# Boston Terrier, best breed for an apartment ? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 17, 2010, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-terrier-best-breed-for-an-apartment/543490 "2010-06-17T00:24:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Ibanez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a4c791/32.png) [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2010, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-terrier-best-breed-for-an-apartment/543490/41 "2010-06-21T11:09:06Z")
> [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](#): > > Another thing about Bostons is that they are small, but not “embarrasing” to have as a man. A lot of guys would never own a fou fou dog but will have a Boston. I’m pretty comfortable with my sexuality and actually considered some of the frou frou breeds. I considered Yorkies, Frichon Brise . But since I tend to thrash around in my sleep I don’t want anything smaller than a Boston . ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2010, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-terrier-best-breed-for-an-apartment/543490/42 "2010-06-21T12:24:11Z")
**Bad News Baboon** : I’m sorry to hear about Dongle as well. He was a sweet smooshy boy, too. I lost Hurshell May 26. ☹ Licks of love to you. Which brings us to my favorite point about BTs: They are enthusiastic kissers! ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2010, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-terrier-best-breed-for-an-apartment/543490/43 "2010-06-21T12:31:40Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I’ve read that greyhounds are actually one of the best dogs for apartments, as long as they get enough exercise outside. But while inside they basically lounge around and are very quiet. Worlds fastest couch potatoes. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2010, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-terrier-best-breed-for-an-apartment/543490/44 "2010-06-21T17:47:18Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > I’m the first person to advocate breed-specific rescue, because my poor little guy was a rescue. The national BT rescue organization is [here](http://www.btrescue.org/). You can look up your local chapter from that page. > > I have to caution anyone considering this to **know what you are getting yourself into**. Adult rescues come with a _completely_ different set of issues than a well-cared-for puppy. I’ll try to summarize: > > •Behavioral issues - separation anxiety, OCD, difficult if not impossible to housebreak, sometimes dominance issues, strong prey drive, food guarding, sometimes not good with other pets or little kids or old people. My rescue was an angel with dogs, cats, kids, and old people, he was never a food guarder, and did not have to be alpha dog. He never so much as growled at anyone or anything in his life. He was not a barker at all, but would howl when I left him. He had horrible separation anxiety and in the end, I think that’s what killed him. (He was upset from being kenneled, got overheated 'cause it’s hot and his airway closed due to brachycephalic syndrome.) > > •Medical issues - Can range from skin allergies to really awful terminal conditions. Rescues are often poorly bred and not tested for congenital problems that lead to luxating patella, cataracts, deafness, and other conditions. My rescue had had heartworms (successfully treated without killing him), sarcoptic mange, bad teeth from malnourishment, and terrible skin problems. Later, he developed irritable bowel syndrome and hypothyroidism, which may be autoimmune-related. That dog practically had a wing at the vet’s office named after him, we were in there so much. > > There are not a lot of resources for dog owners who rescue and discover problems like this after the fact. Many rescue adoptions go swimmingly and the owners don’t encounter any problems. However. You have to do your homework, know how to deal with difficult dogs, and if necessary, have an animal behaviorist located if it comes to that. (I had to hire one.) Learn as much as you possibly can about the dog’s background and what kind of conditions it has known because that will help you help the dog adjust to its new home. My BFF also had one BT he raised from a puppy and one he rescued. His puppy-raised dog lived a few years longer than his rescue, like mine. We have a theory that rescued BTs really pay harshly for mistreatment when they are young with shorter life spans and more medical problems. They don’t seem to live as long or do as well as mutt rescues from the pound. Not to derail the thread, and I know you may have the best of intentions, but this comes across a little like a pro-breeding sales pitch. Breeder-bred puppies are often poorly-bred, have congenital health issues or infections from poor conditions, and any dog can have psychological problems. Yes, a “really really great breeder” will screen for congenital issues, but remember, _everyone_ thinks his or her own breeder is wonderful, and we _know_ the vast majority of breeders are not: so odds are, any breeder you’re using is a bad one, _and_ you’re probably unable to tell. In short, an extensive list of caveats applies to breeder-bred dogs just as it might to rescued dogs. Think critically and don’t necessarily take at face value the reassurances of someone who’s trying to sell you something. