dog for apartment?

[Renee750il]

Trust me, inside an apartment you really, really want a sofa 'tater, lol! For one thing, it keeps the neighbors from complaining about you and your dog and getting you invited to find other accomodations . . . Once these dogs get outside they're ready to exercise, and that's where you want them to get cranked up, not in the apartment.

A Dogo is a real no-no in an apartment . . . comparable to trying to keep a Fila in an apartment - a really bad match all around. Steer clear of herding breeds, whatever you do . . .

 

[ice cold]

not evena corgi? ****. I wasn't planning on keeping a dogo in an apartment,t hey're just my favorite breed, lol. When I have one, I'm goign to have acreage, lol. And a pond. That is just my dog dream. Maybe I'll even breed them. But that's WAY in the future. I mean, a year or 2 is far enough away as is. so no one knows ANYTHING about english cockers?
Is it a reasonable fear to think that a greyhound might not come when called at a dog park? so they like water at all? What about whippets? can you get those retired?

 

[yuckaduck]

I have a two bedroom apartmen and a german shepherd who is fine but I walk him 4 times a day and not little 5 min walks. Two walks are over an hour and the in between walks are 30-40 mins of ball chasing or running around with other dogs. If he misses a walk he is full of beans and a bit of a pain in the butt. Just know the expectations of the breed and be willing to give what it needs or else look at something else.

 

[Renee750il]

Corgi's are militant little herders! They have to make up for their small size with attitude to be able to move animals that are SOOOOO much larger. With a Corgi you get a whole lotta dog - and a dog who isn't shy about telling you or anyone else it's opinion - in a compact package.

Sighthounds are just what the name implies - they follow by sight and that's their primary focus. I wouldn't ever feel secure turning one loose in an unrestricted area. There are always compromises to be made, especially when you're dealing with apartment life where you are close to other people. Yuck's got her hands full! But she's dedicated and German Shepherds tend to be pretty adaptable, wanting to take care of their people, which to their mindset, includes keeping their people happy. Sometimes, though, they will get an idea in their heads that they have a much better idea of how to take care of you than you do . . . and sometimes they're right, lol!

 

[yuckaduck]

That is very true, I have my hands full but I have two little kids as well. We hope to have a house soon as the older Yukon gets the more energy he will have and he will be to big for an apartment. It is tough when you are so close to neighbours and in such confined places.

 

[ice cold]

So, back to cocker spaniels. Yes or no?

 

[bubbatd]

I personally think it's the individual dog, not the breed. If I lived in an apt. and wanted a dog, I'd go rescue ( of whatever breed I was interested in )and do a trial. any of my dogs (goldens) wouldn't mind apt. life. EliNHunter's X rescued a lab to an apt. I would not " try" a puppy.

 

[Renee750il]

If I were considering a Cocker for an apartment I would DEFINITELY go to a breed rescue and look for an adult. Cockers' temperaments and personalities are all over the scale due to their overwhelming popularity some years back and all of the backyard breeders that got into the Cocker business. That's the only way you'd have any chance of knowing if that particular dog could live happily in an apartment.

 

[aurorab]

I read that you were interested in grey hounds but worried about your cat, most are fine w/ cats. After a grey hound retires they are place in forster homes a taught how to be dogs. Going from living in a crate, around other dog of their kind only and not much contact w/ humans, they need to learn a lot. Like what steps are, and walking on a leash and couch... they love couches. So this time in forster care is very very important. Also inforster care they find out if they are ok w/ cats, other dogs, etc. Most grey hounds are actually fine w/ cats.
They seem like they are a bit large but they can fit into a small space and love it. They can be major couch potatoes and a relatively easy to care for. 1 major thing is that you either need a fenced yard or they most always be on a leash. If they see something and get into chase mode then they will forget where they are and just chase and possibly get lost. They lose sight of every thing but what they are chasing and can't find their way back home. So leash or fenced yard or evena dog park if needed. Some rescues have your read a book I think it's called the grey hound handbook. It is wonderfull and very helpfull. We are thinking of being forster parents but we have to wait a bit longer (just moved, fence not in yet, new puppy, etc) but we are still hoping to do it in the future.
They really are great pets and they are fine in apt and very easy to take care of.
Just some info.
Also have you looked into pharaoh, ibizan or scilian hounds, rodesian ridgebacks, brittany, or a vizsla? just a few more to look at.

 

[BigDog2191]

Sorry, I haven't read the whole thread but why not dachshunds? They were used to chase out ground hogs that burrowed in the ground so they can be very good watch dogs. My brother has one and he's very gentle and nice. Cute, too.

