What's a good apartment dog? [Archive]

MollJay

07-30-2007, 04:31 PM

We will be looking for a dog when we come back from our honeymoon in November. FI has allergies so we're looking for a dog with hair as opposed to fur.
What breeds can you recommend for an apartment in a city. We live near a part and FI runs most mornngs and I go for a walk most evenings, but the only outdoor space we have is a small balcony.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Linz

07-30-2007, 05:36 PM

I live in an apartment for the time being. I have no idea what kind of dog I have since I got him from the pound I think he is a Lab / Doxon mix (that's him in my avatar) He sheds a lot though. I've heard that poodles are hypoallergenic and they come in toy and teacup sizes now. I would suggest going to the pound though. There is nothing better than saving an animal and you might just find the love of your life there like I did! :)

PinkMartini

07-30-2007, 05:42 PM

The best allergen free dogs out there (there is no dog breed that is truly non-allergenic!) are Basenjis, Bedlington Terriers, Bichon Frisés, Italian Greyhounds, Malteses, Poodles, Schnauzers & Yorkies... I would suggest a smaller breed for apt living, we have 2 yorkies & they'd do wonderful in an apt. A lot of people train their toy breeds to go to the bathroom on puppy pads, so they don't have to take them outside to go potty.

Linz

07-30-2007, 05:46 PM

A lot of people train their toy breeds to go to the bathroom on puppy pads, so they don't have to take them outside to go potty.

I take my dog out first thing in the morning, when I get home from work and before I go to bed. During the day he stays in the kitchen (until he learns that his moms shoes and couch aren't chew toys.) and he goes on the puppy pads when he is in the kitchen during the day.

wendalah

07-30-2007, 05:55 PM

We have two miniature poodles (largest one is 18 pounds) and they do not shed (which is excellent!) nor bother my allergies. I am a big fan of the breed because they are so neat and clean to have around the house, as well as being extremely smart and friendly.

As far as I know, Bichons do not shed or bother allergies either, and they are also smart and fun little guys.

The one drawback to both poodles and bichons is that you must get them groomed on a regular basis or they get matted and uncomfortable. We keep our poodles shaved very short, and usually take them in for grooming every 5-6 weeks or so. It costs about $35 for a haircut and bath per dog. You can home bathe them in between pro grooms.

It's easy to find a poodle on Petfinder if you want to rescue. In fact, our second poodle was a rescue, and he is just the cutest thing ever.

shopaholic

07-30-2007, 05:55 PM

I always read that french bulldogs are excellent apartment dogs.

carrie9142

07-30-2007, 07:46 PM

Yorkies!!!

They don't shed, don't really have dander. They are pretty easy to train to go on a puppy pad. They like exercise, but are happy to just take a walk in the evening. They are sweet and lovable and wonderful and cute! I might be a little prejudiced, though.

C'mon look at this face!
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/91/259214263_30e906c749.jpg?v=1159834352
He doesn't always wear the jaunty bandana, but the groomer likes to put them on him.

PinkMartini

07-30-2007, 07:51 PM

OMG Carrie! He's absolutely adorable! What's his name?

And I'll second the yorkie suggestion, they really are awesome dogs :D

sublime311

07-30-2007, 08:50 PM

I've heard that greyhounds are actually wonderful apartment dogs - the ultimate in couch potatoes. Plus, they have short hair and no undercoat.

ducgal

07-30-2007, 11:11 PM

I grew up with basenjis (my mother showed them, and we had 3 litters when I was a kid), and I'm always surprised when they are recommended for urban living environments/apartments. The ones we had required a lot of exercise or they would get destructive.

My poodle, even though he's a big one, would make a better apartment dog, because he's pretty calm inside - though he loves to play outside at the park.

carrie9142

07-31-2007, 12:38 AM

OMG Carrie! He's absolutely adorable! What's his name?

