Which breed do you think would be best?

Question

Yesterday, I was in a pet store and talked with two older people with a Yorkie. I immediately fell in love. According to the "pet tests" my match would be a Bichon, Llapsa, Shih Tzu or Yorkie. We are a recently retired couple who are very active but would be able to take our baby everywhere with us. Don't say "stuffed animal". Because I want one that is friendly and outgoing to people, other pets and doesn't bark much. Thanks.

Answer 1

Defiantly a bichon frise! They are very sweet and get along with almost everyone. People may think they are very yappy but actually they are very quiet!  

Answer 2

Those breeds sound suitable from what information you give. Another breed you could try is a french bull dog, sounds like you want a small dog, get what ever you feel is right.

Answer 3

get a japanese chin.

Answer 4

Any dog known for barking can be trained out of it. Dogs bark when they are intimidated or afraid, or trying to protect something of theirs. If socialized from a puppy, then they will not do this as much.

I have a german shepherd. They are bred as guard dogs, and bark, ALOT. So since the time he was 8 weeks old, he has gone to petsmart at least twice a week, EVERY week.  Now, he doesn't bark at strangers. He has his moments, but all dogs will.

I would definetly recomend a rescue. Go to your local shelter, they have MANY small breed dogs. 20% of dogs in shelters are purebreds. If you happen to find a puppy you fall in love with, go for it, you can train it. If you find an adult, then you will already know personality and potential problems (such as barking). And if you happen to find a mutt or a different breed that you fall in love with, so be it. Those tests are guidelines, but not set rules.

A lot of small dogs are mean to or fearful of other people, and bark, but it is how people treat them. If you carry your dog around constantly and never let it touch the ground or explore its world, it is going to be afraid and bark and not like other people. On the other hand, if you have a small dog and you let it do whatever it wants and you never punish it because "its small, what harm can it do?" Then you are going to have a very dominant dog that will be aggressive to others and will bark.

The key to a well behaved dog is proper training and socialization. As long as you can provide those things, then you should be fine, if you chose to get one of those breeds, or if you go to a rescue or a shelter (wich I HIGHLY recomend)

:)

Answer 5

a yorkie would be good for you but you have to pick a dog that will fit your life style. for example you shouldn't pick a lazy dog if you are an active person and you shouldn't pick a active dog with lots of energy if a you want to do is cuddle.  

Answer 6

Everybody on this site will tell you that the breed they own is the best.  But they don't have experience with most of the other breeds that might be perfect for you.  Go to www.dogbreedinfo.com and answer a few questions and you will get suggestions about what breed would be best for you.

Also, you might want to consider adopting an older dog from a dog rescue group.  If you look at www.petfinder.com, you will be able to do searches in your area (zip code) and find some good local dog rescue groups.  They have foster parents adopt dogs temporarily and you can talk to the foster parents about the dogs temperment.  Most older dogs will not be as active and will not bark as much, etc.  Could be just what you are looking for.

(As an example, my sister got a pug and my dad got a pomeranian from dog rescue groups.  Either breed would be good for you.)

Answer 7

Nothing from a pet store.

Pet stores are the main cause for the euthanasia of good shelter dogs. (I'm not sure if you're buying or thinking about buying from a store, but you should know.) http://prisonersofgreed.org/

Depending on your age, living situation, money, and ability to care for the dog, the breed varies.

Yorkies are good dogs, but they are often a little nippy. If you have children or grandchildren, you may want to make sure the dog is well trained or will be trained when you get it.

I personally recommend the australian shepherd, or the "miniature" australian shepherd. They're beautiful, outgoing, very intelligent and great dogs.

Adopting a dog is a very personal choice, and should only be done when well a well informed decision has been made by everyone in the family.  

Answer 8

yorkie because all the other breeds will need grooming the yorkie just doesnt that much

Answer 9

First of all do not buy a dog from a pet store. This is where all puppy's are from that are from pet stores http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0KucYppX... http://home.comcast.net/~NoPuppyMillsVA/... even if the store says " we hand pick our puppy's from local breeders" yeah right. And stay away from back yard breeders http://home.comcast.net/~NoPuppyMillsVA/... Back yard breeders such as the "breeders"on sites like puppy find or next day pets back yard breeders also advertise in the news paper. So you ask where do i get a dog from? A shelter or a reputable breeder that shows there dogs and the dogs they breed have at least 2 best of breeds.

All of those breeds are great breeds and seem like they fit your lifestyle. Just do alot of research.

Good luck!

Answer 10

Samantha R is quite right about the grooming needs.  If you get a yorkie with a good, silky coat, all you have to do is comb it every day and keep the nails trimmed.  Of course, you can keep it clipped in a shorter style, but even then you don't have to have it done that often.  The other three breeds need a lot of grooming--especially the bichon.  Bichons are also prone to allergies.  Personally, I prefer the personality of Shih Tzu over the terrier, though.  I have read and have been told by owners that yorkies are hard to housebreak.  Yorkies want to hunt and kill things (I know of one that hunted a rattlesnake and died).  Shih Tzus and Llasas are more people oriented than the terrier.  I prefer the shih tzu because of the size--a little smaller than the llasa.  The bichon ablsolutely has the most difficult hair, and requires more structured activity than the others (they were once circus dogs, so they like learning and working) which means they can get bored really fast--so they'll find amusement in inappropriate ways.  I know one who's favorite thing is grabbing a mouthful of the toilet paper and running the whole roll off all over the house.

Hope this helps you choose! :)

Answer 11

Any Small Energetic Dog Would Be Fine-However-If You Don't Have To Have A Full Breed-I Would Advise You To Go To An Animal Shelter And Adopt A Small Dog That Needs A Loving Home.  

Answer 12

Yorkie, because they are very outgoing and loves to be with the family at all times. They don't shed as much and are quite easy to train. I trained my neighbour's 3 year old Yorkie and he catched on well. [: Although they can be stubborn they aren't as bad ! [:

Not that yappy either. :P

Answer 13

You might want to check the breed that doesn't bark as much.  If you want to be able to take your dog everywhere with you it'd be best to get one that doesn't yap a lot.