Thinking about getting a dog

[cheshrcarol]

Lately I've really been thinking about getting a dog. I've been around them a lot, but never had my own. I love dogs and I live by myself so I thought it would be nice to have some companionship.

There are a few downsides though. For one, I rent, so where I'm living is not permanent. I'm worried that when I go to move, it'll be a detriment. I'm also a little concerned about the cost, seeing as I'm currently just a student.

For all you dog owners, what are you experiences? Good idea? Bad idea? Should I wait a little longer?

[Syracuse]

I want a dog someday, but depending on the type of dog I guess, I think most shouldn't live in the city, they should have a place where they have plenty of room to run and be off a leash, I think when I can afford some land I'll get one. For now cats are ok but yeah dogs rock.

[Winter Storm]

I have never had a dog (cat person) but if you live alone, seriously, they provide great companionship. If you get good ones, they will greet you at the door when you get home, follow you around and just be happy to be near you. Pets really do provide a lot of company. I definitely recommend a pet.

My only word of caution is that it can get costly. Pets also get sick, need vaccinations and perscriptions that can run up, but to me, its still worth it.

Good luck and let us know what you decide! :)

[wordsmith]

I was a dog owner my entire life until I became an apartment dweller. For me, just personally, and due to the size of dogs I prefer, I will probably not get another until I'm no longer living in a town and/or apartment (rental house with yard, sure, but apartment with no yard/limited yard availability, no). I tend to favor big dogs who need space and to roam freely, so it will probably only happen if I live in the country like where I grew up. I've never had a dog that was ever chained or leashed, and I don't necessarily intend to start.

I also would have to have a job/lifestyle that gives me far more time at home to have a dog. No point in a pet if you're really only home when you're sleeping, so a pet doesn't quite fit my lifestyle right now, sadly.

[cheshrcarol]

Well, I like small/medium dogs as long as they're not yippy. I like big dog personalities, but I lived with someone who had a lab/german shepherd mix and even as a puppy the dog was too hard to leash train, had too much energy and just all-around not what will work with my lifestyle. He was a great dog and they're great breeds, but I used to take that dog out for an hour to walk and play in the park to wear him out so he wouldn't do laps in the apartment.

I'd be looking more for a dog that I can walk frequently, but doesn't need to have an hour + of exercise in order to relax for the evening, and will just want to sit next to me or on my lap.

[wordsmith]

Yeah, I would never keep a large or midsize dog in an apartment or tiny house. I know people who have, I just wouldn't. My parents have had labs since my childhood dog passed away in 1998, and I can't even fathom keeping one in even my relative spacious apartment.

[capella]

Pomeranians? My mom loves them and they're like cats almost. I think they're a little yippy though.

I had a border collie/lab mix, but we just found her a new home. She was very sweet, but she needed a little more attention than I could give her.

I would recommend a cat if you're living in an apartment. They can be just as nice as a dog, especially if you want a lap companion.

I have 3 cats now. When we had the cats and the dog I easily spent more on upkeep for the dog than the 3 cats combined. Dogs are expensive. Moreso than cats in my experience. The dog was pricey. The cats get shots and they clean themselves. With the dog we had to get her shaved in the summer (it was too hot for her) and grooming her was a pain in the ass. That was expensive. Her medical bills were always 3 times what the cat bills cost for routine things. She needed heart worm meds, flea stuff, shots, I had her fixed and that was 200 bucks. It was expensive to have a dog overall and she was healthy. I'm much happier now with just the cats.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[cheshrcarol]

Well, I'd prefer a short-haired dog that doesn't need much trimming. Something like this dog (http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=7568846). I'm not really cat person, plus my best friend and my mom are allergic, so even though some aspects of them are appealing I couldn't get one.

[capella]

Well, I'd prefer a short-haired dog that doesn't need much trimming. Something like this dog (http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=7568846). I'm not really cat person, plus my best friend and my mom are allergic, so even though some aspects of them are appealing I couldn't get one.
That's a cute dog. I guess the allergies thing is an issue. I am just a cat person is all. :p

Is that doggie in the picture a beagle? They are very fun and playful, but pretty yappy. Two of my friends have or had beagles and they were very yappy with the barking and stuff. But very sweet and playful. I imagine that dog would fit in an apartment nicely.

