what kind of dog should i get?

Question

I live in an apartment, and am looking for a dog. I'm not quite sure what kind to get? I'm looking for something small-medium.

Also is it better to get a dog from the pound or get one from say Pets Mart?

Answer 1

Adopt a dog. There are millions of dogs of all sizes and personalities in need of homes. Go to your shelter and meet each one, getting to know them as individuals. I guarantee one will jump out at you (figuratively) as a perfect match for your lifestyle. The beauty of adopting an adult dog is that they are more apartment-appropriate than puppies and have been behaviorally tested. Once you meet the dog, you know what you're getting - they won't grow up to be a totally different dog!

I would even suggest trying to foster first. By fostering, you would be giving a temporary home to a needy dog until it finds an adoptive family. This will let you know if you are really ready for a lifelong commitment to an animal! You may find that over the course of fostering, you dog grows on you so much that you decide to adopt it!

Answer 2

Something smallish that doesn't bark a lot would be a good choice for an apartment, I think.

I favor the adoption route. I've done it both ways and both dogs turned out to be fine companions. Although, quite sadly, it sometimes happes that a person silply cannot keep their pet and are unable to find it another home, most of the homeless animals in pounds are there due to their owner's ignorance (not researching a specific breed and getting something incompatible, getting a pet on impulse,,,etc.), and that is a very sad reason for a pet to be rejected indeed.

Please know too, that if you do adopt a homeless dog that it is already scared and confused. It will probably have an accident. Be prepared for that. That does not mean the animal isn't housebroken. I know folks who volunteer at a shelter and say it is truly heartbreaking to see how many animals are brought right back because they've had ONE accident simply because of fear and confusion. My dog was fully housebroken when I got him and this happened to us a couple of times too.

But with a lot of love and patience we got past those little bumps in the adoption road, and now I couldn't have a finer, more loving and fun companion. I wouldn't trade him for the world. The folks who gave him up have no idea what they are missing out on!

Answer 3

My suggestion is to read about breeds .
Every dog is something of an unknown. I have had registered dogs and pound dogs. Our best have been from the pound or the pup dumped in the Mojave.

If you have a good shelter, like the Humane Society we have here, they can show you dogs that our housebroken, trained and will meet your needs. Just make sure that you say you do not want a behavior problem . I have found that shelter dogs are more thankful to find a home. We have one who was depressed for a while because he missed his original family, but he bounced back to be a wonderful companion. Also ask about barking. If you're in an apartment, you don't want a noisy animal.

In our generations we have had quite a number of dogs. Some from breeders had problems. Some didn't. Our most reliably housebroken dogs came from the Humane Society.

Good luck!

Answer 4

The pound is a great place to get a dog. Most of these animals want, need and deserve a good home. PetSmart also has rescued animals. DO NOT buy a pet from a pet store. Most were born in puppy mills without any socialization or consideration for health or welfare. Besides, they are WAY too expensive. Every dog I have ever had came from animal rescue organizations and they are wonderful dogs.

Answer 5

I adopted a 25 lb Cockapoo from a pet rescue organization. She was about 3 years old, housebroken and the sweetest possible dog. Never aggressive, never broke or chewed on anything. She was the perfect first dog for me when I lived in an apartment. Since then I've come to know the breed as good natured, smart, long lived and very well suited to the quiet apartment life. I recommend a Cockapoo, but from a rescue organization or shelter.

Answer 6

GO TO THE POUND ask the people that work there what dog they think would fit your life style... They know the dogs and just because a dogs pretty doesn't mean its a good dog ....
DO NOT buy a puppy from a pet store they keep puppy mills going
---- to Charater
No dog should ever be given away for free... All pets have worth

Answer 7

I believe Pets Mart and the pound are one in the same. Pets Mart doesn't sell dogs but they do have people come and bring pets from the pound to addopt. Talk to the people there and ask them to recommend a dog for you. Living in appartment is not the problem if you can take the dog with you most of the time. Just don't get a dog and leave it alone for 8 hours a day.

Answer 8

Well actually you should get one at the humane society they have a lot of dogs that need a great loving home to stay at and i think that you would be perfect. Well if you are a guy and love sports you should get a energetic dog but also you live in an apartment so you should probably get a golden retriever or Dalmatian those are really sweet. If you are a gal you should get a small dog that you can put in your purse like a Yorkie. But if you are a guy you could still get a small dog or if you are a girl you could still get a big dog you choice and enjoy dog shopping.

Answer 9

Pet smart only has adoptions rarely. Your local animl shelter on the other hand has homeless dogs everyday. I think a good apartment dog would probably be a breed that doesnt need alot of exersice such as a boston terrier. They are very loyal dogs and pretty much do what ever your doing. Good Luck and check out those shelters. Mutts are great dogs as well

Answer 10

I'd be what I am now, a good ol' American mixed breed. I'd be serious, have a good work ethic, and want to live in a good working home. If I were kept as just a pet in a fenced yard, I'd be digging large holes and barking due to the shear boredom of it all. I'd want to be taken places, to learn new things, and to see people. I'd be friendly but reserved and not aggressive. I'd be very loyal to my loving owner and to the my family. My look would be generic. No extremes, maybe a medium or double coat. Much like a cross between a spaniel and a shepherd. Color black maybe brown with a little white trim. I'd be pleasing to look at and nice to touch. I'd problaby weight 50-60#.