Good Dog for Apartment Living

[iamlowsound]

Well, I live in an apartment with a pitbull. No problems here, but it is a lot of work. 1 hour walk in the morning, 2 hours in the evening and all the extra activities too (some play time and muscle exercize). I'm not recommending one, especially since you have other pets, but just making a point that even a very active dog can do very well in an apartment if the care taker is motivated.

I'd say go for a shelter dog too. That way you'll know the temperament of the dog before you get it and you'll be doing the overpopulated shelters (and animals living in them) a favor. They can usually tell if the dog gets along with cats.

Schnauzer is a great choice too. I love those goofballs.

And just in case you'd prefer a puppy from a breeder, I have to mention one of my favourite breeds: Nova Scotia retriever. Medium sized, incredibly beautiful dog and really easy to work with in my experience

Those are cool looking dogs. I have never heard of them before.

lowsound

 

[DLKasim]

Get JD's dog from Scrubs.

Whatever you do, avoid a Sheltie if you don't want high strung.

 

[Eric Perry]

Here she's doing what she does when we're not home.

And just grooving in the sun.

Great dog. I have three short-hairs. Two red, one black. I love them!

 

[electracoyote]

Nice looking pups electracoyote.

Thanks, and backatcha

Love that brindle. We had a blue once. You just can't go wrong. The most gentle loving dogs I've ever known.

 

[lunarpollen]

Schanuzers, Boston terriers, and French bulldogs are great for apartment living

 

[lowendfriend]

I have owned many dogs over time. Mostly labs and lab mix. I still have a 95 pound Chocolate lab and never thought I would like a little dog, unmanly etc. However, about 3 years ago my daughter talked me into a Bichon Frise. Mine is a 19 pound male. A little larger than the average and the coolest dog I have ever owned. They are great around the house and fun, playful, quite and always ready to go outdoors and do what ever you want. Mine is great with strangers and kids. Not yappy like other small dogs. Can't recommend them more. The only drawback I can think of is they are not the best in the snow due to their hair. They also do not shed, a real plus if you have ever had a lab.

I am also a bichon frise owner and I would not recommend them for apartment living with other animals ( or for that matter alone) unless you are willing to spend a lot of time with them. Of course this is strongly caveated with YMMV and IMHO.

I've had Buster since 12 weeks and he's 11 years old now. their size would seem to indicate OK for apt living, but they can be pretty wacky little guys and kinda neurotic and needy in terms of attention seeking. I see RWP's is a little larger and I have met larger bichons that had very different temperments than the 10-13 pounders....larger seems to = generally milder temperments.

Don't get me wrong....Bichons are great little guys and I know we will always have one....go on youtube and look for bichons blitzing and it is a full scale riot.

But they are not the lowest maintenance dog.

I'd recommend getting a pure bred dog, mainly so you can learn about the different breed traits and then be sure that's what you are getting when you acquire.

I would also generally not recommend most terriers for your situation mainly because they are bred to dig around and that doesn't always line up well with being alone in an apartment.

+1000 on crate training. Crates are not "cruel". Buster actually just goes into his on his own when things are getting too exciting for him (e.g., thunderstorms). It gives them a nice little portable den that is "their own space".

Take your time and be sure of the breed traits before you get one and you will save both your family and the pooch a lot of wear and tear. Just like bass shopping, make sure you spend a little time with one b4 deciding. Before we got Buster, we actually picked up a White West Highland terrier. We had 48 hours from hell, culminating in my daughter being acutely allergic to him.

 

[warwick.hoy]

Were are looking into a Min Pin that needs a forever home (she's a rescue). She is a very quiet and sweet dog. She was a little tentative when we first came over, but after a few bonding exercises she started to warm up to me. We'll have to be patient as it may be another month before we can get her. She seems very well behaved and she is already housebroken.

 

[blendermassacre]

+1 I never would have thought these types of dogs would be cool but they really are.

our shi tzu Lhasa apso mix is the best dog ever. Super chill and funny personality.