[cheshrcarol]

The dog breed says Feist, which is something I hadn't heard of before but I did some research on. They were bred with several breeds for hunting (kind of like how terriers were bred to hunt rats) so it's likely she has some Beagle in her. And no, it wouldn't be a good fit if she were a barker, which I know Beagles tend to do.

[winneythepooh7]

I have a pug as you know. And although I would never trade him for the world now, looking back, I think I should have waited to get him.

My life has become very limited since I have gotten him. I can no longer come and go as often as I please. I can't stay in the city for happy hour after work anymore because I have to come home and walk him.

Hiring a dog-walker is out of the question because it's just too expensive around here.

In the summertime, I dropped 2grand without a second thought when he almost died out of the blue. Luckily, I have pet insurance so I got almost half back. But you become really attached to the little guys, like children, when they are in pain, you do whatever you can for them to get better.

He's on 3 different vitamins now for a heart condition that run almost $100.00 every few months.

Luckily most of the people in my life are "dog people" so I can bring him over to their houses. Not everyone is a dog-person though.

For anyone thinking of getting a pug, they do shed 365 days of the year. I've cut most black out of my wardrobe because of that reason LOL.

My fiance wants to get another dog in the future, but I just don't think we can afford two if anything goes wrong.........

Oh yeah, it's hard to find apartments that allow dogs, especially in this area. I had to pay an extra 2grand in security, and $100.00 more a month in rent (this is also more for the cats though, I have 2).

It's not impossible though to find pet-friendly apartments, and I admit, we pretty much took the first apartment that came along that we really liked. At least I know I'll get my security back down the road so it's almost like a "savings account" for me.

One other thing to know is that not many people can understand how people become so attached to dogs (or pets in general). M and I got a lot of shit from people for spending "money on a dog" when he had his issues over the summer. It gets annoying to deal with stuff like that.

I've also dated guys in the past who hated the fact that I had pets. (This is a red-flag for me personally).

[wordsmith]

My life has become very limited since I have gotten him. I can no longer come and go as often as I please. I can't stay in the city for happy hour after work anymore because I have to come home and walk him.

I think this is super important to remember. Since I and my siblings grew up with dogs tht required pretty much no maintenance, no walking, no cleaning up after them, living out on a multi-acre farm, my brothers never really had much of a perspective on what it's like to keep a dog in other circumstances, and now they're each in the position where they're tied to a dog's needs in a way that they weren't growing up. Right now, I just don't have a lifestyle where I can afford to be worrying about running home to let my dog out...half the time I'm working late into the night. I pretty much have to be able to come and go as I please.

[winneythepooh7]

I think this is super important to remember. Since I and my siblings grew up with dogs tht required pretty much no maintenance, no walking, no cleaning up after them, living out on a multi-acre farm, my brothers never really had much of a perspective on what it's like to keep a dog in other circumstances, and now they're each in the position where they're tied to a dog's needs in a way that they weren't growing up. Right now, I just don't have a lifestyle where I can afford to be worrying about running home to let my dog out...half the time I'm working late into the night. I pretty much have to be able to come and go as I please.

Yes. Dogs also are prone to behavior problems if they are left alone too long. Also in my building, people have had to "face the board" because their dogs bark or cry in their abscence all day long, which annoys other tenants.

My dog has been known to have "accidents" in the house, or wake up every hour during the night when I've changed my schedule up on him.

Also, I am sure there will come times when you need to go out of town. I am lucky that I have found a dog-sitter who is pretty decent. I also have my future in-laws watch him sometimes.

[wordsmith]

Yes. Dogs also are prone to behavior problems if they are left alone too long. Also in my building, people have had to "face the board" because their dogs bark or cry in their abscence all day long, which annoys other tenants.

My dog has been known to have "accidents" in the house, or wake up every hour during the night when I've changed my schedule up on him.

Also, I am sure there will come times when you need to go out of town. I am lucky that I have found a dog-sitter who is pretty decent. I also have my future in-laws watch him sometimes.

My parents watch my brothers' dogs, which gets old.

[winneythepooh7]

My parents watch my brothers' dogs, which gets old.

They recently got a really "yappy" dog. And my FSIL a couple months ago got a Boston Terrier (which they are actually watching right now while she is on her honeymoon). This is why I feel funny now asking them to watch him.

[cheshrcarol]

Yeah, I know about the whole running home thing, which is a consideration if I don't stay in this area. Right now I live right in the city, so chances are if I was working it would be really easy to come home for a few minutes and then go back out again. But if I go to a larger city like NYC when I'm done with school, it won't be so easy.

