I want a puppy, what breed?

Question

I live in a fairly large apartment with a dog park and I want a puppy. I don't like little yappy dogs so a very small dog is out of the question. I have two cats who are not dog shy but I need a breed that is really laid back and sweet. I was thinking a lab, any suggestions?

Answer 1

Honestly, I love my sheltie. I have 3 cats. Live in an apt. All 4 animals get allow great. The sheltie is not too small and not to big. Shelties are very loyal, sweet, kind, funny, cute, sensitive, loving dogs. I wouldnt get anything else.

If you want a lab, good luck, they are the worse to train. Plus they got a lot of health problems. It took me 2 weeks to train my sheltie!

Answer 2

American Eskimo-- A spitz breed, same category as a pomeranian or an Akita
My puppy has turned out to be better than I even imagined.
She's fairly small, she'll only get to be about 20-30 pounds...
Training-- She's 5 months old, and soooo smart. Takes to training really easily.
Temperment-- Gets along really really well with other dogs of all kinds,and sizes.LOVES kids...
Barking--Her bark is not yappy, in fact she has a talky kind of bark... Sometime she sounds like Chewbacca from Star Wars... it's socute.
Shedding--Although she has a lot of hair, she doesn't shed that much, with regular brushing she barely fills the bottom of the grooming comb. And the fur/hair is pretty self-maintained.
Self amused--She can calmly play by herself as well as play with you
I have a cat, she wants to play with all the time, but the cat doesn't like her.
I have a townhouse on SW Suburb of Chicago... I take her to the dog beach every weekend and she loves it.
This is the best breed ever!!

Answer 3

I have a minpin and a papillon.

The minpin is certainly not "yappy" he has a very intimidating bark and it is restricted for when he hears or sees something; making him a great watchdog. He basically thinks he's a doberman and forgets that he's only 12 lbs. He is very loyal and loving. Even though he has a tough exterior, he is very laid back and very sweet and lovable. I really recommend looking into a minpin. Check out www.minpinrescue.org

The papillon is still a pup (4 months) so she is very playful. She only gets yappy when she wants to play with the other dog or the cats. Most of the time though, she's very quiet especially when I am alone with her in the house. Her bark may be a bit too "yappy" of a tone for you but it is restricted to when play and when she wants something.

Hope this helps. Good luck!!

Answer 4

Labs are too big for an apartment. They're also horrible chewers and shed ceaselessly. Little dogs aren't necessarily yappy - they only are if their owners allow them to be. For medium-smaller size, a Boston Terrier might be good for you. A family member of mine has had them for years and they're great dogs and the least "terrier" of the terriers. Pugs are great too - sort of a Big Little Dog - I love Pugs, but they also shed year-round. If you raise a puppy with cats, they will look up to the cats, and the cats will boss them.

Whatever you do, don't get a Jack Russell, or Parson Russell terrier, as I guess they're calling them now, even though they're medium small. I've known a couple and sure they're cute, but they're absolutely insane. Even the breeders of them say they're not for everyone. They'll eat your apartment too.

Someone recommended a cocker - not for apartment life. They're a bird dog and need grooming and outdoor activity even though they're not that big, and they have unpleasant, snappy personalities.

Answer 5

Labs are NOT apartment dogs, no matter how big the apartment is. These are dogs bred for hunting and the need lots of space to run and they need a job. Although I think it is a great breed, I wouldn't consider a lab 'laid-back'. Have you considered a corgi? They are smaller, but not tiny and have big-dog attitude.

Answer 6

Labs are very sweet but NOT laid back. They are extremely active dogs and require a lot of attention and daily exercise. Generally speaking, they are not suitable for apartment living. Also, they are voracious chewers and can cause a lot of damage to your home if they are left alone and are bored. You may want to consider a slightly smaller breed that is more apartment friendly. If you are absolutely determined to get a lab, you must be prepared to give it a lot of love, attention and exercise.

Answer 7

I have a dachsund and he's very sweet, he can tell how to adjust his behavior if i'm in a bad mood or if i don't feel good. he loves to cuddle and be loved on and they're not all that hard to house train. my advice would be to get a dog who fits your personality, if your outgoing and loud get a dog that's outgoing and loud if ur laid back and quiet get a dog that's laid back and quiet. not all dog's will fit ur personality, make sure u go for a personality otherwise the outcome may not be good.

Answer 8

Go to the local kennel and find the dirtiest, ugliest dog they have. Chances are that no one will ever adopt this dog, and studies show that it will probably be sent to a kill shelter. Come on, save a life. Most of these innocent animals make just as good of a pet as a beautiful show dog.

Answer 9

I have had so many types of dogs through life. I found poodles are the best. They are very easy to train, they do not get hair all over the place, eager to please and very lovable. But if you live in an apartment then I suggest a smaller version than a standard, they come in all sizes.

Answer 10

You should get a puppy that when he grows up, he will not be too large for the apartment.. Remember that large dogs MUST have access to the outside so they can jump and play