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Author Topic:   Newbie Question - What's the calmest of the toy breeds?
dd50
New Member

Posts: 2
From:Pulaski, N.Y. USA
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 02-27-2004 04:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for dd50     Edit/Delete Message
Hello everyone,

I'm new here tonight ... and would like to ask: of all the toy breeds, which tends to be the calmest of them all?

Calm, meaning ... not too hyper, barkative, is that a word? LOL!!

Would appreciate opinions. Nice to meet you all!

Hugs,
Dee

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MistressKela
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Posts: 275
From:My IQ is higher than yours, I guarantee it.
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 02-27-2004 10:12 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for MistressKela     Edit/Delete Message
Pug? I say pug.

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MistressKela
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Posts: 275
From:My IQ is higher than yours, I guarantee it.
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 02-27-2004 10:15 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for MistressKela     Edit/Delete Message
or a shih-tzu or an english toy spaniel or a cavalier king charles spaniel.
Yeah...i think one of those would be calmest. Definately NOT: chihuahuas, poms, papillons, maltese, yorkies, doxies, italian greyhounds, toy fox terriers, silkies, min pins etc.

Oh a pekingese....those are relatively calm.

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MyBabyShihPoo
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Posts: 206
From:
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 02-27-2004 11:08 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for MyBabyShihPoo     Edit/Delete Message
A big WELCOME to you dd50 ~

(Most of my breed recommendations are a repeat of what MistressKela mentioned in her posts, but here is my two cents anyway )

Pugs are known to be pretty calm and not too "talkative" (if ya' know what I mean ).

I had 2 American Cockers (standard size though) in the past, and both of them were quite calm and were minimal in their barking. So, that also might be an option for you. Although, I will admit, I have met some yappy cockers...I guess it depends on the dog.

I am going to say this though, I wouldn't exactly recommend a shih-tzu if you don't want a yappy dog. Shih-tzus are notorious for their barking. Just my opinion and experience!

Good luck with your search!
Kristi

[This message has been edited by MyBabyShihPoo (edited 02-27-2004).]

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MyBabyShihPoo
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posted 02-27-2004 11:22 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for MyBabyShihPoo     Edit/Delete Message
One more breed suggestion that I thought of, a Mi-Ki. They are kind of rare, and usually come with a hefty price tag. Nonetheless, they are quite calm and bark very little.

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duckling
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Registered: Sep 2003

posted 02-28-2004 02:33 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for duckling     Edit/Delete Message
Hi there,

I just wanted to share a few thoughts:

I second/third the pekingese and pug suggestions. Both are very laid back, but they do tend to have problems associated with their short muzzles (respiratory issues, overheating) and huge eyes. They are definitely indoor dogs, and you have to watch out for signs of overheating when it gets warm. Do you live in a hot climate?

I remember my neighbor's pugs as being quite inactive both indoors and outdoors, but my peke is a couch potato when he is indoors and very active outside (on walks, etc). However, pekingese (and many other long-backed breeds) are particularly prone to spinal problems, so you might want to reconsider if your house has stairs. If you end up considering either of these breeds, be sure to look up medical issues that they are pre-disposed to.

Additionally, they both tend to shed a lot, and pekes need to be brushed more frequently if you let their coats grow out. I think most people keep pet pekes clipped for ease of care and to keep their dogs a bit cooler.

And, um, if you are completely disgusted by the sound of doggy snoring, definitely cross out these breeds from your list!

Lastly, from what I've heard, some pekes can be nippy if annoyed. Having not experienced this with mine, all I can say is either buy from a reputable breeder or adopt an adult dog (so you can be more sure of temperment). I think pugs have been bred a lot in recent years because of their popularity, so maybe the same cautions apply to them as well. Also, pekes and pugs are unlikely to be as easily trained as, say, a poodle. I think pekes in particular tend to be rather stubborn.

Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to share a bit of what I've heard or experienced. I adore these little dogs that act like big dogs! They are absolutely wonderful (with funny senses of humor, too)but, like all breeds, they are not for everyone!

There are many, many people on this board with a lot more experience and info than I do, but I couldn't resist adding my 2 cents -- Good luck with your search!

[This message has been edited by duckling (edited 02-28-2004).]

