The place I’m moving to in Kansas City allows pets. You can have any size dog you’d like, as long as you avoid the so-called “aggresive breeds” (Dobermans, pit bulls, etc.).
My apartment is an 1,100 sq/ft 2 bedroom, and I have a large field just outside my door. There is also a very large park a short walk away, and a nice lake less than 20 mins away. My office is about 2 minutes away, so I can drive home over the lunch hour and let him/her out for a while.
I plan on kennel (crate) training the dog from early on, and I’ve already checked out a few obedience schools.
Now, my question, I’ve always been a big-dog kind of guy. I’ve wanted a Labrador or a Golden Retreiver for as long as I can remember. They seem like pretty sedate animals, and I’d give him/her plenty of exercise, but I work normal 8 hour days like anyone else. Is my apartment too small for a lab or golden?
I’m also looking at a couple of smaller dogs, such as a Boston Terrier, Rat Terrier, or a Welsh Corgi, but I’d rather have one of the larger breeds mentioned above.
That’s a good-sized apartment. My family of four used to live in a 1,200 sq. ft. house with our three cats and our 75 lb. Border Collie cross (not a calm breed by any means). We left the dog in the house most of the day, and he was just fine as long as we made sure he got enough exercise when we got home. I’d wager that a calmer large breed dog would thrive in that environment as long as you’re conscientious about exercising him or her after work. That will have the added benefit of making sure you get a decent amount of exercise, too!
I have one more piece of advice: when you’re looking for advice rather than factual answers, you will probably get a better response in the In My Humble Opinion forum. I’m sure a moderator would be happy to move it over for you.
A Lab is sedate? A Lab is a giant spaz, if my experience is any guide. If you walk it in the morning before work (and come home for lunch), it’ll probably be fine. One question. Are you actually leaving the dog inside? Or are you planning to leave him/her out on the balcony (if you have one)?
If you get a Golden (my female is 80 lbs) as a puppy, be sure to meet the breeders and the parents. My dog, though I love her dearly, is a complete spazz (she has been going to obedience classes since 8 weeks). I should have known since her dad was a spazz.
From what I’ve heard, Goldens got so popular that they became more and more carelessly bred. Dolly’s mom is a completely mellow wonderful dog, but mixed with a large enthusiastic barker she produced my extra-playful puppy.
She is smart, tho.
From what I’ve seen at “doggy school” with the labs, one of our labs is a complete lump, another is an absolute hellhound and the other is middle-of-the-road. FWIW, the yellow labs I’ve met seem to be more mellow than the chocolate and black labs.
One more anecdote - a good friend of mine lives in a relatively small townhouse with his Sheltie dog (looks like a small black collie). Although the dog gets walked in the afternoon by his roommate and plenty of attention and running in the park on weekends, my friend is quite a busy guy and the sheltie has had few behavioral problems living “cooped up” like that. He had to be crated for the first year (as he ate the walls when my friend was at work) but now he’s a real angel!
Ditto on getting an older dog as opposed to a puppy. Since you work an 8-hour day, that is too long IMHO to leave a pup crated. An older dog with more control over bodily functions would be better.
I lived in a condo for two years with my border collie/lab. He was older at the time so it wasn’t too bad. I set aside plenty of time before and after work to spend with him outdoors.
I’ve got a retired greyhound.IMHO there is not a gentler dog. They are quickly crate trained if not housebroken already (mine took no work)They love people and are extremely loyal. Just be sure to give plenty of excercise.
Just curious. Cause nothing is more annoying/heartbreaking to your fellow apartment dwellers than listening to Puppy sit outside on the porch for eight hours. And whine. And yip. And so on.
I’d go with an older dog, too, unless you want to take a week or two off work to stay with a pup and train it and such. And have someone who can look in on the pup while you’re away.
Definately go with a rescued dog as opposed to a puppy. You cannot do a puppy of any breed justice by leaving alone any time during the day or night IMO.
Second the Greyhound if you’re willing to give up a spot on the sofa, they’re loungers, soft and cuddlier than most breeds, crate trained when you get them, usually very quiet and terrific apartment ‘big dogs’.
Can’t think of any other breed that fits the bill, but there may be a perfect fit at your local shelter, if not a local rescue organization.