His name is Buddy! He really is a sweetheart.

jennylou

07-31-2007, 03:40 AM

As a landlord, I have to say that the best dogs that my tenants have had are all larger breeds. The smaller ones tend to be yappers - again, this is our experience. We've had several small dogs in the apt above our garage (which is really first hand experience) and each one have been yappers. In contrast, we now have a newfoundland and he barks if someone comes into the yard that doesn't belong. We've also gotten less complaints from other tenants about larger breeds. And it's mostly been due to the barking issue.

Foley42

07-31-2007, 06:12 AM

The smaller ones tend to be yappers - again, this is our experience.
My apt neighbors downstairs have 3 Yorkies. Yes very cute, but also very yappy. I'm not sure if all Yorkies are this way though...seems like a lot of CCers have Yorkies so they may have more input.

May27JnJ

07-31-2007, 06:15 AM

As a landlord, I have to say that the best dogs that my tenants have had are all larger breeds. The smaller ones tend to be yappers - again, this is our experience.

I can totally see where this would be true! We have 3 Chihuahua's and they NEVER shut up. We don't live in an apartment, but I was just posting to agree with you.

MES in Chicago

07-31-2007, 06:30 AM

We have a pug and a shi tzu. Both are great, they get walked daily for 30 minutes or so and are big lap babies. The pug sheds like crazy, but the shi tzu doesn't as he has more of a hair like coat. We keep him cut short since we wouldn't want to comb him daily and he seems to really like it short. Both are pretty quiet...our upstairs neighbors were shocked to find out we had 2 dogs.

Kristy

07-31-2007, 08:26 AM

My parents have a daschund and I think she'd be excellent in an apartment. They don't shed and she's perfectly content lounging on the couch all day. They can get overweight easily though, so if you don't walk them fairly regularly you'll need to keep an eye on their diet.

bostonbride06

07-31-2007, 08:30 AM

I live in a city apartment and I have a chihuahua. It has worked out great, because they are so small that often they don't need long walks for exercise if you have a big enough place for them to run around like crazy men for a while ;)

I have heard that chihuahua's (as with other small breeds) can be yappy, but I've been really lucky so far and haven't had that problem. The other tenants in my building always comment on how they never hear him. He doesn't shed much even though he's a shorthair (which I've heard are supposed to shed more than the long haired chihuahuas), and he took to the puppy pads almost immediately.

NotDesperate

07-31-2007, 02:17 PM

Papillon!

They are small so can get all of their exercise out in an apartment. You can train them to use piddle pads or litter boxes, too.

The best part is that they are very healthy dogs! They don't shed and only need brushing once a week. They aren't yappy dogs either and are very friendly.

Here is my Papillon, Cosmo. He is the greatest dog! He is so sweet, smart, funny and he is my little buddy following me everywhere.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/76/199226620_d16ae00ec6.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/71/199226757_98dc36f0e4.jpg?v=0

j*east

07-31-2007, 02:55 PM

Someone may have mentioned this (I skimmed), but make sure to check your lease or ask your landlord about dogs. Sometimes they have size requirements. Ours had to be less than 20" in shoulder height (or something like that) which eliminated huge breeds.

We have had our 40 lb collie mix in two apartments, and she's doing just fine. It's important that you're able to give the dog regular exercise (sounds like you can) and companionship. You also want to make sure your dog is OK with being left alone and is either less inclined to bark, or trained not to.

Good luck!

kk junebug

07-31-2007, 03:05 PM

PUGGLES!

ok, im not into the whole hybrid-breeds, but we have a puggle (a hand me down from a friend) and he is the best dog!

our apartment is fairly small, and he weighs 50lbs (the biggest puggle we've ever seen) and he does just fine w/it! we live in the city so we have to walk him down the street 3 times a day. but as for being in an apartment, he's been cool with it.

not to mention he has the sweetest personality and was very easy to train....

shebestova

07-31-2007, 03:14 PM

Greyhounds are supposed to be excellent apartment dogs. They are very quiet, clean, and love to spend most of their time curled up on the couch. The only thing is that they would need a daily walk.

