Dog lovers help please - a good dog for apartment living

[teafortwo]

Me, DH and DD (aged 3)love dogs and we have always said we will get one when we get a house in the country.

A friend of mine sent me an e-mail that said "Living is not waiting for the clouds to go away but learning to dance in the rain."

I found it rather lovely and it made me wonder about our longing for a dog. If we wait until the perfect moment maybe we will never get one.

So we have started researching for good breeds for apartment living.

We live in a friendly town, in a tiny apartment but within walking distance of a woodland.

During the afternoon when I am at work and dd at school we would employ a dog sitter - as I wouldn't want to leave any dog for a long time alone.

So.... any ideas for the perfect breed for us?

Thank you for your time and thoughts they mean a lot.

Doodle - Im afraid I disagree that with children a rescue dog is too high a risk. Puppies with children are a risk as well as they dont understand that their bite is hurting......
Just dont want her to give up on rescues completely.
Rescues wont home a dog that may even growl at kids to a house with kids as technically you could sue them afterwards and if a dog did go for a child then the dog would have to be put to sleep which they also dont want.

I completely understand if you dont want a rescue dog - I really do but do be careful where you get them from. Especially if your going for a puppy - make sure you can see both parents and dont pay over the odds for them (alot of people are breeding thier dogs for spare cash in the recession)

Good luck - I wish I had a dog now instead of next year.

whooosh - I feel terriers need space and lots of holes to put their heads down too... I am not going to flame you - nor anyone who loves terriers - I once fell mad true and deep for a little Jack Russell who was simply perfect! A true little gentleman who everyone admired and loved.

Luckysalem - I don't live in Blighty - would this be a problem on your site???

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR IDEAS!!!!

You're not wrong LS. I think rescue homes are red-hot on how they re-home and who to. I think what the vet was saying was, you never know. You just can't have the full picture with a rescue.

With a puppy - you know the dog from scratch (well, from 8 weeks old say). So everything about the dog and how it is treated, is within your experience of it.

I wanted a rescue but at the time, my children were only 4 and 6. I had to minimise risk on all fronts.

Doesn't matter where you live. Its a national website.

Feel free to have a nose

cavaliers are SO lovely, they need very little and are amazing with children (at leasrt mine is!).

No worries Doodle

I will say though which may help you tea - Some rescues do get a mum who is pregnant in so it may be worth stipulating you only want one of those type of animals if you like... Although I do agree with Doodle about making sure the choice is right for your children. Don't put them in the slightest danger.

ooooooooooohhhhh!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!

You're making me tea? Jeez, i've spent all evening trying to get DH to brew up and you offer at the drop of a hat!

LMAO - I only just read that back now you've said and I see exactly what you mean.... ahh well, if you can get here i'll make ya a brew

TFT-very true!

The "ooooooooooohhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! " was at LuckySalem's site being international.

• this is a fast moving thread!!!!

oh no - it is national not international? Oh well - nevermind!

I am sure I can find a French rescue place too...

I must must must go to sleep as I have work tomorrow....

Please keep posting any ideas you have....

They are all great food for thought!

But just before I do.... Any more mn wisdom on dogs???? This dog chat is so much fun!!! PLEEEEEAAAASE keep posting...

After a chat last night DD, DH and I decided we will be contacting SPA (French RSPCA) and will explain our situation.... see what they suggest. I don't know how they compare to RSPCA but their website looks very professional and they are well respected in France for the work they do with animals....

teafortwo, I don't have a Maltese but my parents do. She is adorable. They got her when she was 2 and she is great around all the grandkids. Very placid. LOVES cuddles. Doesn't need much exercise, and sleeps a fair amount so great for apartment living. Also, Maltese have fur rather than hair so they don't shed.

We live in a flat with no garden in central London and recently adopted a dog (he's a Boston Terrier - great breed but I won't recommend them because they're so hard to find in the UK). He has two walks a day and nips out of the front door for a wee in the evening. As long as you provide sufficient exercise there is no need for you to have a garden, although I imagine having a puppy in a gardenless flat would be awful!

What about a pug?

PS when we were looking for a dog we encountered some negative attitudes about not having a garden (we were told it's "cruel" and that our dog would hate us!)

Greyhound?

Have you ever thought of a shihzu?? i know a lady with 2 of them and she keeps them puppy cut. They are absoloutly beautiful and not snappy at all. They do yap but surely if you tell them off they'll get the message. They are companion dogs so happy to be lazy and they only need to walk about after you to get exercise

Bichon frise are supposed to be good apartment dogs, i have a bichon frise cross mini schnauzer puppy and hes lovely (possibly to yappy but hes being trained). I have 3 children 8,3,& 1 and no problems so far just very close supervision. Crate training really helps with this. He also does not shed which is brilliant.
Ive also heard cavalier king charles are brilliant but you have to be careful to go to a reputable breeder ( as with all pedigrees) as they are prone to health problems.

oh thanks!!!!

You are all really giving Great info!!!!
Please keep the ideas coming....

I will try and check in again tonight!

I can't stop thinking about Sussex Spaniels....

Could a Sussex spaniel be happy in an apartment????

HONEST opinions please....

Thanks for all your ideas and help - it is really helping me and DH to work things out in our minds....

Around us there are LOTS of apartment dogs.

The most popular breed seems to be French Bulldog (which I honestly have to say look ugly to me).

I currently have our rescue beagle/griffon terrier curled up on my lap.

I would wholeheartedly agree with contacting your local rescue centre and talking to them, being totally honest about your situation and what you value. They have years of experience of matching homes and owners.

Good luck!

Surely any breed of dog can be happy in a flat as long as it is given enough exercise?

Sticking a dog out in the garden isn't a substitute for a walk imo.

If your flat is small then it makes sense to get a small to medium sized dog, and if you can't provide many walks then go for a low energy breed (or an older dog).

Thanks for all your help.....