Belated x-mas guys, My mother-in-law wants to get a small apartment dog-she wants one that is not yippy, or lots of work, easily trainable, and possibly litterbox trainable for when she is gone. She would prefer one under 50#. I don't know much about the small breeds so I am lost...anyone here have any good ideas? I told her Mini Schnauzer,American bulldog, or Boston Terrier, but both the Schnauzer, or Boston Terrier are yappy. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

A little dog that's not yippy? Is there such a thing? Just kidding. I have my first two little dogs ever in my life - a pekingese and a chihuahua. I'm convinced you can train almost any dog to not be yippy. Neither of them are. They'll alarm bark - YAP YAP - and then stop. We've trained them to stop after a few barks.

How about the following: Bichon Frise - not known to be yappy, lo maint if she shaves it; french bulldog (doesn't the Am bulldog get near 80 pounds?); havanese (again, gotta shave it); Italian Greyhound (but can be timid); Pug (personally I like pugs, but you gotta clean the skin folds).

I just think if they're not coddled they can be fine companions. My two are not your average ankle biters. They don't excessively bark, are not aggressive (kids, adults, other animals), and are remotely obedient (it is easier to neglect strict ob with small dogs, but they're still not allowed to be unruly and annoying). I've always had big dogs, so I think I've raised these two as I would any other dog-not as little pampered things.

My favorites are the West Highland Terrier and the Bichon Frise. My aunt has the Bichon and it never barks, and is pretty darn cute. Terriers are known to bark but I have seen quite a few West Highlands that don't yip at all.

i like the mini schnauzer the best, we had ours in an apartment and taught it to be quiet. he will entertain himself, when we are busy. when kept groomed (about 3 times a year) we have yet to see any hair in the house. he doesn't smell. and he is always ready to go or do anything we want. he travels easy as well. if he could go over the palisade i would continue his training work in french ring as well. there are other nice small breeds, but i like this one the best.
brandon

Dee Dee,
If she's willing to go up to 50 lbs, heck, she can get a Border Collie or Australian Cattle dog - and those are both *real* dogs in most trainers book. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

A Corgi ( average weight 22 lbs.)is one of my favorite breeds, but they're either angels or Satan incarnate - with no in between. I find them to be very trainable, and great house dogs. They're also well represented in both AKC Ob and Agility, if someone has to urge to compete with them.

Ok, gotta tell about this little terrier my daycare lady has. I think it is a Jack Russell, but it might be a mix. She relies on this dog to bark when someone comes to the door. A few weeks ago the lights went out at our house during a snowstorm and I needed to go somewhere and alert the utility company because we had no heat or lights except flashlight and coleman lanterns. It was our block that was out only, so I went to her house (the next block over) to call. She was busy doing something and I am knocking on the door and she doesn't hear me. I expect Rascal (her dog) to bark at me and let Sherry know I am there. Oh no, the little bugger just sits in front of the door with his ears perked and his tail wagging! Rascal likes me, so I guess he didn't veiw me as a threat and didn't bark, the one time I really wanted a dog to bark and he didn't So I had to walk a couple more blocks in the cold, snow and wind to someone else's house! On the way back, I stopped in and Sherry says "well, I didn't know you were there, Rascal didn't bark like he usually does when someone comes to the door"!

pugs are known to be very people oriented and make wonderful companions. a favorite of mine is the whippet.....very clean, social, and healthier/sounder than the italian greyhound.

Will, I think border collies or Aussie cattle dogs--both wonderful breeds--are only reasonable for someone who's willing to spend a lot of time training and exercising the dog. Otherwise you could end up with a very neurotic dog and a destroyed apartment.

My experience with small dogs is limited, but I've liked all the pugs I've met.

Dave,
You're right, of course. I only saw the 'easily trainable" part and not the "or lots of work". My mistake!

This lady is really looking for a quiet lap dog. I suspect it will get very minimal training if it gets trained at all.

You may want to check with the local rescue groups. They have a number of nice older dogs available. The senior dogs are past that burning desire to chew everything in sight, are usually well house-trained, and are often really grateful for that last chance.

The people in the rescue groups will work with you to get a good fit between the owner and the dog.