Whippets are just as nice and curl up small. They don't hog the sofa because they are usually on your lap.

Or you could consider an Italian Greyhound, like a whippet but still smaller. They're very sweet.

My next dog will be a whippet or a whippet-sized lurcher type (Bedlington x whippet wuld be fab).

The jack Russell was as a size guide we do know they are energetic and unsuitable for your needs but frankly you are not being particularly helpful

Small is a relative term, small to me is a cocker spaniel but then I have a liking to all mastiffs

I think in a way you are looking at it wrong, finding one to suit my needs will be hard. I want a pup or very young dog so it gets used to my way way of life. Why do you want a dog that, you already have a dog that you are around half the week. Why not ask the rescue centre what dog might be best, but if you are saying the dog must put up with my busy a normal life, then way have one sorry if this sounds hard I just cannot work out why you want a dog, and whats in it for the dog

When I said it would be hard to find a rescue dog to suit what I am looking for. I mean one that does not need a lot of exorcise, one that does not moult, one that gets on with children and other dogs, one that does not mind change.

I never said "put up with my life" just it needs to fit into my life a pup would be able to do this without a problem a rescue might be to unsettled to do it.

Most people who get a dog put thought into what their life is like and what type of dog is suitable, dont they?

Why do I want a dog? Because I want a dog. I have a nice life now and want a dog to share it with me and be company for each other.

What do you mean "What's in it for the dog"? It will live in the countryside have plenty of fuss and love meet lots of new people.

I would worry about the chasing the small animals though. Cats are everywhere here. But will have a look and see if another sites say about the chasing.

Thank you for helping( and to others that are helping) Some people seem to think because I am looking for certain things I must be a bad animal owner or something. Im pretty sure most people look for a pet to fit into their family, dont they? If not then why not

What dog does your daughter have, does your daughters dog effect your health, how old is your daughters dog because all these things make a difference would your daughters dog get on with a puppy, a new puppy is a lot for your daughters dog to get used to as well. Have you had a dog before, and most dogs will chase smaller animals its something you have to train them not to do, I have never had a lot of dealing with small dogs only large ones

My daughters dog is a Bichon Frise its a very friendly laid back dog who gets on with all animals and children. No it does not affect my health but it does like very long walks and runs. I like them but they are not very intelligent, and I do like a intelligent dog. That is why the poodle might be a good idea for me.

The reason I said about the chasing is that the whippet that was suggested is known for forgetting all training and running after small animals.

Poodles need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation so from what you've said not the dog for you, and they are not small dogs even the miniatures are bigger than what you said size wise

Have you thought about the oldie rescues? Older dogs don't need a lot of exercise. Honestly it's a big tick list (have you thought of a hairless cat?!) and I can't help be reminded of a family who came to our training classes who basically wanted a lap dog but underestimated the upheaval of a puppy. Pups are hard work. We searched for a few months for our rescue dog, I was determined to give a lost pooch a home and she's done fine. Compared to pups, she took about the same amount of time to settle in.

It depends on the dog but I think be open minded. You're making massive assumptions about rescue dogs and sometime it's best to get out there and start looking.

They are fine with a walk everyday and long as they are mentally stimulated as in learning, training and play games. The toy is about 10 inches high and weighs 6 - 9 pounds. So not sure why you think its not for me.

As I have said, all my pets before this have been rescue pets if I find one suitable then I shall get it.

What is the big tick list? Small dog who does not need long runs and who does not moult. Outgoing breed

You appear to be moving the goal posts to suit yourself and not actually reading peoples posts, obviously you are now an expert so don't actually need advice. Yes the poodle is the dog for you congratulations

I am reading posts but not many people are reading mine as they keep asking the same things over again. You are just here for a argument and have been right from the off.

I have not changed any goalposts. I have asked for a very small breed dog that does not need long walks or runs as I can only go for slow walks but can throw toys for the dog to fetch. I said a dog that does not moult or moults very little. is a social breed and not highly strung.