We have a rat terrier, a miniature poodle, a beagle, and a corgi/beagle mix. They are so yappy!! Thank goodness we live in a house or we would have been evicted from an apartment a long time ago! :D

honeygirl

07-31-2007, 03:19 PM

We have an Italian Greyhound (9 lbs) and he was very happy in our condo before we moved to a bigger house. He did indoor pottying (box trained) until we moved, mostly b/c of the cold climate we were in before (and it was easier for us).

He has very short hair so doesn't bother my allergies. He's also quiet and very loving (a lap dog). However, since they're bred for companionship it's not the kind of dog you leave alone all day, it's best to have someone there (my DH works from home).

We of course think he's the best dog in the world. ;)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y11/anneg/cb034127.jpg

kd 9.21.02

07-31-2007, 04:02 PM

Amuse Bouche

07-31-2007, 04:47 PM

We have a Papillon/American Eskimo mix, and she's a great apartment dog. She does shed, though. But lies around all day, totally housetrained, not at all destructive, etc.

One thing you might look at is adopting an older dog instead of a puppy -- older dogs tend to be a bit more mellow and less likely to tear things up as a rule.

kimbyj

07-31-2007, 08:50 PM

Cockapoos! We just rescued one from a person who just didn't have the time to take care of this baby (and he spent $1600 to purchase him if you can believe that!!!).

Bentley is a cocker spaniel and poodle mix - they come in different sizes and colors. He has a beautiful wheat color and he is only 12 pounds. No shedding and so smart. WE LOVE HIM!!!!

Kristy

08-02-2007, 08:54 AM

I hear Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are good (and oh so purty) for apartment living. They don't bark very much, or so I'm told. I'd love one but DH is all about big dogs. Guess that's what happens when you grow up with Great Danes.

We got a Cavalier at the beginning of June and he just barked 2 weeks ago. I was beginning to think he didn't know how lol!

kd 9.21.02

08-02-2007, 09:04 AM

We got a Cavalier at the beginning of June and he just barked 2 weeks ago. I was beginning to think he didn't know how lol!

Any pictures? I love those dogs.

MLA

08-02-2007, 10:00 AM

My parents have a shitzu/cockapoo mix (so it's a cockapooshit, I suppose!). She doesn't shed at all. She's very sweet and very low-energy. Even as a puppy she wasn't really energetic. She's also not much of a barker unless someone comes to the door. I think she'd make a very good apartment dog.

oneday someday

08-02-2007, 01:32 PM

Thanks for these posts. I'm in the process of looking for a small dog (~10 lbs) for my 750 sq. condo. The only thing is that I work full-time and am away for 10 hours a day. Is there anyone else here in a single household that has a furbaby that they leave for a good amount of time? I would appreciate an suggestions you can offer!!

QueenofCA

08-02-2007, 03:18 PM

We also have an Italian Greyhound who weighs around 11 pounds. We have a townhouse and the space is great for him, but since he's still a puppy he has tons of energy and loves to zoom around. I'd love to have a yard for him someday but he does just fine where we are.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m262/queenofcali/CT019.jpg

thegurl77

08-02-2007, 03:57 PM

We have a tri color cavalier, and she's almost 4. We got her when we lived in a NYC apartment because we heard about how great and quiet they are, etc. She is above and beyond our expectations - never has she ever barked, paper trained in about 4 days, and now that we have a house she waits by the door to go out. She sits when you want to sit, and plays when you want to play. Never whines or begs, or complains about all of the "love" she gets from out toddler ;). She's the best!

oneday someday

08-03-2007, 10:16 AM

Does anyone work full-time and leave their dogs for a good part of the day?

Kate&Joey

08-03-2007, 10:37 AM

Does anyone work full-time and leave their dogs for a good part of the day?

That's me! I have 2 dogs (and a cat) and they are in the house from about 8:00AM to 6:30PM. To me, leaving animals alone during the day has two issues -- separation anxiety from being alone and "holding it." ;)

When I had just Dog#1, she suffered from separation anxiety and was sometimes destructive. Once I contained her to the kitchen, she was never destructive again. When we got Dog#2, we had no problems leaving them alone with free reign of the house. Even though Dog#2 had never lived in a house before, he never had an accident and never destroyed a thing...I'd like to think it was because he had the company of Dog#1, but maybe he's just a really good boy! :)

I would never leave a puppy in a house all day as far as potty issues, but both of my dogs were adults when I got them and have no problem "holding it" all day. As a matter of fact, many times when I get home, Dog#2 refuses to go outside. :rolleyes:

oneday someday

08-06-2007, 11:39 AM

May27JnJ

08-06-2007, 02:43 PM

Does anyone work full-time and leave their dogs for a good part of the day?

