I have been thinking of getting a dog to live in an apartment. I have been thinking of a French Bulldog. They don’t seem to need seem to need a lot of exercise or room. From what I have they are happy with a couple of walks a day. I don’t have a yard, but there is a dog park near my place.
They also seem to like to have people around a lot the time which is good because I am looking for a companion dog. I am home most the day (work from) home so it would be nice to have a dog around. I do have to travel for about a week every 2-4 months, but my parents would be happy to take the dog for that time.
The other type of dog I have looked at is a pug. But I have read a few things that they like to with another pug and I don’t want two dogs. Are pugs really happier with another pug?
Are there any other types of dogs you can recommend?
I know I don’t want a mutt or any type of mixed breed.
Pugs seem to do fine by themselves (and are GREAT apartment dogs, as long as you have good climate control, they don’t handle extreme temperatures well). They get lonely easily, but with you working from home, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Why not a mutt? Mutts are usually the BEST dogs for any situation, more even tempered (generally) than purebreds.
Those dogs just look off. All the best features of the two breeds are gone. No bat ears. No curly tail.
But the biggest problem is that the eyes don’t look that expressive. Such a strong feature in both breeds (especially the pug) just seems off in all those pictures.
Dogs are as unique as people. Breed may give a disposition toward certain traits, but it’s not a guarantee that the dog will posess them. I have a Jack Russel Terrier, which are notoriously high-energy, bold dogs. Mine is a shy, passive little creature who wants nothing but to curl up in someone’s lap and sleep.
We have a Yorkie. They can be a little more high maintenance than other breeds but they are extremely smart and don’t shed. They don’t tolerate children well so even though they’re small and cute, they’re not a good match with kids. They typically will connect to one person in the household (their alpha human) but is loving to everyone in the house. Some are spastic i hear but ours has been the single most loving, adorable, spoiled rotten, little boy in the world.
To the OP, this is a good site on French Bulldogs and has a wealth of information on the breed. IIRC, the ones I’ve met have been pretty high energy except during hot weather.
In my experience, Dachshunds could make very good apartment dogs. If you get a short haired breed, they have extremely little dander and are small enough that they wouldn’t be starved for space in an apartment environment. I’m not sure of general dispositions for dachshunds, but the two that I have known had very mellow temperaments.
This isn’t true. The article you linked to even states that “it is very common for breeders to breed multi-generational crosses.” In other words, breeding a Frenchy Pug to a Frenchy Pug.
The issue gets more complicated than that though. Reputable breeders will perform extensive health tests on the dogs they are going to breed (OFA, CERF, BAER and I’m sure there are others) to make sure the ensuing litter is as healthy as possible. They’re interested in producing the best possible puppies for their breed. That means they aren’t going to be crossing their chosen breed with another breed.
So if you go for a “Frenchy Pug” what you are most likely going to get are two dogs bred together where the breeder didn’t perform any health testing at all. To expand further, a lot of puppy millers do the whole cross thing (Malti-Poo for example). These operations aren’t interested in producing healthy animals, they’re interested in the bottom line.
A lot of breeds have extensive health problems. French Bulldogs and Pugs, in particular, because of their brachycephalic faces. IMHO, the healthiest animals are going to be produced by people who perform health testing on their dogs and who carefully plan their litters not by people relying on hybrid vigor.
I have a shih tzu with hair cropped short (“puppy cut”) though because I don’t like that girly dog look. Shih tzus are quiet and affectionate. Quite small at about 14 lbs. They are quick learners too.
Those are my two favorite breeds! My, you have good taste in dogs!
I have 2 pugs at the moment. Yes, they like each other. But honestly, I think if you’re home most of the day the lil’ guy would be fine. I’d say differently if you were the type who went away to work all day, but that’s just my own personal feeling. I have friends with a pug where they’re gone all day, and she seems to do just fine.
You will want to play with them quite a bit, especially in puppyhood. This is not a bad task to have to do every day. They’re so darn cute and social that you’ll find them sitting at your feet with a toy when they want to play.
Our neighbors just got a French Bulldog. So cute! And he doesn’t need a lot of exercise. But buying one from a breeder is going cost you a ton of money, most likely.
We have two Boston Terriers. This breed has most of the same (good) characteristics of the Frenchie and Pug, except they are cheaper than the Frenchie and less prone to snoring and gas (although still prone) than the Pug.
You could adopt an adult dog from a rescue organization, one that keeps dogs at foster homes until adoption.
My dog Simon is the perfect apartment dog. He sleeps all night and… sleeps all day, but he’s very active when I take him for a walk (usually two 20-minute walks a day, plus two short walks for potty). I think he’s mostly Rat Terrier, and his temperament fits the description.