Third the ‘spaz’ reference to those and many pure-breeds, some would rather die than be left in a crate alone for one hour, I’ve seen some cases at the vet that made me want to smack the owners with a “What Were You Thinking!” wet noodle for ever considering the breed they got and crating it during the day… and ‘yes’ they love their dogs enough to arrange for it to be let out during lunch hour. Some dogs, regardless of breed are just too intelligent and ‘busy’ to be crated, it’s best to go with a proven adult if at all possible.
Second the older dog. I adopted my dog when he was 2.5, which was perfect because he was out of the puppy stage, yet young and full of life. I moved to a 1 bedroom apartment this year and he’s been doing great. We have a little fenced yard, but he stays inside when I’m away. I don’t have to crate him during the day…he just sleeps on the couch (or my bed!) while I’m away and we go for long walks in the park and on the beach.
I’ve actually heard that Greyhounds make the best apartment dogs. They like to take their retierment from racing seriously!
If you’re into the idea of adopting an adult dog, you can check out petfinder.com or go to the local shelter and look at some dogs. Another great thing about getting an adult dog is that you can meet the dog and get a good sense of his/her personality (so you can tell if it’s a ‘spaz’ dog).
I’ve never owned a greyhound, but someone in my building has two of em. Frankly, I didn’t even know we HAD dogs in the building. Nice, quiet dogs.
I’ll give you some advice that’s served me well. Try to avoid the fancy pure breeds. Get a mutt. And secondly, get a shelter or rescue dog. They seem to know they have something to live for, IME. Never, ever buy an animal from a pet store, unless it’s a place where they let the local rescue/shelters put animals in (My PetsMart does this for cats).
The neighborhood where I used to live in Denver was filled with little 800 square foot bungalows. Thatt didn’t stop most of the outdoorsy-oriented population from getting Labs and Goldens.
I’ve got two active Porties in a 1,200 square foot rental house in RPKS. No problems.
Oooo, get an older rough coated collie. Gorgeous, gorgeous dogs. I have a 1 year old male in rescue right now, very sweet, calm dog. He’s from show lines, not working lines, I would watch out for that if you do decide to look into one of them, as I am sure the working dogs are higher energy. But I would have no problem sending this fellow to live in an apartment, he is a wonderfully lazy fellow.
I don’t know about labs, I have never met a calm one, and when I worked in the city shelter we got in more labs than any other breed. Golden retrievers I like though, but I have seen some that are yippy when they are bored.
I see that you are interested perhaps in a Boston Terrier.
I have two and really love the breed. Among other reasons, we like ours because they are small, but ‘act’ big. You can rough house with them, yet pick them up easily and take them places. They are easy to bathe and require no grooming.
Their personalities are simply the best. They love walks and playing with you, but have no real need to exercise.
If you do decide to go the BT route, I would look into an older dog. that way you can know their particular personality better. My Boy tends to be a bit spazzy, but, to be honest, that’s only when people come over. He gets so excited and he simply must show them his toys. When we are alone, he is really mellow and naps a bunch. Our girl has the sweetest disposition ever. She is def not a spazz dog.
Another reason I would suggest an older dog is because our first dog became so lonely while we were at work that he was miserable. We ended up getting him a companion and now he is happy all the time. Some BT prefer to be alone.
Anyhow, what ever you get, best of luck! Be sure to post pictures!
I have a house that’s about the size of your apartment. My doberman and german shepherd are total house dogs, and love it. My airedale stays in the yard while I’m at work, but is indoors when I’m home. She’s still a puppy and has a LOT of energy.
I think an older dog is a great idea. That way it’s through the puppy stage and you have a better idea of it’s temperament and energy levels.
Check out your local breed rescues and shelters. The workers should be able to give you an accurate assessment of their exercise requirements. Labs and Goldens are all over the map energy-wise. Every dog is different.
I grew up with a Corgi. He was a great dog and didn’t require a heck of a lot of exercise but he loved swimming.
I think as long as you give your potential pet the exercise required and crate-train properly you’ll be fine. Just take your time and make sure you get a good match.
(My bf hated greyhounds, thought they were butt-ugly and creepy until he met one. Now he’s trying to talk me out of a Dobie and into adopting a retired racer. Hee hee.)
