Another Apartment Dog Post

[~Janessa]

I know there must be a thousand of these, but I want to know what you guys think for MY needs.

I'm 18 years old, and have enough money to support myself. I'm going to be moving into an apartment soon, and am graduating High School this year.

I grew up with a sheltie name Georgia and a black lab named Stone, but Stone died when I was 8 so the memories are slightly blury, and Georgia died two years ago.

However, these were my parents dogs and were fully trained, so I have little experience. When I lived with my friend for two months, I had fun with her two dogs (a dobie and a golden. She also got a poodle puppy when I was there, so I saw some of it's training), but I still don't know a lot so I need a dog that's smart and will learn.

Everyone says OOHHHH GET A GOLDEN!!! But all the goldens I know come from nasty breeders who don't show, and I was discriminated against when I wanted to buy one. I couldn't because I was 18, blonde, and the under part of my hair is purple. That's also the reason I didn't get an apartment a few weeks ago.

I like big dogs. Not so key with chis and poms, because they're so little and the ones I know are quite prissy little things. o.o

Anyway, I've been told pugs are GREAT apt. dogs, but I've also been told they have breathing problems, and the same with bulldogs.

What about an Olde English Bulldogge or a collie? Are they disruptable dogs?

- I'm not a retarded 18 yr old by the way. I WILL give this dog the attention he/she needs along with adequite excersize & grooming, etc. -

 

[Laurelin]

As a fellow renter a big thing is to really really consider looking around at renting restrictions. Most places have them, some have very strict ones. It's best before going into searching for a dog to have an idea of what is typical. It's a LOT harder to rent with a dog than without- no matter the size. Most places here set the limit at 20-35 lbs. and most apartments have breed restrictions as well. Since this is a very unstable time in our lives, it's usually helpful to see what is typical because a lot of people change apartments after a short time.

Getting any dog will limit the choices you have, but larger dogs will really really limit them even more. I know around here the places that allow large dogs aren't the places I want to live to say the least as far as quality goes.

 

[Maxy24]

Glad to hear you are willing to give your dog what she needs! How about money though? i know just starting out may be hard for supporting yourself without having a dog as well. If you have a reliable job and know you can support a dog that's a different story.

With that aside I'm gonna ask for a bit more info. How long will the dog be alone all day? Do you want a pup from a breeder, from a rescue or an adult from a rescue? How active are you (since you'll be in an apartment she'll need a lot of walks if she is a large dog because she can't run around in a yard). Are you gonna get other pets (cats or dogs) while you have this one (some breeds are more likely to get along, or not get along, with other pets). i myself am not a fan of Goldens since they are so popular, people tend to get them without thinking just because "Goldens are perfect for everyone!" rolleyes and they are over bred so I just am not a fan, but for some people they are great dogs.
As far as collies go, they tend to bark which can be a problem in an apartment. they are great dogs though, very sweet and generally easy to train. I don't know anything about the OEBD so I'm no help there.

Pugs and English Bulldogs are both brachycephalic breeds (have a flat face and short nasal passages) so if they are over worked they will have trouble breathing. That does not mean they cannot run around and play it just means that they cannot over do it and you need to be careful in hot weather. This has some info:
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_brachycephalic.html

How much grooming can you handle? What size dog (a weight range or breed comparison would be the best since we all have different ideas of what a large dog is).

Hope I can help but I need a bit more info first!

 

[Zoom]

Are you going to be going to college after high school? While some students can make it work, it's generally not a good idea to get a pet during college, just because of the time demands for your classes and such. I had to wait until I graduated college before I could get a dog and it about drove me nuts! I ended up getting a couple rats my junior year just to have something furry to play with.

What do you want in a dog? Size, grooming, exercise, barking, trainability...

 

[~Janessa]

As far as grooming goes, I can handle a lot of it. I don't mind cleaning the apartment, so hair isn't an issue either. I've been looking at places, and the ones I've contacted have told me pets are OK as long as:
- Other tenants do not complain about noise
- Other tenants are not provoked by said animals
- The animals do not damage any property belonging to the landlord


I will not be getting any other pets until I have my own house, which will most likely be a townhouse in a couple of years. Financially, I can support a dog and myself.

On the chat, I've talked to people about getting an adult dog. I've checked the classifieds and craiglist. So far I've found 1 add I find remotely okay (the rest sounded like they came from BYBs), but I know rottweiler puppies are stubborn and destructive, so not a good choice.

Also, I can handle a dog around 60-70 pounds, no more TBH.

This dog will be left alone for generally 8 hours a day, HOWEVER my brother Tyler will come over to play & take him outside to let the puppy relieve him/herself every 2 hours. If it's an adult, then I'll let Tyler come over every 3 or 4 hours. I will take 2 weeks off of work (2/3 of my vacation for this year) when I first get this puppy or adult dog.

