Toy Poodle Or West Highland White Terrier?
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
ok, so my family is looking for a small dog that are good for people with allergies. We want a dog that is nice, obedient, NOT rowdy and does not bark a lot. We have kids come to our house often and we want a dog that doesnt scare them, instead interact and play with them. Is a toy poodle better than a westie? I’ve heard westies bark alot. And my family wants a nice and silent dog. So please help.
Related West Highland White Terrier posts:
Okay, Most small dogs will bark abit more than large dogs.
Westies are very nice dogs smart and obedient as well as hypo allergenic. As a puppy a West Highland Terrier will be high strung and most likely be destructive to your belongings Thu puppy-hood. Westies will also be more apt to bark more and will be demanding of your time till adulthood however they do make great dogs after quality training and upon reaching adulthood.
Toy Poodles are GENIUSES. They are extremely smart and well behaved as long as there needs are met. They can make very good family companions with the right attention. Things you need to know are the fact that poodles are not big fans of being rough handled and can loose there temper with young children. So if you have toddlers that can’t respect the dog this is not the dog for you. However if everyone in your home is at an age that they can not abuse the dog you will do just fine. Poodles will not be nearly as challenging as puppy’s and can be calm and independent when needed but have big fun personality’s.
Think about your needs and wants, and how much time you can spend on the dog then go from there.
As with any Hypo Alerginic dog, both breeds will require regular grooming, best done by a professional, about $40 dollars a month. This is very inportant as these dogs dont shed so there fur will matte quite easily but not having dog hair all over every thing you own is worth it.
My personal recommendation, The Toy Poodle.
Westies do bark quite a bit, and I’ve never heard them called hypoallergenic. Terrier hair is quite irritating to lots of people, and I don’t actually think that their dander is any less offensive than any other dog’s. One of the groomers in our shop is allergic to Schnauzers, Scotties, and Westies, and can’t groom them at all.
Poodles are hypoallergenic (which means they have a REDUCED chance of causing an allergic reaction). They do have watchdog tendencies, and like to bark at new people/things, but most of them have the good sense to shut up after a bit. Of the two, I recommend the poodle.
I strongly recommend an adult dog (rescues are great!) because puppies have a lot of energy, and will be rowdy, hyper, and not very obedient. All these things come with time and training.
EDIT: to Snowpatrol1202: Bichons can be nice dogs when raised properly (true of all breeds) but in general, they are much more territorial and snappy than poodles. In fact, I have never been so much as growled at by a poodle, but I know at least three Bichons that have to be muzzled during grooming.
Poodles are pretty quiet but they seem to have a lot of health issues, especially toy breed, not so much with the standard size but they are a medium size dog. Just make sure you check out the poodles parents well for any defects or health issues and get it from a reputable breeder. That goes for any dogs really. You can never ask the breeder to many questions, if they are a good breeder they will have proof to back up their answers. Highland Terriers are easy to train but they are kind of hyper and barky. I am just advising on my own experience with both breeds on a professional level. As far as allergies, any dog that doesn’t shed (long hair) is better for allergies. I have 2 Maltese and 2 Yorkies and neither one bothers my allergies, but if I am around my Rittweiler to long they act up.
Good luck on your decision. LOL
OK I take it you’re not someone who has had a lot or maybe any dogs?
First dogs don’t come obedient or well behaved, non barker etc. When you see one of those “perfect dogs” it means that the owner has taken LOT’S of time to train the dog.
Now if you are asking which of the two breeds would be easier to train I would say the Poodle would be the best bet and I would get a Miniature Poodle which would mean it would be 15 to 20 or so pounds. That size dog isn’t as fragile as a smaller one and less likely to be hurt by children who can be less than careful. I wouldn’t go for a toy anything if there are going to be children involved. The smaller the dog the easier it is to hurt.
I wouldn’t get any dog if someone doesn’t have time to groom the dog which a poodle is time consuming as the hair must be done at least once a month. The dog will need to be trained another very time consuming job. Also dogs are a 10 to 20 year commitment do you have it in you to commit? Then there are vet bills annual vaccinations and nail trimming.
Neither dog is very good for small children, and Westie’s are not any better than any other dog in terms of allergies. Both dogs can be very barky and very energetic. Toy poodles are also too delicate for small children and often nip out of fear. I think neither dog is what you are looking for. Trying looking at the Bichon Frise. They are a much calmer, quieter dog, they are good for people with allergies, and they do much better with small children than your two choices.
My opinion would be a westie. They do far better with kids since they are much more sturdy dogs & be handled more without fear of injury. Poodles are more small framed & have legs that get injured easily & the problem of knees popping out of joint & requiring expensive surgery which isn’t a problem for westies. Both breeds can bark a lot though westies generally are less barkers than poos.
You can have allergic reactions to either breed & it really depends on the individual dog not the breed. As far as grooming maintenance, westies are far easier to brush & upkeep than poos. Poos require more pro grooming & brushing by owner. Westies do however tend to sensitive skin & allergies.
I haven’t seen hardly any westies that were unfriendly but have seen plenty of poodles that were. It does matter on how they are raised & the quality of breeding. Most poor quality bred dogs have more health & behavioral issues.
The fact is any dog can bark a lot it is all depending on the training. Poodles need much more grooming than a westie and they are more high energy. Poodles are really smart and need something to do or they will get into barking and other bad things.
Hope it helps and i hope you find a bff ; )
I have a toy poodle cross maltese and she’s the only dog I can go near. I’m highly allergic to anything else. Don’t know why the mix doesn’t make me act up but it doesn’t she sleep in my bed. All dogs bark but poodles are smart & you can teach them not to bark if that’s what you want. But yes poodle definately!!
I own a 5 pound toy poodle and, honestly, he barks a lot.
He hates strangers and he is bad with kids.
And his grooming costs $400 a year because his fur mats easily. He needs to go to the groomers every 6 weeks. He doesn’t shed at all around the house though.
But I previously adopted a 9 year old yorkie from a shelter and he didn’t shed either. He was a relatively calm dog because he was older. He was smart, too.
But all dogs bark really……….. I don’t know a breed that is “silent”…
Then do NOT get a terrier. Ever.
As for a nice silent dog, I believe that Wal mart sells stuffed animals…go buy one of those. And they don’t shed, poop, or need love and attention! PERFECT! No maintenance, YAY.
Seriously, dogs bark. My neighbor’s toy poodle barks constantly, and terriers are known for being very vocal.
try a Kyi Leo, we had one for ages, and he is amazing… he doesn’t know “how” to bite, so he is great with kids, and he doesn’t shed..
and you will probably step on the toy poodle, I almost have, on several occasions.
ours is maybe 4.5 kg
poodles yip and they are kinda ugly. I’d go with a terrier because they are lots of fun. a bigger poodle might be better they are really smart or maybe even a Maltese poodle, my neighbor has one and he is the best dog.
Toy poodle, they are so cute, obedient and great with kids (my grandparents have one and we go up often and my baby brother plays with her, she is very friendly)
poodles tend to be hyper and nippy…look up the bichon frise AMAZING dog i have one who is just great with children
and westies are terriers which means their bred to be insanely loud and hyper
well if you ask me poodles bark a lot themselves, but westies are not lap dogs, they are a working breed and wil need more excercise.
Poodle, although the ‘toy’ variety may be too small for a family pet with children.
I have terriers and they are perfect dogs. They aren’t loud at all and they’re very loyal. Go with a terrier.
White terrier
white terrier
get white terrier they are pretty and nice
poodle!