But she's under the impression she can just impulse buy. 
Unfortunately she's not the researching type...so maybe someone can
help.  I asked her to give me a few things she'd like in a dog...so
here they are!

1) Not a lot of shedding
2) Not a lot of odor
3) Not a lot of drool (maybe closer to the NO drool side)
4) Doesn't yap (ie, no tiny dogs, and no big barkers)
5) Not a jumper - not one of those dogs that jumps up on you when you
walk in the door, not a hyperactive dog

So from talking to her, it sounds like she'd like a medium sized
dog...nothing like a poodle or a pug, but not as big as either a
golden retriever or a lab, something in between.

What else can I tell you?  Let me know...and thanks!

Chris

Hi Bootsy!

My owners tell me that what your mom really wants is a cat!  ;)  (The
cats that own me threatened to take away my internet access if I
didn't mention that possibility.)

You're absolutely correct that a dog cannot be an "impulse buy". 
Adopting a pet requires serious thought and commitment!

From a personal perspective:  The last dog I owned was a toy collie/
German Shepard mix who stood about knee high and weighed around 40
pounds.  She was sweet natured, obedient...and dumb as a box of rocks.
 She didn't shed much, didn't drool much (all dogs drool *some*) and
was very friendly.  She did require a weekly bath, however, because of
an unfortunate predilection for rolling in the compost heap.

My husband, a dog enthusiast, says to ignore any suggestions of the
feline persuasion, and consider a cocker spaniel.  These are medium
sized dogs that require minimal grooming, are relatively bright and
obedient, don't shed a lot, and are qute friendly.  They can be a
little flaky, though - unless care is taken to train them, you may
find that they occasionally want to jump on you and love on you the
second you walk into the room.  They are very trainable, however, and
are excellent if your living space is small.

An apartment dwelling friend has a lovely black lab - she's not very
big (about knee high), is sweet natured, relatively obedient, and
occasionally bright.  She's very friendly, rarely barks (only when
someone comes to the door), but does suffer awful doggie breath.  She
is sleek and sheds only moderately.

Of course, choosing a dog does require a bit more detail than that. 
First, I would urge your mom to consider adopting a companion from her
local chapter of the American Humane Society.  The best way to choose
a dog is to spend some one-on-one time with him prior to adoption -
the Humane Society encourages this, and screens both dogs and their
prospective pet humans carefully to make sure they're right for each
other:

The American Humane Society:  The Adoption Process
http://www.americanhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pa_adoption_process

The Dog Breed Info Center offers a brief (11 question) compatibility
quiz based on specific personal needs and circumstances.  It will
generate a short list of potential breeds based on the answers you
provide:

Dog Breed Info Center
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm

Much more detailed, requiring a bit more time and yielding a much more
detailed list, is the BestDOG! questionnair.  You are asked to select
specific traits and define how important each trait is to you.  The
site will then generate a ranked list from closest match to least
compatible breed based on your answers.  Each breed name is linked to
specific information about the breed's size, temperament, grooming
needs, and more.  Most also include photos:

BestDOG! Selector
http://www.glowdog.com/bestdog/

Among the top ranking breeds when I took the quiz using your mother's
criteria ranked as "Extremely Important" and random personal
preferences for everything else were:  English Springer Spaniel, Jack
Russell Terrier, Border Terrier, Beagle and Bassett Hound - all small
to medium sized dogs who shed little require minimal grooming, are
moderately to very bright, and are emotionally stable (not hyper!).

For more information about dogs and choosing the right one for your
(or your mom's!) personal preferences and circumstances, I've
assembled a short list of resources:

Pets:  Dogs
http://www.essortment.com/in/Pets.Dogs/

Dog Owner's Guide:  Choosing the Right Dog
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/tchoose.html

Choosing a Dog:  So You Think You Want A...?
http://www.wonderpuppy.net/choose.htm#wanta

Thinking About Getting A Dog?
http://www.fuzzyfaces.com/lgetting.html

Am I Ready To Buy A Dog?
http://members.tripod.com/~Marge_S_2/nonframes/Am_I_Ready.htm

102 Ways To Be A Responsible Dog Owner
http://www.akc.org/love/think_first.cfm

I hope this information is helpful to you!  If you need further
assistance, please don't hesitate to ask for clarification.  I'll be
glad to help!

--Missy

Search terms: [ choose a dog ], [ dog ownership ]

Thanks so much...another great answer!

I beg to differ with you Missy!  Poodles of all sizes whether toy,
minitature, or standard do not drool.  :)  :)

tlspiegel
Google Answers Researcher
(owned by 2 miniature Poodles who don't shed or drool)  lol

Of the several dogs that I have owned, I would recommend in no particular order: 

1) Yellow Labrador (lovely disposition)

2) Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (but they shed)

3) Yorkshire Terrier (and they don't shed)... my current pooch, called Daisy

I would definitely not have another Afghan Hound at any price!

Wow, do I have the perfect dog for your mum.  The basenji is a small
barkless African hound, known for their curly tail, their cleanliness
and almost odourless short fine coat.  And drooling?  NEVER!  I happen
to have a litter or basenji puppies at the moment (!) but unless she
lives in Australia, I doubt I can be of much assistence there!
A caveat: they're not the dogs for everyone, they are independent
souls, and won't give instant obedience or fawning affection.  But
definitely worth a look!

Araminty 
Google Answers Researcher
(Owned by *counts* 6 basenjis and a beagle, who DOES smell and shed
and drool, unfortunately!)

How about a local animal shelter?  She can get an idea of their behavior, etc.

Hello, I recommend a Yorkshire Terrier not because I have three of my
own but for the following reasons.
1. They don't shed hair which is great for people who have allergies
but loves pet, like myself.
2. They're toy size in-door dogs which help them stay clean longer
than outside dogs. Bathing them once a week is all you to keep them
smelling good.
3. Yorkies are lap dogs so they love to be on your lap all the time.
4. Any dogs are yapper but if you train them they will not bark at all.  
5. Yorkies are in the top 10 obedient dogs, so they are very easy to train.
6. Yorkshire Terrier is the #1 registered breed in AKC maybe because
there are alot more people that love pets but have allergies problems.

Check out http://rickzero.com to see high quality photos of all my
beautiful yorkies.