During my life I have always had big dogs. German Shepards, or Labradors.But I am an adult and I have chosen to have a Chihuahua. They don't shed very much at all. My Chihuahua doesn't bark unless someone rings the doorbell.It is how you raise them how they might turn out. I take her everywhere with me except the grocery store or restaurants. I have been taking her to Malls and stores since she was a puppy. People love seeing her. They want to pet her, and she is always quiet in the stores and in my car, etc.I bathe her myself and that is not very often because she doesn't get dirty, and chihuahuas don't have any odor.