Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The obvious choice for someone who wants a small dog without the yap. Cavaliers are bred purely as companions and are noticeably less excitable than most toy breeds; a doorbell usually gets a bark or two, then a wagging escort. The noise risk is loneliness: they attach closely and can whine if left for long shifts. Ask breeders for heart and MRI screening, since mitral valve disease and syringomyelia are common in the breed.