Breeds under 35lbs

[Rachael313]

Hi all, new to the forum, wanted to see if I could get some help. My husband and I recently decided to get a dog. We live in a great apartment that we love, and are surrounded by boxers, huskies, goldens, etc. so did not think dog size etc would be an issue with our complex. Well after finding our perfect dog at the local shelter, we spoke to our apartment complex and turns out they recently instituted a policy that limits all dogs to 35 lbs or under. All other dogs over that limit that were already on the property were "grandfathered in", which is why we were still seeing large dogs around. We tried everything to see if they would budge (offering more money/month and for a deposit, taking the CGC with our new dog etc) but no dice. Non-flexible corporate policy.

Long story short, hubby and I are crushed. We are very active, and are wanting a dog to be acting with us: hiking, running, obediance and agility training, etc. I've never met a small dog that I liked enough to want to own some day (granted: this is likely owner error), though I love all dogs, and I really dislike that small dog "yip"! So we feel desperate to try and figure out if there are any breeds in that weight limit that would meet our criteria, or if we have to move to a different place. ()


So Chazhounders...any suggestions? Is there a dog 35lbs or under that would suit our lifestyle that you can recommend?

 

[Laurelin]

Plenty of small dogs can be active companions. My dogs are under 10 lbs and we do all sorts of things like hiking and agility. They actually really rock at agility as do many other small dog breeds. Actually there's a ton of little breeds that excel in both obedience and agility arenas. Mia was always the superstar of her class and she's a whopping 6.5 lbs and 10 inches tall.

What characteristics do you want in a dog? There's a lot of options there depending on the type of dog you want. Grooming? Amount of exercise? Temperament? barkiness? Friendliness towards other animals? Etc. Basically what do you want your dog to do other than obedience and agility (because most dogs are capable of doing that)

 

[Rachael313]

Thanks for the response Lauralin! To be more specific in what we are looking: would prefer shorter coats to longer coats (husband isn't a fan of long shed hair), not interested in a barky dog but do want a dog that will bark to alert to an intruder/knock etc (am home alone often at night as hubby works late hours), want a dog with a good play drive, want a dog to run with (2-4miles daily), prefer a dog that is more of a velcro-to-their-family dog then a dog that goes crazy over wanting to play with another dog. Want a dog that can be good with kids (will be having some in the future), but don't ever plan on having cats or other animals.
Is that enough info to narrow things down? Thanks again!

edited to add: not looking for a highly independent thinking dog. this will be my husbands first dog (though not mine) and I would rather have a dog who is a people pleaser, and consequently more trainable.

also wanted to add that I hope I didn't offend any small breed owners out there!! Like i said, I love ALL dogs, but haven't had enough exposure/experience with small dogs to be drawn to them - but am certainly willing to learn more about them!

 

[corgipower]

I really dislike that small dog "yip"!

What is the "small dog yip"?

There are several small dog breeds that would be suitable for hiking, running, obediance and agility training.

What else are you looking for in a dog? Grooming requirements, friendly with other animals, personality traits.

We have a lot of members here who have small dogs. Stick around and you'll get to know them and their dogs and that should help you learn more about the joys small breeds.

Also up to 35 pounds can include breeds on the small end of medium - corgis, beagles, cocker spaniels, basenjis, french bulldogs and many, many more.

 

[JessLough]

Since you are willing to go the shelter route, I would go with a dog who is already pretty much fully grown, so you know they will grow to under the weight.

Really, any dog can do those types of things, no matter what their size is Go to the shelter, and look at the dog that fit your weight style, and see if one really stands out to you.

 

[Rachael313]

Jess, the problem is that there aren't any dogs at the shelter that are in that weight limit that aren't Chihuahuas really. The majority of the dogs in our area shelter are lab mixes. The few dogs that are under 30 pounds are generally Chi's, Beagles, or older then what we are looking for. I think small dogs get scooped up very quickly, because I have been checking very frequently for the past month to scope it out. This is a major part of our frustration.

