I’m beginning the process of looking for a dog. I have an idea of what breed I think I might want, but I also know that I’m prone to selective reading and might be ignoring the negative things about the breed, overaccentuating the positive, and possibly overlooking some other breed out there that would be a great fit for me.
I do live in a condo. There is no back yard (there’s a park across the street for walks, and two dog parks within a short walking distance - but I won’t be able to just open the back door and let it wander around for a while the way I could if I had a fenced yard of my own). Also, due to HOA rules, it will need to be 30lbs or less, full grown. (I’m pretty sure I want to aim for the higher end of that range. I find the really tiny purse size dogs kind of creepy).
Boston terriers are one breed that have a “big dog” personality in a small package. All the Bostons I’ve encountered loved to play, wrestle, and run, but they also seem to adapt fairly well to apartment living.
I encounter a ton of these dogs at the dog park, and my dog (a basset) just loves them. She lights right up every time she sees a Boston because they’re all playful and fun. They aren’t yappy and play nicely with dogs of all sizes.
I own two Bostons (one 8, one 4) and they are ideal condo/apartment dogs.
Pros: Non-agressive will not bite, no barking problems, very little shedding, learn quickly to only chew their own toys, easy to clean/groom.
Cons: Are very stubborn about being house-broken, are overly eager to play-play-play non stop.
Lots of personality, loves to play, but is also happy sitting on the couch all day. Big dog personality in small dog package. Cute as a button. More an addiction or cult than a pet.
Will love you forever, loves to cuddle, pretty much loves to do anything you want to do.
I can’t imagine ever having another breed of dog (and I’ve had many!)
Third to recommend a Boston Terrier…and strongly! Ours is nearly three now and he’s a blast! Perfect dog for small homes/apartments; great with kids; very playful, but can also be content curled up on the couch chillin’; some health issues (respiratory and joints), but nothing too serious; and very friendly with other dogs, adults and kids. Ours does play favorites (he’s a mama’s boy), but he stills gets along with the rest of the family. Other than than, everything **fluiddruid ** and **hampshire ** mentioned are on the money.
Bostons’ temperments are just wonderful for a family. We almost got a pug, but I’m glad we went with a Boston.
They are the ultimate “big dog personality trapped in a little dog body” dog. They don’t need a lot of exercise, they’re not particularly hard to housebreak, and they have a gruff bark that sounds like it belongs to a bigger dog, but they’re not yappy types as a rule. (Yes, now someone will post about their Aunt Edna’s yappy pug; there’s an exception to every type.)
They do snore however. If you’re a light sleeper, you might want to crate train the dog and have his overnight spot be in a different room. Pugs respond very well to crate training, in my experience.
An elderly retired condo-dwelling friend of mine has an Italian greyhound and loves her a lot. She’s the perfect size (about the size of a dachshund or a bit smaller, but with longer legs) for a condo or apartment, she’s not very noisy, and she’s affectionate (sleeps in his bed and is the right size for that to be more sweet than annoying). Very short-haired, no shedding or dander problem. Kind of nervous and jittery, but what dog that size isn’t?
Caveat: Never try to make an Italian greyhound climb stairs. I did that once, when I was dogsitting my friend’s pet for a few days, and she managed to do it but was limping afterwards; apparently the stretch was a strain on her legs. But an IG is small enough to carry up the stairs.
Get a French Bulldog! They were bred to be companion animals so they make great pets.* Supposed to be fine in apartments and they’re solid little dogs. And they’re sooooooo cute.
*Note, I don’t have one but I really, really want one.
Many years ago, I worked with a woman who bred Belgian Tervurens. Those are not apartment-size dogs (they’re a lot like collies size and coat-wise) but she said she recommended Corgis for people who wanted a smaller dog. They look like fun dogs.
Plus if they misbehave you can put on your best Queen Elizabeth voice and announce that “We are not amused!”
The reason she probably recommended Corgis is because she’s a Tervueren breeder and thinks of Corgis as a smaller version of her breed, energy- and temperament-wise. Most Corgis are NOT laid-back couch potato -type dogs. They are a breed with a fairly strong herding instinct and a tendency to nip at heels, and they’re actually not that small except in the leg department. They need a LOT of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and non-destructive.
