I honestly don't know about 'hard to train'. All the herding groups I think may fall into that catagory. Never owned a Corgi, but it is one the very few dogs I can honestly say, 'I never met a nasty one. Never met one with a napoleon complex. Never met one that goes stupid over some transgression that's obvious to no one but themselves.' Maybe I've only met Corgi's with well balanced owners (even if I didn't think some of them were sane!). I've met quite a few over the years and they stand out for me as one of the top companion dogs I've met.
If mixed breed is exceptable, I still say local shelter.

Save a life today!
Randy

And I never met a Corgi that had to be in constant motion.

Save a life today.
Randy

I'd also throw in my vote for a Corgi, mine is 11 years old now and has been the easiest to train and most loveable dog that I've owned.



Of course, nearly any dog comes up high in the "loveable" category when compared to Fetz.....

She can also get her breed of choice from a rescue. And don't forget, that up to 25% of dogs in shelters are purebreds.

So even if she does want a purebred, she can still save a dog's life.

If she likes Pomeranian-style dogs, what about an American Eskimo dog? They are white however, and Im not sure how difficult it is to *keep* them white. Hehe. I think they bark a lot though.

Someone mentioned a Maltese. My neighbor breeds these and they hardly ever stop barking. When she lets her pack outside, it sounds like a huge flock of birds overhead.

Shelties are really pretty, and smart, but also barky. Most of the ones I've met do tend to nip, especially at running children. (They have TONS of herding drive). Never owned one though. I've seen many of these dogs make it to high level obedience and agility titles. They seem to love to learn and seem easy to train.

As you can tell - my preference is for more quiet type dogs. What about a Basenji? (Yes they make noise, but aren't barky).

Edit: here are a couple rescues in your area:

Sheltie rescue: http://www.geocities.com/wyomingsheltierescue/
Corgi rescue http://www.pembrokecorgirescue.com/

Basenji's are pretty cool. About on par with Sheltie's for energy level, but a little less Exuberant about it, if that makes sense. Shelties can be a handful if they don't have the proper exercise regimes.

If she likes the Pom, why not get one of those? Also, the Schipperke is in the shape of a Pom, about 12 pounds, and ALL attitude. I love those little dogs. (Solid black is the only acceptable color)

I wouldn't recommend a Basenji, in my experience they can be independent and hard to train.

If they allow mixes, we will go to a shelter--probably in one of the bigger cities near here. Our shelter has had 1 small mix in in five years. Most here are labs, pits or heelers and various mixes of those.

I would think that a pom or a Sheltie would be easier to find than something like a Basenji--aren't Basenji kind of rare? Are poms good with little kids?

Just a note-
I believe you have to have a purebred to compete in AKC Obedience (Novice, CDX, UD, Rally). But you can have a mix in Agility and flyball and maybe some of the other events they have.

I think a sheltie would be a good prospect. Very sweet and very smart but they look like they require lots of grooming

 Quote: Becca Fuentes

If they allow mixes, we will go to a shelter--probably in one of the bigger cities near here. Our shelter has had 1 small mix in in five years. Most here are labs, pits or heelers and various mixes of those.

I would think that a pom or a Sheltie would be easier to find than something like a Basenji--aren't Basenji kind of rare? Are poms good with little kids?

I've had a pom for over twelve years now - I have girls ages 8,6,4 and he's NEVER (even in his crotchety old age) been anything less than very tolerant of the children. When he was younger he would get SOO excited when kids came over and he could play with them. That's not to say all Pom's are that way but my mom has had 4 and they were all good w/ the exception of this last one she's gotten however she has been VERY poorly trained and my mother is not a very consistant person. If I were ever to get another smaller dog I'd go for a Pom to be honest with you. Or a Corgi - we had a corgi/chow mix and he was THE best dog ever. When he got in trouble - he had a stool in the corner and he would go sit on the stool until he was let back down. SO cute. I think a Pom is a good choice.

We have a mini Eskie, and he is a doll with the family, and very easy to train. He is not good with young children (ours are all older). We got him at 1 year old, so proper socialization may have helped. Beagles are great with kids, real stubborn, and they bay, but very affectionate, and they don't shed much, easy to maintain. Shelties twirl and bark, constantly, from what I have seen. My mother's Wheaten terrier is wonderful with children, dogs, etc. High energy, but a lot of fun. No shedding, common food allergies and some other genetic issues, so pick the breeder carefully. They are certainly a bit larger then some other breeds mentioned, but not large at all. Small "footprint", not a lapdog, though. Border terriers are great, and personally I love French Bulldogs.