What's the best breed of dog?

Question

I want to know what is the best breed of dog 4 a apartment living.

Also, I want to know what is the best breed of dog 4 a farm. My parents are thinking about moving to a one bedroom house with one bathroom(will get bigger!) outside near fields of grass. It will be a inside and a outside pet.

I look and the only breed that fit the two circumstances are the Maltese.

HELP!!

Love,
Jessie

Answer 1

American Eskimos are great apartment dogs. But I must say they are not for everyone. They are very loving, loyal, and family orientated. But can also be very willful and domiant. They need a good strong Alpha figure at all times. As they will from time to time test their position in the pack. They are easily trainable. They could also do very well on a farm, as they adapt pretty well to their surroundings.

Answer 2

I don't think a Maltese is a good choice for the farm, nor is any long haired dog if they are not fenced in and do not have free run. A short hair or medium would be better. I speak from experience. I lived on 12 acres in the country with 100 acres of unused land next to my place. My dogs had free run.
The hardest to take of was the long haired Old English Sheepdog. Even with brushing he would get matted over the winter so he got shaved every spring.
The Border Collie mix, medium hair length wasn't too bad. I very seldom had to do anything with her. She kept herself clean. I don't know how she did but there were times she would come covered in black mud, chasing ground squirrels into a spring. That was when I said "you aren't not coming into the house tonight", which was no problem as she hated being inside. I would let her in and in about 3 minutes she wanted back outside. By morning she was all sparkling white again.
Another one that was easy to take care of was an Irish Wolfhound/Great Dan mix, sort of long and short hair mixed. She was 140 lbs and if you were sitting in a chair she could sit in front of you and look you in the eye. But ever with the size she was a great indoor dog. She got enough exercise when outside that when inside she would find a place to lay down and was not be a problem.
Then living in the country and the dogs running through grass and bushes there is the constant lookout for ticks. They are lot easier to find on a short haired dog.
A good short haired dog would be a Beagle. Not too big and with the land will get enough exercise. Just make sure it has a name tag with your phone number because if they pick up a sent they are going to follow it to the ends of the earth and will get lost. I have had to go pick mine up a couple of times when he has gotten out.
I know I may sound insane but living in the country why not have a big dog? A Great Dane really is a great dog for an apartment or small house. They are not hyper dogs.

Answer 3

To me the Dachshund (weiner dog) is the best for both. When I got my first one I lived in an apartment. I took him for walks and played balled inside. Now that I live on a farm, he goes out with me to check on the chickens, goat and horses. I also have a bichon right now and she would do good in an apartment, but does well here on the farm too. But like everyone answering this, I am biases. Judge for yourself.

Animal Planet has a really neat breed selector.
http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/dogselector.do

It askes you several questions and then tell you which breeds will most likely fit you needs.

Answer 4

If the dog will get to exercise in the fields every day there are tons of options.

A maltese is a pretty poor choice for a farm dog but a nice choice for an apartment or small house.

Answer 5

I say Shih Tzu.. My friends parents breed these dogs and they live on a farm, surprisingly the dogs act like big dogs in little dog bodies.. chasing the horses, patrolling the property and having a great old time. They are also content to la around the house and be cuddled, they are very people oriented as that is what the breed was created for... human companionship. They are very adaptable and can live in an apartment or farm with equal ease.. they only want to be near their people to be happy! Anyway in the past I thought Shih's were little "sh it dogs" as I used to call them, you know yappy, biting little beasts too spoiled to act like real dogs... but I have changed my mind since my friends parents began raising them.. I find them to be sweet, smart and affectionate dogs just as ready to plough through mud puddles and chase horses as any big mutt farm dog.

It still may no be the breed for you but you can learn more about them here... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shih_Tzu

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is also a great small breed of dog to have on a farm... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PBGV

Answer 6

Lots of dog breeds can adjust fine in an apartment as long as they have plenty of attention from the owners and some room to move and play in the apt. I have three in an apt that are 55-59 lbs. They are regularly walked and exercised and are all great indoors, too.
They are all mixes, were rescues that I got as puppies and all are spayed and well cared for.
They are mixes of:
Aussie and Irish Setter
Golden Retriever and Anatolian Shep mix
Pitt Bull (mostly if not all)
Training, socialization and access to areas where they can run and play, plus how much time and attention you have to give your dog(s) factor in more than anything when it comes to what kind of dog is best suited to an apt.

Answer 7

Although they can become big dogs, boxers are great indoor and outdoor dogs. And they do remarkably well in apartments. They need walks and time outdoors, but once they're inside they're very docile and loving. Maltese are good dogs, but they have long hair that you have to groom and living out on a farm, that might be a handful. That fur will drag in all sorts of stuff and they'll always be dirty.

Answer 8

Well if your wanting an apartment dog... dont go with a toy breed... or small animal... because they will use the bathroom anywhere... they cant help it...

And dont go for one that is too big either...
so possibly a terrier, heeler, bulldog, maltese or possibly even a beagle or spaniel...

and as for a country animal... you should go with a herding type of dog... so a sheltie or a collie, or a heeler...

or a bigger animal... so a retriever, or labrador...

Answer 9

Good Small Dog's:
*Pomeranian
*Shih-tzu
*Yorkie

Good Medium Dog's:
*Jack Russel
*Beagle
*Chow Chow

Good Big Dog's:
*German Shepard
*Huskie
*Great Dane

Answer 10

Well I am very partial to labs and golden retrievers. They can get pretty big though. I have had them all my life (5 total). I have lived in apartments, houses, in the mountains, in the country....They are pretty adaptable to most places.
Collies are great too.
My grandmother always had Collies and Border Collies. They had a ranch and a small condo they used for vacation. They Collies and border collies did well in both.
All of these breeds are smart, loving and clean and very trainable.
Good luck!