 

[blendermassacre]

min pins are a handfull. Ours is loud, needy, irritating and hyperactive

 

[warwick.hoy]

min pins are a handfull. Ours is loud, needy, irritating and hyperactive

We visited this one at her temporary home and she was a little shy around strangers. There's no telling what sort of past she has but around us there wasn't a peep out of her. She was little shaky at first but she warmed up to me after a little walk and some turkey hot dog bribery.

We had a dog come visit our house to see how the cats would do and they showed interest but there was no hissing or fur raising soooo...a somewhat good sign I think.

 

[Stumbo]

IME, purebreds can have more health problems in the long run. I also suggest short hair dogs. Possibly find a couple of vets in your area and stop by to ask them what they would recommend. They may even have some leads for you to check out.

You might want to check out these links:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/apartment.htm

Here's another list I found:
Dogs that do well in the city

Many breeds of dogs seem to have a secret yearning to become a couch potato and thus do well in apartments or condominiums.
Low Energy dogs

Those with low energy levels don't even need extensive walks or workouts as long as they get sufficient exercise and are not overfed.

Toy dogs have high energy levels in some cases, but they are small enough that they can satisfy their needs running about the apartment.

Small to medium size low to moderate energy dogs that are also suitable for apartment living include:

* Cocker Spaniel,
* Clumber Spaniel,
* Sussex Spaniel,
* Basset Hound,
* Beagle,
* Basenji,
* Norwegian Elkhound,
* Dachshund,
* Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen,
* Whippet,
* most terriers,
* Bichon Frise,
* Bulldog (as long as there's no flights of stairs to climb daily),
* French Bulldog,
* Keeshond,
* Finnish Spitz,
* American Eskimo,
* Lhasa Apso,
* Schipperke, Corgi,
* Shetland Sheepdog.

Medium energy dogs

Medium to large dogs that can adjust to living in good-sized apartments as long as they get moderately long walks and a weekly allowance of boisterous exercise include:

* Brittany,
* Springer Spaniel,
* Akita,
* Malamute,
* Siberian Husky,
* Newfoundland,
* Boxer,
* Rottweiler,
* Mastiff, Bullmastiff,
* Doberman
* Pinscher,
* Great Dane,
* Samoyed,
* St. Bernard,
* Bernese Mountain Dog,
* Chow Chow,
* Collie,
* Old English Sheepdog,
* Shar Pei,
* Bouvier des Flandres,
* Briard,
* German Shepherd.

Dogs that do poorly in the city
High energy dogs

Dogs with high energy levels that do not do well in apartments without daily exercise of at least moderate intensity include:

* the large sighthounds,
* pointers,
* setters,
* retrievers,
* Dalmatians,
* Border Collie,
* Bearded Collie,
* Siberian Husky,
* foxhounds,
* coonhounds,
* Weimaraner.

Any individual dog can have a higher or lower energy level than is typical of its breed. High energy dogs can be destructive dogs if left alone too long or if not given a job to do. Obedience training and crate confinement can be wonderful aids in channeling energy and preventing wholesale damage to possessions when the dog is left alone.
Noisy dogs

Apartment dwellers should also be aware that certain breeds of dogs tend to be noisy, including:

* terriers,
* some toys,
* many of the working breeds,
* Collies,
* Norwegian Elkhounds,
* Finnish Spitz,
* American Eskimos,
* Beagles.

Guardian breeds

Guardian breeds such as

* Dobermans,
* Akitas,
* Rottweilers,
* German Shepherds,
* Boxers,
* Giant and Standard Schnauzers,
* Airedale Terriers,
* Bouvier des Flandres,
* Briards

may be too intent on protecting home turf to accept the comings and goings of neighbors, delivery men, repairmen, etc. in some apartment buildings. Obedience training can help here as well, but it is critical that dogs of these breeds be purchased from a responsible breeder who concentrates on mental health when breeding puppies.

 

[iamlowsound]

IME, purebreds can have more health problems in the long run. I also suggest short hair dogs. Possibly find a couple of vets in your area and stop by to ask them what they would recommend. They may even have some leads for you to check out.

