help me decide between a toy poodle, pomeranian, maltese, or a shih-tzu.?

Question

i recently moved into a studio apartment and i'm looking for small dog to keep me company. i want a calm and gentle dog that is easy to potty train and is not dirty. i'm thinking about a toy poodle, pomeranian, maltese or a shih-tzu. thanks!

Answer 1

I would definately go with a shih tzu...I have had many of them...(we breed them) They are super loyal, and they are protective without being loud. Pomeranians are really loud!! The shih tzus are also one of the easiest breeds to train. I have never had a problem with potty training my dogs...we started training them at about 7 or 8 weeks, and they took a matter of 3 days to find the wee-wee pads after that. They are relatively quiet if they don't have other barking dogs around. I love my babies...and recommend them to anyone!!! I actually live in a studio apartment right now and I have two of them with me. They also are able to spend time by themselves if you have errands to run, but are waiting for you at the door to greet you when you come home from a long day.

Answer 2

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/H3J67

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 3

i have a friend who has a pomeranian and it is really cute but its loud. poodles are known to be mean. im not really sure about a maltese but i would recommend a shih-tzu because they are known to be very loving and loyal to their owners. also i've heard they are really easy to teach things to like tricks, where to use the bathroom and they learn what they can and cant mess with very easily.

Answer 4

if your into grooming dogs, then go with the pomerainian. But I find toy poodles alittle too active.So you would have the choice between the Maltese and the Shih Tzu.


I would go with a Bichon Frise, but a Bichon Frise and a Maltese are almost alike.

Answer 5

All the dogs you mentioned are high strung and need lots of hugging, holding and love. If you want a calm gentle dog, buy a book at Borders on species of dogs and their personality traits etc. Then you select your dog. Black labs are great but they are not small dogs. I would say maybe a beagle or a dachund, but check out the book and see. Also call the American Kennel Club and ask for information on what type of dog would be good in an apartment and is calm. O.K.

Answer 6

I think all dogs are difficult to potty train but, use the crate method and you should be alright. My mother breeds pomeranians and swears they are the best dog to have. However, they require lots of grooming, shitzus do as well.. So, I'm going to go off your list a little and say a teacup poodle.. they are absolutely adorable and small to boot. They will require lots of care and love but, they're perfect for a small space. Good luck! Also, side note -- for potty training, look for an adult who already is...

Answer 7

My idea goes to the teacup poodle, taught not to bark. They do not shed, they don't yip all the time, and even people allergic to pet dander are not allergic to poodles. Poodles, I have raised, and loved every one. My last one died at 16 yrs of age. Gypsy was bright red, a teacup, and so loving and gorgeous. We felt we had lost a beloved family member after all those years. Easily potty trained is definitely on the poodle's side, and quiet is ONLY on the poodle's side.

Answer 8

My grandmother had a pomeranian. She was an adorable dog, protective, and lived to be 17. Beautiful dog!

Answer 9

pomeranians aren't calm, but they are gentle. i would go with a shih tzu

Answer 10

Pomeranians are the cutest... out of what you chose. But spaniels (cocker, cavalier, etc) are SO cute, easy trainable, non-barking (mostly :p) and SUPER gentle and nice. go with the spaniel.