Most of my friends are dog people, so If I were to visit any of them there'd be no problem. My parents aren't really, though. Well, they don't dislike them, but I'd never leave a dog with them for fear of an accident. My parents live in a new house and don't have pets and wouldn't be very understanding.

[wordsmith]

Mine don't live in a new house, they live in a restored 1800s farmhouse. But they do NOT, repeat not, and never have, kept house pets, so it's kinda "special" when they're dogsitting...dogs do not typically cross the threshold unless one of my brothers needs a favor.

[winneythepooh7]

My parents would not watch my dog for me. I am sure if there was some kind of major emergency and I had no one else, they would do it kicking and screaming, but that's it. My mom likes my dog a lot, but not enough to change her lifestyle for him. My dad tolerates him. They are not major dog people. Carol, I ain't gonna lie, it will be harder to find a pet-friendly apartment in NYC. Again, not impossible though.

[canela]

I agree with everything that's been said. I just lost my dog to a year long battle with pancreatic cancer, but never regretted the day I went to the shelter and saved her life. They are like kids though... I don't even like to imagine what I've spent on veterinary bills over the past five years. I was forced to move from my apartment when we realized she had separation anxiety and was barking constantly when I left for work. I was always restricted about what I could do after work, or how far I could travel for a day without putting her up at a kennel (the alternative to the friends/relatives watching them... but that gets expensive, particularly over the holiday season).

Would I do it again? You bet. In some respects, my life is easier now that she's gone since I can be totally selfish again. I'm moving into a no-pets apartment, and not having to panic. But the unconditional love she gave me through the years was worth every aggravation, housebreaking mistake, or high vet bill.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/142/330444635_89d7ee0107_m.jpg

[winneythepooh7]

I agree with everything that's been said. I just lost my dog to a year long battle with pancreatic cancer, but never regretted the day I went to the shelter and saved her life. They are like kids though... I don't even like to imagine what I've spent on veterinary bills over the past five years. I was forced to move from my apartment when we realized she had separation anxiety and was barking constantly when I left for work. I was always restricted about what I could do after work, or how far I could travel for a day without putting her up at a kennel (the alternative to the friends/relatives watching them... but that gets expensive, particularly over the holiday season).

Would I do it again? You bet. In some respects, my life is easier now that she's gone since I can be totally selfish again. I'm moving into a no-pets apartment, and not having to panic. But the unconditional love she gave me through the years was worth every aggravation, housebreaking mistake, or high vet bill.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/142/330444635_89d7ee0107_m.jpg

Cute pic and I am sorry for your loss. I feel the same way though, I don't know if I would want to get another dog if something happens to him. For one, he can never be replaced and will always be my favorite in my eyes, since he was my first dog that I ever owned all by myself (childhood dog at 5 that we owned for a few months doesn't count).

I also personally would never use a kennel. Have heard too many horror stories.

[Winter Storm]

I agree with everything that's been said. I just lost my dog to a year long battle with pancreatic cancer, but never regretted the day I went to the shelter and saved her life. They are like kids though... I don't even like to imagine what I've spent on veterinary bills over the past five years. I was forced to move from my apartment when we realized she had separation anxiety and was barking constantly when I left for work. I was always restricted about what I could do after work, or how far I could travel for a day without putting her up at a kennel (the alternative to the friends/relatives watching them... but that gets expensive, particularly over the holiday season).

Would I do it again? You bet. In some respects, my life is easier now that she's gone since I can be totally selfish again. I'm moving into a no-pets apartment, and not having to panic. But the unconditional love she gave me through the years was worth every aggravation, housebreaking mistake, or high vet bill.


Awww, canela, I am with you on everything you said. I lost my 11 month old kitten last July to an incurable virus and spent over $1000 on his medical care but I don't regret one day of having him. He was a total joy to have around. I loved my lil Boogie Shoes.

