Hey folks, Looking for some anecdotes on experience with dogs in apartments. I have been wanting to get a dog for years, since my Australian Shepherd died. I had been planning on waiting for a house, but decided to sign an 18 month lease on an an apartment that doesn't allow puppies. So I am thinking about getting a 1yr old. I hate lap dogs. Want something med to large. A breed that can handle being during the day, but I can come home at lunch if need be and plan to have a walker a few days a week. Somewhat active, ie runs, hikes, dog park etc. But not a wild dog. I was looking at some of the smaller retrievers, like a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. Anyone have any good ideas or experience with dogs in apartments?
I don't have experience with dogs in apartments but I suggest you consider a toy poodle. Fairly low maintenance, trains easily, doesn't shed, doesn't eat much, very smart and makes me laugh. An apartment would be plenty enough room.
I have a Standard Schnauzer. He's a nut but a brilliant dog. Kinda stubborn but loyal as hell. Big bark too.
I would suggest going to the nearest animal shelter and taking a look at all the dogs there. They let you take on the dogs on walks and see their temperament and how they react with you. After you think you have the right dog, you can "foster" that dog, take him/her home and see how they do in the environment you are describing. Theres nothing better than rescuing a dog and that dog knowing it. They are appreciative and will love you for the rest of their life. Its really a great feeling for both you and the dog. Highly recommend.
Once I adopted a 7 year old mutt cus he was chill af. Dude didn't do anything. Just chilled. We were buds
this. but the hair will kill you. Boston terriers are the little dog with the big personality. Not exactly a lap dog.
sister has a goldendoodle. cutest thing ever. also a really good wing man because hot chicks flock to me when I take him to dog parks. very MINIMAL shedding.
In an apartment? A lab, retriever, or shepherd are the breeds I've almost liked the most. I'll probably get a rescue or shelter dog, but still want to narrow it to particular breeds. Definitely not getting a poodle, even if they are low maintenance. I'm just not masculine enough to pull that off...lol
What's yall's experience been like leaving the dog home for 8 hrs a day? That's why I wanted to wait for a house, so I'd at least have a yard he/she could run around in. But it's just not gonna happen in Austin anytime soon.
Get a mutt. On average, healthier and longer lived than a pure breed. Go to the shelter and get the ugliest dog. No one wants the ugly ones, and the dogs have no idea why.
Once we got potty training down, my Boston Terrier was perfect for the apartment we lived in. Minimal shedding, huge personality, plenty of energy to run around (although should be monitored in the summer due to their propensity to overheat) , but also fairly content with just chilling for long periods of time. He's also a huge hit anytime we go out in public. I know a Boston Terrier doesn't really fit the lab/shepherd mold, but I can't say enough how much I love this dog.
I have a chow/lab mix, she's incredibly smart and has no issue when I'm away for 8-9 hours for work. I agree with jugdish, get a mutt. I'm lucky that half her breed is lab so I got the smarts and the chow just makes her much prettier. She doesn't have any of the aggressiveness of what a chow is known to have, but I always put that on the owner, not the breed. Lots of shedding and its more noticeable because she has dark black hair, but I don't mind vacuuming. Since you can't get a puppy, I highly suggest getting a dog that's house trained. I had to train my girl and it can be a mess the first few months as they learn.
Also, this. Our pup loves going in his crate, and we'll find him in there sometimes even when we are at home and he's free to roam the house. Best decision we made.
Yah, I'm definitely crate training. I actually never crate trained my previous dog. He just roamed the yard all day, or sat under the porch, and slept inside on the cool tile.
Purebred dogs are the result of inbreeding. German Shepherds have bad hips, dachshunds have bad backs, pugs can't breath, boxers get cancer, etc. These genetic defects are passed down through the generations in the name of breed purity.
Giant breed- Mastiff, Great Dane, etc. They're couch potatoes but enjoy small bit of time outside. Yeah, the turds are huge but if you get them decent grain-free food they don't poop as much.
