. If you have any questions just ask me. Oh and the short haired ones don't shed too bad.

Courtney

My sister has a teacup chihuahua. He's the cutest little thing!

http://img9.photobucket.com/albums/v...1JqKfwE_ph.jpg

We have a miniature dachshund - Jasmine - she's 6 and 1/2 pounds!!! She's full grown. Very spoiled!!! :D

Cairn Terriers are my favorites (think Toto from the Wizard of Oz.) They are small, but not too small (4 pound dogs have a lot of health problems.)

They are extremely smart, and often characterized as small dogs with a big dog attitude.

http://www.frenchtoutou.com/groupe3/...r/accueil2.jpg

Here is the site for the Cairn Rescue Network: http://www.cairnrescue.com/

That's a rat right?

-Rudey

OMG that one on the right that is yawning is TOO adorable.

I think we really like the teacup chihuahua, how cute!! We want VERY small dogs.

We did just see some pictures of an Italian Greyhound. Anyone know anything about these?? They're too cute but I know nothing about temperment, size, or price.


Thanks for the replies thus far, keep em coming! :D

I had a Yorkshire terrier who was 9 lbs and an absolute perfect dog. We didn't get her until she was 3, and she stayed with us until she died when she was about 12. She got excited and had energy, but was never yappy, never bit, never chewed things, etc. I have heard that Yorkies can be yappy, though, so I guess it depends on the personality.

I will say this- I don't know if you guys wanted a puppy or purebred or anything like that, but I would definitely get a dog from a shelter over a breeder. Those dogs tend to be more mellow (sometimes because they were abused) and a lot of people say that they make the best pets b/c they're so grateful to be rescued.

Getting a "secondhand" (hate saying that!!) dog doesn't mean you can't have the one you want...there are rescue networks (like the one mentioned above) for all sorts of breeds, who will bring you a dog from anywhere in the country.

Good luck!!

i don't know much about dogs.

but how big do beagles get? If i were to ever get a dog, it would be one of those.

http://www.dogmasters.com/photos/beagle.jpg

Also a beagle:

http://www.fmi.uni-passau.de/~zimmer...ulz/snoopy.gif

Beagles don't get much bigger than an over weight cat. HOWEVER, they like to dig! Just train them right and they'll be fine - and they need a lot of outside time. My roommate in college has a springer spangle - so cute and loving, but again - needs a lot of outside time. Yorkie's are adorable too.

No little DOGS.

NONE.

They don't even look like dogs. When people think of dogs they think of like Collies or retrievers.

Not rats with hair like a Chiahuahua.

I have a miniature American Eskimo. I don't have a picture of him on the web, but this is what he looks like...

http://www.decacs.com/kadocs/Dream.jpg

Their size is between 12"-15". Mine weighs about 16lbs with females generally being smaller.

There is also a Toy version that looks like this:

http://www.decacs.com/kadocs/Allie.jpg

Their size is 9" - 12", again females will be on the smaller side. Toys are rarer than miniatures.

My dog is 2 and in that time he has lived in 2 apts, and a house. He seems to adapt well to any surrounding. He is definitely an inside dog, and they get very attached to their owner.

I have a standard Chihuahua that is a little over 5 pounds. Before we adopted her, I never would have considered a chihuahua as a pet. I thought they were very high strung and yappy.

Pumpkin is my little angel, though. She is very quiet and well-behaved. She's good with everyone and will sit in your lap all day if you let her.

If you want to avoid a yappy dog (and this goes for ANY breed), you really need to observe how the dog interacts with people and other animals. You'll probably have a good feel for its personality within an hour or two.

BTW: here are pictures of my little "rat":

I have a teacup poodle, named Maya. She barks at strangers. And she'll beg for food everytime I eat.

A couple of my female friends have pommeranians. They are great little dogs. I'm a big dog guy, but i love both the pommeranians i've met.

The one yawning looks like my dog. She's a terrier mutt. We have no idea what she's mixed with since we got her from the pound. She'll be 13 this year and is still a ball of energy with a VERY sweet disposition.

Bichon Frises Rule!!!
 

This is the link to a list of breeders. My mama got a Bichon because I'm allergic to dogs, and Buffy gives me NO troubles at all, because he has hair, not fur!! Their name literally means "curly lap dog" and they are just bundles of fluffy love!

How can you resist them?

http://www.puppyshop.com/caninebreed...on_dspaans.jpg


http://www.bichon.org/images/photos/1puponas2.jpg

I had a kerin terrier growing up and when he died a few yrs later my parents got 2 Pomerianians and they are HUGE HUGE ham and cheese sandwiches......one is a big ham and the other one is a big cheese and they know there spoiled rotten!

honeychile --

Those Bichons are TOO cute! I've seen them before but never knew what they were called. What kind of money would you spend on one??

My mama's was a rescued stud from a puppy mill. I would SOOO love to meet some of his puppies!!

The going price seems to be around $400, but there are a LOT of rescue groups available. I don't have a link, but they're listed on Yahoo.

I am NOT emphatically NOT a dog person, but these guys have me wrapped around their little paws!! They are so loving, so gentle (Buffy's squeak toy squeaked and he licked it until it was "better"!), and yet not yappy. I am seriously thinking of getting one of my own!

One of my co-workers has a min-pin and I don't know if this is typical for temperament for them, but that dog is a maniac! If it was any bigger than it is, it would wreak havoc! Very yippy, quite an attitude and thinks it is boss of everything (including my 90 pound Alaskan Malamute who could eat that thing for a snack if she so desired).

Another co-worker of mine has Italian Grayhounds and she loves them. They aren't as hyper although I think they get a little bigger than a min-pin.

Personally, it's not a dog until it's at least 20 pounds, but that's just my preference. (And I like the really big ones like my Mal).

