Some advice on flat friendly dog breeds

[straya]

Hey MNers,
Wondering if anyone can recommend apartment friendly dog breeds?

My DP and I live in a large 2 bed flat in SW London with access to a communal garden, and are looking for a small dog as the landlord has just said yes!

We had our hearts set on a miniature wire haired daschund but aren’t sure because of the barking. But we really love big dog personalities and would otherwise have a big dog. I don’t mind a bit of cheeky in a dog and like cuddly dogs with a personality.

We’re quite active and can take the dog to work if needed so it won’t be on it’s own too much. We’re also experienced dog owners - we’ve had labs, Jack Russel Doberman and Staffies between us. I’m confident we’d be stringent with the training.

Most important is that it doesn’t bark excessively and that it gets on with our in laws staffie (incredibly laid back and great with other dogs) who will mind ours if we have to go away. Similarly we look after the staff when they’re abroad.

One of the things that concerns us about daschunds is that they’re not great with kids and we’re looking to ttc in the next 2-3 years. That and the back issues.

We’ve written off jack russel as bad previous experience but looking into Boston Terriers, King Charles, corgis and mini sheepdog. Not huge on pugs personally.

Any advice I’m most grateful for. I love French bulldogs but DP isn’t big on them due to breathing (and bum?) issues.

We’re also on the 2nd floor which isn’t great for toilet training but oh well. We’d also consider a mixed breed if it’s on the small side.

I might be overthinking the daschund thing - every dog is different regardless of breed. I met a lovely wire-haired one a few months back at a cafe that was very friendly and no worries about strangers. I also had a lack lab who also had Zero recall (would just run off and never chase balls) and kept to himself - but they’re known for being retrievers who love being with owners!

Sorry for waffling. We’re very excited and will love the dog regardless... Thank you!

I’d get a breed you can carry up 2 flights of stairs if you don’t have a lift. My spaniel was fine when we lived in a flat but now she’s older and can’t do stairs it would be an issue. We had to carry her up and down a few times after surgery etc.

I have a Boston and she was the perfect flat dog. Doesn’t bark, doesn’t need lots of space and low maintenance in general. The downside is the breed have the same health issues as pugs and frenchies, they just aren’t as popular/overbred. There are breeders that are breeding them to have longer snouts etc. Depending where you are there are Boston terrier rescues and Many Tears seem to get them.

How about a Papillion, I’d go for that or a Scottie

Papillon?

One of these lochness

I meant Papillon was my suggestion!

I’ve got chihuahuas

They adore my kids, and would be perfect for a flat.

Any dog will bark a lot if they are not properly trained, it is the natural thing for a dog to do.

We had Yorkies or Maltese because they can have a good run around the house and can also be trained to use a cat tray if you are unable to go down with them into the communal garden the many times they need a wee. (I only trained mine to use the cat tray when we got to the geriatric point when he needed to go out every two hours day and night)

I also suggest papillon. I've never actually owned one but have known several. Lovely little dogs, and so clever. They are supposed to be one of the most intelligent breeds.

Second the advice of getting a dog you can carry up stairs in a regular basis. They are ok when they are young but start to struggle as they are getting older.

I had a poodle that while toilet training we used to pick her up every time we thought she needed the toilet and take her to her spot.

She learned she could see wherever she pleased but then had to go and sit at her spot 🤦🏻‍♀️

I don't think you are over-thinking the daschund thing op. I agree with Errolthedragon that daschunds, being bred for hunting, are full sized dogs with lots of stamina, they just have short legs! Ours can walk for hours and love to track and dig. I have two lhs, and they are both vocal, despite lots of training, but we adopted both of them so didn't have a hand in their very early training.

I wish rescue centres were a bit more relaxed about letting people who live in flats adopt. You and your dp sound like great potential owners op!

I've posted about this before on here; I know rescue centres have to be very careful indeed, but one of the best dog owners I know kept an enormous labradoodle in a medium sized flat in a capital city, which would usually give cause for concern. But they went on very long walks three times a day and to the beach at weekends by train. They had such a wonderful relationship; the (retired) owner was so dedicated and used to "ask" the dog which route she wanted to go on that morning; and off they would trot. The dog was chilled, a good weight, and had a gleaming coat. An unusual situation, but it proves it can be done.

Definitely don't get a Lhasa Apso, ours would be great in a flat as she is small and portable and doesn't moult but she barks at a sparrow's fart and anything that moves in her sightline.

😁 about your poodle Themotherofalldilemmas

What are MWHDs?

'What are MWHDs?'

Maddening Wire Haired Dachshunds

Italian Greyhound? DD has an IG puppy that’s now about 4.5 months old. She is pretty well housetrained, walks on and off her harness, has good recall and is easy to be around. She’s a proper little dog and plays happily with my much bigger sighthounds. An unexpected bonus is that very short hair means she doesn’t moult everywhere and dries quickly after a bath.

Any dog can bark. And all the training in the world might not stop it. I have two Lhasa's, first one doesn't make a sound, isn't into walking very much, loves to just curl up and snuggle. Bought another and he's mental. Went to puppy classes, saw a behaviourist, tried a vibrating collar, you name it, but he barks constantly. There would be no way we could ever leave him alone as he would drive the neighbours nuts. So by all means research the ideal dog like we did...doesn't mean to say they will live up to expectations.