What kind of dog should I get for my apartment?

Question

I live in a decent size apartment, well I think its decent size (1200 sq ft) Anyways, I need some ideas on what type of dog would be best. I have a full time job, I leave in the mornings around 6:30 and I usuaslly dont get back til around 3:30 or 4. My girlfriend is in school til about lunch and then goes to her job. So she can come by everyday during lunch and let it out for a few minutes. Anyways does anyone have any suggestions on what type of dog I should get??

Answer 1

I've read that Chihuahuas are some of the best apartment dogs.

Answer 2

Try and find a small or medicum dog that doesn't bark at everything. Living in an apartment with a barking dog will be a nightmare for you and your neighbors. I've had pedigree dogs and mix breeds and the mix breeds are the best in the health department and temperment department. There are so many dogs in shelters and some are in kill shelters that need a home. They are such grateful animals. I have one now that I adopted in December. Couldn't ask for a better dog. You can also teach a puppy as well as an older dog to be crate trained. That way when you leave them alone they can't get hurt, damage anything of yours or have accidents on the floor. Dogs will not go to the bathroom in a crate where they sleep. Should you adopt a shelter dog it will take them some time to adjust to their new surrounds and you. They are somewhat skiddish in the beginning. Be loving and patient ...Good luck

Answer 3

Do NOT listen to the idiot who said dont get a dog cause you are in an apartment first of all.
Second it sounds liek you have a decent sized apartment- not a super tiny one which is good. You basically could get any breed of dog , small or big. My mom has a house about the size of ur apt and works all day- she leaves at 7 and gets home about 5. she then lets em run most of the night and they are fine.
her choc lab puppy had to be crated at first when she was a puppy cause shed chew and mess. VBut they got her a big enough crate where she could have toys and a blanket. Now that shes being trusted and better behaved they leave the crate door open and when she wants to nap she will go in and chew her toys or sleep.

Id look for a small/mid sized dog. just depends of what you woudl like if you want a small lap dog (even tho the bigger ones think they can be lap dogs like my husky lol. or if you want a bigger one to take running or to parks ect

best of luck and one more bit of advice....please before you check out breeders or pet stores (some supported by puppy mills) check out petfinder.com and take a look at the pups/dogs at the shelters,rescues and pounds. They have some beautiful amazing dogs..u might even find one whos been trained which is a HUGE plus!!!!

Answer 4

Chihuahuas make great apartment dogs. They are small enough that they can get plenty of exercise in a apartment. You can buy puppy pads and crate train them for when know one is home. They can be trained not to be yappy, and as long as you socialize them from an early age, they are not snappy either. I have 2 and 4 small kids I have never had a problem with my Chi's and anyone.

If you would prefer a little bigger dog look into the pug, French Bulldog or the English Bulldog. I also have a E. Bulldog and they would make a fine apartment dog. They are medium sized, and very very lazy. They cannot be outside in hot weather anyways for long, because they can easily overheat. I just say crate train and buy lots of chew toys. They do love to chew. They are extremely non aggressive, and rarely bark. They do love to be held though, and will want to climb right in your or anyone else's lap. They will also fully intend to sleep with you and as long as you can handle the snoring and the gas, that will be fine. They do fart and burp, but they are smart, funny, cute, caring, and they will do the funniest things ever.

Answer 5

I recommend going finding a rescue organization in your area! There are so many dogs that need great homes that you seem like you can offer. If you are not very active and wouldn't be able to walk the dog or exercise it I would not recommend a pit bull or any bully breed at that matter.(they need at least 30 minutes of exercise a day). I would contact your local rescue and just go look at different dogs...they all have different personalities and would be willing to give you all the love in the world! Also, you could get one a little older and not have to deal w/ the awful puppy stage!

