Why do people living in apartments have large dogs?

Question

In my apartment complex there are a lot of really big dogs. Dalmations, black labs, etc. I don't understand why anyone would keep such a big dog in an apartment. One dog couldn't handle it and broke through the window to get out (twice). I love dogs, but it seems cruel to keep them in such a small home.

I never said I was judging these people. I'm asking this question so that I can understand their point of view. I said "seems" cruel. That being my perception, which I am willing to change -hence the question.

Answer 1

It's funny you should post this right now. I've just gotten back from the beach with my 8yo 65lb dog. While I was there, I was talking with a guy who was there with his 12yo black lab. Our dogs were romping around and playing together like puppies while we remarked on how the healthiest happiest dogs around here all seem to have owners who live in places with no yards. My sweetie loves being outside but would rather sit in a car (which is much smaller than our apartment) with me than wander alone around a fenced-in park...

From what I understand, its much more important for dogs, psychologically, to be part of a family and to have at least one of their "packmates" (human, canine, or feline will do) around *ALL* the time than it is for them to have a big doghouse or lots of room to roam. Don't get me wrong. A big yard, lots of tasty nutritious food, toys - these are all good things - but none of it will make an isolated dog content.

The dogs going nuts in your complex aren't going nuts from living in a small place, they're probably going nuts because they absolutely can't handle being alone for one minute longer...

Answer 2

Okay, first of all, let's stop dumping on the owners. You don't know the circumstances that brought them to that predicament-many of them may not have a choice, myself included. I have a Rottweiler-Pitt Bull and circumstances being what they were I had no choice but to move into a condo, which ironically was one of the only large dog friendly places I could find to live. I suppose I could have given her away but then I'd probably be dumped on for not being a responsible owner and for treating the dog like a disposable piece of property, right? Or maybe you think I should have brought her to a shelter? Did I mention that she's a Pitt Bull? For those of you not familiar with a piece of California legislation called the "Dangerous Dog Breed Law", or Sb861, that would mean that the shelter would euthanize her because Pitt Bulls have been deemed a "dangerous breed" under said legislation.

My dog is loved, she is cared for, she is healthy and happy. Yes, it requires extra effort on the owner's part to care for a large dog in a more confined space but I would hardly call it cruel or call the owners ignorant or careless. And I highly doubt that the dog that you mention jumped out the window because he "couldn't handle it". Clearly you have no understanding of dog mentality. Maybe some other neighbor let their cat run around (which I suppose is okay?) and the dog tried to go after it, as all dogs will, whether living in an apartment or a mansion with an acre sized yard.

Maybe if you're so concerned you can be a good neighbor and offer to take the dog for a walk? Or you can just mind your own business. Do you ask why certain people have babies?

Answer 3

The size of the dog doesn't matter as much as you think. I have a 55lb dog and I live in an apartment. She is just fine. The amount of exercise is more important than the size of the home. We take our dogs out everyday. BTW, we have a small yard and my dog will only go out there to go potty. She sleeps on the couch all day long.

My friends live in a house that is smaller than my apartment. Is it better if we call it a house?

As far as the example you cited with a dog breaking a window you really don't know why the dog did that. You can't assume that it was because the dog "couldn't handle it". You really don't know the first thing about the dogs living environment or it's personality.

Retired greyhounds make great apartment dogs because they are calm. Jack Russell terriers quite often make terrible apartment dogs. Personality and exercise mean much more than size. Please don't go around judging people when you really don't understand the situation.

Answer 4

Gosh I must be a cruel, cruel person. I live in a condo with four large dogs (gasp). As everyone else has pointed out the size of the dog doesn't matter, what matters is the dog's energy level and whether that need is being met. My four dogs met up with their friends at the dog park this morning. They romped and played for 2 1/2 hours. If they had to get off their beds and walk through a 2000 sq foot house to go outside and get their dinners I think they probably would have just skipped it tonight.

Answer 5

I have 2 dogs that are around 50 lbs each. Both came from the pound where they were cooped up in a small cage laying on concrete from the time they were born to 11 months old. I take them for long walks everyday and take them to the dog park once a week. They love being in my apartment. Now that I have moved to a house with a yard I have found out that they actually hate being outside. They would rather be inside with me. Anyone that says someone is dumb or is mean hearted for having a dog in an apartment is the dumb one. There are many situations that are good and bad. Not all dogs in apartments are misreble.

Answer 6

Because I didn't know I would be living in an apartment when I got my dogs. Would you rather I abandoned them like so many other dog owners? I make up for their small living space by taking them on long walks and letting them off the leash all the time. Dont be such a harsh judge. ALSO...My dogs are very calm and dont seem upset by their living arrangements.

Answer 7

Activity/energy level in dogs has nothing to do with their size. I have a 95 lb. bloodhound mix who sleeps about 23 hours a day. And have you ever seen one of those hyperactive teeny tiny dogs?

I don't know what size of living space has to do with size of dog anyway. I don't know about the rest of you, but my dogs don't use my house as a playground. They sit in one spot while they are inside and chill out. Then we go outside and they run around. And everyone can go outside, whether they live in an apartment or not.

High energy dogs, no matter what their size, need a lot of walking, running, chasing, fetching, training etc... and none of those things happen indoors.

Answer 8

Some large breeddogs do not need all that much exercise and are very good in apartments.
In fact Great Danes are a low activity dog and they do very well in apartments.
Now a Dalmation would go nuts as they are very highly active dogs.

Answer 9

Well, as long as the dog is being loved and cared for, it is happy. Don't you think people who can only afford that kind of home deserve a special animal? They just need to give the dog a room in the house and lots of food. little ones are hard for them to keep and will teeth on everything.

Answer 10

It is unfortunate and unfair for a large dog to live in an apartment.... As you know.. large dogs like to get out and plan and run... People who live in apartments with big dogs do so possibly because:
a) they are dumb and have no respect for the poor animals;
b) They lived in another place where it was larger and then moved into an apartment and did not want to get rid of their beloved dog.