You might want to check out these links:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/apartment.htm

Here's another list I found:
Dogs that do well in the city

Many breeds of dogs seem to have a secret yearning to become a couch potato and thus do well in apartments or condominiums.
Low Energy dogs

Those with low energy levels don't even need extensive walks or workouts as long as they get sufficient exercise and are not overfed.

Toy dogs have high energy levels in some cases, but they are small enough that they can satisfy their needs running about the apartment.

Small to medium size low to moderate energy dogs that are also suitable for apartment living include:

* Cocker Spaniel,
* Clumber Spaniel,
* Sussex Spaniel,
* Basset Hound,
* Beagle,
* Basenji,
* Norwegian Elkhound,
* Dachshund,
* Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen,
* Whippet,
* most terriers,
* Bichon Frise,
* Bulldog (as long as there's no flights of stairs to climb daily),
* French Bulldog,
* Keeshond,
* Finnish Spitz,
* American Eskimo,
* Lhasa Apso,
* Schipperke, Corgi,
* Shetland Sheepdog.

Medium energy dogs

Medium to large dogs that can adjust to living in good-sized apartments as long as they get moderately long walks and a weekly allowance of boisterous exercise include:

* Brittany,
* Springer Spaniel,
* Akita,
* Malamute,
* Siberian Husky,
* Newfoundland,
* Boxer,
* Rottweiler,
* Mastiff, Bullmastiff,
* Doberman
* Pinscher,
* Great Dane,
* Samoyed,
* St. Bernard,
* Bernese Mountain Dog,
* Chow Chow,
* Collie,
* Old English Sheepdog,
* Shar Pei,
* Bouvier des Flandres,
* Briard,
* German Shepherd.

Dogs that do poorly in the city
High energy dogs

Dogs with high energy levels that do not do well in apartments without daily exercise of at least moderate intensity include:

* the large sighthounds,
* pointers,
* setters,
* retrievers,
* Dalmatians,
* Border Collie,
* Bearded Collie,
* Siberian Husky,
* foxhounds,
* coonhounds,
* Weimaraner.

Any individual dog can have a higher or lower energy level than is typical of its breed. High energy dogs can be destructive dogs if left alone too long or if not given a job to do. Obedience training and crate confinement can be wonderful aids in channeling energy and preventing wholesale damage to possessions when the dog is left alone.
Noisy dogs

Apartment dwellers should also be aware that certain breeds of dogs tend to be noisy, including:

* terriers,
* some toys,
* many of the working breeds,
* Collies,
* Norwegian Elkhounds,
* Finnish Spitz,
* American Eskimos,
* Beagles.

Guardian breeds

Guardian breeds such as

* Dobermans,
* Akitas,
* Rottweilers,
* German Shepherds,
* Boxers,
* Giant and Standard Schnauzers,
* Airedale Terriers,
* Bouvier des Flandres,
* Briards

may be too intent on protecting home turf to accept the comings and goings of neighbors, delivery men, repairmen, etc. in some apartment buildings. Obedience training can help here as well, but it is critical that dogs of these breeds be purchased from a responsible breeder who concentrates on mental health when breeding puppies.

Isn't a boxer technically a work dog? They are some of the friendliest dogs that I have ever been around, but they have lots of energy. French Bulldogs are great.

lowsound

 

[nortonrider]

3 Cats
1 Dog
1 Bass Player
...in a 1 bedroom apartment.

You're landlord has got to love you guys.

 

[sloasdaylight]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Rottweilers or Dobermans yet. My boss used to have a bunch of Rotties, unfortunately now he's only down to one, but they were all probably the sweetest dogs I think I ever met in my life. A friend of mine has a doberman, and he leaves that dog alone with his 2 year old kid, that's how well trained he's got the dog, and a testament to their personality imo.

Considering that you said you would want to take the dog camping with you, I would recommend against a miniature for a number of reasons. The first and most obvious is that they're minis, which means they can disappear much easier than a bigger dog, and also, which is a very real threat, is that min-pins, and other small miniature dogs can actually be grabbed by some hawks and other larger birds of prey. I don't know if this is a problem for you where you live and the birds there, but it's a very real problem for miniature sized dogs in the country.

