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), I'll be in an apartment and I'm willing to train but not sure how. Overall, 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!!!
2007-03-08 10:08:06 · 10 answers · asked by EVRYONEVRYWHR 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
smart dogs are out. You can't provide the attention needed. big dogs are out. they are not allowed and harder to maintain. yappy dogs are out. your neighbors will hate you. that leaves a lazy poodle or a maltese. both are relatively small, lower on maintenance (depending on how you choose to groom them) shed less and are relatively lazy and quiet.
2007-03-08 13:22:49 · answer #1 · answered by Dr. Joe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, but if your schedule is heavy, then a dog is not right for you right now. No dog should really be left home for more than 4 hours on a regular basis.
What will happen once you get your PhD and get a full time job? Will the dog be able to join you at work, or will it be stuck in the apartment?
The aforementioned Chihuahuas would be a terrible choice. Aside from the ethics issues with "teacup" labeled dogs, toy dogs are family dogs. They need people around most of the day. It would be a cruel thing to get a toy breed and then leave it home for a good portion of the day.
Right now, I wouldn't recommend anything other than an indoor cat for you. They can easily be left for long hours and are fairly easy to maintain.
But, remember that animals get sick at the most inopportune times. What happens if the pet needs an emergency room visit during the most important week of schooling? And then if it needs several days of your time to ensure his health?
I say wait to see what will happen after you finish your doctorate. Good luck to you in your schooling. : )
http://www.petfinder.com
2007-03-08 10:26:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dogs are social animals, and really need a lot of attention. I give up a lot of my time now for my dog. I guess a real small dog might do. But i have better choice get a Bearded Dragon. They are really cool. Plus they love to hang out with you when are home. They are reptiles so its not a big deal when the miss a meal. I am telling you. I have a Western Fence lizard , he has kept me company for years. Now I have a house and Married. So my puppy gets attention when I am not home for him.
2007-03-08 10:33:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a dog, not a puppy. You have to housebreak puppies, and they will destroy your apartment between teething, chewing and general rambunctiousness. With a dog, he or she will be out of the puppy stage, and you'll know his personality already - if he has separation anxiety, is yappy, and probably is already housebroken.
It also depends on how big your apartment will be, and how big of a dog you want. If you want a big dog, older lab mixes or golden retrievers seem to work well, because anything much bigger than that is just too big for an apartment. As far as smaller dogs go, beagles or bichons aren't bad, since they aren't particularly yappy or as sensitive as, say, a dachshund or bichon.
2007-03-08 10:18:32 · answer #4 · answered by halie_blue 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Chihuahuas are good apartment dogs and so are dachshunds ( also known as weiner dogs) I have one dachshund and she does perfectly fine on her own and is so happy to see me when I get home. Mainly any small dog is good for apartments but if you want a guard dog then get a medium sized dog they do require more attension exspecialy being kept in an apartment but I'm sure you could handle it.
Good Luck,
2007-03-08 10:16:52 · answer #5 · answered by Kally 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
most apts dont take dogs over 25 pounds so the best dog/ puppy well be a poerainein you can go to the pound they are spayed and nutered so they wont have offsprings running the streets and its better they all need homes
2007-03-08 10:15:29 · answer #6 · answered by kambueno01 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I was in the same situation as you are in 4 years ago, in an apartment, and I choose to look at petfiner.com for a rescue group for my area. I wasn't big on getting a purebreed dog as they are expensive. I came across this cool site with a breed selector thingy. Check it out! :)
2007-03-08 10:43:20 · answer #7 · answered by Jessica♥sRRidgebacks 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
A greyhound is a great choice.THey are couch potatoes and not barkers.Size alone may scare off would be "bad people".Whippets are another good choice.Google Greyhounds (retired) and whippet rescue.Good Luck with what ever breed you get.
2007-03-08 10:22:23 · answer #8 · answered by waterlover 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
How about a teacup Chihuahua? They are so little and cute! No need for lots of maintenance, and you can take him anywhere because he's soo little....AWWW, how cute!!! Good Luck!
2007-03-08 10:16:34 · answer #9 · answered by #1 wifey 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get a Bichon Frise.They are really smart. They are also relitivly small. You can teach my dog a totally new trick in less than fifteen minutes!
2007-03-08 10:28:08 · answer #10 · answered by ellencalvo 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