We have 3 Chihuahuas who are home all day by themselves. They use the pee pads and they do great. One is 4-5 months old, she stays in our bathroom until she's bigger and then other two are 3 and they stay in the kitchen with a baby gate. We got them at the same time, but they were given to us by my cousin who couldn't care for them anymore. They seem to enjoy laying in their beds.

Kate&Joey

08-06-2007, 03:23 PM

Thanks, Kate&Joey! I am torn between getting a brand spankin' new puppy (with a dogwalker) and adopting an older dog that can hold it (with occasional visits from the dog walker). I'm not planning on rushing into a decision. The thought of getting two dogs has crossed my mind, but I'd be crazy to do that right away. I will get a baby gate for my kitchen and hope that will minimize any potential messes. Ugh, so much to think about!

Btw, what kinds of dogs to you have??

Dog#1 is a terrier mix...medium-ish, about 40 pounds. Dog#2 is either a shepherd mix or an almost purebred belgian malinois...very tall, about 95 pounds. When I first got Dog#1, she was much smaller; maybe 28 pounds? I misjudged her size/athletic ability and got a regular-sized baby gate for the kitchen...she jumped over that with no problem. After numerous purchases of taller baby gates, I finally had to special-order an extra tall gate for *tall breeds* which she certainly isn't. ;)

ETA: I am not recommending my dogs as good apartment dogs...just remembered what the original point of the thread was about! :) Dog#1 is a barker and Dog#2 is obviously a large dog and they are both big-time shedders. :rolleyes:

oneday someday

08-06-2007, 08:16 PM

We have 3 Chihuahuas who are home all day by themselves. They use the pee pads and they do great. One is 4-5 months old, she stays in our bathroom until she's bigger and then other two are 3 and they stay in the kitchen with a baby gate. We got them at the same time, but they were given to us by my cousin who couldn't care for them anymore. They seem to enjoy laying in their beds.

Thanks May27JnJ!!! For the two Chihuahuas in the kitchen, I'm assuming the pee pad is in the kitchen also (?). My kitchen isn't very large, but it's enough room for a small dog to play/nap during the day. When I get home from work, I'd need to move the pee pad so that I can navigate the kitchen and hope they wouldn't want to just "go" on the floor even though the pad isn't there.

I'm considering a Toy Poodle or a Chihuahua! SO excited about the search. Are your dogs "yappy"? I know that's a silly word, but I don't know many Chihuahuas personally. :-)

oneday someday

08-06-2007, 08:17 PM

Dog#1 is a terrier mix...medium-ish, about 40 pounds. Dog#2 is either a shepherd mix or an almost purebred belgian malinois...very tall, about 95 pounds. When I first got Dog#1, she was much smaller; maybe 28 pounds? I misjudged her size/athletic ability and got a regular-sized baby gate for the kitchen...she jumped over that with no problem. After numerous purchases of taller baby gates, I finally had to special-order an extra tall gate for *tall breeds* which she certainly isn't. ;)

ETA: I am not recommending my dogs as good apartment dogs...just remembered what the original point of the thread was about! :) Dog#1 is a barker and Dog#2 is obviously a large dog and they are both big-time shedders. :rolleyes:

Thanks Kate&Joey! I didn't even think of different sized baby gates. That's a good tip!

May27JnJ

08-06-2007, 09:22 PM

Thanks May27JnJ!!! For the two Chihuahuas in the kitchen, I'm assuming the pee pad is in the kitchen also (?). My kitchen isn't very large, but it's enough room for a small dog to play/nap during the day. When I get home from work, I'd need to move the pee pad so that I can navigate the kitchen and hope they wouldn't want to just "go" on the floor even though the pad isn't there.

