what dog is suitable for the city?

Question

Does anyone know what kind of dog is good to keep in the city? I mean; I live in an apartment and have a balcony, but it would probably stay alot in the apartment.

Answer 1

I'd need to know what your lifestyle is - kids or not? How much time are you willing to spend training, exercising and caring for the dog?

Get a healthy dog with a temperament that best suits your lifestyle. Since you have an apartment, you should avoid the hounds, terriers, herding and toy dogs that tend to bark a lot. English Springer Spaniels, Vizslas, Goldens and other Sporting dogs are great if you've got the energy to exercise them. The bigger the dog, the longer they can go between walks and the easier they are to housebreak. Pekingese, ENGLISH Cocker Spaniels (not American!) and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are a great, friendly, quiet apartment dogs if you want something smaller.

Irish Wolfhounds, Greyhounds and Whippets are terrific apartment dogs, as long as you can take them out for a long daily run. They ARE couch potatoes (like our Borzoi - Russian wolfhound) and you won't even know they're around most of the time. They are quiet and easily housebroken and much better than most small dogs. Be careful if you're adopting a racing greyhound off the track. They are often fine, but many have behavior problems (like destructive chewing) from being locked in a cage with little socialization. Also, remember that sighthounds are hunting dogs and some will kill small animals (cats, rabbits, toy dogs) if they haven't grown up with them.

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. The best breeders will be members of their breed club, promoting healthy dogs with great temperaments. They should ask you a bunch of questions to make sure their puppy will be getting a good home. If all a "breeder" seems to care about is whether your check will clear, you can be sure he won't care a week later when the pup is dying from distemper or parvo and you want your money back.

Whatever you do, DON'T go to a pet shop, a flea market or buy one sight-unseen 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 often kept in deplorable conditions - spending their entire lives in small wire-bottomed cages. 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.

Answer 2

A good question which leads me to think you will be a responsible pet owner. There are types of dogs for all types of environments and people. Toy breeds are well suited for the city - poodles, pugs, shih tzus. There are also medium sized breeds that can be happy in an apartment but many need one or two walks a day to relieve energy. You location is an issue, but consider your lifestyle as well. How active are you? Allergies? Do you mind shedding? Do you like mellow dogs? Highly intelligent dogs? Go to this site to get a list of potential breeds. And remember, mutts are super pets too and you can find any breed through rescue groups! Do a breed search...the link is a start but there are other survey sites too! Also, keep in mind that this is a commitment that will last the lifetime of your dog 8 -18 years or so.

Answer 3

Retired racing greyhounds are great dogs for apartments. Contrary to popular opinion greyhounds are a very low energy breed. They can sleep 18-20 hours per day - their nicknamed the '45mph couch potato'. Generally s couple of short walks a day, plus extra time outside for potty breaks will cover their energy needs. They do enjoy running, and many cities have dog parks where you can take your pup for a run, but it is not mandatory. We have a local greyhound group that meets at a park in our area and there are quite a few dogs that don't run at all in the park, even when their friends are doing it. If you are interested in more information you can check out http://www.greyhoundpets.org or feel free to e-mail me.

If you want a dog that does not need to be walked at all I would suggest a small dog that can be pad trained.

Answer 4

I don't know why everybody assumes a toy breed would be best. You can have a large breed as long as it gets proper exercise. Personally I had a German Shepherd in a city for years, we moved to the country and he could've cared less, he didn't need lots of room, just proper exercise. Make sure you have the time to spend with a dog, and you should be alright with any breed. The only draw back to a large breed would be the landlord, but some landlords don't allow any pets. Really, it's up to you.

Answer 5

Our situation is exactly the same as yours, except that we already have our dog. The problems are not fair to either the owner or the dog if you are a frequent traveller. When our old dog dies, we have decided to wait a few years until we take another pet, so that we can fulfil our other commitments to visiting elderly relations over-seas. At present, one of us stays back home with the dog, and we take turns visiting each year. If I were you, I would wait the 10 years before purchasing a dog of your own. However, if you love dogs, why not volunteer to help out old people who need a dog carer when they need to attend hospital etc., this would be a short term commitment and may fit in with your present lifestyle......If you are in Australia the R.S.P.C.A. are the people to get in touch with.....Hope this helps...Good Luck !

Answer 6

Any of the dogs in the "toy" group or any dogs that weigh under 20 pounds when full grown.

Think about a terrier. Go to a pet shop and go through their dog books and see which dogs are cute and have the kind of personality that you want to live with for years.

Answer 7

Shih tzus! I'm staying in apartment myself. Am keeping 4 Shih tzus at the moment. Thay are very toilet trainable, do not bark much and most importantly, they do not require much outdoor exercises. Very recommended for apartment dwellers!

Answer 8

Get a dog that doesn't need tons of exercise, like a dachshund, but remember you must always try to exercise your dog enough to keep it in shape. you might also want to try the pound for a good dog

Answer 9

A Chihuahua. They are small and do well in an apartment, can be taught to use the litter box. Get a Chihuahua. You can't go wrong.

Answer 10

dont get one now. itll be too hard. ive known people who got dogs and wer ein similar situation and couldnt keep their dogs. they ened to get out more. they cant be stuck in an apartmanet all day. its torture for them as well as for you. but if i had to say a dog i woudl say any small dog. not a hyper one. chiwawas are hyper. pomeranian are sorta hyper but only when they are outside. pugs are nice.