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2010, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-terrier-best-breed-for-an-apartment/543490/45 "2010-06-21T18:00:36Z")
**Sailboat** , I’ve had one of each and I do not mean to advocate in either direction. Just wanted to caution people who are thinking of rescuing. It’s hard. But it is totally worth it when the dog finally starts to shake loose its anxieties and become, well, a _real dog_. Amazing to see dogs blossom like that. But it is very, _very_ difficult to get 'em there, and you have to be a really patient, loves-to-work-with-dogs person. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2010, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-terrier-best-breed-for-an-apartment/543490/46 "2010-06-21T19:39:27Z")
> [@R.P.McMurphy](#): > > An overgeneralized, stereotypic, unscientific response: > > If you see the label “terrier” don’t think about it. Terriers tend to be hyper, disobedient, unaffectionate and generally a PITA despite their cute looks. Boston Terriers are not actually terriers. They were once called “Boston Bulldogs” which is far more accurate. The last thing I’d worry about in a Boston is it being unaffectionate. Lick you to death? That’s much more likely! ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2010, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-terrier-best-breed-for-an-apartment/543490/47 "2010-06-22T04:14:40Z")
[QUOTE=Dogzilla;12600724 brings us to my favorite point about BTs: They are enthusiastic kissers![/QUOTE] They seem to have very long tongues. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2010, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-terrier-best-breed-for-an-apartment/543490/48 "2010-06-22T12:27:52Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > They seem to have very long tongues. 😃 Short snouts = makes tongues look bigger. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2010, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-terrier-best-breed-for-an-apartment/543490/49 "2010-06-22T14:40:54Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > **Sailboat** , I’ve had one of each and I do not mean to advocate in either direction. Just wanted to caution people who are thinking of rescuing. It’s hard. But it is totally worth it when the dog finally starts to shake loose its anxieties and become, well, a _real dog_. Amazing to see dogs blossom like that. But it is very, _very_ difficult to get 'em there, and you have to be a really patient, loves-to-work-with-dogs person. On the other hand, raising a puppy is a job and a half, too. My inlaws got two puppies recently and my husband and I just rescued a 5 year old dog (obligatory pics of the [cutest](http://pics.livejournal.com/h0taru/pic/0006sahg) [lil’](http://pics.livejournal.com/h0taru/pic/0006t3b6) [doggie](http://pics.livejournal.com/h0taru/pic/0006xppq) in the world! :D). I’ll say that, hands down, we’ve had a much easier time than they have. Charlie (our dog) does have his issues, but the rescue was _very_ upfront about telling us about them. He doesn’t like being around children at _all_ and he’s timid around strangers. He also can’t be let off-leash unless there’s a fenced-in area for him. He had some residual marking issues (he was neutered at 5 when the rescue got him). We’ve only had him a month and a half and yes, it’s been work. He had to start trusting us and we had to put a belly band on him\* to monitor marking. He did it a few times and it required some close attention. We’ve also had to be careful introducing him to new people, exposing him to new places, new dogs, etc. But he’s really opening up and is a total love monster. The two puppies my inlaws have, on the other hand? Super cute and super sweet, but jesus _christ_ what a pain in the ass! They’re good with learning commands like sit, down, stay, but they’re still having issues with peeing or crapping in the house. They have to monitor every damn time they take a drink of water so they can take them out 20 minutes after so they don’t pee in the house. Charlie can just go 3 times a day, not 23903590235 times. They have to get up in the middle of the night, put up with howling, etc. etc. I love dogs, but I definitely don’t want a puppy. IME (growing up with one dog we got as a 9 week old puppy, then a rescue, and now rescuing Charlie with my husband), if you choose a _reputable rescue_, they will be up front about any issues the dog has. Our rescues have been easier to deal with than any puppy I’ve raised or watched while owners were on vacation. - Super cool thing for marking issues. Basically a thick fleece ‘belt’ that closes with velcro; you put a ladies’ pad on it and if they do try to mark, it goes onto the pad instead of what he’s trying to pee on. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2010, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-terrier-best-breed-for-an-apartment/543490/50 "2010-06-22T15:13:11Z")
