Dachshunds are definitely sight hounds! Don't let anyone fool you otherwise. I was very lucky with Brie because she was so submissive and really cared about what I thought. Won't be the case for all of them. Brie was great with pets in the home. They are a wonderful breed. I think the biggest thing, with any dog for that matter, is proper exercise. Dachshunds are hunters and have the endurance to go on long walks and adventures. Some people don't work them... and they become overweight couch potatoes that can develop many issues. A tired dog is a good dog.
Yeah I think I should scratch Iggy off my list. I have always had a soft spot for them.. always! But I have also always had small companion animals, so think I would be playing with fire.
I have never been a fan of retrieving dogs. Just my own prejudice, but I don't really seem to understand their motivation or thought process. I worry about shepherds because sometimes they can be a bit manic. My sheepdog growing up was a perfect calm and sweet, but her brother was so focused on herding and he was obsessive. The people who had him kept him with horses and he ran around the paddock so much that the ground was worn into gullies. These were sibling dogs from the same bloodlines.
Yorkies or any ratter would defiantly be risky.
I think we might be leaning toward chihuahua. The long-haired ones are really cute. I think I like 'deer head' from what I have read, seems odd that 'apple head' is the more desired look. I think they have a bad reputation as a breed. Though I think this stems from poor exercise and training. Dogs need to be dogs. Well worked chihuahaus seem to have low prey drive and seem to be very mastiff like in their demeanor in terms of protecting the home. I also like a loyal dog. Couldn't beat the relationship I had with Brie, she was glued to me. Eric is also very keen on the compact size, even a large chihuahua is a small dog. They seem to be sensitive dogs though, who may be reactive to a parrotlet flying off.. though it would be easier to confine a smaller dog.
Does anyone have a chihuahua? Hopefully a Chihuahua that gets does get the training and exercise needed.