What's the best type of indoor dog to get?

Question

I'm getting out of the military and finally able to get a dog. Of course I'll be working part time and going to school at the same time so it would be alone but I'm very active in life with hiking and photography. I love the idea of a Jack Russel but heard they have a lot of energy that I may not be able to provide. Any advice would be greatly accepted.

Answer 1

Whippets are very gentle, docile indoor dogs that do not require as much exercise as rambunctious terriers. In fact...

'Whippets are generally quiet and gentle dogs, content to spend much of the day sleeping.'

Obviously, like all dogs, they need exercise, but are very suited to indoors environment and also extremely affectionate. The only problem is that they cannot be let off the lead unless VERY well trained - one glimpse of a rabbit and your Whippet will suddenly be that dwindling speck on the horizon.

I have a West Highland White Terrier myself - they're absolutely wonderful dogs, but can very boisterous and need a good walk every day, like most terriers.

Oh, and here's a site with comprehensive information on many dog breeds, which may help; http://www.petplanet.co.uk/petplanet/breeds/dogs-breeds.htm

Good luck with whatever you choose!

Answer 2

Jack Russels do have a lot of energy, and may not do well being left alone too long.
House or apartment and is there a weight limit for the dog?
A puppy or young dog wouldn't be the best choice if you aren't going to be around all day to work with it.
If you want to hike a lot, a breed that doesn't have a ton of hair will be easier on you, as it will be easier to remove burrs, and look for ticks etc.
A very small dog may not have the energy to keep up with a lot of hiking-especially if its not flat.
You can look at different breeds at www.akc.org
Mixed breeds are always a good choice, a medium sized mix would probably fit your lifestyle just fine. You can see dogs up for adoption near you at www.petfinder.com

Answer 3

um.. okay, whoever said small terriers are appropriate are not correct.. MOST small terriers are bred for their energy, tenacity, and fearlessness... so if you want a stubborn ball of energy (until they are around.. oh.. 8ish go right ahead).. I have had many of them..

As someone else said.. ANY dog can be indoor dogs.. (although, I had a wolf/collie/husky mix that would overheat in the house during the winter)

Beagles are good if you are very active.. they do have alot of energy, which is most noticeable if you do not get them to burn it off enough... I use rollerblades/bikes/treadmills to keep mine happy.. they get very destructive if they don't get the exercise.. (including swallowing ANYTHING in site, tearing things apart.. it's not safe for them)

The whippet someone suggested is a good one that I wouldn't really have thought of.. but every one I've seen has been fairly mellow in the house.. ..

another one would be a sheltie.. they are herders, and do better with moderate exercise.. but are generally calm..


Personally, I love Irish Wolfhounds.. they are lazy couch patatoes.. I even have proof.. lol
http://www.irish-wolfhound-von-der-saalmuehle.de/couch2.jpg
they need a good run every day, but when not outside tend to do exactly what you see in the pic.. (they are sight hounds though, so they are another one that you do not let offleash in an unfenced area.. (HIGH fences if possible, because at their height at full speed a 4 foot fence is no obstacle)

Answer 4

Well a bull dog is usually a lazy dog and doesn't need that much attention. If you want an active dog that you could take on your hikes and stuff maybe a pug. I think a Chihuahua would be to small and not enough energy for the hiking you do.

Answer 5

you definitely want a small terrier of some kind. all dogs have energy needs that have to b met, but the smaller breeds won't take as long to wear out, plus playing with them at home works just as well as taking them for a walk. miniature pinchers as well as some other terrier breeds can be litterbox trained, which makes them almost as easy to look after as a cat.
the only thing you should watch out with a jack russell is that they are very high energy. if you feel you could dedicate him enough time every day to play or walk then you should be ok.

Answer 6

any breed of dog is a good indoor dog.

I suggest you google "dog breed selector".. there are many of them out there.. they ask for information like how much exercize and grooming you can dedicate to daily, do you need a dog that is good with children or other pets? What kind of qualities you like, such as trainability, size, protection, etc. The selector will come up with several breeds that best match your lifestyle based off the information your provide. Check out some of the first few breeds it suggests.

Answer 7

Oh.......I am not going to recommend a type of dog.

I am going to recommend to WAIT

Wait until you get into your new routine, PLEASE! Give it several months. You may find you really do not have the time to share with a dog...the amount of time the DOG needs!

Do you have a fenced yard?

I would go nuts without a dog....to share their companionship and "love". BUT I would feel worse having a dog that was "companion" neglected...that I could not spend quality time with daily...that I only could see for a couple of hours at night...that I could not take for runs and revel in its joy

Please, again...wait. Spend the time realizing exactly how much spare time you have.....to walk a dog...play with a dog....train a dog.....that will guide you to what type of dog will suit you best at this time of your life...a puppy that needs daily training..or an older rescue....

Answer 8

anything that doesn't shed!! i can handle anything but that. all dogs get fleas and ticks and all that other dog stuff you just have to keep them treated jack russels are short haired..but they still shed pretty badly, and they can be extremely hyper, it really all depends on what you want personally and how much time and effort you really want to invest. you can look up non-shedding breeds on line and find something that suits you if you decide to go that way.

Answer 9

Ya, cats are very good companians. I suggest you thinking 'bout that. Well, how about a German Shepherd? Since you were in the military? They are really awww-some dogs. ;) Or a Cavalier King Charels Spaniel? They are really cute. Well, good luck on your new companion!!!

Answer 10

the best indoor pet dog are dogs that is easy cleaning dogs, no ticks and less hair because if too much hair in your house, the hair might fall or scatter on your house and may cause asthma to the people around you.