Which small dog breed is best?

Question

Especially for apartment living! I need ideas for a dog that: gets along with other people and dogs well, one that doesn't bark much, one that doesn't need alot of exercise, one that can be left alone for long periods of time, and one that can be easily trained.

Answer 1

Apartment living can be done by most small breeds of dogs but all dogs need and deserve exercise and companionship. Also, all dogs bark. Most dogs were originally bred for a specific job and need to have something to do. I suggest you chose a breed that was made to be a companion like a King Charles Spaniel and stay away from terrier breeds because they tend to be more high strung and active. Also I would avoid hound breeds like beagles because they are more prone to barking.
You may want to consider doggie daycare or a dog walker if you are gone for more than 8 hours. Please do not get a dog solely for your own benefit. Remember that dogs need attention and affection, training, discipline, and devotion. Small dogs live sometimes for 15-20 years so it is a major commitment.
I hope this has been helpful.

Answer 2

As a breeder of many breeds large and small, I have to tell you that a purebred dog is easier to train then a not purebred. I have had lots of both. The small dogs don't need as much exercise as a big dog, however, all dogs need daily exercise. They human contact and interaction. Walking the dog at least once a day will be okay for a small dog. Breeds like Chihuahuas, (which I have bred) are not for you, they need lots of training to not bark alot and be alone for long periods of time. A dachshund or corgi can be a better choice. Don't go for the small tiny breeds, get ones with more sturdy body frames. They are more what you are wanting. All breeds have specific facts and faults to them, you need to research all of them. Go to Purina or another website and see if they have a puppy right for you choice site. There are alot out there. If they recommend a chihuahua.. they are not wise.

Answer 3

I once had an elderly lady for a friend. She had a wonderful little dog. A mix of some sort. She had the dog trained well and it behaved very well. Learn here https://tr.im/OlhCJ

She kept an uncovered candy dish on her coffee table with candy in it. The dog was forbidden to eat the candy. When she was in the room observing the dog he did not even appear to notice the candy. One day while she was in her dinning room she happened to look in a mirror and could see her dog in the living room. He did not know he was being watched. For several minutes he was sitting in front of the candy bowl staring at the candy. Finally he reached in and took one. He placed it on the table and stared at it, he woofed at it. He stared some more, licked his chops and PUT IT BACK in the bowl and walked away. Did he want the candy, oh yeah. Did he eat it? Nope. They can be trained that well but most, I'll admit, are not trained that well. When I was a young boy, maybe 5 years old. We had a german shepherd. He was very well trained also. My mom could leave food unattended on the table, no problem. She would open the oven door and set a pan roast beef or roast chicken on the door to cool. No problem. He would not touch it, watched or not. But butter? Whole other story. You leave a stick of butter anywhere he could reach and it was gone. He was a large shepherd so there were not many places he could not reach. Really, I think the number of dogs trained to the point they will leave food alone when not being supervised is very small indeed.
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Now if we are talking obedience training, not food grubbing, that is a different story. Way back when I was first learning obedience training one of the final exercises was to put our dogs in a down/stay and not only leave the room but leave the building for 15 minutes. The only person that stayed was our trainer, not the owners. Most of the dogs in my class did not break their stay, which would be an automatic fail. I'm happy to report my dog was one of the ones that passed.

Answer 4

My husband grew up with poodles. They've very friendly, easily trained, and best of all, they don't shed. If you don't like the fancy clip you see on show poodles, you can keep them in what is called the puppy clip (all one length all over). If you're going to be gone all day, get two dogs. The reason dogs bark and howl while you're gone is that they're lonely. Get two, and they'll keep each other company.

Answer 5

Hi hcogirl!
Chinese Crested, fine-boned, elegant and graceful. The Hairless with hair only on the head, tail and feet and the Powderpuff, completely covered with hair. The breed serves as a loving companion, playful and entertaining. Please look: http://www.askedweb.com/askedweb/Chinese_Crested/

Chinese Crested are very clean, with no doggie odor and are not prone to fleas or ticks. Happy, never vicious. Gay and alert. Good for apartment life. They are fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard. They should wear a sweater in cold weather.
Jason Homan

Answer 6

don't take this the wrong way but if you have to leave it alone for long periods of time I should not get a dog. that is like a prison with visitation. Unless you want to invest in a dog walker to come in and take your dog out. and play with them. maybe wait until your life is better suited to have a dog. This is just to be fair to the dog not to be mean to you.

Answer 7

I prefer the Chihuahua, also the dog that looks like an ewok from star wars, not sure of the breed

Answer 8

SHIH TZU the best i live in an apartment also and you cam pad train them so if ur gone for long periods of time

Answer 9

Any dog is good! (exept a big dog) i have a yorkie, a pommeranian + a dashund and i live in an apartment just pick the calmer dogs if your too worried (you know about the noise)

Answer 10

Wal-mart sells stuffed dogs in there toy section...Or those robotic dogs that are out. Sounds like a cat would suit you better.