I live in an apartment and plan to get a dog here in the next few months. I don't know what breed to look for. My ideal dog is a lab BUT my parents think it's too big for an apartment. I need a dog that will be good in an apartment and that is big enough to go running with me. (2 miles usually) 1. Could a lab be a good apartment dog? & 2. What would be a good apartment dog big enough to go running with me?
(little things also... I want to keep whatever I have when I have kids so I need that to be okay, also I need something that could maybe be okay around cats (I know not always) but it would make a trip home with me in December for the holiday break)
Thanks for your help.
2007-03-08 11:41:25 · 12 answers · asked by Hilary 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
nope. a Lab is a sporting dog, lots of energy, kinda big for an apartment. I have always had Chows, we lived in apartments for years , they are good just setting around for days at a time and are good for brief exercising as well. They make great guard dogs, and they are generaly not barkers. Not so good around kids though
2007-03-08 11:52:18 · answer #1 · answered by arizonapolecat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any dog that is properly trained will be good around kids and cats as long as you keep the dog familiar with both, so when you have a kid or get a cat its not a new experience. I have a rottweiler that has her own kitten. She is also the laziest dog in the world. What I want to let you know though is that even if an apartment doesn't have a size restriction on dogs they might have a breed restriction. I recently moved and ended up buying instead of renting and one of the main reasons was being able to take my rott with me. I checked out many rental properties and found that many breeds such as rotts, dobermans, and pit bulls weren't allowed as well as mixes that contained those breeds. I reccommend going to a shelter and giving a needy dog a home. One of the bonuses is getting one thats already housebroken or trained, which might be a good idea if you want your full deposit back when you move. Cleaning up dog poop is never fun. One more thing, read about the charecteristics of different breeds before you get a dog. Certain things are very true of different breeds for instance, labs and hounds have a tendancy to chase things if they get loose or you have cats darting around since they were bred for hunting.
2007-03-08 12:06:09 · answer #2 · answered by citykitty_333 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any large breed or even medium sized breed would be ideal HOWEVER in such an enclosed space it will be very important that they get enough exercize. The 2 mile run will help but take them out in addition to that for about 30 min - 1 hour a day so they can expell more energy.
When dogs get bored and have a lot of pent up energy they tend to get destructive.
The ideal dog for apartments are actual giant breeds. They tend to just lounge around most of the time - but they aren't great jogging buddies. Any other dog is going to have a lot of energy.
SO.. go for a medium sized breed (mixed or pure bred) or large sized breed (mixed or pure bred) just make sure they get enough exercise and mental stimulation
2007-03-08 11:47:45 · answer #3 · answered by sillybuttmunky 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Questions on what dog breed to get for an apartment? Try the link below. Its a fun and interesting test to take. There is also a place on the page where you can go read about different breed you are already interested in. Good Luck! :)
2007-03-08 11:52:42 · answer #4 · answered by Jessica♥sRRidgebacks 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in an apartment that has 2 bedrooms, I have a pure-bred German Pincher, female. we've lived here 5 years and she has taken to it fine she is a small to medium height,shes good around children and doesn't even bother cats,like most dogs do.I'm very happy and content with my dog. She also had obedience training. which I took her to as a pup, so she knows my commands mean business. I'd choose a medium sized dog with a mix breed, if I had to choose again, reason most pure-bred animals don't live very long, but the mutts seem to outlast them especially if you decide to have children later, they can grow with the kids like our dog did.
2007-03-08 12:10:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Small to medium sized dogs are perfect for apartments. Daschunds and terriers are good because they are naturally quiet dogs. They are less likely to bother the neighbors. If you want it to get along with other animals (especially cats) GET A PUPPY! Dogs are like people. Tolerance has to be taught young...meaning it's a lot easier to teach a puppy to get along with others (children, other animals, etc.) than it is a grown dog.
2007-03-08 11:53:08 · answer #6 · answered by Randi Thompson 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the one dog i do know is a good apartment dog is a pug, If you are going to be outside walking alot and i mean ALOT a retriever is a good dog to have but most big dogs need room to run and can not be locked up so i dont know really, so maybe get a pug or a cavalier king charles spaniel..
2007-03-08 14:05:35 · answer #7 · answered by laci 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i live in an apartment with my cocker spaniel. he is a fatty -40 ilbs -(we dont run anymore since i dont have enough time) but he is a perfect size i think for an apartment. he is great with kids and a good watch dog and companion. I have had many different kinds of dogs but hes by far my favorite type.
2007-03-08 11:46:15 · answer #8 · answered by Sunshine 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest going to your local shelter or adoption place and taking your time to sit with the dogs and see how they are with you and you can even take them for a walk or foster one until you decide it's a good fit for you.
2007-03-08 11:45:46 · answer #9 · answered by Nette 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
before you get a dog, see what your apartment complexs' pet policy is. Some have weight and/or breed restrictions.
2007-03-08 14:25:59 · answer #10 · answered by sknymnie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