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A Small, Calm Dog?
Hubby and I are investigating dog breeds that weigh between 20 and 30 pounds, and have a calm disposition. (We have always preferred the large and giant breeds, but we are no longer able to lift them when they are sick or injured.)
There are numerous small dogs that are appealing, but I have yet to find one that isn't hyperactive or in need of constant attention. I remember a couple of prior topics concerning breed characteristics, but can't seem to find them now. So TFPers...any suggestions based upon your experience with a breed that is both small and calm? Thanks! PS: It sure would be nice to have pet topics all in one place. :suave: |
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glares at the young whippersnapper...
Beagles have very sweet dispositions and are rather bumps on logs.... and don't get all that big. Greyhounds are also very sweet tempered dogs (especially if you can get a rescue dog or a retired racer) they like to run really fast for short bursts, but then sleep the rest of the day. Bulldogs ugly as sin, but loyal, patient and very sweet low mainteance dogs. my brother has one.. somedays betty pretends she's stuffed and doesnt move.. but will go for walks when asked... is social... Wil put up with abuse by children and well the downside is they snore like fred flinstone... I'm very partial to that exotic breed of dog known as the MUTT... that comes from the Humane society and will be grateful to you forever for saving it from death row. |
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But if size is a concern, no greyhounds, unless you're going to get an Italian greyhound, which are similar in personality to regular greyhounds. |
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Rottie and Gus are both rescue MUTTS, but Gus is truly the worst dog we have ever owned. He was a little sweetie when we picked him up, so there really isn't a sure way of telling the disposition of a pup. A beagle or bulldog mixed breed might be a good choice though. Thanks! |
I don't remember the pure bred greyhound that I met as being that big... Tall and slender... but a great disposition.. and the owner of the dog was a major yutz - so the sweet temperedness of the dog came from within... they are smart.
The only real problem with beagles I think, is that they can develop weight problems... and that makes for an unhappy doggy but if it's figure is watched.. tehy are fairly low key.. |
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Beagles have very sweet dispositions and are rather bumps on logs.... and don't get all that big.
Greyhounds are also very sweet tempered dogs (especially if you can get a rescue dog or a retired racer) they like to run really fast for short bursts, but then sleep the rest of the day. Bulldogs ugly as sin, but loyal, patient and very sweet low mainteance dogs. my brother has one.. somedays betty pretends she's stuffed and doesnt move.. but will go for walks when asked... is social... Wil put up with abuse by children and well the downside is they snore like fred flinstone... [/QUOTE] The only breed I agree with here is the beagle. While Greyhounds are calm, they are not small. Also BullDogs can be very wild and have numerous health problems. I hate working with them when they come into my clinic. I am trying hard to think of a small calm dog and the closest thing I can come up with is maybe a Shi-tzu or a Sheltie. The thing about finding a calm dog is that EVERY dog is different. It's hard to say really that one breed is more calm then the other. I would recommend going to the shelter and picking one based on the behavior you witness. After all mix breed dogs are known to have fewer health problems. |
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BTW, a wire-haired fox terrier might be a good choice. Mine was quite loyal, behaved himself, and didn't shed at all. |
Thanks, Will. I should have remembered the Snoopy Dance. :)
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Beagles are famous for barking and barking and barking and barking and barking and barking and barking and barking.
I think you get what I'm trying to say. |
A calm dog? Any small dog with owners who can control it.
Basically what it comes down to is small dogs are allowed to get away with things large dogs never would be able to. Therefore they're used to barking, being aggressive, etc and it's acceptable. Treat small dogs the same as large ones and they'll be calm and friendly. |
Yeah - I got that link from googling "Small calm dog" and voila...
Beagles are energetic barky dogs. They're sweet, but a bit of a pain in the ass sometimes. |
Elphaba, I know one of these dogs:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/englishspringerspaniel.htm and can vouch for what a sweet, good natured pooch he is. I think he may be a bit over 30 pounds, but probably not by much. |
The bitch usually reaches 40 pounds and that is beyond my lifting ability. Hub might be able to lift that weight sans back problems. I need to consider the maximum I can manage. I followed your link. The "rage" response sounds unsafe for me or my grandchild. Ordinarily, Hub has been the alpha dog for decades. I can't risk a dog challenging his place any longer.
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Thanks for the heads up. :) Quote:
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My parents had a sheltie mix. He was energetic but not loud. He was also very socialized, and basically a sweet little guy. He liked being around people, but didn't necessarily need their undivided attention.
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Rodney, was he patient with babies? I'm really starting to like the Sheltie.
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I have a Teacup Chihuahua he is so cute and small and he doesnt bark hardly at all, even if ppl come over to the house. hes so calm and quite but they cost alot, my friend sold him to me for only $100 better then the pet store they are like $500 there.
I also have a pomeranian but man does he bark his head off dont get one of those. I have a friend with a fox poo they are pretty calm. |
A calm quiet little dog, unless old, I'd try stuffed first. Big dog or no dog for me.
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cavilier king charles spaniel are well known for their calm disposition and are quite small and cute. They are also cuddle fiends.
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Cavaliers are sweet... but they're kinda barbie dogs... they have accessories and you have to pack for them if you go anywhere :)
I'd have a tough time seeing you go from two rottweilers to a cavalier... |
The only cavaliers I've known have been skittish and barkers - there goes the quiet.
I had a cocker spaniel for 10 years, and she was ~30 pounds. She did not bark unless someone was at the door, and loved nothing better than to follow you around and lay on your feet. However, the other 5 cockers I have had ranged from the one above to never ending ball fetching machine. It all goes back to the individual dog. Size wise, cocker spaniels are near the higher end of your weight requirements if kept in shape. I have one right now that is ~15 pounds and another that is ~28 pounds. |
Meh, my best friend growing up had a cocker spaniel. Whiny little scaredy-cat (or is that scaredy-pup?). Guess it depends.
