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Original poster

Is it cruel to keep a do in a flat without a garden?

25 replies

inthemistsoftime · 15/02/2009 09:09

Hi there, I am looking for some advice on weather I should get a dog or not.

We live in a decent sized flat but have no outside access but have a park 5 mins walk from us.

We walk to school every day through the park so there is plenty of opportunity for excise, however I am hesitant to get a dog if would be considered un kind to keep it indoors during the day time.

Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

OP posts:

TheThoughtPolice · 15/02/2009 09:13

Do you work ? If so, what are your hours ? I think keeping a dog indoors all day if you are away from home for a long period (say 9-5) is unfair, but if you are able to walk him/her during the day then it doesn't strike me as a terrible thing. Even if you could pop home at lunch time and walk him/her it would be preferable.

That said, I am a cat owner so could be way out.

Original poster

inthemistsoftime · 15/02/2009 09:17

Thanks for replying,I dont currently work, and if I did it would only be part time.

How many times a day to small dogs need walking?

OP posts:

kidcreoleandthecoconuts · 15/02/2009 09:17

How will you let the dog out to wee etc ??
Whether it's cruel would depend on how many walks a day the dog is having etc.

kidcreoleandthecoconuts · 15/02/2009 09:19

I'd say 2 decent walks a day

TheThoughtPolice · 15/02/2009 09:20

Depends on the breed too.

Original poster

inthemistsoftime · 15/02/2009 09:21

yes the wee bit thing is what I am thinking about, I know cats have litter trays, do such things exist for dogs? or am I being really niave?

OP posts:

Original poster

inthemistsoftime · 15/02/2009 09:22

I was thinking of a small short haired dog as we have allergies in the family and walking the dog to and from school in the morning and afternoon about half and hour each trip.

OP posts:

TheThoughtPolice · 15/02/2009 09:24

You'll need to take him/her for a quick walk before bed too so he/she can empty their bladder and you don't wake up to puddles on your kitchen floor!

oxocube · 15/02/2009 09:25

I don't think its cruel to keep a small dog in an apartment. We live in a 4 bed house but the dog stays downstairs so probably the same space as you have. Also we have a small garden (about 9 mts x 7mtrs) but even in the summer when we have the doors open, he rarely goes into it. I think the most important aspect is the amount of time you can give to walking/exercising a dog properly. We are a 3 min drive from the woods, so our dog goes there at least once a day to run and has several shorter walks as well. Our dog is medium sized, a lab cross/ mongrel. What breed were you thinking of?

JackBauer · 15/02/2009 09:26

PIL's have a toy poodle (non-allergenic), she is very small and getting on a bit but she still needs at least 1 walk a day and letting out for poos/wees. When she was younger she needed at least 2 a day.
When they visit us (we have no garden) MIL takes her out every few hours to a grass verge to do her stuff and she is trained to go on command so it can be done that way.
If you worked then it would not be veyr fair but if you are home then that might be different.
It might be worth speaking to a shelter/rescue home as they might have a dog that doesn't need as much walking.

oxocube · 15/02/2009 09:28

I have several friends with Cavelier King Charles Spaniels but obviously, they are long haired! The dogs have very sweet, placid natures and don't need as much exercise as some other small dogs eg terriers. They seem v content to curl up on a lap a bit like a cat

oxocube · 15/02/2009 09:29

cavalier

Original poster

inthemistsoftime · 15/02/2009 09:30

Thanks for all the advice, I may pop along to a rescue centre to get some more and maybe find a suitable dog.

OP posts:

Original poster

inthemistsoftime · 15/02/2009 09:31

a cavalier would be lovely but as you say its long haired, so I am assuming lots of hair loss?

OP posts:

TheThoughtPolice · 15/02/2009 09:40

Ewww, cavaliers are ick with their big boggly eyes. They are v prone to eye health problems too.

Spaniels are difficult to keep indoors all day as they are easily bored. DH had 3 spaniels before he met me (not all at the same time) and 2 of the 'ate the kitchen', by which I mean that DH went out for a coupdl of hours and came back to find that the dog had chewed all of the kitchen doors . They are sods for chewing/destroying things.

Original poster

inthemistsoftime · 15/02/2009 09:46

so that rules our spaniels for me then!

OP posts:

IAteMakkaPakka · 15/02/2009 10:05

Things to think about:

Someone will have to walk the dog frequently for toilet purposes - this is a massive committment and means you can't go away for the day etc without either taking the dog (not always as easy as it sounds) or arranging a sitter or kennels for the day.

The dog, regardless of breed, will need exercise and for most dogs a stroll through the park probably isn't enough. If it is a dog which is unreliable when let off the lead then you will have to keep it on the lead and walk much further with it.

