HI,

I live in Ireland and I was originally looking for a little yorkshire terrier. However, i have discovered that yorkshires cannot be left outside during the day when i am at work.

I am looking for a dog that i can keep in a big garden during the day when i am at work and small enough to fit into my room when i come home. I study part-time so i am in my room most of the time.

I would make the time to play with it and excercise it but it would be a help if it sat quietly now and then while i study for a bit.

I have neighbours so i need a dog that would not bark alot when it is outside during the day.

i was thinking of a shih tzu, west higland terrier or Maltese. I am even willing to get two of a kind if that helps it from getting bored during the day. just as long as it si a breed that doesnt mind being outside when i work. I would of course have a big kennel for shelter also for it even though he would sleep in my room at night.

I would appreciate any help with finding the right dog for me.

Why does the dog have to be outdoors? This is certainly no life for ANY small breed, and you would seriously risk it being stolen too. If you are out of the house for such long periods that the dog needs to live outdoors, I'd say don't get a dog.

You you are really set on leaving the dog outside during the day than a small dog is not a good idea. I have a friend that just recently got a yorcky. She left the dog outside and came home to find him missing. It has been a week and she still hasn't found her dog. I have a doberman that stays outside during the day. I am also a student so she spends time locked in my room with me while I study. I excerise her a lot. She enjoys running along side my bike. I would suggest considering a larger dog and perhaps not a puppy.

check out a miniture doberman, they bark so much and are so aggesive it might scare someone trying to steal him. they would definately alert the neighbors. better yet just get a great dane like me, i have 2, one is 130 pounds the other is 138 pounds. trust me no one would dare try and steal them and they are also great indoor dogs. they are known in the dog world as the "gentle giants"

I am about to get a Border terrier, they are bred for hunting, so they are ok to be left outside. They are small, but not as small as some.
they are really pretty, and easy to train.
jessiec :wink:
(i also love yorkies!)

Maybe you should look at Shelties. They are a smaller version of a Collie, long haired and can handle colder weather outdoors. They are still small enough to enjoy indoors.They do need grooming though.

Very intelligent and loyal!