[red]

it is hard to find an apartment that takes dogs. even when we were looking to buy, many of the buildings in my area didn't allow dogs. i have asthma and have always been allergic to cats, so cats are out of the question. we did finally find a building that is great for dogs. we even have a little fenced in dog park in the back of the building and there are lots of other dogs in the building, so my Rocky has lots of friends.

dogs can be expensive to vet and groom. my dog is some kind of poodle or bichon mutt, so he definitely needs to be groomed regularly. but he doesn't shed, which is great. i just brush him regularly to keep his coat nice and so he doesn't get matted. he is about 17 lbs which is a good size for an apartment. i know people say a dog cramps your social life but through my dog i have met lots of really nice people and made new friends, so i think it also has its positives. and besides, i'm not big on the party scene. he also loves to run, so it's great for me to have company. i am also lucky that when we go on vacation either he stays with one of the neighbors or else my parents watch him. that's the nice thing about an apartment- if i want to go out and my husband can't get home from work early, i leave my keys for one of the dog owners and they walk him (and of course i return the favor).

personally, i think you can have any size dog in an apartment if you are willing to take the time to exercise them. however, even my dog does best with an hour of outside time a day. is your current landlord dog friendly?

another thing to consider is that puppies have more needs than adult dogs. my dog was already a year and a half when we adopted him- we got him through a rescue org. so they were able to tell us a little bit about him- like that he was very timid and had most likely been confined to a cage or a closet, he wasn't potty trained, etc. so we really knew what we were getting into. he is food motivated, so he was really easy to train. at first we had a dog walker but then she got another job and now he holds it while we work. he rarely has accidents. one time when the Mets game went like 15 innings, but that was our fault.

i love my dog. he is my little sunshine, and even if i have a bad day, he is so happy to see me and we go for a nice walk or a run and it really lowers my stress level. is there any chance you can foster a dog to see if it's right for you? that's what we did with Rocky before we adopted him, because we were worried about him being alone all day. but he is fine as long as he gets two good walks, and he just sleeps during the day anyway.

one thing i to consider is to rescue a dog instead of buying one from a pet store. there are so many terrific dogs out there that would love a home. pet store dogs come from puppy mills and i know lots of people who have bought puppies that were sick, etc.

[canela]

Cute pic and I am sorry for your loss. I feel the same way though, I don't know if I would want to get another dog if something happens to him. For one, he can never be replaced and will always be my favorite in my eyes, since he was my first dog that I ever owned all by myself (childhood dog at 5 that we owned for a few months doesn't count).

I also personally would never use a kennel. Have heard too many horror stories.

Thanks... yeah, it will be a long time before I have another. She was one of a kind.

As far as the kennels go, it's like selecting daycare for a child. Typically I would board her only if I absolutely had to (I didn't have much in the way of friends/family around me) - and even in that case, 99% of the time she was boarded at the vet's office. A little more expensive, but there I knew that there was medical care if needed, or if she started getting anxious. She also loved the vet's office, so it was actually less stressful for both of us than leaving her elsewhere :D

[red]

I agree with everything that's been said. I just lost my dog to a year long battle with pancreatic cancer, but never regretted the day I went to the shelter and saved her life.

canela, i am so sorry for your loss. my mom's dog died of liver cancer a couple of years ago and we were devastated. it's so nice that your dog found a good home with you. shelter dogs are the best.

[winneythepooh7]

it is hard to find an apartment that takes dogs. even when we were looking to buy, many of the buildings in my area didn't allow dogs. i have asthma and have always been allergic to cats, so cats are out of the question. we did finally find a building that is great for dogs. we even have a little fenced in dog park in the back of the building and there are lots of other dogs in the building, so my Rocky has lots of friends.

dogs can be expensive to vet and groom. my dog is some kind of poodle or bichon mutt, so he definitely needs to be groomed regularly. but he doesn't shed, which is great. i just brush him regularly to keep his coat nice and so he doesn't get matted. he is about 17 lbs which is a good size for an apartment. i know people say a dog cramps your social life but through my dog i have met lots of really nice people and made new friends, so i think it also has its positives. and besides, i'm not big on the party scene. he also loves to run, so it's great for me to have company. i am also lucky that when we go on vacation either he stays with one of the neighbors or else my parents watch him. that's the nice thing about an apartment- if i want to go out and my husband can't get home from work early, i leave my keys for one of the dog owners and they walk him (and of course i return the favor).

personally, i think you can have any size dog in an apartment if you are willing to take the time to exercise them. however, even my dog does best with an hour of outside time a day. is your current landlord dog friendly?

another thing to consider is that puppies have more needs than adult dogs. my dog was already a year and a half when we adopted him- we got him through a rescue org. so they were able to tell us a little bit about him- like that he was very timid and had most likely been confined to a cage or a closet, he wasn't potty trained, etc. so we really knew what we were getting into. he is food motivated, so he was really easy to train. at first we had a dog walker but then she got another job and now he holds it while we work. he rarely has accidents. one time when the Mets game went like 15 innings, but that was our fault.

