Total dog person here...
Ironically, the smaller breeds actually tend to be some of the loudest and fussiest. Dachshunds have the sweetest eyes, but they can also tend to get a bit excited and nippy, so like with any dog, you have to be sure they're well-trained. Chihuahuas are probably the feistiest, noisiest dogs I've ever met, and they tend to develop dementia and bite in old age. Beagles are also noisy and need A LOT of exercise.
If you would be open to a more medium-sized dog, greyhounds have a reputation as some of the calmest. Yes, they race them, but they don't necessarily need to be athletic and can sometimes even run a bit on the lazy side. Whippets are also pretty calm, though they tend to naturally be more active than greyhounds.
If you're AT ALL open to a larger dog, I have known Portugese Water Dogs to be extremely gentle and quiet. Bullmastiffs are supposed to be gentle, as well, though I don't have as much experience with them. Though some people are genuinely uncomfortable with some of the largest breeds, Saint Bernards and Great Danes tend to be gentle giants.
Mutts tend to be healthier (and frequently calmer) than other dogs, so I would suggest going that route if you can. Under ideal circumstances, you would probably like to find a mix of two dogs known to be very calm. Just being a mutt will not necessarily cancel out the tendencies of a larger and/or more hyper breed. The offspring will usually fall somewhere between the two temperaments, so ideally, if you get a mutt, still take both breeds into consideration. If you can meet and get to know the dog first, then so much the better. Some people actually never even get dogs without meeting their biological parents, though that's not always possible, either.
The American Kennel Club actually has a breed selector here [
www.akc.org] ...you might want to try that out. If you find a breed in which you're interested, do some heavy reading on how to care for it, and if you plan to go through a shelter or dog rescue, you might want to ask them for suggestions. Different breeds are more prone to different behaviors, grooming/feeding/exercise needs, or health issues, so it is good to know these things in advance.
If you have any other pets or have children living with you, you should try to find out which breeds do the best around them. Some tend to really prefer people company to animals, dogs to non-dogs, non-dogs to other dogs, adults over children, children over adults, or vice versa. Some do better with multiple humans in the same home, while others are much more comfortable with just one or two.
I would also suggest going with a rescue dog, if you can....people who rescue dogs will generally be VERY open about a dog's personality, they will really take the time to get to know you and suggest the best possible options, and there are exceptions to the rule within any breed. Also, if you're really-super-concerned about noise and hyperactivity, I would suggest adopting a dog who is 3-5 years old or older. 6 to 7 years corresponds to middle age in most dogs, so they have typically really started to calm down by then. After their first year, they WILL start to get calmer, but you'll still be seeing close to puppy-level energy for at least a few more years.
If you already have some breeds in which you're interested, you might want to list them. It might be easier for other people to chime in with suggestions if they know in advance which breeds to which you might already be gravitating. Getting a dog is a huge commitment, though, so it pays to be cautious. It's good that you're asking around.
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 11/04/2015 10:54AM by OceanGirl.