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dd50
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From:Pulaski, N.Y. USA
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 02-28-2004 06:34 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for dd50     Edit/Delete Message
Hiya,

OK ... maybe I should be more specific with what I'm looking for.

Calm is important, quiet is important ... and not allot of upkeep, as in brushing, etc.
Of course, I don't mind some ... and I really don't mind 'some' barking.

Also, want to be able to take him/her out with me allot ... for exercise, and play. I can't deal with the sun much either ... I have lupus and can't be in it long, so neither will the dog.

What's a Mi-Ki?

Don't want to worry about respitory or heat problems ...

Need a fairly small dog, because I'll be living in an apartment .. I think. I'm separating from my husband soon, and will really need the companion of a dog.

I'd be fine with a mix breed also ... sounds like the 'english toy spaniel' and 'cavalier king charles spaniel' are the two that are left ... except for the Mi-Ti, and I've never heard of them. Perhaps a mix of either of these?

Maybe this will help some.
Hugs,
Dee

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MistressKela
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Posts: 275
From:My IQ is higher than yours, I guarantee it.
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 02-28-2004 07:13 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for MistressKela     Edit/Delete Message
Pug then. All the other toy breeds require much more maintenance as far as their coats go. Pekes and the like all need to be brushed or shaved on a regular basis. All the trendy "poo mixes" will all cost a few bucks less for the most part and none of them will really shed because of the poodle in them...but they will all need to be groomed as well. The spaniels listed are not mixes...they will not require that much grooming attention. Cockers will but the english toy and the cavalier king charles wont. They dont have as short a hair as a pug but they only get little tufts of long hair right and left. They are awfully cute puppies AND adults..both of them....they can be pricy however....at the pet store I used to work at pugs ran 1200 and cavaliers ran 1500. Never had the ET spaniels tho. But that was a pricy pet store so if you can find them in the paper id say expect to pay roughly 7 to 800. The spaniels are smaller in size than the pug. Here is a picture of the Cavaliers: http://www.honeybet.co.uk/photos/doggroupweb.jpg

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bellasmommy
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From:miami, fl, usa
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 02-28-2004 09:39 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for bellasmommy     Edit/Delete Message
do you have any allergies?

if you do i would suggest that you would need to stay away from any breed which has fur as opposed to "hair".
in case your are baffled hair breeds are ones such as the poodle, shih tzu, lhasa apso, yorkies (though probably not the best for you), pekes (i think)..

if you prefer not to have to brush the dog often do you have the option of taking it to the groomer? if that is available to you then a longer haired breed could be good for you as long as you get them shaved about every 4 months (really depends on how fast their hair grows). you would need to brush any dog, not only for aesthetic reasons, but it is a period of bonding for you two, and helps with their hygiene.
how easy to train are you looking for? some dogs are stubborn and prefer to train you, while others are eager to please. bella is a mix toy poodle/shih tzu she is extremely eager to please (the poodle in her), calm indoors (the shih tzu in her) and loves to go for a run outside (the poodle in her)
i don't know much about king charles cavaliers but i have had the chance to spend some time with one and not only was she gorgeous but she was very calm and very loving..
another thing to take into consideration when getting a dog is health problems known in the breed..
additionally, each breed has their own special personalities which are often traced back to their "purpose" for which they were bred. the shih tzu was bred to keep the rulers in eastern asia company, that is why they are known as companian dogs, while the lhasa was used as a guardian inside, and therefore barks when someone knocks on the front door and enters. the poodle was used to keep the hunters company, they were swimmers, and like activity, such as agility courses. terriers, were used to hunt underground, and are diggers, and will happily dig out of the yard.
the akc may be helpful to you in figuring out what you are looking for and which breed would be happy to keep you company.
sorry if i've overwhelmed you or if i have typed this in a confusing manner (i didn't lay out my thoughts before typing, hehe)..
but feel free to continue to ask questions and we'll all try to help you find your perfect breed

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duckling
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Registered: Sep 2003

posted 02-28-2004 12:30 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for duckling     Edit/Delete Message
I just wanted to add French Bulldogs and Tibetan Spaniels to the list, if you're not set on the "Toy" Group. Both are in Non-Sporting, fairly laid-back, don't require much grooming, and are w/o reputations for lots of barking. The usual heat warning comes with the French Bulldog though. On the other hand, if you're not having the dog outside in the heat, it shouldn't be an issue.