Answer 6

Your best bet is to research dogs. Start with small to medium size dogs such as boston terriers to shelties. More than apartment size, you need to consider dog personalities. You are gone a good portion of the day & you need a dog that can adjust to your schedule. Example: I would not recommend any herding dogs such as a border collie or australian shep. These dogs are very active & do not do well in apartments or with long schedules. Only you know the type of dog that best suits your personality. Pugs are are pretty easy going & if you prefer a larger dog, goldens, dobies, hounds are easy to train. Training is most important, if you are serious in your training almost any dog can be a good pet in 1,200 sq feet. One note, if you are considering a little dog keep in mind they are a little harder to train & many small breeds are barkers & need constant reinforcement. Get a dog encyclopedia & read up on different breeds. Remember you need to be fair to yourself & your pet. Also, don't forget mixed breeds & your local animal shelter. You can get a great companion in these & usually less health problems than those found in purebreds. As far as your hrs. you can always hire a dog walker to come in during the day.

Answer 7

You might be well off with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or a Border Terrier. These are small dogs that are somewhat low-energy. They still need to be walked for about 20 minutes a day, and they will require brushing about 3-5 times a week.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:
http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/dogprofile.do?id=2150

Border Terrier:
http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/dogprofile.do?id=1900

I do recommend that you get an adult dog, preferably trained. You really don't have enough time for training and watching a puppy right now, let alone bringing it for its puppy vaccinations. If you get a puppy, you will need to be bringing it out every few hours to housetrain him properly, and you will also need to go for obedience classes.

This is a pretty good dog breed selector:
http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/dogselectorindex.do
You fill in a questionnaire about your needs and wants and they recommend breeds of dogs for you.

Most importantly, DO YOUR RESEARCH.

Answer 8

You need to spend a lot of time with any dog that you decide to adopt.
I would definately consider a small size dog, but have you thought of

http://www.flexpetz.com/

This is an organization where you rent a certain dog for a particular amount of time. That way you have a pet you are home and want to take the dog out for a walk or just hang out with.

When you are busy, you don't have to take care of the dog.

You might want to try it out and see how having a pet works for you.

Answer 9

yes yr apt is a decent size -- but do you think it's ok to leave a dog inside all day long w/ no exercise or company????? if you must -- get a low to medium energy dog, not high energy as are most terriers. even w/ jobs & school schedules, you should walk yr dog every morning & eves....

& pls do not get an akita.... the poster who mentioned an akita -- an extremely large dog -- for an apt absolutely is not familiar w/ the breed or is just pulling your leg.

Answer 10

you have to look at why you are getting a dog?

if both of you aren't home much you shouldn't be getting one at all!

but if you are going to get a dog - just remember that the smaller the dog doesn't mean the less exercise it needs. even though you have an apartment a large dog will get frustrated, but a small dog will get frustrated as well.

have you thought about going to a shelter and adopting an older dog that is happy to lay around all day and go for a walk every evening.

you may be giving an older dog a really beautiful and loving end to his life. And satisfying your needs as well :)

Answer 11

definitely, in case you're prepared to supply your canines the exercising it derserves i could say analyze some breeds that stand out to you. heavily, you will would desire to stroll this canines and provide it exercising every day. reckoning on breed in step with possibility extra. in case you won't be in a position to or won't do this then I advise no canines at the instant. Boxers, are large relatives canines. Labs, are large canines besides. There are quite some lab mixes in shelters that choose good residences. There are even person canines who're abode broken! yet another concern worth questioning approximately is potty training. Are you going to be prepared to enable your canines out each and every person to 2 hours 24 hours an afternoon in case you get a pup? i do now not comprehend in case you reside up quite a few stairs or now not, yet which would be a element. another issues to think of approximately are grooming standards. Do you concepts in case you have a canines which will shed. Or could you rather have a canines that sheds much less, yet must be groomed as quickly as a month? additionally, some places won't enable you have specific breeds. Please locate out what your house or city helps in the previous getting a canines. I advise gaining knowledge of boxers, labs, goldens, poodles. yet another selection is adopting a greyhound. they are sofa potatoes have faith it or now not. they could do nicely in an house with a truthful volume of exercising.