We are looking for a small bitch to join our existing 2yr old dog and would like a breed that is gentle and not known for being too vocal. Any ideas as to which breed we should be looking at? there are so many it is difficult to know which one would fit in with us, if such a dog exists. We would ideally like a small breed the quieter the better. Thanks

which breed do you have already

a small 21 inch tall lurcherx

What about a whippet?

I think one sighthound is more than enough for us to be going on with.( we love the mad fool really) we would love a totally different breed and small small small please

Trouble is in a lot of cases small, small = yap, yap. Whippets are quite and if you are having trouble dealing with your Lurcher then are you sure you need another dog.

For quite please read quiet - wont let me edit, this forum is most unfair to those who have difficulty with words.

I can't off hand think of any of the small breeds that are quiet as a breed. I've got four cavaliers, two livewires, one "normal"dog & one extremely laid back, but they can bark for England when roused, I sometimes think what they lack in size they make up for in sound

Any reason why the new dog has to be small small small & quiet ???

The thing about small breeds is that they make for size by using their vocal chords!

Would a spaniel be a decent size? Cavaliers, Cockers, American Cockers are all small, and the ones I've met haven't been toooo vocal ;)

Oh dear Ive just reread my thread and it looks like I am looking for a mute dog.Cuddly toy?. When my last dog died we decided it would be great to have two dogs for company for each other and as we love our country walks and go out at every opportunity we said to ourselves why not get two. However, we have been working through issues with our dog as many of you may have read on previous threads. Mainly his territorial barking. We are having a better summer this year as he is settling down and staying outside without consistently barking unless of course he hears the cats next door. We can accept this as most dogs do this to unknown cats. So we are getting there albeit slowly. The reason we did not get two puppies is that we knew we would have double trouble with trying to train them so it was always going to be one first and then when this dog matured we would look into having a second dog. Its just that we did not forsee having the problem we had with his nervousness as well. He has come on in leaps and bounds in the last few weeks and we think this is because we are not allowing him to be number one who has to protect us at every opportunity. He now sleeps downstairs and is not allowed upstairs with us as previous and we feel this has had a calming effect. I have also found when out that if I keep him on a short lead and walk ahead of him past what would previously  have startled him he is fine. So progress is being made, it has only taken us 2 years lol . The funny thing is that when he is away from our home he is impeccably behaved so it must be a territorial thing. Anyway I digress somewhat, sorry for rambling, we only have a small home and garden and I was really tentatively asking if there are any smaller breeds who are a little less vocal I have no problems with warning barks to alert us just did not want constants yapping/barking. My other two dogs whom I had from very young puppies were well socialised and confident dogs who we never had a moments problem with, but as I have said before this one was about 13 weeks and extremely nervous when we rescued him so we presume he was not socialised correctly in the crucial weeks. Hope this makes sence. Thanks for replying

Jackie H I think I am going to give myself a huge pat on the back for dealing with my lurcher, im sure many would have thrown in the towel by now lol and in spite of the problems I would still love another. Surely that not wrong is it? We are not experienced dog trainers just an ordinary couple learning about rescue dogs and their baggage. We are level headed enough to wait untill the right dog comes along maybe an older bitch. What do others think are we mad?

<in spite of the problems I would still love another> - sighthound! Dont fight it, reddooor, your ideal dog is really a retired small greyhound, whippet or lurcherette :) or go see the local rescue. Dogs Trust can match you with their dogs. Any breed will bark incessantly if allowed to in my opinion. I feel its best to be compatible rather than worry about breeds myself, and now you have rescue experience to contribute to another dogs second chance.

Sorry doghouse, I  wrongly addressed this encouragement to someone quite different who is now after my blood. Today my brains mush.

I don't think barking is breed dependent. Small does not equal yappy, meaning a dog that barks excessively.  I have a Cairn, Abby, a small dog, a terrier, and she is the quietest dog I have ever owned.  (I've owned a mixed breed, Boston Terrier, Cairn Terriers, GSDs, a Yorkie.)  Yes, she barks when someone comes onto the property or rings the doorbell.  Sometimes, if she's bored, Abby might bark for a couple of seconds at a truck going down our road.  If she's in the house and observes a squirrel trespassing in our garden, she will probably bark if it gets too close to the house, depends on her mood.  Many of my dogs would bark if they heard another dog barking in the distance, Abby does not.  Personally, I think this is the most you can expect of a "non-barking" dog - other than a Basenji, who cannot bark.  (However, they do have a howl which to me sounds like a baby wailing.)

If you want a quiet dog it's best to acquire an adult dog, from a breeder you trust, who can give you an honest representation of its temperament. 

Stacey

I have known some Shitzus (sp?) who were very lovely, calm, quiet dogs. They're small. Other dogs that I think of (not all super small) would be a sheltie, a scottie and yes, a whippet. I think that they are relatively quiet usually. My Chihuahuas are quiet unless there is something to bark about...like a car that drives down the road 500 feet away, noisy kids 1/4 mile away, a sound in the woods, the propane man, people we might meet on our walk...until they get up to them. Then they stop, my car, if it's parked in a new spot. LOL. They do have extra good hearing. They're small all right. But I love their temperament, very affectionate and comical and friendly to everyone. But you have to socialize any dog well. You hear of some snappy, ornery ones. Mine are not at all....very good natured.

Carrie

While Whippets are wonderful dogs, and, once mature, quite laid back and quiet, the Puppy stage seems to be partuclary manic!  A friends got her first whippet las year, and she is a dleight, but almost always on the go, adn very, very talkatvie!
Peop;le assure her that this will all change somewhere between the ages of 18 - 24 months   ..... USUALLY!!!! ;)
bye
Gwen