Small breeds that are good first time dogs?

Question
Hello i am looking into getting a dog/puppy for the first time.But due to a small yard and that fact that I have a bad back,I feel a dog under 20 pounds would be best,and also one that isn't yappy,loud or high energy.I know many small dogs have to be brushed/groomed but that is not an issue with me-I am more concerned about barking as I am in a townhouse.I don't know a lot about breeds,so not sure what breed would best for a first time dog owner.I am 34 and live on my own.

Answer
Hi Nancy,

It's great that you've decided to open your home and your heart to a dog! If you've never owned a dog before, I would suggest getting an adult dog, rather than a puppy. Puppies, require a huge time commitment for socializing and training. There are many wonderful adult dogs that need a home, it's not hard to find one that's already house trained, up to date on it's shots, and already spayed or neutered.

Any dog if left alone for too many hours can become lonely, which leads to bad habits such as barking, or it can cause them to become destructive, as they "find" something to do with all their time. Before you leave the house for the day, your dog should receive a good long walk, or run. There's a saying Amongst dog trainers: "A tired dog is a quiet dog.", and it's true!
Depending on how many hours you are away from home during the day, your dog would need to be taken outside at some point. A dog should not be expected to "hold it" for more than 6 hours.

A dog needs to be trained not to bark, as barking is a natural thing for a dog! You can read about how to train a dog not to bark, so you'll be able to immediately break your future dog's barking, before it becomes a habit:
http://www.placervillevet.com/training_your_dog_to_stop_barking.htm

Dogs are all individuals, so they come with all kinds of personalities and temperaments, just like people. Even within a given breed, there can be big differences in temperament. There are many dogs who are not "breed standard" and do not live up to descriptions of what to expect. There are plenty aggressive Golden Retrievers, and lots of Pit Bull Terriers that are big goofy couch potatoes.

You can't go by the breed description alone, that's why it's important to meet the dog before you adopt him or her. It's also a big help to adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue group that has evaluated the dog's temperament, so you can get a larger picture of what the dog is like.

Besides the many breeds of dog, there are also mixed breeds to consider. Mixed breed dogs are every bit as lovable and trainable as their pure bred cousins, they are just descended from more than one known breed. The good things about mixed breed dogs are, they are usually less expensive than a purebred, and they're usually healthier too.

Any dog is going to need daily exercise. If you have a back yard that's good, but a dog that's just let outside in the backyard everyday is going to become bored with that in short order, and not get the exercise it requires. Dogs needs at least one good leash walk (more if possible!) each day, as well as active play. When a dog does not receive enough exercise, it can develop some major behavioral issues, such as chewing on furniture, barking non-stop, and other destructive behavior, plus it can get fat, which is unhealthy for a dog.
How much exercise is enough depends on your dog's age, breed, and health. A 10-month old puppy is going to need more than a five-year old adult.

Breeds of dogs that are a small to medium size, don't require a lot of grooming, and are generally aren't "yappy":

Australian Terrier
Bichon Frise
Boston Terrier
Cocker Spaniel
Cairn Terrier
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Dachshund
Italian Greyhound
Japanese Spaniel (Chin)
Norfolk Terrier
Norwich Terrier
Poodle (Miniature or Toy size)
Pug
West Highland White Terrier
Whippet

You might also want to consider a Beagle. This breed usually has a sweet docile personality, but has a loud melodious bark. You'd want to quickly "correct" a dog from barking so it wouldn't become a habit.

You can read more about the above breeds of dog here:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/purebred.htm

You can try out these free on line breed selectors which takes into account your answers to short questions before they suggest possible dog breeds:

http://www.iams.com/iams/breed-information.jsp

http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/dogselector.do

A really good web site to browse adoptable dogs of all ages and breeds is: http://www.petfinder.com
Use the "search for a pet" feature on the left side of the PetFinder home page. It goes by your zip code.

You can read up on what to expect when you first get your dog. A dog is a sensitive intelligent animal, and needs a little time to adjust to living with you. It will help if you know a little of what to expect in those first few days or weeks, read more here:

http://www.paw-rescue.org/dog_guide.php

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_adoption_information/bringing_your_new_dog_home.htm...

I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck,
Patti