When you say that you want to take the dog out frequently for play/exercise, does that mean 5-10 min romps or nighttime jogs? If you want to exercise a lot, would you consider a larger breed? They can be great apartment pets with proper exercise, and there would be more breeds/mixes that would fit the bill (not much barking, laid back, easy coat care, etc.)

And of course, you could always adopt from a rescue and find a little dog who's foster home can tell you if the dog is an uncharacteristically non-barking member of the breed!

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MyBabyShihPoo
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Posts: 206
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Registered: Jul 2003

posted 02-28-2004 01:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for MyBabyShihPoo     Edit/Delete Message
Hi again~

You are receiving some good advice in the above posts!

To answer your question about Mi-Kis. Like I mentioned in my previous post, Mi-Kis are on the rare side in regards to breeds, and most are quite expensive. For more information about the breed itself, such as temperament, health issues, pictures, etc. check out the following sites:
http://www.internationalmikiregstry.homestead.com/About.html
http://www.petadvantage.net/mypet/breeder/littlepaws//WhatsAMiki.html
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/miki.htm
http://www.dogomania.com/breed/breed314/
http://miki_cma.tripod.com/history.htm

OK, I think those sites will give you some good information concerning the Mi-Ki breed.

You also expressed interest in the English Toy Spaniel/Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. For more info. on those I would recommend that you go to a major search engine online (such as google.com) and type in "Cavalier King Charles Spaniel." A TON of web sites will come up as a result of your search, and through those web sites you should be able to find all the info. (and pictures) you need in regards to the breed.

For information on any other breed, including the ones I just mentioned, or others that have been mentioned, I would suggest that you take a look at these two sites:
www.dogbreedinfo.com (this site contains just about everything you would want to know about a particular breed, pure or mixed)
www.yourpurebredpuppy.com (obviously this one only contains info. on pure bred dogs, but it does an excellent job of telling you both the positives and negatives of each breed)

Other points:

~Pugs are quite laid back, bark little, and are low maintenance. We have a Pug in our class at obedience/training school and he is as calm as could be and to be perfectly honest with you, I have yet to hear him bark. Not to mention, he is as sweet as as could be...very lovebale little guy.

~If you do choose a breed with high maintenance needs, some of the brushing can be reduced if you decide to keep the coat at a short length. So, that is also something to keep in mind.

~Almost any dog loves to play (some more than others) and go for a walk (some prefer short walks though), so that probably won't be a problem in any breed you pick.

~Respiratory problems are not uncommon in toy breeds due to their physical make-up. Finding an excellent and reputable breeder is so incredibly important for many reasons. One reason being so you don't end up with a poorly bred pup with multiple health issues (such as respiratory problems). Now respiratory problems *can* arise in well bred pups, it is not 100% avoidable. But, finding a quality breeder does reduce your chances of having a pup with health problems. (And for the love of pets, and animals in general, PLEASE don't by from pet stores!)

~As far as grooming for a Cocker is concerned, we kept our 2 American Cockers' coat at a very short length. Therefore, we didn't have to worry about brushing very often at all.

Hope some of this info. is of some assistance to you! Let us know if you have any further questions!

All the best,
Kristi

[This message has been edited by MyBabyShihPoo (edited 02-28-2004).]

[This message has been edited by MyBabyShihPoo (edited 02-28-2004).]

[This message has been edited by MyBabyShihPoo (edited 02-28-2004).]

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dizzygizzy
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Posts: 10
From:Conroe tx. USA
Registered: Mar 2004

posted 03-01-2004 01:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for dizzygizzy     Edit/Delete Message
I have a pug and a pom, but Ive had a maltese amist other breeds, my maltese was calm, sweet and not to hyper,great campanion dog! pugs are great too! mine didn't bark till 1yr old, but they are hyper at first, shes laid back now, but easy to mantain, although they shed, Maltese dont but have to be groomed. pugs are great with kids!

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Deb2950
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From:Chicago, Illinois
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 03-01-2004 03:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Deb2950     Edit/Delete Message
okay

[This message has been edited by Deb2950 (edited 03-01-2004).]

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karma
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posted 03-01-2004 05:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for karma     Edit/Delete Message
I think dizzygizzy was saying that maltese don't shed but do have to be groomed.

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