Perfect dog for my lifestyle??

Question

My boyfriend and I have gotten ourselves settled living in a spacious apartment. Now we feel we're ready for a puppy. He wants a puggle. I want a medium sized breed. We are fairly active, would socialize the dog but would be gone 8 hrs a day and would need to crate train him. Any ideas on a good breed?

Answer 1

I wouldn't recommend a puggle if it's to be crated all day, a medium breed is probably a better choice and perhaps an older dog, rather than a puppy. Puppies have boundless energy and it's not really fair to crate them all day.

We have a medium-sized German Shepard mix (bred with a smaller breed) that is about 16 months now. We adopted her from an animal rescue group when she was very young and she has been crate trained (now that she's a bit older) and stays crated while we are at work all day. She has been great about it.

For us, we make sure to be very active with her and engage her whenever we are home, taking her for lengthy walks in the evening and allowing her free run of the house and the yard when someone is home with her. If we are out of the house for only a few hours, she is not crated. This situation has worked really well for us and she understands that the crating during the day is not a punishment - the crate is her space, complete with a mat and toys. She's to a point now that when we put our shoes or jackets on to leave, she runs into the crate and lies down.

For us, it just took some time and energy in training her, but it has worked well for our little family. Hope that helps and enjoy your new apartment and dog!

Answer 2

OMG people are so judgemental. You want a puppy. There are some really great puppies at the shelter that are in need of homes. "Ideally" every puppy would be raised by someone who doesn't work and can give undivided attention to their training and whatnot. But there are simply not enough people in this situation! You shouldn't be forced to get an older dog if that's not what you want. You want one young enough to bond with you, I understand where you are coming from. Try to find a 6 month old puppy. They have already settled down some, are old enough to spay/neuter, and should already have all their shots. But they'll still have all that cute-cuddlyness.
Then, while you are at work all day, set up a puppy-proofed area with baby gates that the pup can relax in. 8 hours is really too long to crate.
And if you like the look of the puggles, you should be able to find one at the shelter. They are filled up with purebreds and "designer dogs" that people abandon when they realize the work involved.
You should be able to get what you want. Just do the research first. Talk to the professionals at the shelter.

Answer 3

Puggles seem to be a little hyper. If you are going to be gone 8 hours a day maybe try and get a little older puppy. I have 4 dogs and my 3rd one I got as a puppy when i was working 8hr days and he is a terror now. It makes a huge difference when you can spend as much time with the pup to train and excersise him. But if you have made up ur mind I would sugggest a medium to larger size breed, they seem to be less hyper active for an apartment.

Answer 4

Not a puppy - of any breed. You are not home enough to train a puppy properly at first and it is unfair to leave a puppy alone all day.

Go to your local shelters, Humane Society, or try an online rescue and get a mature dog, with known traits that can be happy all the hours you are gone and still be a good companion and friend to both of you when you get home.

Do a good thing for yourselves and a deserving homeless dog - rescue and adopt.

Answer 5

An older dog with better bladder control would be a lot better for you. Puppies need a lot of attention, and 8 hours is just too much to leave it alone each day.

Consider adopting from a rescue who can tell you a lot about the dog's history. Some dogs have a tendency to be destructive and can tear apart you beautiful apartment because they are bored at home.

Please take this into consideration before you get a puppy.

Answer 6

I know we've talked about the Vizsla, but have you considered a retired Greyhound? They are super sweet couch potatoes and they come potty trained, crate trained, spayed or neutered and vaccinated. PLUS, you'd be helping save a life. Our gun dog kennels were turned into Greyhound kennels when I moved onto the property. I now devote my time to the GREYT GREYHOUNDS as pets. Please consider visiting an adoption center in your area. There are greyt dogs all over this country waiting on you to come take them home. They are gentle, quiet, usually over the "puppy chewing up everything" phase and you already know what I listed before. Good luck whatever you choose!

Answer 7

I lived in an apartment and crated my dog for 8 hours and he did just fine. I have a Corgi and he did pretty good. Since then I've moved and he has a backyard which he loves.

Answer 8

I agree with the first answer - do not get a puppy. All that fairy-tale stuff about "bonding" and "I want it to be imprinted with MY personality" and such is pure rubbish. In fact, the shelters are full of those kinds of poor doggie-victims of that stupid train of thought.

Get an adult dog. Don't get a puppy.

As to breeds? Try going to the shelter and picking out a nice orphan who needs your love. I bet there's one there waiting for you right now.

Answer 9

unless your rescuing one from a shelter do NOT get a puggle, its a desighner breed bred by unscrupulous peopoe who simply only care about money.

these dogs tend to have behaviourla and health issues associated with both breeds (what happens when you mix a breed bred to SNIFF with a dog that has issues breathing?!)

i would look into different PURE BREEDS (akc.org has a list) and try to come to some kind of middle ground... OR go to your local shelter and fine one you both fall in lvoe with.

Answer 10

A German Shepherd Would Be Good, They Are Good In Crates, You Just Have To Train Them To Be In It. They Are Full Of Energy, Especially When They're Puppies.