Best dog for indoors?

Question

Ok I’m looking to get a dog. I want a breed that is active and smart, but also good to keep indoors and is typically friendly with other people. I’ve never owned one before so I’m open to any suggestions. Does anybody have any favorite breed recommendations from experience?

Answer 1

Personally, I think all dogs should be kept indoors. What I mean is they sleep in the house.

I have 5 dogs (4 labs and 1 cocker mix) and they all live in the house. I have a fenced yard for them to go out and play and they are fine. I think Labs are friendly, good with people, generally good with other dogs, easy to train, fun to run with, exercise and live with. You can have them in the house and you can take them anywhere.

I don't like it when people get a dog and then force it to live outside alone. Dogs by their very nature are pack animals. They want to be with their pack and unless they live with other dogs, their humans are their pack.

Talk to a rescue or shelter in your area about your lifestyle. You can search petfinder.com and find several in your area. They can make suggestions and match the right dog with your house, your lifestyle, and your needs. I think Labs are the best, but i'm biased!

Answer 2

It depends on what you mean by "for indoors." If you plan on exercising the dog a lot I would recommend a Pit Bull, or a Bull Terrier. A pit bull is probably the more layed back of the two, but still needs plenty of exercise. They are both very good apartment dogs. If you want a dog that can stay inside almost all of the time then I would recommend a toy breed or a small terrier. Although terriers still need a lot of exercise, but this can be achieved while inside if its a smaller breed.

Since you want an indoor dog that is also smart I would definitely pick a terrier. They are usually very active but can also be good as apartment dogs and all terriers are intelligent.

What ever breed you choose you should research quite a bit first. It is important that you know what to expect.

Answer 3

I'm not a small dogs person at least not until the last two years. I now live in an apartment and since I love dogs I had to get a small breed. I researched and got a ratt terrier. I fell in love with him. I got another one. They are both very energetic and loving. Both are also very smart. Almost forgot one is a toy and the other a mini version of the breed the mini is 8lbs and the toy is about 3.5 lbs. Good luck

Answer 4

A daschund (weenie dog) or a shar pei. We had a daschund when I was younger and they're pretty much satisfied with a tennis ball or other toys. Our shar pei is active for a little while when she's outside, but inside, she turns into a mega couch potato. You might consider a mutt, most of them are great, I've had them, too. You'll definitely need chew toys for any type of dog you choose, that way your shoes will be relatively safe. Also, go to an animal shelter before you pick out a dog, they have a lot there that need good homes.

Answer 5

Please seriously consider a Malti-Poo. This is a Maltese-Poodle mix. They are wonderful!!
They are small, very friendly(particularly the males). AND the added bonus is that they shed very little, eat very little, and are hypo-allergenic! Both sexes are a great dog to have, however the female has a tendency to bond only to one person(usually the owner)and gets jealous. The MALE however is a WONDERFULLY personable dog that will fall IN love with you and everyone else.
Not just love you jealously, like the female. I have a male, and did a lot of research on the dogs because I wanted a pet that would not cause my asthma to flare up, and did not shed and was HIGHLY intelligent. My dog is all that and sooo much more!
I have never been happier with my choice! Look up Malti-Poo on your search and you will see how totally irresistible they are!

Answer 6

I foster-home many dogs, and so I've seen plenty of breeds come in and out of my house and am very unbaised. I reccomend the following:

PAPILLON::
Beautiful and active dogs, Papillons are small enough to be able to live happily in most any environment. They're notoriously intelligent and truely fantastic companions - although, as far as lapdogs go, they're not always the most affectionate.

YORKSHIRE OR WEST HIGHLANDS TERRIERS
Both dogs are terrier variety, thus energetic and willing but not TOO high-strung. They tend to be stubborn and need a lot of grooming, but they thrive in homes that don't have much space.

MALTESE
Also a terrific companion, Malteses love attention and are content to cuddle up with an owner for hours. They're needy as far as grooming goes, and tend to be picky eaters, but they are absolutely perfect for family dog - they tend to be friendly and open and playful, but not high strung.

Answer 7

a poodle is one of the smartest dogs, that are small enough to keep indoors and are typically friendly with people. other types are pomeranians and samoyeds that are extremely friendly and are inside dogs but the only problem is that they shed a lot of fur

Answer 8

A small breed, that doesn't need too much activity and doesn't shed too much.

Try this tool, the Dog Breed Selector. It sort out breeds according to your answers.

http://www.selectsmart.com/DOG/

Answer 9

You want a small dog because they were mostly bred for being indoor dogs. Large dogs are bred for outdoor working and sporting dogs. King Charles , Pekinese, Shi Tzu, Havanese etc were dogs bred specifically for human companionship and nothing else.

Answer 10

A Yorkie is a good indoor dog. Also, believe it or not, a Greyhound is a good indoor dog. They may be large...but they are very good dogs and easily trained.