Cavaliers are definitely prone to severe health problems, and it isn't true that they don't need much exercise. They are energetic little dogs, and it's important for their health that they are kept fit and not allowed to become overweight.

Perhaps an older dog, or a running dog such as a greyhound, might be a better idea? These dogs would have reduced exercise requirements and might be more appropriate for your lifestyle. However, if you are willing to take the dog out frequently during the daytime for toilet purposes, and have time to spend exercising the dog above what you already do walking to and from school, then the absence of a garden wouldn't be a big issue.

On the allergy front, beware short haired dogs. Allergies to dogs are usually to the dander (particles in the coat), not the hair. So a shorthaired dog that sheds a lot would be worse. You'll also need to do a lot of hoovering and dusating to minimise the effects of the dander in the home environment, particularly if the allergies are severe. I have a fairly mild dog allergy but unless I take daily antihistamines and an inhaler at bad times I spend all day in sneezing paroxysms and wheezing for breath.

HTH - don't mean to be a voice of doom.

Original poster

inthemistsoftime · 15/02/2009 10:13

I have never owned a dog before and really need to get as much information in advance as possible to make the right decision.

Maybe I should do some dog sitting for some friends and really get to understand the needs of a dog.

OP posts:

iMum · 15/02/2009 10:15

dh thought he was hilarious just now-"what is a DO? a dear otter" oh how we laughed.....

IAteMakkaPakka · 15/02/2009 10:23

inthemistsoftime - dogsitting is an excellent idea. You could also offer your time to a local rescue centre, where volunteer dog walkers and kennel cleaners may well be welcomed.

AliceTheCamelisnotapig · 15/02/2009 10:38

There will also be plenty of times when your dog will decide that she needs a wee at 2 in the morning. Or wants to be sick at 5am. Or eats an old kebab in the park and gets the squits so needs to poo about every 40 minutes all night. You'll have to pull on your boots and coat and go to the park for all of these too if it's your nearest patch of grass. Even in February. Even when it's raining. Even when you've been out and you're not quite pissed any more and your head is aching and you just want to drink water and sleep. Even when your dc have chickenpox and have been up all night.

Are you thinking of getting a puppy or an older dog? Don't underestimate how much work a puppy is. How well behaved and enjoyable your dog is, is entirely down to YOU and how much work you put in when your dog is young.

PrammyMammy · 15/02/2009 10:39

I have three cavalier king charles spaniels. They are the kindest, most laid back dogs i've ever known. They are 6, 5, and 1 years old and the only time they have visited the vet is for their boosters. They did come with health warnings though. Some people do say they don't need too much walking but ours love walks. They have three per day, one in the morning, a longer one in the afternoon before dinner and a quick one before bed time. Both girls are blenheim and don't shed half as much as the ruby male, his hair is much longer and thicker, but i don't know if that is a general rule or if it is just how ours are.
I also live in a flat, it is quite large and does have a garden but all one floor.
I found the cavs easy to train, they are well behaved and know their rules, for example if i leave a bedroom door open they don't go in because they know they are not supposed to.
We had two dalmations when i lived with my parents. They were much more hard work than the cavs.
Anyway after my ramble, i don't think it is cruel or wrong, just so long as you do walk him. And dogs can be trained to use a litter tray too like cats -i know a girl who has a rabbit that uses a litter tray lol, but thats a whole different thread!

PrammyMammy · 15/02/2009 10:43

There is a greyhound rescue looking for foster carers up here, they advertise on www.gumtree.com in the pet section, you could maybe have a look on there see if there is anything similar near you?

MmeLindt · 15/02/2009 20:16

We have a Maltese Terrier/King Charles Spaniel puppy and she is fabulous. Very couthy, affectionate and does not shed at all. We will be keeping her hair short though, can't abide the long hair sweeping the floor Dugald look.

She gets one long walk a day (hour to 1 1/2 hours) and a few short walks or wee breaks in the garden.

The only thing that I would be hesitant of not having a garden is the evening wees/late night/middle of the night toilet trips. I could not do that at the moment without the garden as our DC are only 4 and 6yo and my DH is often away overnight.

completelyabsolutely · 18/02/2009 11:07

Just don't get a terrier - lots of people do thinking they are small and won't need much exercise. Although we have two in a very small house they need masses of exercise or they find their own fun and destroy things - esp dds things, they ate Makka Pakkas face!

But yes, you will need to be prepared to take your dog to the park very first thing and before you go to bed if you don't have a garden you can let them out into as well as walks during the day, every day, no matter what.

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