All that being said though, I have a soft spot for animals, and especially dogs who have been mistreated or neglected, so if you can rescue a dog that fits your needs I would go that route 100%. Whatever you do though, the best thing you can do, for yourself and the dog if possible, is to get a puppy, preferably a young puppy. It gives you the most amount of time to bond with the dog and let it establish you and your GF/Wife as the alpha male and female in the pack from as soon as it can remember basically, which is a very good thing.

Good luck, and get ready for a lot of really rewarding work.

 

[warwick.hoy]

3 Cats
1 Dog
1 Bass Player
...in a 1 bedroom apartment.

You're landlord has got to love you guys.

Add to the list a Hedgehog,...3 Leopard Geckos,...A Pacman Frog,...a White's Tree Frog,...An Emperor Scorpion and a Chilean Rose Tarantula,...oh and a Beta Fish and if we want to talk semantics we have two colonies of roaches which are feeders for the lizards and frogs,...and no they do not infest our home.

Not trying to come off as defensive but we love our home,...it may be a little unkempt (which would change if when we decide on a dog) but it certainly isn't squalor. The cats go in the appropriate places, get the Invalid Link Removed and the best litter and are all responsibly cared for as are all of our pets.



And I don't go overboard on the volume when I practice.

We have a great relationship with our landlord. We've lived in the same building for four years (my wife has lived here longer) and have always had somewhat of a zoo. My wife is an animal lover as am I and she has wanted a dog for a long time. I've only recently agreed. The only reason the landlord "loves" us is for all the pet deposits we have gladly paid.

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Rottweilers or Dobermans yet. My boss used to have a bunch of Rotties, unfortunately now he's only down to one, but they were all probably the sweetest dogs I think I ever met in my life. A friend of mine has a doberman, and he leaves that dog alone with his 2 year old kid, that's how well trained he's got the dog, and a testament to their personality imo.

Considering that you said you would want to take the dog camping with you, I would recommend against a miniature for a number of reasons. The first and most obvious is that they're minis, which means they can disappear much easier than a bigger dog, and also, which is a very real threat, is that min-pins, and other small miniature dogs can actually be grabbed by some hawks and other larger birds of prey. I don't know if this is a problem for you where you live and the birds there, but it's a very real problem for miniature sized dogs in the country.

All that being said though, I have a soft spot for animals, and especially dogs who have been mistreated or neglected, so if you can rescue a dog that fits your needs I would go that route 100%. Whatever you do though, the best thing you can do, for yourself and the dog if possible, is to get a puppy, preferably a young puppy. It gives you the most amount of time to bond with the dog and let it establish you and your GF/Wife as the alpha male and female in the pack from as soon as it can remember basically, which is a very good thing.

Good luck, and get ready for a lot of really rewarding work.

The min pin is a little smaller than I want but not so much of a teacup or toy breed. I think she is a bit of a comprimise. She probably won't go on hikes, but I'm all to happy to take her on a walk around our neighborhood. I need an excuse to get out of the house.

When our lease is up we are actually looking into renting a house,...I think by then we will revisit the idea of a bigger dog.

 

[Randall]

My girlfriend who is a dog groomer suggested a Cavalier king charles spaniel.

 

[need4mospd]

Don't listen too much to individual comments on a breed's traits. Most of a dog's personality comes from it's owner and how it's raised. Give the dog lots of attention, it'll likely love giving it back. Give it plenty of play time, it'll likely want to play. Be disciplined and consistent, you'll have a well behaved pooch. Be violent and inconsistent, you'll get a dufus yapping twit that bites strangers and pees in your shoes.

My $0.02.

 

[csala]

I have had several cocker spaniels in both an apt in NYC and a house in SoCal. They are perfect dogs with hilarious personalities.

I suggest you rescue one that's about a year or two old. No housetraining required.

 

[BioDriver]

Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Small, very smart, and very easy to train.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Dirk Diggler]

IMHO dogs were not meant to live in apartments, it's not fair to them unless you will be a very good owner and get them outside as often as possible.
Dirk