The only problem with them is that they can be a BIG hassle to house train. But you can always adopt one that's already house trained.

 

[Sprout]

Brussels Griffons or Affenpinchers are EXCATLY what youre looking for!
I own a Griff myself, and he is my best friend!
Sprout learns things within 5 minutes, hes EXTREMELY intellegent, and he is small too. He's a bit oversized for his breed, but hes still under my knee.
Sprout LOVES to swim, and is great with everyone, but has a special bond with me
Hes not aggeressive with any other big dog, we own a HUGE golden retriver outself, and thoes two are great friends! griffons have scruffy fur and dry off VERY quick.. and dont require lots of grooming..
they can live in apartments, too, they can excersize themselves the pics in my avatar and signature are of sprout, and in my profile pic. you can also look them up on the internet and theyll come up with a bunch of stuff!
and griffons arent fragile, like a chihuhauha or something, theyre pretty buff, compared to other breeds.. heres a video of sprout
http://www.youtube.com/?v=aZv0ZTJoUIg

 

[skyhigh]

Ice Bucket. What about a Griffon? Thats what Sprout suggested. A german Shepherd is a no no for an apartment. I have one now and she needs to ruuuunnnn like crazy. If you want a dog that can run with other dogs at the park AND is great for appratment life, check out the cavalier king charles spaniel. Here, I did some research for you...

Check out this site. Has all the info you need. http://www.ackcsc.org/

Hope this helps. I think these dogs are great. They are gorgeous and dont shed much.

Temperment:
Gay, friendly, non-aggressive with no tendency towards nervousness or shyness.

 

[Zoom]

A Cav is a good pick temperment wise, but the coat may be a little much and they may not be active enough. Seriously, I would go look at the retired Greyhounds. When they say couch potato, it's only when indoors with nothing to do. Once outside and told to chase or let loose, they just GO until called back/get tired. Minimal grooming, and any half-decent rescue can tell you which ones aren't good with cats so you don't have to guess about it.

 

[skyhigh]

If you just give it a quick brush everyday it should be fine. They are cute little things. Here, i posted a pic of a greyhound and a cav

 

[poeluvr]

I have wanted to adopt a retires racing greyhound for a very long time, however...cat. I mean, chasing things that look like cats is what greyhounds do for a living, what they're bred for. And with a pomeranian possibly as well?

I'm supposing a standard bull is just to big and active for an apartment?

i have a half pom loves cats, and it mother which is a full pom is with cats all the time

 

[adamnaubry]

I scanned through most of the messages, I don't know if anyone suggested this, but have you considered a boston terrier? My mom has one as well as a cat so I know they are good with cats. She's about 25 lbs, active when you want her to be, lazy when you want her to be, she's no taller than 20 inches. She's muscular enough to play with the bigger dogs. She's also an extremely intelligent animal. Bostons would be excellent apartment dogs.

Also, since they are a short hair dog, no grooming is required as far as fur. Every once in a while the wrinkles have to be swabbed with clean q-tips.

 

[poeluvr]

i hared every once in a while boston terriers have to go to the vets and get like "there package" cleeared out of something(its not neutering)...forget what its called.
i had a boston terrier, but he never got that done, but i heard it hAS tobe done

 

[RD]

Cavaliers - Lovely, peaceul little spaniels without the huge array of temperament problems that the Cocker spaniel has. Sturdy little guys, too. Peaceful in temperament, not really prone to aggression.

Also, have you considered English Setters? As puppies they are PSYCHO, but as adults they are wonderful, mellow dogs indoors. (Most retain their psycho tendencies once they are let outside, though.) Also, very peaceful and sweet in temperament, with the typical 'soft bite' and gentleness of a sporting dog.

A lot of people suggested Dachshunds, but I personally would steer clear of them for apartment living... Doxies are working dogs, believe it or not, and many are more active than your average Border Collie!

Miniature Poodles are awesome dogs, not too small and apparently not nearly as messed-up as Standard Poodles or Toy Poodles. (Not as popular, it seems.) But if you don't want to take a dog to the groomer's at least every 6-7 weeks, I'd avoid a poodle.

 

[jackaroo]

I think the best solution is to go to the local animal shelter or rescue and look at an older dog. Those blessed animals are waiting for someone just like you. The Animal Shelter personnel are better and selecting a dog for your situation than any internet questionnaire available. Try it. And good luck. The animal you select will be a very happy doggie

 

[Manchesters]

If Twere I......

Gruend comes to mind.