Can someone tell me of their experiences with these types of dogs.....?

Question

My son and I want a dog so bad! These are the breeds we were able to agree on (when it comes to cuteness. xD) We want something small, calm, and loving. Not yappy dogs that bite. Can someone tell me of their experiences with the following breeds?

Italian Greyhound
Longhaired Chihuahua
Papillon
Pomeranian

In your opinion, which would suit our needs better?

Sorry I forgot to add some info.

We just want a pet that we can bring almost everywhere. My husband is annoyed so easily, so out of my small list, which would be the calmest, and less yappy? I have heard of several chihuahuas and pomeranians who aren't hyper, so I don't know if it was just the few I heard about that are that way. We are out and about a lot, but it is to places like KMart and picking up a friend's child from school, where we could bring the dog with us. It has to be able to stay home sometimes though, preferrably in a (large) dog cage, without getting mad about it or whining the whole time.

Shadow's Melon: Thank you for telling me that! I didn't know. We figured a larger cage would be nicer for the dog while we were at a restaurant or the grocery store where we would not be allowed to bring the dog.

Answer 1

I would recommend that you choose a new dog from this site> http://search.petfinder.com/search/search.cgi?action=1&pet.Animal=Dog&pet.Breed=pomeranian&pet.Age=Young&pet.Size=&pet.Sex=&location=MN&preview=1&scope=0&x=7&y=10
On the sidebar, you can enter each of the breeds you like, and then put in your own zip code, and it will give you a pictorial list of the ones nearest you..then when you click on any dog's pic or name, it will give you a lot of information on that special dog..If you choose the ones in foster homes, the foster parent will be very honest with you about the dog and its behaviors, as they only want them to go to forever homes..Also, a big plus, these are already spayed or neutered, and many are house trained!!!
what a bargain!!! It will also have the sweet flavor for you and your son to rescue a dog that needed you..what a great lesson..
for each dog adopted from these foster homes, it allows them to rescue one more from a high kill shelter...You can't beat that!
You will be amazed at the wonderful, well trained little dogs that are in need of a home.. young puppies too...

this is just an example of what you can expect to find> http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=7421056

Answer 2

If I had my choice I would pick an Italian greyhound, I work in a vet clinic and my experiences with the four breeds has been extensive. A lot of small breed dogs are yappy, a lot of dogs can be yappy if out into the right situation. Papillons, chihuahua, and Pomeranian are great dogs, usually not yappy or aggressive with their owners but when put into a stressful situation most can get very nippy, yappy and scary. I have been bitten or almost bitten by those dogs the most. Now Italian greyhounds, they are calmer, friendly and a can be little fearful at times are overall a great dog to own. I have never almost been eaten by one either. They also tend to not be a very trusting breed but they do warm up much sooner then the others do.

Answer 3

Chihuahuas in general are a yappy breed though very portable. Italian greyhounds are not a dog you would carry around when full grown...and being they come from runners they need to be excerised more than some other breeds (on average).

Papillon and Pomeranian are both nice small breed dogs (and often confused for the other breed). However being they are both long haired especially the Pom you're going to invest a substantial amount of time grooming and cleaning up after their versus other small dog breeds that are short haired.

When looking for dogs you should consider your lifestyle before cuteness factor. They all require time and constant training and interaction to prevent them from yapping and most aren't just creatures that want to be seen and not heard from..heard as in interacted with.

Answer 4

I would not recommend any of these breeds if you don't want a yappy dog that bites because they all have tendencies to do that. But if you really like those breeds I would go with a Papillon or a Pomeranian, because the ones that I have been around are not near as bad as the chihuahuas and Italian greyhounds. The Italians tend to be nervous shaky little dogs, and they can become fear biters. But be sure to see both parents as they are generally a good indicator of the temperaments of the puppies.
Good Luck!

Answer 5

I have three Italian Greyhounds, and while I love them dearly...I don't recommend them...To anyone. One of my boys broke his leg. A plate, 8 screws, and $3000 later.....it was not a pleasant experience. It's also not uncommon.

