What kind of dog should I get?

Question

I'm going to be getting a dog soon and I need some advice. I want a small dog that doesn't shed much. Also, I need one that will not wreck my nice apartment up. Any suggestions?

By the way, I'm not taking this lightly. Some people seem to think I'm only concerned about my apartment and not about the dog. I'm just looking for a dog that wont bug my neighbors and I realize that I will have to train it to behave. I'm fully able of taking care of a dog because I'm not in school and my job hours wont conflict with it.

Answer 1

You could consider adopting an animal from a shelter. Here's the benefits:

An adult dog will be past the puppy chewing thing. Puppies have two chewing phases, one when they're teething, then a really destructive one between 6 and 18 months when they are adolescents.

You will know how big it will get. A very small puppy can become a very large dog.

It's temperament will be stable. Puppies are active and frisky and sometimes grow out of it, sometimes not. I have a super hyper dog that is over 10. I used to hope she'd slow down as she got older but have given up and accepted it.

Many rescue animals have already been trained! That hyper dog I just mentioned was fully obedience trained when I got her. I didn't realized it til I started to work with her at home a few days after I got her.

You'll be providing a home for an animal that needs one. I can't describe how rewarding that feels. All my animals for the last couple of decades have been rescues and for some of them the option was me, or death. To have them with me through many years and see how wonderful I have made their lives makes me feel very good and very lucky that I could provid them with a home.

Answer 2

Any dog will "wreck your nice apartment up" if permitted to. You will need a crate to keep the pooch in while your eyes are not on him. This will protect your stuff and the pup from potential harm.
Based on your concerns about shedding and your apartment, sounds like you might want to rethink whether or not you are ready for a dog. This is a big commitment, one not to be taken lightly. Don't go into this with the idea that you can always take it to the shelter or find it another home. All dogs deserve stable homes where they will be part of the family and be taken care of responsibly.

Answer 3

i have fostered or known several small breed dogs and can tell you that in my experience no two dogs of the same breed are alike.
Bichons:
Bane: is a sweet funny dog very well behaved loves to cuddle and loves children even little ones that pull his fur.
Snickers: would chew up everything pee on your bed and cry constantly if left alone even for a minute.
Ziggy was great well behaved followed all commands unless you were under the age of 8 then he liked to bite.
Pomeranians
Tiny: barked and bite everyone but his owner
Benny: loved everyone but peed everywhere
Jack Russel's
KiKi: Ball crazy and wanted to play non stop very sweet
Penny: vicious and mean spirited super high energy
Rat terrier
Pappy: Liked to play and be loved on but could be shy/skittish around strangers
Peppers:Super sweet loves the kids likes to play and cuddle

Point is that you won't know what your dog is like until you live with it awhile. I suggest you get a rescue dog that has been fostered. Its foster parents can give you a good idea of it's personality before you adopt.

Answer 4

How small of a dog do you want? No one breed is going to be more prone to "wreck" your apt. You need to puppy proof it, invest in a small crate to leave the pup in while your away & plenty of toys. Alot of your shedding will depend on the brand of food you feed it. Go with the top brands (Iams, Eukanuba, SD) other than grocery store brands. All puppies are hyper & small dogs it seems like tend to bark more than large breeds so get a stuffed animal for your pup so it wont feel so alone while your gone. ShihTzu, Lhasa Apsa's will require monthly grooming but aare great dogs. Boston Terrier are a good short hair breed as are min pins. I would stay away from a Jack Russell as they tend to be extremely high strung. It just depends on how small you want. Check out several breeders when you do decide & dont buy from a pet store whatever you do.

Answer 5

Get a toy poodle they do not shed they are small and they are easy to train. THey are very willing to learn and are not to much on the up keep. They will require regular grooming as they do not shed they grow hair like a human it will need to be trimed. They are a little high energy but if they get proper excersize a 30 min walk daily thet can be a joy to be around.

Answer 6

My friends have a Boston Terrier. They like him a lot. He's very cute, small, very smart. He's not a cuddler, but he's a good dog. Many people like Yorkies and small breeds of Poodles.

In regards to them not wrecking your apartment, though.. that will have to do with training the dog. Also, you may want to consider an older already trained dog or else you'll have to go thru housebreaking.

Answer 7

Well, a small dog that does not shed much would probably be a miniature poodle. And you would not leave any young dog alone with the run of the apartment because you are asking them to destroy/wreck your nice place.
You pick a smaller area and clear it of valuables so that the dog does not have the opportunity to destroy things.
Good luck!

Answer 8

All animals with "fur" shed, If anyone tells you short haired dogs with "fur" don't shed, lied.

For an apartment, a Pug would do well, they don't seem to bark alot. They aren't yappers like most other small breeds.

Westies are great companion dogs, but being a Terrier, they do tend to be tenacious and demanding, but trained well, they are great little dogs.

Answer 9

A pug DOES shed....a LOT! A Shih Tzu is not a shedder, but requires a lot of maintenance (at least daily brushing or professional grooming OFTEN) They are both wonderful breeds (I have one of each...both are 10+ years old and I've had them since they were babies)...And ANY puppy is going to get into everything, chew on everything, potty everywhere (until they are completely housebroken)...You will have to have the attitude that there is light at the end of the tunnel. And just FYI...I actually MISS those puppy days....since they are getting old. Good luck.

Answer 10

Here are some breeds that I think that might be perfect for you:
Toy Poodle
Miniature Schnauzer
Chihuahua (long-haired ones don't shed as much as short-haired ones--I think)
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Yorkshire Terrier
Miniature Dachshund
Shih Tzu
Pug
Bichon Frise
Maltese