Good dog breeds for Apt living

[hook1997]

Want to get a new puppy, Wanted to know if there was a good smart small or medium breed that does good with apt living and are easy to train? Had a mini dachshund and was thinking about getting one of those again but not sure, any suggestions?

 

[The Eyes of Texas]

if you have time to get out and exercise the dog on a daily basis, go ahead and get a big dog...we've got a mutt from the pound who weighs about 75 lbs. We live in a house, but he's got a temperament that would be fine in an apartment...he's about 4 yrs old now.

 

[coolhorn]

I live in a house, and have a Scottie. He's not big at less than thirty pounds, and is very bright, affectionate but not yipey or clingy, and perfectly capable of entertaining himself with his toys when we're not around, or are too busy to play with him. The good thing about Scotties also is that they're very good watchdogs, but quiet in the house or apartment most of the time. If mine starts barking inside, you need to pay attention, because he hears or sees something. They're generally a very healthy breed, and tons of company, whether you want to take them out to bark park, or just lounge around home. Hope that helps.

 

[accuratehorn]

That's really what the toy breeds are designed for, but I would prefer a small terrier, there are several different ones. They don't shed, for one thing.

 

[Smurfette]

my 110 lb dog would be fine in an apartment-- she's a rottie/ great dane mix. She's pretty much furniture-- just wants to be in the same room as you and lay around. She also rarely barks-- we've had neighbors tell us before that when they hear Ella bark, they get up and check to see what's going on.

Anyway-- I think my point is that it doesn't matter how big or small the dog is. Some breeds just do better inside with less room to run.

Also, any puppy is going to have a really hard time w/ an apartment, because they have so much more energy in the early part of their life. Also, potty training will ruin your carpet, which will costs a pretty penny.

Have you given any thought to getting a ~1 year old rescue?

 

[gecko]

I have a Rat Terrier - about an 18lbs dog. They're freekin' smart and real playful. Mine was quickly house trained and never chewed up the furniture. The only downside is he does shed more then I'd like. We've found bathing him regularly helps a lot.

He does an excellent job of protecting my family from the killer squirrels that stalk The Woodlands.

 

[TXSNOS]

Miniature poodle, of course

 

[l00p]

If you like big dogs look no further than a Mastiff. They do excellent in small quarters and make excellent apartment dogs even in a city like New York.

 

[Ramathorn]

Poodles are ugly. How about a basset hound?

 

[hook1997]

Thanks for the input. Yea any input on basset hounds or beagels? Ill look into scotties also.

 

[l00p]

Yes, I have some advice on Beagles. Have lots and lots of time to expend their energy and if you are going to get one, you really should get two. Speak to Beagle owners about this. Great breed but one with quirks and you better have patience.

I suggest getting a dog that loves to swim. No better way to tire a dog out and free up some time than to smoke them in the water. They sleep for a long, long time after.

 

[CrazyFoo']

In reply to:

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[Texanne]

I have only one piece of advice: despite what you may have seen on TV (i.e.,Frasier), DO NOT get a Jack Russell Terrier. You'll come home one day and your apartment will look like a bomb went off.

 

[Summerof79]

I am surprised nobody has mentioned Yorkies. We love ours and it doesn't shed. It will piss occasionally when we are gone WAAAY to long, but then it's a tiny puddle.

They aren't cheap but are great "little' dogs. Ours walks or half jogs at my wifes pace about 2-1/2 miles several times a week.

 

[SullHorn]

I know they're not the manliest of dogs, but cocker spaniels are great dogs.

My family always moved for work when I was growing up, and being in the oil business, I feared the same thing---they are sporty, small, and wonderful dogs. They do need walks though

 

[UT Spring Branch]

poodle - they don't need exercise and if they do you can play with them - when they get old they are like another pillow on the couch

 

[converse]

I'm a big fan of the mutt, but you never really know what your going to get with a mutt puppy.

I'd think about either a Havanese or Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Both are fairly smart (maybe not so much for the Cavalier), loyal and need only moderate exercise.

 

[Tan Ted Deki]

 

[TenaciousTgarden]

I have a cocker spaniel that is an awesome, awesome dog. He's almost 8 years old (i've had him since 7 weeks), and we've lived in apartments most of his life. He's a perfect apartment dog, but loves to go to the park and play ball too. He also loves walks and swimming, but is perfectly content to lay around the apartment with me and watch tv all day. My only complaint would be the shedding/grooming - he sheds a decent amount a few times a year, and I take him to the groomers to get a non-girly haircut every couple months. Maybe not the manliest dog, like someone said, but he's an awesome companion. It also makes me happy that cockers generally have pretty long life spans - often up to 15 years!