The prices at my shelter are rediculous. It's 200 - i believe 275, plus another 75 for spay/neuter, but the prices have gone up. I saw a litter of foxhound puppies there for about $380.

Sorry for the long post. >.<

 

[Zoom]

Wow, your shelter is nuts! Adoption fees around here, at least at the shelter I go to usually, is about $95 and that includes all shots and neutering.

Have you looked at Petfinder.com? I would really recommend going with a slightly older dog, around 2 years old at least. They will have the bladder control and be out of the crazy puppy chewing phase. Rottie pups aren't anymore stubborn or destructive than most other puppies...actually less so than say, a beagle or shih tzu.

As a general rule, it's not a great idea to get a puppy out of the paper and unless it's one of the countless "I got this puppy and now I dont' want it because I'm stupid" posts on Craigslist, that's not the best place to get a dog either.

 

[Maxy24]

To tell you the truth that doesn't sound expensive considering they are neutered and up to date on shots, that saves you a lot of money. My CAT'S neuter was $152, a dog is more and female is a lot more. Shots, exam and wormer costs over $100, Rescues usually do the first round, you'd do the second (unless he's older then he might be all set if you trust your rescue). Plus you have to consider that they have been feeding and caring for the pup so that all costs money. the puppies at the rescue I volunteer at cost $400-$450, adults are $300-$350. They are vetted, well fed (some get raw, some get Wellness, some California Natural), well groomed, socialized and we train them for the time they are in our care. Plus they are all crate trained and therefore many are housebroken or well on their way. To me a few hundred dollars is not too much at all. If they are not neutered or UTD on shots then that sounds expensive.

And I like long posts myself, so don't be sorry for them Check out www.petfinder.com the search on the left there allows you to find dogs you might like that are near you.

 

[Maxy24]

Wow, your shelter is nuts! Adoption fees around here, at least at the shelter I go to usually, is about $95 and that includes all shots and neutering.

Wow, up here they are never that cheap. That said all the southern shelters tend to be cheaper than the ones up here in New England...kinda unfair but the south has more over population than the north so that might be why.

 

[Linds]

I also wanted to add in that a lot of people forget to factor in the cost of high quality food which for a large dog will be expensive.

For a high quality grain free food the price for a large bag is going to be around 50-70 dollars or more. Keep in mind a large dog is going to eat more (though on high quality they will eat a lot less than on low quality food)

I just wanted to throw that out there because a lot of people forget to factor in that amount of money for food.

 

[Zoom]

Wow, up here they are never that cheap. That said all the southern shelters tend to be cheaper than the ones up here in New England...kinda unfair but the south has more over population than the north so that might be why.

That's just the one...you can find places charging upwards of $200, which I think is a ripoff and a factor as to why the petstores and BYB's are still getting so much business.

 

[corgi_love]

Janessa,

Make sure when you go to an apartment that allows dog that you squeeze out EVERY detail. I just moved out of my apartment, and it turns out if you say you have a dog, no matter what your carpet looks like, you have to replace the carpet. I'm talking over $900 for a one bedroom place. It was NOT cool to be slapped with that bill, along with the other BS just to squeeze every penny out of me -___-;

 

[jess2416]

Wow, up here they are never that cheap. That said all the southern shelters tend to be cheaper than the ones up here in New England...kinda unfair but the south has more over population than the north so that might be why.

Im in NC and at animal control they are around 75.00(including the spay/neuter), and rescues a little more...

 

[FoxyWench]

dont nessicarily rule out smaller breeds...my chis may be a little insane, but there certainly not prissy...
paps are another good small dog thats pretty but not "prissy" never be fooled by looks!

first dog of your own id stick with an eager to pleae breed whos past the crazy puppy stage (look for a 1-2 yr old) look into the cost of PREMUIM food, deacent toys, crate, ect and see how much you can actually afford start up and monthly...good quality food is not cheap and a 100lb rottie will eat more than a 30lb spaniel...

not sure id recomend a pug, the ones that ive met (that come to daycare) tend to be a little...insane! very high energy and kinda stubborn, and for most people i dont suggest bully breeds for first own dogs (again can be stubborn and difficult to train)


check out petfinder.com for local smaller rescues, private listings and breed specific offering transport...

i live in CT and our 2 local shelters adult canines go for $300, puppies $400, if the dog is purbred (or looks purebred add $100 to the fee) kittens are $300 and adult cats $200...

8 hours a day alone , even with someone comming to let him/her out is a long time, id definatly look for something older, probably somehting already house broken if possible.