Dee

I LOVE BEAGLES!!!!!! I plan on getting one in the next few months. The only problem is that their bark can be very annoying. You have to train them young not to bark or just get use to it.
Two other great small dogs are a Rat Terrier or a Boston Terrier. Both these dogs rarely bark. My boyfriend has a Rat Terrier and my roomie has a Boston Terrier. Both dogs are energenic and friendly.

Rat Terrier
http://www.ratterrierclub.com/pictures/jade.jpg

Boston Terrier
http://www.petnet.com.au/dogs/doggif/D190.GIF

If you like the Terrier type dog, a Jack Russell is also a good dog.

ETA:
For those in the Central Florida area, my roommate's Boston Terrier is pregnant and her puppies are due at the end of the month. Her dog is purebread and the father is also a purebread Boston Terrier. (It's her boyfriend's Boston Terrier) She has the AKC paperwork. PM me if you want more info.

I have heard that about min-pins, but I love them anyways! They do have major attitudes, I love it! Hahaha.

The Greyhounds seem like they're great dogs, mostly good with kids, and very low maintance (other than you have to keep them warm).

I also tend to agree with it not being a dog until it's at least 20 lbs, but I can't have a dog that big in my apt :( If I had my choice, I'd have Pit Bulls (we had 3 at my house in Muncie), a rott, a dalmatian (have one of those at my dad's), boxers, or a St. Bernard! :D

Small beagles are really cool! At least, the ones I've known. But I am allergic to them.

The Bichons run from 14-17 pounds. Right now, Buffy is about 17#, but he's recovering from surgery and hasn't been allowed to exercise regularly.

my friend in elementary school had 2 schnauzers. OMG one of them scarred me to death. EVERY time i would come over, it would bark and chase after me. I seriously cried one day cuz it came after me and almost bit me. Granted I was like 9 but still... till this day I can't stand little ankle bitting dogs. And they are pretty high maintenence too.

http://www.vetcentric.com/images/hom.../schnauzer.jpg

I don't like most Terriers, but I forgot about Boston - - they're too cute! I do know people that have had them, and they seem to mostly be friendly.

Mr. BetaRose and I are looking for a dog as well. We've researched quite a bit, and found that a boston terrier is the best match for us and our apartment lifestyle. Besides, who could turn down a face that cute :)

http://userpic.livejournal.com/12388541/488745

He's not mine, but I just adore that picture!

ZTAngel, I'll be PMing you!

I'm suprised no one has put west highland terriers...

http://www.1000mail.com/100dogs/west...ndterriers.jpg

aww... look at the little ball of fluff!

dang it... i want a dog.

I am usually a cat person but the cat we have at home is a spaz and my apartment complex is swarming with them. So i am starting to not like them as much. It seems like they are everywhere.

I like boston terriers. There is one in that allergy medicine commercial and it runs away cuz it's owner sneezes too much. IT'S SO CUTE!!!!

But i am still set on getting a beagle. or a dauchand (hot dog).

Or you can get a brussels griffon.
It's the dog from "As good as it gets." They are pretty small.

My roommate and I are going to get a dog soon, but we live in a house and want a big dog, but........

My mom and I have had a Yorkie, and she was great in an apartment, until she passed away. My mom has a Jack Russel Terrier now, but she SHEDS LIKE CRAZY. I have had a Boston Terrier and a terrier mix(think a black and tan Lassie) both in an apartment for 2 years, and they did great. Bostons are great cause they are small and don't bark alot. You can go to Yahoo and the classifieds and it will list all the breeds of dogs and give you an option to search by 'for sale' or 'for adoption'. I agree with getting a dog from adoption-thats how we have gotten all of our family pets, with the exception of my cat now, and they have all been fanastic pets. and think of great you will feel knowing you saved an innocent animal!

I have a Welsh Terrier. They're on the larger side of small...they range from about 15-25 pounds. (Mine is about 22 pounds) They are adaptable...they can live in an apartment as long as they get plenty of walks. I love terriers, but be warned they are not for everyone. They're very energetic and can be very independent-minded. I think that Welshies are the best dogs on earth, but then again I am pretty biased. :D

My dog is a rescue dog...I adopted him from a shelter when he was 6 and a half. (He is 8 going on puppy now!) Purebred Welsh Terrier puppies can be very pricey ($1000 and above...since they are pretty rare) but there's a really active breed rescue organization. The website is http://www.wtcares.org and you can find out more about the breed and see some cute pics. :)

Re: Little Dogs
 

Please rescue a dog, do not buy one from a breeder. There are some great rescue organizations in every town and usually if the dog is not working out they will take them back. I am partial to pugs-they are hyper but not yappy-keep in mind they can have a lot of health problems (liver shunts, elongated soft palates, stenotic nares, everted saccules). I like mixed breeds the best though.

the proper spelling is Dachshund.

Re: Re: Little Dogs
 

Cosign. I always thought of rescue dogs as troubles, but my mom's dog hasn't been much trouble at all. You can tell that he was abused (you can't pick up a newspaper in front of him, or raise your hand, even in jest - the poor thing just cringes and backs into a corner), but love is conquering that!

How 'bout a pug?

http://www.wrinkydinks.com/yahoo/phmousepad/pug.jpg

Pug! Pug! Pug! I just love them!! If I ever get another dog, I think that's what I would get. The only dog I ever had was a standard poodle - a big dog, but oh my, they are sweet!

Granted, this particular picture is cute, I'll give you that... And if I could dress him up like the one from MIB all the time, I'd dig that... But all that aside, I can't stand pugs!! My good friend's mom had like 4 of them and I HATED going over there. They're not cute when they get older, they can be mean as HAYLE, and.. I don't know. Just not my cup of tea.