I'm looking for a dog that can only get about 2-3 hours of full attention everyday. I can feed him twice a day but I work from 8-5 so lunch is not good for me. Also, I live in an apartment alone so I want a medium-large dog. It doesn't matter if the dog sheds. Please no small dog breeds please!!!
2007-02-20 08:03:03 · 18 answers · asked by Eliana K 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I should say it this way- I have three hours to play and walk my dog. I can let her roam the apartment the rest of the day. Also, the old lady across from me would be much more than willing to keep my dog at her apartment when I'm not at home. The old lady is very nice and her old dog just died so she would be happy to hang out with my dog. She just doesn't want to buy a dog.
2007-02-20 08:18:54 · update #1
I have had dogs, many breeds for 44 years. In an apartment, you either need a dog that doesn't need much exercise or is small. The amount of time spent with it is not the main issue, it is the space vs activity level/size of the dog. If you are worried about it being alone, you can always get a 2nd dog.
I am wondering why you are against small dogs. I have had Great Danes, Chows, Dobies, Dalmatians, Vizlas, Australian Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, standard Poodles, toy poodles and Pomeranians. I have gone to Pomeranians because they were originally 40 pound dogs and were bred down. They are smart and think they are still a large dog. They are happy to play with toys until you get home.
Please go to www.akc.org to see more about breeds. You will need to find a very mellow larger dog or a small one. It is not fair to the dog to coop up a med/large dog so many hours a day. You will have chewing, barking and distruction issues and it will not be because you have a bad dog, it will because he/she is bored and lonely.
I do agree that perhaps you should look into a cat. I have 2 and they are lovely and enjoy apartment life.
Heidi
2007-02-21 10:17:38 · answer #1 · answered by Dragyn5 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The greater population of dog owners work full time so I would not rule out having a dog. I have a black lab and Siberian husky that are left indoors all day and are very happy, although they are best friends and keep one another company. Do not get a puppy, they need more attention, I would recommend a 3-4 yr old dog. There will be obstacles if you choose to leave the dog in your home all day, ex: barking, peeing on the floor, eating fur nature and some dogs do suffer from anxiety when left alone for too long. Those are just some things to consider when deciding and choosing the right breed.
2007-02-20 18:14:50 · answer #2 · answered by Kona Kai 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should do the breed questionnare at www.dogbreedinfo.com and see what kind of list is put together depending on your taste in temperment.
I get that you have plenty of time with the dog if you are devoting 2-3 hours a day just to play with the dog. But you will be with the dog in the morning before work and all night after work even though you won't be playing with the dog the whole time. The full attention time you are planning is actually more than what most dogs would get in a house with people that work.
If you can afford to feed them mastiffs are great dogs, I'd actually go for the American mastiff because it's temperment is exactly the same as the English, but they bred it to have a dry mouth. No drool is a big plus in my books. :) But you need to really take a look at lots of breeds and figure out what works for you. The quiz will help with a list of dogs that fit in with what you personally need for your lifestyle and taste.
2007-02-20 16:28:01 · answer #3 · answered by shannon_crystaln 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is possible to make an apartment a comfortable living area for a medium dog. It is not possible to make 2-3 hours a day and an apartment work for a dog. They require way more time then that if they are inside all day. They require way more space than that if you only interact with them for 2-4 hours a day.
2-3 hours a day is barely enough to potty train a puppy. Let alone teaching it not to chew on the furnature. It won't know any commands at all. It will just spaz out and eat everything it can get its mouth on.
2007-02-20 16:10:29 · answer #4 · answered by Tim 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No dog wouyld be happy with 2-3 hours of attention every day. It is not fair to the dog to be left alone in an apartment all day. Your situation sounds more like a cat.
However, if you are determined to get a dog. Greyhounds make wonderful apartment dogs as they are short sprint runners, so a couple of walks a day should do it.
You can get a rescued greyhound for not that much money, and no that you have made their life that much better. There are soooo many unwanted greyhounds out there. Talk to your local animal shelter about a greyhound rescue center
2007-02-20 16:07:36 · answer #5 · answered by allyalexmch 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Consider an English Mastiff - yes it's a giant breed, but keep an open mind:
We had a mastiff (Maggie) for 7 and 1/2 years. She was very gentle, sweet, calm, and needed VERY little exercise. She was never ever hyper or overactive. A walk to the mailbox was the height of her daily activity! She was very easy to housetrain and never had an "accident". She loved being where the people were, but when she was alone, she was content to just snooze and dream of chasing rabbits.
This is important - English Mastiff, NOT Bullmastiff.
Good luck!
2007-02-20 16:11:42 · answer #6 · answered by kgbmom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think a dog would be fine for you, provided your old lady friend gave it attention on a regular basis. The breeds I would suggest would be an English bulldog, sheltie,standard schauzer(the standard is supposedly the calmest), basset hound,clumber spaniel,or greyhound.If I were you, I'd go to the local humane society and see which medium sized dogs are the most relaxed and get one of them, regardless of the breed. Proably an older dog would be best for your situation.
2007-02-20 18:54:57 · answer #7 · answered by Puff 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get an English Bulldog. I had my first while in an apartment. They are wonderful and don't require much exercise at all. They sleep about 20 hours a day! Not to mention the cute factor!
2007-02-20 16:19:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't sound like a dog would be a good choice for a pet for you. Dogs need walks every day and need to be let out during the day. (Can you hold it for the entire day?) Try a cat that you can litterbox train.
2007-02-20 16:08:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Poodles and Snauzers are very low key dogs... most don't know what a Snauzer (sp?) is so here is a few pics.... Giants are actually the most lovable and nice to be around especially with older people and young children
http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=schnauzers&spell=1
Both poodles and snauzers do not shed so even though you do not care, it is still nice...
Good luck to you though! Dogs are the best animals ever :D
2007-02-22 22:05:45 · answer #10 · answered by xxxxxxx456 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