To answer your question about howling and just plain loud I will have to dig out a picture of my almost 6 month old female Stella... She will pierce your ear drums when she gets going
But I am so glad you decided to stick with Jax.. These little guys change looks so much as they get older and anyways by that point they will have you so wrapped around their paws you would not care if they went bald you would still love them to pieces!!!