They are also notoriously hard to housetrain. They will pretty much refuse to go out in inclement weather...and you'll find presents on your floor. I'm still working with my 1yr old on potty training. Many can be "potty pad" trained, if you don't mind having a potty pad to clean.

They are small and very loving. I wouldn't say they're yappy per say...but being sighthounds, my guys will constantly bark at anything outside. People, squirrels, leaves.....

They also have to be leashed (along with a martingale collar) at ALL times when not in a securely fenced area. They will run...and they will run fast. Most will forget their names to chase after whatever they see. Which usually ends in heartache for the owner.

I don't mean to sound so negative. I just hate to see so many IG's end up in rescue because people think they're cute, but can't handle their "quirks". A really good place to learn more about the breed is www.italiangreyhound.net and a great forum is www.iggyplanet.com.

I'm sorry I have limited experience with the other breeds you listed. And would not be much help. I hope you find what you're looking for.

Answer 6

We now have snuggled up near the fire place a tiny little Pomeranian named Blondie, a long haired Chihuahua named Foxie, and a Sheltie named Bugsy. They are all pedigree and they are all spoiled rotten. They are also a very big part of our family. The Pom is the most active of the three. She's always into something she's not supposed to be into and we wouldn't have it any other way. Her personality is absolutely incredible and she is so very curious about everything. She loves to be held most of the time and she gets her way.
The Chihuahua is very timid except when we leave or arrive or someone else leaves or arrives. Then all 4 legs leave the ground as she barks at us or them. She is a very good watchdog and she also is very cuddly.
The Sheltie is always on the watch and loves nothing more than to sit at the back door looking out over the lake and barking at anything that would dare to move out there. She is probably the smartest of the three. She seems to know what you are going to do before you do it. She loves everyone and everyone loves her.
To be honest, I would be partial to the Pom. They have a very independent and loving personality.

Answer 7

I don't have any experience with the Italian Greyhound or the Papillon but if you don't want a yappy dog that bites you don't want the Chihuahua or the Pomeranian. A Cocker Spaniel is a little bigger but a wonderful breed for a pet. They are very loving and gentle.

Answer 8

With these given breeds, I'm not sure you'll find one that is calm. However, my choice would be a Papillon. My best friend had a beautiful little girl Papillon and she didn't yap as much as our Chihuahua or Bichon Frise. She was just a puppy, though, too, which may have accounted for her not being quite so calm at the time. Our Bichon Frise (like a fat/muscular poodle) has calmed down with age, but our chihuahua hasn't really. Try the Papillon, perhaps, or if you're willing to explore outside those 4 breeds, Bichons make nice companions and are cute.

Answer 9

Okay, I'm not suggesting any breeds, I'll let someone with experiences with the breeds take that on, but I will say that a LARGE cage for a SMALL dog is NOT A GOOD IDEA. I know you are thinking you want to give the pup/dog room, but having a large cage will promote the puppy to relieve himself inside it, which should never happen. A crate should be large enuf for the dog to lay down, stand at full height and turn around comfortably and that's it. A dog/puppy has a natural instinct not to "go" where they sleep and so crating can utilize that instinct to help you with potty training.

Good Luck picking a new puppy!

Answer 10

I had a little Pomeranian. She lived to be 13. She was the perfect little dog and companion. She was not yappy, but I don't know if it was just her personality, can't say for the breed in general. We used to take her everywhere, and she loved it! She also didn't mind staying at home, though. I don't recommend a small breed if you have very young children, because they're so delicate. Also, Pomeranians have to be brushed at least a couple of times a week because they have such long thick coats. If you don't, it will become matted. I always bathed and groomed her myself. After her bath, I always used the blow dryer on her. You can't bathe them and just let them dry-again the matting problem. So if you don't mind the grooming upkeep, they're great little dogs. Very sweet personality.