I generally HATE small dogs. They're higher strung and yappy. However, there are two that I've seen several examples of that have been really sweet and cuddly: Pugs, and daschunds (sp?). Pugs are sprightly, energetic, and affectionate. The daschunds I've met are cuddly and sweet, and enjoy their walks. I think the cutest ones are those with the black bodies and black and white spotted legs. SO CUTE! These guys are pure companion pups. And not yappy, if brought up well. Plus, if you have big dogs already, the puppies will be socialized by them, thus learn to act more like big dogs in small bodies. Always a plus, and a saving grace for the small and yappy. :) |
I'd say NO on the Shih-tzu... my advisor has one, and I end up dog-sitting it every single time he goes away for a few days (how I love being a grad student slave). That dog is the most high-maintenance animal I've ever known. My advisor tells me it's because the dog was a lapdog for emperors for thousands of years, so it's bred into him to be treated like a king. :lol:
I guess the dog was treated badly in his previous home (he was rescued from the pound), because he's terribly insecure and must be basically touching a human at all times. Even at night, he crawls up on the bed, slowly, until he's practically sitting on my chest or in my ear (where he promptly licks his chops all night, which drives me CRAAAAAZY). He doesn't bark too much, I'll give him that. :p So, I recommend NOT getting a shih-tzu, though of course, you could find a perfectly quiet and obedient one. You just never know. Maybe the best thing to do would find someone who already owns a dog and wants to get rid of it, so that you already know the dog's disposition. People are always moving and wanting to schluff off their animals :( so I bet you could find one on Craigslist or something? |
I have always wanted a Dachshund. They are the coolest dogs ever!
I would name him Weiner-dog. But... alas, no weiner-dog for me :( I don't reccomend getting a dog from a Kennel, but here is a site all about the little guys: http://www.thedachshundnetwork.com/ Quote:
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I want one! Such an awesome indoor pet! :D |
My vote is for a beagle! They're so darn cute and lovable. Plus, in my experience with them, I've never come across one that barked a whole lot and they're always good tempered. :)
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http://www.selectsmart.com/dog/
That'll help narrow things down. IMHO, you'd be best off going with a well-socialized rescue/shelter dog whose temperament is well established, rather than going with a particular breed. If, however, you're looking for a pure-bred or dominant breed... Shelties are barkers. BIG barkers. Bark bark bark bark bark. You might look at basenjis - I haven't heard anyone mention them. They are rather sweet - no barking, and SUPER smart, but those smarts can get them into mischief. Whippets are also sweet, although a little timid. Remember that calm and quiet are largely a factor of having a dominant owner who doesn't let the dog think it's in charge. If the dog doesn't know that you are the alpha, and are in charge of protecting the pack, they're going to do it for you, which means barking and being neurotic and possibly aggressive. A lot of people neglect this with smaller dogs, treating them like toys rather than like canines - they're still pack animals and still ruled by doggie evolutionary forces. You still have to be firm and in charge with them. Good luck! |
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This is all great feedback. You have given me a lot to consider.
Thanks, everyone.:icare: |
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He was a Sheltie/Corgi mix, to be precise. Short. Low to the ground. Solid |
Elph, you currently own two dogs that many people, including myself woudl say you were insane to have around a grandbaby... gus and rottie are very docile not because the breed makes them that way -- rottweillers are a tad on the badass side... they are that way because of how they were trained to be...
any new dog you get would also be trained... some dogs I think are naturally obnoxious, but they're pretty rare... meet a bunch of dogs and see which one likes you best :D |
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Gus will be moving on tomorrow, so there will be a missing part in our family. You have all given me great leads in what to look for in a small, calm, quiet, and good with children Dog.
The advice to rescue a dog strikes home with me. I live in a rural area and I see pups and older dogs dumped every year. You have given me a good idea of what I should be looking for, and something tells me the dog I am looking for will find me, as Rottie did. Of course, Rottie will have last say in this choice. :) Sincerely, I thank all of you for your input. Pen |
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toy or mini poodles are great smaller dogs. toys go around 6-10 lbs while the minis can get in the upper teens to low 20s. they are smart (second only to border collies), don't shed and are easily trained. plus they love poeple and other dogs. we have two toys and their best frined is the chocolate lab next door. it's wild to watch the three of them run and play together. and my oldest is a pet therapy dog and loves to hang out with kids in a hospital - or anywhere. |
I second the poodle vote. I've had them for years and they're awesome pets!
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My favorite doggie to pet sit for is a Miniature Schnauzer.
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/miniatureschnauzer.htm photo from: http://www.champdogs.co.uk/guided/al...schnauzer.html http://www.champdogs.co.uk/images/k5560d5.jpg They are small, loving dogs, but not as boring as a beagle. The one that I know and love is about 15-20 lbs. Perky, but not loud, easy to pick up and wonderfully cuddly. They do require a considerable amount of brushing, and they're not a good breed to leave at home alone all day. On the flip side, they are wonderful companions and obedient. If you're the sort that loves cuddly companionship from a pup, you may be picking them up a lot since they're just a little too small to hop onto a couch or into bed without assistance. |
I also found this breed on a list that are good with kids. Thanks gg. :)
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english bulldogs are usually pretty friendly and low key. the breed is prone to health problems, particularly with snoring and stuff.
boston terriers are insanely energetic. in my general experiance, most dogs only get calmer when they get older. I'm not sure there's one particular breed out there that has a calm trait just wired in. |
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