 

[~Janessa]

I'm currently checking out an apartment. I'm on the phone with the LL right now.

It's a 1 bedroom apt with own entrance, pets welcome, parking in back (assigned parking), $600 a month. I'm just going over pet stuff with the LL.

The LL said in the add aswell: Call ___ - ___ - _____ from 7 30 - 11 PM, between 9 and 10 preferred, so I called him when indicated. ^^

All that set aside, what are chows like? I was looking at a pretty spiffy 11 month old golden/chow mix, she was a cutey, but I'm not sure. I've heard chows are barky and aggresive.

 

[Sch3Dana]

Personally I am a big fan of older rescue dogs. They are very appreciative of the attention and not demanding like young dogs. I would aim for something 4+ and a smaller breed so that you won't have as many problems getting a rental. Unfortunately there are lots of "old lady dogs" that come available when the elderly owners pass away. These can be great pets and are often already housebroken and mellowed out, in all varieties of breeds. My friends in LA adopted a chihuahua pug mix at 8 years old and he as been a great pet to them these last few years. With the smaller breeds they often live into their teens, so 8 isn't as old as it sounds.

 

[RD]

Chows are very, very quiet dogs. I had a Lab/Chow mix that was a lovely old soul, not "aggressive" but definitely very aloof. But if you don't want an indepdent, hard-headed dog, don't go with a Chow.

Have you considered the merits of Whippets or Greyhounds? They're very kind, quiet, normally friendly dogs (Whippets especially) and they aren't terribly needy like some breeds.

If I could offer you any advice, it'd be to steer clear of the more intense breeds unless you find an older rescue dog (4+) that has a mellow temperament.

 

[Mykl]

A few things to consider when getting a dog is other aspects of finance. You'll be their guardian and there are other variables besides food. In that you will be self-supporting and have an influx of utility bills, food, and house items needed to live well. This can all be managed of course, but I know when I got my first apartment it took a while to both figure out my actual cost of living and to budget. You'll want your new dog to live well also, and unfortunately there are always unpredictable factors. Vet's in most cases require payment at the time of service and should your little one fall ill, (poor thing..), you'd want to be sure that you are financially prepared. Some apartments will allow you to bring pets in at anytime during the course of your lease upon payment of the pet-deposit. This could allow you some time to make the best decision as to what kind of breed you want and prepare for bringing him/her home. I am not by any means insinuating to not do it, I'm just placing some food for thought. It's hard not to overlook some things when your excited to have a dog in your new place. Good luck!

 

[Lizmo]

I'm going to agree with RD. A Whippet or Greyhound could be a perfect match for you.

While I see that paying upwards of $300 is a LOT, but consider some rescues are superb in keeping animals up-to-date with shots, worming, and even fed very high quality food. But, if you see that the shelter/rescue is NOT this way, dont pay $300+. I payed $15 (and promised to spay her and return with my vet's copy saying she was indeed spayed) for my female, Lizzie, at our shelter.

 

[~Janessa]

Update!

Well today I told my boss (she's an elderly chinese women, and I just found out today she owns chow chows) I was looking for a dog. She literally kicked me out of work to go look around for one! She's a HUGE dog fan, and said she could fill in for me.

It is no use fighting her. o.o

But anyway, my brother drove me about half an hour to go to a different shelter, and I found what some of you guys suggested, but I had to narrow it down.

I'm going back tommorow during my lunch break and will maybe put one on hold. The prices are around the same, but these dogs are fed a WAY higher quality food, get more excersize per day, and are treated like kings and queens.

Future Dog Prospects:
Female Chow X, Age 2 (fluffy and prettiful. She was white and red and black with ticking)
Female Long Haired Whippet, Age 6 (black and white)
Female Long Haired Whippet, Age 6 (cream and white brindle)
Male, Pug X GSD, Age 10 Months (SUCH a mellow dog, a little awkward looking though)
Male, Belgian Tervuran, Age 1 Year, 2 Months (He was ADORABLE)

The Belgian Tervuran was a real sweetie. His owner died in a car accident and is really confused, but he was very bright and happy.

The Chow mix was quiet. The whippets seemed kind of shy, and the pug x gsd was just

The rest of them were too barky, too big, or had temperment problems with kids. (which is bad because my brother wants to start a family, and theres a huge chance this dog will still be living with me when he does have kids and I want to be part of their life).

Anyway, I want your feedback on these poochies. Should I keep looking?

Also, I'm pretty sure I've decided on the apartment I'm going to choose to live in. There is no weight restrictions on dogs, and it has it's own entrance.

 

[CharlieDog]

Id go with either one of the whippets or the Belgian. Both seem like they would fit in better..