Good dog to buy that is under 20 pounds fully grown?

Question

I'm moving into an apartment that only allows dogs 20lbs and under fully grown. I've only had large dogs and am not familiar with which breeds would even be under that weight, and which have good temperments. I'm also not too into "high maintenance" dogs (the kinds people seem tempted to put bows on and dress up). Any suggestions?

Answer 1

I would say, go for a pug or pug mix. They are not high maintenance, not "yippy" and are pretty good companions. Most smaller dogs are pretty high maintenance because they were bred to be companions and not for a "job", per se. Terriers (Westies, Jack Russels, Cairn, etc.) are okay too, but tend to be hyper. I would say a pug is a good dog for a "small dog beginner". And, really - Please don't discount mixed breeds. They generally have a longer life span and won't have as many health and/or emotional issues as purebreds. Save a life; adopt from a shelter or rescue group. DON'T BUY a designer dog, like the currently ever-so-popular "puggle". It's just silly and perpetuates adding to this country's companion animal over-population problem.

Answer 2

Italian Greyhounds, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Pekingese are great apartment dogs - quiet and don't need a lot of exercise. Pugs are usually good, but they can be a little on the hyper side. Papillons are smart and easy to obedience train.

With little dogs, you HAVE to use a crate to get them housebroken. They need to go out more often than a big dog. You can litterbox train them if you want, but don't use wee-wee pads if you want to train them to go outside.

Most of the herding dogs, terriers and toy dogs and beagles and poodles are very yappy and very active and do NOT make good apartment dogs.

I'd also suggest reading some really good books on training. Try not to do it randomly - there are a lot of bad books out there also! These are some of my favorites and you can get them on Amazon.com
What All Good Dogs Should Know - Volhard
Good Owners, Great Dogs - Brian Kilcommins
Dog Tricks : Eighty-Eight Challenging Activities for Your Dog from World-Class Trainers by Haggerty and Benjamin
Don't Shoot the Dog - Pryor
Training Your Dog: The Step by Step Method - Volhard
Dog Problems - Benjamin
Cesar's Way - Cesar Millan

Also, watch the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. Cesar Millan is the best trainer I've ever seen on TV.

Whatever breed of puppy you decide on DON'T go to a pet shop or buy one off the internet!!!! You'll pay top dollar for what is usually a poor quality puppy mill dog. And you'll be supporting one of the cruelest industries in the country. The breeding animals are kept in deplorable conditions. They probably haven't been vaccinated against contagious diseases or tested for any health or temperament problems or genetic diseases - that costs money and cuts into their profits. A female is often bred every time she comes into heat. When her poor little body can't take it any more, she is often clubbed in the head and tossed into a dumpster or an open ditch. Most puppy mills ship their pups to pet stores at wholesale prices and many pups die before they even get there. These "breeders" have figured out that they can use the internet to ship a dog directly to the customer and thus make more money by cutting out the middleman. If you buy a dog from out of state, good luck getting your money back if there's something wrong with the pup. These people count on you becoming instantly attached to the poor little guy and being willing to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars at the vet to treat whatever is wrong with him.

Find a good breeder by going to www.akc.org or talking to people at dog shows. You can also find info about the breed clubs on the akc site - they probably have a rescue group where you can get an older dog for less money.

Answer 3

Yes. Go to your local shelter, and look for a dog the appropriate size that you click with. If you don't find one your first visit, go back the next week. Repeat until you find a new friend. Breed/mutt unimportant.

One of the best dogs I ever had was a funny looking chihuahua/corgi mix I adopted in Puerto Rico. He was 20 lbs and the best temperment and personality ever. Everyone loved him. Mutts are interesting. Who wants a dog that looks almost the same as every other that the same breed?

Please, please, please do not go purchase a dog from a pet store.

Answer 4

PUGS ALL THE WAY!!!!!! If not over fed, and kept at proper weight, a male should be no more than 16 to 18 lbs.
They are the most loyal, and affectionate of dog I have ever met!
And......They are not high maintenance (no fluffy stuff for them), and cute too!
But.... Go check out your local shelter first, or if you decide on a PUG (which I hope you do), there are Pug Rescues throughout the U.S. that you can get one through.

Answer 5

PLEASE try a dog from a shelter. They are some of the best dogs in the world. Some people gave some great examples of small dogs to choose, but purebreds can be more susceptible to health problems, compared to a mutt. Pound puppies need you most. Just go and the shelter should be able to hook you up with the right sized pal.

Answer 6

I have a Maltese and he is small. They are very intelligent dogs and will do pretty much everything you ask of them. The only downfall is they need haircuts every so often. Otherwise they are great dogs to have. I know you want an inside dog. We have ours outside during the day and at night he is inside with us, but is restricted to the kitchen during the night when were in bed. We taught him to wee and poo on a board that we put newspaper and paper towel on and he soon got the message that once lights are out, its time to be quiet until morning when one of us wakes up. Its like teaching a child to conform to your household. Good luck on your dog hunting.

Answer 7

Are you willing to take it outside on a leash when it has to go outside? Or paper train it??? Take it to the park to get excercise??? Something to think about BEFORE you get a dog in an apartment. Jack Russells are small and short haired but VERY active. There's not to many small non-foofoo dogs out there that are low maintenace. Sorry I couldn't help

Answer 8

I own a 15 pound boston terrier. She is great. She is very intelligent and very lovable. This would be a great apartment dog. She just had puppies about a week ago. They are mixed with my male puggle, he is also small. I have one female brindle and one black and white male. They are chubby and adorable. If you're interested, e-mail me at [e-mail]. I want to make sure they go to a good home.

Answer 9

I have had 5 miniature Dachshaund's. They are cute and love to cuddle, they don't shed very much. A boy is easy to potty train. They are great! The only drawback is the barking. When any of my dogs see somone outside, they bark, someone at the door, they bark. They don't jump up on people though, which is good. And all but one of mine was good with kids.

Answer 10

West Highland White Terriers. They're perfect!