Which SMALL breed is better to adopt for my family? Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier or a Miniature Snouzer?

yorkie for sure
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miniature dachshund!
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schnauzers don't shed and don't stink. we have one.
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You would have to groom a maltese and yorkie (and a Schnauzer to a certain degree) I, personally would go for a schnauzer.
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None of these breeds shed much but all require regular clipping and grooming, which is an extra expense. Barking is dependent on how you train the dog. Smaller breeds are harder to housebreak in general. Yorkies are very small and fragile and I'd be concerned about having one with a 5-year old who might injure it with rough play. Supervision is required no matter what breed you choose, but a slightly larger breed would be best with a young child. Finally you have to consider how much exercise you are willing to give a dog. Each of these breeds has different exercise requirements. The miniature schnauzer will need the most.

EDIT - Courtney is incorrect about "Maltipoos." They are not a "breed of Maltese," they are a mixed breed dog given a cutesy name by disreputable breeders. No dogs have sweat glands except in their feet and "Maltipoos" are the same as any other dog and they can smell if not bathed. they are a cross between a poodle and Maltese, both low shedding breed, but because they are mixed breed, they can be a grooming challenge due to a mix of two different coat types. And there is no such thing as "hybrid vigor" - they are prone to the same inheritable diseases found in both poodles and Maltese and the disreputable breeders that breed them rarely screen the parents for these disorders while basically charging your thousands for a dog you could get at a shelter for less than $100. If you find one at a shelter, great, give a dog a home, but don't pay a crappy breeder for one.
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snouzers don't shed and they are fairly easy to house train but they can be a bit aggressive. yorkies when shaved don't shed much, but if you do not shave them they need to be brushed and groomed regularly, and are a bit stubburn so harder to house train. maltese shed a bit more than the others. they bark quite a bit too. and house training takes a while.

hope i helped.
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Yorkshire Terrier =p
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I would prefer a yorkshire terrier they have hair so they don't shed that much.They are also very Intelligent.They don't bark much.They are very good family dogs but this doesn't go for all yorkies.Some can be spoiled if you treat them that way.
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I know it isn't exactly one of the breeds you are interested in, but I was looking for a dog for my husband and was not a dog person. I found a breed that does not shed at all; their hair grows like a human. You just get them trimmed. AND…they have no sweat glands so they have no dog smell, they are great family dogs. Sweet and well mannered. They are called maltipoo's; they are a breed of Maltese. Just thought since we love ours so much you might want to at least take a look and consider.

Pictures…

http://www.iowapetbreeders.com/maltipoo_female_037.jpg
http://cdn-www.dailypuppy.com/media/dogs/anonymous/caspian_maltipoo18.jpg_w450.jpg
http://cdn-www.dailypuppy.com/media/dogs/anonymous/patches_maltipoo16.jpg_w450.jpg

About Maltipoo…

http://www.countrycanine.org/aboutmaltipoos.htm

If you really love the Maltese I would say you would be very happy with that choice also!!

I just wanted to mention the maltipoo breed because they have limited health problems because they are not inbred like 100% pure breeds. Good Luck!
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FYI Maltipoo is not a breed, it is a mix of the poodle and maltese breeds. Any "designer dog" is really just a mutt! Albeit a cute mutt!

Anyway, I recommend the Schnauzer (even a regular one is not large, you don't have to pay extra for the mini). Maltese and Yorkies grow much finer and longer hair, and require much more care. The Maltese can also be more nippy and neurotic. A Schnauzer can be shaved down and still look nice. They are also commonly available to adopt as they are the 11th most popular dog breed in the US. Yorkies and Maltese are also more expensive, and a little too small to be pets for a 5 year old. None of these breeds shed too badly, Yorkies are a little noisy though.
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worked for a vet who raised Yorkies

Don't get a breed if you can't spell it's name.
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I would a miniature shcnauzer is the best. they don't shed a lot…..my vet said they are great pets for allergy sufferers. I had 2 miniature schnauzers and I am raising one right now. She doesn't bark…. only when a stranger comes in the house but for only a minute because she's very protective over the family. She loves to play in the grass. They are great with kids. She loves to play with my little sister and my cousin (who is 4) I have a dog book and it says in the miniature schnauzer section:
It's kind of long so I'll only write some.

"The miniature schnauzer has a compact and a sturdy little body with a very characteristic and unusual growth of fur on its face, which gives the impression that it has a beard. moustache, and bushy eyebrows. The miniature schnauzer has a working history of vermin control in rural Germany. However, as a pet it is a useful watchdog. It is naturally protective over its home territory and ill question the presence of any new people or animals until is is confident that they are welscomed by thier owner. It has a natural affection for children ."

miniature schnzuers are very unique dogs.
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MINIATURE SCHNAUZER!!!
they don't shed a lot. i have two right now. they're both boys. they both love playing at the park. my family takes them to the park every sunday and jogs together and plays with a ball. they love it. they loves kids!! they're unusual dogs and they are fun, sweet, obidient, and playful. one of them is 3 years old and the other is a puppy. my pup only barks when really big dogs come near him or the family.
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We have a Yorkshire Terrier and small children. They make a perfect family pet. Ours barks a bit too much but if you train them young it will be no bother
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I have a maltese, he used to bark, but we sprayed water on his behind every time he barked, and it worked! Maltese are good for people who have allergies, and they do not shed, at all, even if you keep the hair long. Big yard is good for this breed. They like their freedom.
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