i love my dog. he is my little sunshine, and even if i have a bad day, he is so happy to see me and we go for a nice walk or a run and it really lowers my stress level. is there any chance you can foster a dog to see if it's right for you? that's what we did with Rocky before we adopted him, because we were worried about him being alone all day. but he is fine as long as he gets two good walks, and he just sleeps during the day anyway.

one thing i to consider is to rescue a dog instead of buying one from a pet store. there are so many terrific dogs out there that would love a home. pet store dogs come from puppy mills and i know lots of people who have bought puppies that were sick, etc.

Fostering is an excellent idea Red.

I know I've posted this before, but the woman who watches my dog when we go away, does this for a "dog fix" because after she lost her dog of many years, she just couldn't get a replacement, and wanted her freedom a little more. This is also a great way to make extra cash.

[canela]

canela, i am so sorry for your loss. my mom's dog died of liver cancer a couple of years ago and we were devastated. it's so nice that your dog found a good home with you. shelter dogs are the best.

Thanks... it hit hard, but I think a part of me is glad she's finally gone and I don't have to worry about whether she's in pain or not. She was my baby...

I'm a big proponent for shelter animals. Congrats on you for taking in an older dog. Most of them don't have a chance. What you said reminded me of a point I wanted to make too.... especially in an apartment situation, an older dog who's more sedentary may be a better choice.

I got lucky.. mine was a puppy (5wks old) and a blend of two active breeds (German Shepherd and Chow Chow). Thankfully she was mostly a couch potato! (though I still had to bring her to the local off leash park *at least* twice a week for 3-4 hours) General rules of thumb if you're not wanting to exercise them quite a bit, try to stay away from the "sporting" breeds, or generally the "working" breeds too... they are going to have the highest energy levels.

[mishl982]

I would love to have a dog too, but I have the same concerns - money, changing your lifestyle to care for it, current housing situation, etc. A dog is something I would love to have but not for a very very long time.

[red]

there are a lot of shih tzu's in my building and they are great dogs- sweet, good with kids, not yippy.

[winneythepooh7]

After raising a stubborn breed from puppyhood, I would probably want to go the older-dog route the next time around. My fiance wants to get another pug puppy if we ever get a house, and honestly, I just don't want to deal with puppy-hood anymore. He says "he'll do all the work". Yeah, right. He works more than I do!

Which another piece of advice I have, is that if you do get a dog, make sure you take some time off from work or school during that initial period so you can get used to each other, set a schedule, dog proof your home, etc. etc.

[wordsmith]

I must have grown up with super healthy dogs, because I don't remember them ever needing veterinary care other than basic maintenance stuff and shots. But they were always hardy, outdoor working breeds, pretty tough dogs. My malamute that I had from when I was five until I was 20 was literally the strongest domesticated animal I've ever seen, what a powerful dog. She did have a benign fatty tumor removed from her midsection when I was in middle school, but other than that, I only remember things like rabies boosters.

[winneythepooh7]

I must have grown up with super healthy dogs, because I don't remember them ever needing veterinary care other than basic maintenance stuff and shots. But they were always hardy, outdoor working breeds, pretty tough dogs. My malamute that I had from when I was five until I was 20 was literally the strongest domesticated animal I've ever seen, what a powerful dog. She did have a benign fatty tumor removed from her midsection when I was in middle school, but other than that, I only remember things like rabies boosters.


Pugs are KNOWN to have health issues.

[wordsmith]

Yeah, I've read that. I've always had larger breeds, which are mostly only prone to the inevitable hip dysplasia as they age.

[pisces2473]

Yeah, I've read that. I've always had larger breeds, which are mostly only prone to the inevitable hip dysplasia as they age.
Yup, my dogs too. My parents have always had bigger dogs of mixed breeds. My parents current dog, a lab-pitt mix, has some ear problems when she gets water in them, but that's nothing too complicated.

I wouldn't get a purebreed or a dog with known health issues. It's too risky for me.

[wordsmith]

We always had a mix of purebreds and mutts. We had purebred Irish setters when I was little, and beyond being stuuuuupid from centuries of inbreeding, they were fine, healthwise. My malamute was pure, and one of the labs they've had since I've lived at home. But other than that, mostly mixed breeds.