If you don’t mind a shedder, [miniature American Eskimo Dogs](http://www.akc.org/breeds/american_eskimo_dog/) make excellent apartment dogs. Bonus: they are by far the most effective chick-magnet dogs in the world, even when fully grown. A Spitz will do in a pinch. ---
**Author:** ![anu-la1979](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/47e85d/32.png) [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2010, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-terrier-best-breed-for-an-apartment/543490/51 "2010-06-23T23:55:55Z")
My sister and brother-in-law just got a King Charles cavalier spaniel pup. He’s lazy, affectionate, never barks (we’ve never heard him to date, my family is about 70% certain he doesn’t know how) and was quickly house-trained. Plus, my brother-in-law says that when he goes out with the dog it’s like being a rock star. My sister confirmed this when they went to the beach together-apparently Charlie has a taste for goodlooking women. The only downside is that he was really, really expensive and they had to jump through some hoops for him. When we heard they wanted a breed as opposed to a rescue, my mom/dad and I pressured them to buy from a reputable breeder. The breeder insisted on meeting with them and then assigned a puppy to them. My sister says the breeder liked the fact that my brother-in-law gets to work from home whenever he feels like it. It seems like the vetting process for a good breeder rivals that of a good shelter-they’re really looking to send them to an environment where they’ll be happy. I’m at a conference right now but I’ll post pics when I get home. He is so beautiful. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2010, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-terrier-best-breed-for-an-apartment/543490/52 "2010-06-24T00:19:44Z")
> [@anu-la1979](#): > > My sister and brother-in-law just got a King Charles cavalier spaniel pup. He’s lazy, affectionate, never barks (we’ve never heard him to date, my family is about 70% certain he doesn’t know how) and was quickly house-trained. > > Plus, my brother-in-law says that when he goes out with the dog it’s like being a rock star. My sister confirmed this when they went to the beach together-apparently Charlie has a taste for goodlooking women. > > The only downside is that he was really, really expensive and they had to jump through some hoops for him. When we heard they wanted a breed as opposed to a rescue, my mom/dad and I pressured them to buy from a reputable breeder. The breeder insisted on meeting with them and then assigned a puppy to them. My sister says the breeder liked the fact that my brother-in-law gets to work from home whenever he feels like it. It seems like the vetting process for a good breeder rivals that of a good shelter-they’re really looking to send them to an environment where they’ll be happy. > > I’m at a conference right now but I’ll post pics when I get home. He is so beautiful. That’s what my Charlie\* is (I posted pics on page one); he was apparently shaved down when the shelter got him so he looks a bit odd, but his hair is growing in nicely. He is a _fantastic_ apartment dog. We technically have a first floor flat, but there’s no fenced in yard so it works out to be like an apartment. Likes going for walks but adores just lounging around and snoozing and cuddling. - I personally hate the name Charlie for a King Charles. It’s just so corny (no offense to your sister). But he already knew it well and it suits him. ---
**Author:** ![anu-la1979](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/47e85d/32.png) [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2010, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-terrier-best-breed-for-an-apartment/543490/53 "2010-06-24T00:45:23Z")
She didn’t name him, my brother-in-law did, and both of us agree with you :). My sister just wanted a smallish pound mutt, but my BIL fell in love with this breed after compromising with her over a small dog rather than a big galumphing one (he originally wanted a golden retriever). BIL wanted to name Charlie either Charles Barkley (b/c he’s a big basketball fan) or Peanut and my sister decided Charles Barkley was a little less lame. He’s amazing. Just super snuggly and sweet. Plus, highly trainable. House breaking was a breeze and they’ve taught him several tricks already. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-terrier-best-breed-for-an-apartment/543490.md?page=2)