I'm considering a Toy Poodle or a Chihuahua! SO excited about the search. Are your dogs "yappy"? I know that's a silly word, but I don't know many Chihuahuas personally. :-)

Yes their pee pad is in the kitchen. You could train the dog to go on the pad and go outside when you're home. My MILs dog does that. Chihuahuas are great alarm dogs, but not so great guard dogs! :D HaHa! They bark at any noise, but I like that. You can teach them to be quiet. Ours are pretty good. Just socialize a chihuahua with different people as it gets older if you get a puppy that way it won't bark like crazy when new people come over. I wouldn't trade my Chi's for the world! They are the best cuddle bugs and they love to love you!

For your enjoyment (and mine) here are our babies...

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a114/jendubz/Gracieandtheboys.jpg

oneday someday

08-07-2007, 07:28 AM

Yes their pee pad is in the kitchen. You could train the dog to go on the pad and go outside when you're home. My MILs dog does that. Chihuahuas are great alarm dogs, but not so great guard dogs! :D HaHa! They bark at any noise, but I like that. You can teach them to be quiet. Ours are pretty good. Just socialize a chihuahua with different people as it gets older if you get a puppy that way it won't bark like crazy when new people come over. I wouldn't trade my Chi's for the world! They are the best cuddle bugs and they love to love you!

For your enjoyment (and mine) here are our babies...

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.......How sweet are they!!!!!!! Ok, it's going to be a tough decision deciding between Chi's and TP's!!!

Thanks so much for the info. I really do appreciate it. :D

Another quick question...how often do you have to groom your babies?

May27JnJ

08-07-2007, 08:09 AM

I give them a bath about every two weeks. They shed, but don't need any hair cutting or anything like that. Two are longhaired and the other is shorthaired. The longhair's don't shed as much.

My DH grew up with a TP and they're great dogs too. They do not shed, but you do need to take them to get them groomed.

May27JnJ

08-13-2007, 12:08 PM

I saw you bumped the crating thread. Does this mean you got a little one??

oneday someday

08-15-2007, 12:19 PM

I saw you bumped the crating thread. Does this mean you got a little one??

Hi there. I haven't gotten one, yet. The search continues. I'm trying to gather as much info as possible. The one thing that's been a downer is that a few rescue groups are reluctant to adopt to me because I work during the day. :( But, I'm continuing the search. I know there's a pooch out there for me!!! I'm focusing on Italian Greyhounds and Chihuahuas. I'll keep you posted!!!!

May27JnJ

08-15-2007, 12:45 PM

What a bummer! I hate that! I mean I kinda understand why they do that, but I think if someone is willing to help a dog, let them! We're not home with our dogs all day long, but I don't think they hate us for it or they're not taken care of. And I definitely don't think it makes me a bad puppy mom. I hope you find somewhere that will let you adopt!

oneday someday

08-15-2007, 12:52 PM

kd 9.21.02

08-15-2007, 12:56 PM

Some shelters are so tough. A friend in San Francisco was turned down by two cat shelters for 1) not being able to identify ring worm and 2) saying that the soon-to-be adopted cat would be an inside/outside cat. This girl is like the sweetest thing, absolutely adores animals. She was so hurt to be turned down by these shelters when all she wanted to do was save a cat.

oneday someday

08-15-2007, 01:51 PM

fuzzy

08-15-2007, 02:02 PM

The one thing that's been a downer is that a few rescue groups are reluctant to adopt to me because I work during the day.

I had this problem too. Eventually, we got our dog via a private placement, but I feel your frustration. I'm happy they are rigorous with their checks, but it can be upsetting when you are ready and willing to adopt!

oneday someday

08-15-2007, 02:18 PM

I had this problem too. Eventually, we got our dog via a private placement, but I feel your frustration. I'm happy they are rigorous with their checks, but it can be upsetting when you are ready and willing to adopt!

Thanks, fuzzy. I'm going to explore that route, too. Thanks for the tip.