Best choice for a puppy/dog that is low maintenance, loving and okay in an apartment?

Question

I grew up with dogs so I absolutely love them and I'll be living by myself for the first time, so I need the company (and maybe protection?) Problem is, my schedule is heavy and sporadic (working on PhD) and I'll be in an apartment; I dont want the puppy/dog to go nuts, so I'm trying to make the best decision for me and the dog. Suggestions, PLEASE!!!

Answer 1

i think the best decision you can make now is to wait until you are more settled and can devote your time and energy to caring for and training your pup.

If you really want company you could try something smaller like a rat or a guinea pig, these pets you can buy pellets for, that will last a while if you miss a feed so they won't go hungry. They also have drink bottles which means you don't have to change their water everyday. Having a smaller pet will also save your apartment as puppy's tend to like to run around and destroy things. A rat or guinea pig can be kept in a cage during the day and only let out to sit with you at night or be put in a Ball to run around for a bit of exercise. In case you don't know, a Ball is specifically designed for these sorts of pets, it's perfectly safe for them and ensures you don't loose them in a dark corner of your apartment. It's a plastic ball with a lockable door on one side, it has holes for air and is see through so your pets can see where they're going. You put your small rodent inside, put them on the floor and off they go. They get to run around and enjoy themselves and you get to relax and not worry about loosing them.

I really don't think a puppy is the right option for you right now, they require a lot of attention and a lot of consistancy when they are young in order to become good adult dogs and if your working toward a PhD you're not going to have the time to devote to your pup. I also don't think you need the added stress in your life. You've probably got more than enough to juggle already and it's likely that the puppy will suffer for it. If you really must get a puppy however, you need to be prepared for the responsiblity and make time to take it to puppy school and train it.
Jack Russels, Fox terriers, pomerainians, chiauahs and malteaser's are good, small dogs to have indoors although some pomerainians, foxy terriers and malteasers can loose their hair allover your apartment. I would suggest really thinking about wether o not you can give enough time and attention to a puppy as well as handling all your other responsibilities. It would be a shame to see you buy a pup for selfish reasons only to get rid of him because you don;'t have the time to train him properly or take care of him. You might love dogs but i think you need to consider if you're realisticaly able to look after one right now.

Good luck and i hope you make the right choice.

Answer 2

There is no such thing as a low maintenance dog. All dogs need a lot of love and attention. If you're in a small apartment working on a PHD you won't have the time or the space to properly care for a dog. My advice is put the idea on the back burner until you receive your doctorate

Answer 3

I am going to start by saying a puppy is like carrying for a baby, a lot of work and often a lot of lost sleep getting up at night to run then outside, and supervising them to housetrain and make sure they do not get into mischief,

I have had several breeds over the years and retired greyhound is one of the best kept secrets around, and will definitely fit into your life style as long as you can commit to taking them out for 4 15 - 20 minute leash walks a day they can be quite happy, . They are not demanding of a attention like most dogs, though do enjoying scritches and ear nuggies they sleep around 18 to 20 hours if they can.

http://www.adopt-a-greyhound.org/

Answer 4

Given how much work and time consuming a graduate degree is..and how much work and time consuming a doggy is..I would recomend that maybe you either find an old/older dog who is very mellow already housebroken and trained...or a nice cat.

I can't tell you which breeds to get..but stay away from the high energy breeds like border collies, pits, aussies, etc.

A nice older german shephard...my 12 year old german shephard would be terribly happy to just lay around alone all day and not do anything, and get a pat every now and then.

Answer 5

a small dog. you still need to take them out every day to use the bathroom and walk but make sure you get lots of raw hide bones to chew on instead of your favorite shoes . close you closet door to solve that one. dog toys are good and leave a tv on for some noise for the dog during the day or while your gone. take them out to the park whenever you get a chance to. if your going to be gone all day you really should wait until your schedule allows you more time home

Answer 6

i have a dachshund in my apartment and he seems to do fine. No dog is low maintence, but my family has a "weenie dog farm" and all of them seem to do very well keeping themselves occupied. Make sure they have pleny of toys because they do LOVE to tear up things, but that's only when they are bored and have nothing else to play with. I brought him here for the company also. Plus he doesn't need a lot of grooming or baths, and doesn't shed. good luck

Answer 7

I would say wait...with your schedule being so heavy and crazy, you'll only confuse the dog. Wait until you are on a more even schedule/workload. Training a dog is based on consistancy, and if you aren't there for that, you'll only create more problems.

Answer 8

No dog is really low maintenance !!!! But for the loving and apartment part I would say a Shi Tzu.

Answer 9

a Maltese they are small nice and cute