We were hoping if we could find a breed we liked, we can find a local breed specifc rescue to adopt from.

 

[Rachael313]

What is the "small dog yip"?

Sorry, I think we must have posted at the same time! The "small dog yip" to me is that high pitched bark that I hear often on small dogs. My husband in particular is annoyed by it. Our neighbors underneath us have a Pomeranian that barks anytime you walk by the door (not really an issue, only when youre walking by) but the pitch really grates on him, and he said he doesnt want to own a dog that sounds like that. Alas.

 

[HayleyMarie]

If you like terriers I would look into the WestHighland White Terrier. I usually dont suggest Westies for people who live in apartments because for a small dog they do require lots of excercise and mental stimulation.

But if you can devote lots of excercise and fun with you terrier they would make great apartment dogs.

They dont shed, well they do but not very much. I get my westies coat stripped ever few months or so to get rid of all her dead hairs.

Westies are very active I do tons of hiking, camping and outdoor activities, although I have not started agility with my Westie yet, I am pretty sure she would excell at it.

Westies are great with kids if properly socialized with them, They have tons of prey drive and GO! they are outgoing, fiesty and great family dogs. They can be aloof with strangers as they are a terrier and bond very closely with their family. My Westie could care less about other people.

All my terriers have been good with other dogs, but they are also a breed that wont take Sass from other dogs.

My Westie is about 14 pounds, so a little smaller, they can be up to 20 pounds though.

 

[darkchild16]

Try a all breed rescue.

 

[Rachael313]

If you like terriers I would look into the WestHighland White Terrier. I usually dont suggest Westies for people who live in apartments because for a small dog they do require lots of excercise and mental stimulation

Thanks! I never thought of them, looking into them now! Question: what kind of grooming/upkeep do they require? Also, are tear stains and such an issue?

 

[HayleyMarie]

Thanks! I never thought of them, looking into them now! Question: what kind of grooming/upkeep do they require? Also, are tear stains and such an issue?

Well I get my westie stripped every four months or so give or take. Which means they pull all the dead hair out and shape her coat. I dont clip her coat as that softens the coat and gets rid of the wiry natural coat. With the Wiry coat she stays very clean. She can roamp all day in the mud. You get her coat dry and all the mud falls out and shes back to new. Which is awesome since she is a farm dog.

I have NEVER had an issue with tear stains. Or weepy eyes. I find its more of a diet related than anything else.

 

[Laurelin]

How about a boston terrier? Beagle? (Though you said you didn't want a beagle, they seem to fit to me) Border terrier? I LOVE border terriers and they're really fun little dogs.

another thought I had was whippet. They're tall but still don't weigh very much. Very much a sporty looking short haired dog.

I agree with small/medium adult mutt too if you can find one. We get in 30ish lb shorthaired who knows whats all the time here at the shelter I worked at.

 

[Dekka]

WHIPPETs

lol whippets would be ideal in many ways. Not sure you want a terrier (as much as I LOVE terriers)

Whippets...
Short coats
Like to play but not obsessive
alert barky but thats it
Trainable, but doesn't need constant attention.
Sweet friendly, good with strangers and children, but not going to knock them over.
and always under 35 pounds.

 

[bjolly]

cairn terriers are very similar to westies, so that would be another breed to look into.

 

[mrose_s]

Lots of small dogs do great at sports and activities.
Shelties come straight to mind but they can be barky.

I got Lucky with a Border Collie looking like she is going to mature under 35lbs.

Whippets also come to mind, we are looking at adding one to our family sometime in the next year or 2.
Fox Terriers or JRT's might fit as little-big dogs but they are a lot of dog if you arn't prepared for it.

