The majority of responses here will recommend the breed that the responder has/prefers, not necessarily the best choice for you.
Generally speaking, small dogs are more likely to be yappers/barkers when left alone, BUT any dog can develop anxieties, be improperly trained, etc., and be a yapper/barker.
I'd recommend going to a dog show and talking to breeders about the dog. I have found that breeders tend to be more honest about the negatives of the breed than owners will be - mostly because they have experience with a large number of dogs, not just a select few (and they don't want to dog coming back because of an ill match). Once you narrow down the breed(s) you're interested in, then you can consider rescuing through a breed rescue, general rescue group, or breeder to find the right dog for you.
Also, look online for a "breed selector" program - I think AKC has one. You plug in things like how much grooming do you want to do, how much exercise do you to give the dog, etc., and the program will identify a variety of breeds that most meet your responses. It's a nice way to narrow your options down.
