Making the decision...

I totally agree with the others.

I am new Sheltie owner (the last 30 years German Shepherd)

When we are in our house in the city with a small garden, I go at least two walks of 1 hour + 1 walks in about half an hour every day regardless of the weather. She could use more.

When we are in our cottage spring / summer so we are out in the large garden the whole day, but still we go two walks to the beach of at least 3/4 hour every day. I can look at her that this activity level is appropriate.

 

I am just the opposite of the others. I have 3 dogs & 2 cats all inside. I am home 24/7 also and my dogs go out to potty and that's it. We don't take walks as it is dangerous where I live. The dogs play in our spacious home and they are calm and fine. I have 2 shelties & a shepherd. We don't herd each other. We don't herd the cats. We do play games like finding hidden treats or scent (nosework) and we do training classes pretty much weekly with daily training sessions inside or on our deck. The shelties I have don't shed at all. They don't have huge coats either. My shepherd is the shedder.

If the puppy is not a performance line bred for being busy busy busy there really is not a problem -- at least not with the shelties I have.

 

If it makes you feel better, I've known a few poms and many of them have had the "glued to your side" aspect that you're looking for. They are also more lap dogs, my sheltie is just now after four years starting to cuddle, before that she has way to much energy!

Just remember, although dogs have plenty of personality on their own, when you get them as pups, how you raise them has a big impact as well. Poms can be great family dogs, so long as everyone takes part from the beginning.

 

I tend to disagree as well.

All Shelties are different. I've had couch potatoes and go-getters both.

The one thing though is that they DO need some level of exercise - as do all dogs, btw! Daily walks/runs is fine. But it does not need to be a marathon. Play in the backyard chasing balls or Frisbees works too. Or inside the house works too.

Your Sheltie will tell you when its time for an energy release.

Shelties can go to fat very quick, so that is the only caution. So you DO have to watch their weight.

That being said, I find they are a perfect sized dog. Not too big, and not to
too small, and your's will be particularly small anyway.

In my experience, and don't get me wrong, (I like Poms) Pom's are dogs with big dog attitude. They can be snarky and bity unless properly socialized from birth (I guess that goes with any dog, btw). But more so with the smaller dogs.

Personally, I just love the personality of a Sheltie more. And a 16 lb or even a 30 lb Sheltie won't necessarily take over your poodle.

It's not always the case, but your toy poodle will probably maintain top dog status anyway.

Just giving you food for thought

 

Hi Choppi, welcome to Sheltie Nation from a former Hoosier. I'm so glad you stopped by and asked the inquiring questions needed to help you make a good decision for your household. I live in an apartment and there used to be a couple that lived above and they adopted 2 miniature Greyhounds. From what you are describing that you are looking for, these little Greyhounds sound like they would be perfect for your situation, they are not dogs that like being outside at all and stick to their humans like velco. They are shorthaired and do not shed, it might be something for you to look into. Good luck.

 

Our Sheltie is fine with my cats. I breed and show Persian cats so I kind of think he thinks he is a large cat! He is one of the Shelties who is content with trips outside multiple times a day for play and potty.
As for the suggestion of a greyhound, I would be wary of any sight hound or terrier breeds with the types of other pets you have. The dog could look at them as prey. I can't off much of a suggestion on the Pom other than the 2 I have been around did have a snarky attitude. Just my opinion.