 

[milos_mommy]

I was also going to say JRT, but again, they are a lot of dog. I think the right adult rescue would be a good fit for you, though, and there are lots of JRTs and mixes in breed rescues. (as well as other small breeds and rescues in mixes). Some rescues only rescue smaller sized dogs, but of all breeds. You might want to google those.

I also wouldn't rule out a chihuahua. They often develop horrible behavior problems from being carried around, dressed against their will, and not allowed to be little dogs. If they receive mental stimulation from training and physical exercise and are given rules and boundaries, they are awesome, intelligent, drivey, and pretty high energy little guys. They excel at agility, and the few I've known have been fairly quiet but do bark at intruders (it's not as yappy as a pomeranian, I've found.)

Have you tried petfinder.com? You can put in your zip code or town name and select "small" and see what comes up.

 

[Romy]

How about a boston terrier? Beagle? (Though you said you didn't want a beagle, they seem to fit to me) Border terrier? I LOVE border terriers and they're really fun little dogs.

another thought I had was whippet. They're tall but still don't weigh very much. Very much a sporty looking short haired dog.

I agree with small/medium adult mutt too if you can find one. We get in 30ish lb shorthaired who knows whats all the time here at the shelter I worked at.

All of this! ^ Bostons are very sporty and their voices tend not to fall into the "yap" range.

A whippet probably won't bark if someone is at the door. They're pretty quiet and not very territorial. You can find really nice whippet mixes though. Sometimes people mix them with terriers or herding dogs like aussies and border collies. The result tends to be a little less intense than the other dogs, but still very handler focused and athletic.

Something like one of these dogs might fit pretty well:

Petfinder Adoptable Dog | Whippet | Fort Collins, CO | Hollie

And a 25 lb border collie

Petfinder Adoptable Dog | Border Collie | Kansas City, MO | Maddie

I have no idea where you live, so just check around on petfinder. Often breeds are majorly mislabeled, so try putting in different breeds to see if there are any individual dogs that catch your eye.

You might look into basenjis too. They don't bark, but I don't know how they are with alerting to people at the door.

 

[MafiaPrincess]

I've got American Cockers. Both are 20-25 lbs. The one ran 5-6km with me all summer 3x a week. Both do agility and rally obedience. On decent foods they don't shed much at all. I find many short coats throw fur everywhere.

 

[*blackrose]

First thing I thought of when I read your criteria was Manchester Terrier. BUT, I don't know much about them, so take that with a grain of salt.

Whippets were mentioned, and was another thought. Rat Terrier, perhaps? I'm not a major terrier type person, but I like Ratties. If you like a more "imposing" dog, perhaps a Staffordshire Bull Terrier? I know two and they are just DOLLS. I <3 them and want to steal them every time they come in for boarding.

 

[Maxy24]

I would just keep an eye on petfinder, I know our rescue gets small athletic dogs a lot. Some sort of herding breed mixed with something a little smaller and you've got a nice little athletic dog. Or terrier mixes. Obviously you'd then have to look at the animal's overall temperament. For instance my dog Tucker would probably be an awesome running partner, he's a Chihuahua mix, possibly with some sort of terrier. I would get an adult, both so you know the full size and know the temperament and activity better than you would if it were a puppy.

Some examples in my area (just looking at ones who look/sound like they have the potential to be running partners):
Petfinder Adoptable Dog | Spitz | Walpole, MA | Gizmo-UPDATE
Petfinder Adoptable Dog | Labrador Retriever | Walpole, MA | Smiley-UPDATE
Petfinder Adoptable Dog | Jack Russell Terrier | Milford, MA | J.J. Aka Jumping J
Petfinder Adoptable Dog | Chihuahua | Foxboro, MA | Sunnie
Petfinder Adoptable Dog | Chihuahua | Whitinsville, MA | Bouncer
Petfinder Adoptable Dog | Jack Russell Terrier | Worcester, MA | Josh
Petfinder Adoptable Dog | Chihuahua | Andover, MA | Nacho

and it goes on and on. I'm not sure where you are located though.