Anyone know of a very small dog breed???

[LuvN~Travel]

My mom had a Shih Tsu for years who was always QUIET. If you have quiet kids one may be perfect for you. However, now she has a Pomeranian who is another story! We all spend time yelling Shut Up!
Good luck on your choice.
Kim

 

[PamOKW]

Depending on how small you want to go -- miniature poodle, toy poodle or teacup poodle.

 

[FreshTressa]

Well, I have been doing research on all of those dog breeds, and I have it narrowed down to 5.

I think if I get the chihuaua young enough and have the kids handle it enough as a puppy, we will be okay.

I am going to make a spreadsheet with all of the pros and cons of each dog, then have a family meeting. I also think we will go to a dog event as Jockaroo suggested.

We aren't getting it until the end of this year, so we have lots of time to do research!!

So far, we like the chihuahua, the Bichon, and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel the most, from what I have read, but I still have lots more to read!!

 

[Serena]

Thank you, thank you, for doing your research. So many people don't.
I have gone to shelters many, many times just to play with the animals and it breaks my heart that so many are there, unwanted.

 

[Lewski709]

POM's bark A LOT! My neighbor is a POM breeder. ARGHHHHHHHHHHH!

Cockers are nice family dogs and once our English Bullie goes, we will probably go back to the Cocker. This time maybe a King charles. We had the first Cocker (black and white) 12yrs, a great dog in every way. She tried out for the Animal Show at Universal, the ONLY reason she wasn't taken was her colors. Black and white animals don't photograph well.

A couple things I considered when changing breeds, we didn't want another long haired dog....combing, grooming, bathing, hair there, here and everywhere, blah, blah, blah. Even with me, a neat freak, I would have hair on the dishes at times. YUK!

Now we have no cutting with the short, course hair, but still shedding. Short hair = less bathing for our inside dog. I don't know which is worse, shedding or grooming. 3

Min Pin's are totally protective of the family, so they do a lot of barking. Not a breed I would recommend, if you don't like a lot of barking.

Bichons.......cute, but again very protective of the family.

Good luck and keep researching!

 

[goofy4tink]

How about one of the smaller terriers? Maybe a Cairn, Australian, Norwich or Norfolk?? Not too big and good with kids. At least the ones I've come in contact with have been. And some of them are hypoallergenic. Try going to a dog show and checking out the various breeds. Talk to some breeders. Just wait until their showing is done!! You'll get some great insights.

 

[Kallison]

Has anyone mentioned Schipperkes? I think the spelling is right, they are the dogs that circuses train to jump through hoops. Our friends had one, I thought it was a sweetie, but then again I think all dogs are sweeties. Once we were in Woodstock, NY and I saw this big huge dog, I asked the guy if I could pet it - he said sure but just so you know it is a trained attack dog and will kill on command. I got on my knees and started my baby talk - the big thing was giving me a face cleaning and nuzzling my neck. The owner said he never saw him warm up so fast to another person. I just love all dogs, I can't help talking to them everywhere and anywhere.

 

[Disney Doll]

My friend has a West Highland Terrier. Small, good personality, lots of energy, seemed to be good with kids. Has a longer coat which probably requires some grooming, but didn't seem terrible.

 

[phillybeth]

Small terriers can be good with kids if they are raised with them from puppies and the kids and dog are supervised. I've got one that loves kids, goes up to strollers to see if there's a baby inside, gives kisses, lets kids pull her ears and sit on her. The other one? Well, he's a cranky old man that doesn't want to be bothered, but he would never hurt a child- he just wants to be left alone.
Cairns and Westies are smaller breeds (15-20 pounds or so) and don't have many health problems, although they are prone to allergies. Mostly they are active and playful and can take just about anything that a kid can dish out. I grew up with a cairn and used to dress her like a babydoll and push her around in a carriage. She tolerated it but got back at me by chewing the feet off my Barbies Terriers can be very protective (read barky) of their territory. You will always know when the mail comes, the trash truck, the school bus...

 

[FreshTressa]

Ohh, I just found another breed I am kind of liking, they are malte-poos...maltese/poodle cross.

Decisions, decisions!!