Lol Mamabas, some people will, my breeds are far too big for this lady and not at all suitable from what she's asking for ;-)

To the OP I hope the right breed can be found.

how about seeing what there is in rescue ?  just noticed mambas post saying similar. :)

I like the idea of checking rescue too but if I can offer a cautionary tale.  When we met our beloved whiskery mongrel chap (in Manchester Dogs Home) he was the quietest boy in the place.

Bliss we thought, but oh no.  Turns out he had kennel cough and a very sore throat.  His singing voice came back hale and hearty and he continues shouting at all and sundry to this day.  Apparently it's v important that we know about possible intruders, even if they do resemble harmless walkers and are a mile away!!

Thank you all for your really helpful replies, we now have a list to discuss and mull over. The whippet in question was (we found out later) had a very long and protracted birth, so was out of normal character in most ways and was also working bred, so lots of issues surrounding that one.

My Mum and I are going to the National Pet show tomorrow where there is a Discover Dogs, so we are going to take your suggestions and meet up with some breeders and some of the dogs you have talked about. As for the Bedlington suggestion, I have a beddie cross at my feet currently (looks like a small deerhound) and he is quite honestly as mad as a box of frogs, so one in the family is more than enough lol. Currently top of the list is a miniature poodle, but we shall see what happens tomorrow.

Thank you so much for your suggestions, its really appreciated, will post what we eventually decide on.
Ps. I say we, because I will also be taking responsibility for the dog, just in case my Mum needs some help in the future.

have fun. Just one more to think about I know not a lap dog but how about a rescue greyhound , quite not needing too much exercise and as for the lap as long as you have big chair at least part of the dog will be on mums lap

I would consider my mini schnauzer boy to be quiet. He alert barks for strangers at the door but doesn't bark at people he recognises. However if he does get a bee in his barking bonnet his does take some calming down although he ends up grumbling rather than barking.
I get the impression some family lines are more prone to barking than others. Get a group of schnauzers together some never stop barking and others are quiet.
Not a breed if you expect 100% obedience from day one. They do like to think and decide what's good for them and constantly have to be refreshed in training or they will train you.

Please let us know what breed you decide on.

Thank you for your replies, well we went to Discover Dogs today and have only succeeded in eliminating a lot of breeds rather than choosing a definitive one. It wasnt a full Discover Dogs like at Crufts, but was good to see the breed clubs and owners for a good all round view. The dogs that were doing lots of barking were the westies and also the schnauzers, we met some mini poodles and just didnt click with them, not sure why, but I am glad we met them. Whippets were there too, show type and my Mum decided that both those and the greyhounds (rescue were there) were not for her, she just didnt feel that 'ahh I want to find out more' type feeling.  We did meet a mini daxie at a rescue who was very sweet, but a damaged back at birth meant that he used wheels to get about, which highlights one of the potential health issues for this breed sadly. One of the dogs my mum did fall in love with was in one of the obedience displays, a bichon crossed with a something or other, so we might end up looking down the rescue route yet. There is no rush, we have to make the right decision, so will keep narrowing down our search.
Thank you for your help.

>we met some mini poodles and just didnt click with them

Not fussed on miniatures myself.  Did you look at the Toy Poodles?  I seem to prefer Toys or Standards myself.