So far the toy poodle fits all those things. Not that you want to admit that. I shall be looking at other breeds but at least I know there is at least one breed that is suitable.

I've had dogs all my life. My last was a scruffy lurcher and I now have a whippet. I'm completely hooked on the breed now. Incredibly lazy and the most affectionate and cuddly dog I've ever had. He doesn't shed, he doesn't have a strong doggy smell. I'm rural and he enjoys walks in the woods but he hates cold, wind and rain - even with his coat. He also lives with 2 kids and 2 cats. Many sighthounds live happily with cats, rabbits and other small furries.

Pics and more in the Pointy Dog Appreciation Thread! http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1845089

Do they chase furries they dont know though? They are lovely dogs and will be on my list.

My last short haired dog had a duvet she pulled over herself

Intelligent dogs get bored very fast and easy they like a challenge, and can be very demanding. I think your best bet to have a word with a rescue centre for advice, as they will have had dealing with most breeds even if you don't want a rescue dog from them most will give good advice as the last thing they want is another dog ending up at a rescue centre. We are this week dog sitting at the moment, we have a husky and we are dog sitting my brother and sister in laws husky as well. both fast asleep round my feet.

Some do, some don't. Just like many other breeds, particularly terriers. It depends on the individuals prey drive.

Oh for goodness sake! The only thing I cannot do is go for long walks or runs I can entertain and train a dog. as I already said I am not bedridden. What on earth has you having dogs sleeping at your feet got to do with me getting a dog. Are you trying to say that a dog would not sleep at my feet because I cant run with it hahaha
There are many ways of exorcising a dog. My dog will have a very exorcised mind and walks in the village, round the fields games of fetch and agility.
I see plenty of people rushing to walk their dog and never let their dog sniff a post or another dog. My dog wont have that problem with me as it can take its own time to sniff around.

And for the umpteeth time I never said I didn't want a rescue dog

Thank you.

OP it sounds to me like you would make a lovely home for the right dog, not all small dogs need tons of exercise, now depends what the children are like but if they are able to be gentle and not pick up and drop a Chihuahua might suit you. Very portable if you want to take them everywhere with you, ours is still very young but really doesn't need more than a 20 minute stroll and is then quite happy playing at home, would be very happy with a garden to play in.

Very important to get them socialised though so make sure what ever you decide on you take them into as many situations with people and other dogs as you can.

Really hope you get the puppy you want as I think your home sounds fine.

Chis come in long hair (hardly shed) and short hair (shed tiny hairs).

Thank you very much Molly. I was beginning to think my keyboard was posting a different thing to what I was typing. I cannot understand the hostility and sarcastic-ness over this.
I could understand if I said I'm going to get a highly active dog even though I cannot exorcise it.

Anyway. The children are 2 years and 6mths. They are not allowed to pull my daughters dog around even though he is a soppy pliable bugger.
Any pup/dog I get will be able to play with the children until the children get to excited or rough and then it will be taken away until they calm down again.
there will be no problems socialising as I live in a village where everyone has dogs

I shall put a Chihuahua on my list for researching.

If you are looking at lurcher whippet types you are best to avoid a pup. My lurcher is 8 moths old, has 3 long walks per day, has destroyed my garden, sofa and eaten £50 in notes today. Lurchers maybe lazy but puppies are not. This it's he problem I have tried to out across to you, any pup. Yet it a teeny tea cup or a Great Dane is going to be bouncy, and need plenty of exercise. If you want a dog, got for an adult whim you can judge the character of, and can choose to meet you list of requirements,

As I have already said. I have had pups before. I know how pups are I know what they do.

I appreciate that, but I was warning you of the lurcher problem in particular. They are not lazy as pups. Actually they are lazy but thier 'active hours' is a hyper-hour where they do as much damage as a normal pup does in 5 hours,

If you've had pups before you'll understand when I say that you'll not be able to determine things such as adaptive as to change, yappy-ness, even confidence of a pup - until they are adults.
I am not saying don't get a dog, just that you need to consider whether a pup is right, or whether an adult dog would be better.