[pisces2473]

Jess, how do your parents get purebreds? Aren't they expensive?

[wordsmith]

When I was little, they bred Irish setters and sold them, and kept a couple from the first two litters.

My malamute came for free from my aunt and uncle, who had had their malamute bred, and it was the last puppy they couldn't get rid of, so they gave her to us. My mom didn't want her, because my sister was a new baby, and she didn't want an infant and a puppy. But she turned out to be my family's longest term and most beloved pet.

The purebred lab, my parents "won" in a divorce, hah. A woman my mom knew left her husband, but couldn't take the dog where she was moving, and the husband said in retaliation that he'd put the dog to sleep. So my parents took him, hah.

So they've never really paid for a purebred dog. My brother and his wife are the only people in my family that have paid top dollar for a dog with papers. Purebreds ARE expensive, my landlord is a breeder, and I could never afford her dogs. She breeds labs, Boston terriers, shih-tzus, and poodles.

[pisces2473]

Oh wow, those are cool ways of getting dogs!

[wordsmith]

Always a story in the wordsmith family.

[anais1]

My life would be so boring without my dogs! They are an added expense, and if you are unable to properly care for them because of the cost, then I would steer clear.

If you get a purebred dog be prepared to spend a lot more up front and only buy from reputable breeders and not pet stores or backyard puppy mills. A lot of purebreds are prone to health problems, so make sure you research the breed and get a written health guarantee from the breeder.

Keep in mind that most apartments have very strict weight and breed restrictions. I really wanted a malamute when I lived with my mother, but I knew I was moving out soon. Even apartments that allowed large breeds, restricted malamutes. I ended up getting an eskimo dog (that is a lot meaner than any malamute I've ever seen! lol)

If you do a lot of research and properly assess your needs, I don't think you'll regret adding a dog to your lifestyle :)

[pisces2473]

Hey Carol...I'm listening to the radio at work right now...did you give any thought to being a foster "parent" or doing a guiding eyes for the blind thing, where you train the puppy? (I just heard an ad for it on the radio.) A friend of the family did 3 dogs, and it wasn't that difficult. She worked and did stuff, and was still able to train the dog, and get it ready to help out a blind person.

See? You get your puppy fix AND can give back to someone ;)

[cheshrcarol]

Hey Carol...I'm listening to the radio at work right now...did you give any thought to being a foster "parent" or doing a guiding eyes for the blind thing, where you train the puppy? (I just heard an ad for it on the radio.) A friend of the family did 3 dogs, and it wasn't that difficult. She worked and did stuff, and was still able to train the dog, and get it ready to help out a blind person.

See? You get your puppy fix AND can give back to someone ;)Ha. Well there's a couple about fostering -

- I'd really like my own dog. Kind of like, instead of babysitting someone's kids, having one of your own.

-If I get a dog, I'll have to see how my landlord feels about it. Technically pets aren't allowed in my lease, but my neighbors have cats, so it's not written in stone. He's really nice and I've been a good tenant, so I think I can talk to him about, but I'd really prefer to say "here's the dog I'd like to adopt, it's small and doesn't bark and won't make a lot of noise". As opposed to trying to bring in different dogs coming and going.

-I'm not sure how much choice you get with foster dogs, and I'm afraid they'd be more likely to have special needs. Which, as a first time dog owner, I think wouldn't be the best fit.

-I've also decided I don't really want a puppy. I love them, but I'd rather have a slightly older dog in the house instead of a baby.


And yes I realize the landlord thing is an issue. I know I can't just go out and get a dog on a whim.

ETA - if I don't get my own, I'll probably volunteer at a shelter to walk dogs to get my doggy fix. And to give back ;).

[wordsmith]

Keep in mind that most apartments have very strict weight and breed restrictions. I really wanted a malamute when I lived with my mother, but I knew I was moving out soon. Even apartments that allowed large breeds, restricted malamutes. I ended up getting an eskimo dog (that is a lot meaner than any malamute I've ever seen! lol)


Apartments that restrict malamutes because they're by nature heavy shedders, not because they're mean (also, the malamute I had for 15 years was the least mean dog I've ever seen. Territorial, yes. Mean, no). But the shedding and the sheer amount of dander and its ramifications for future tenants are the reason that some landlords won't allow. I would never keep a malamute indoors, myself.

[PenforPrez]

I love my dogs too. We have a Yorkie; I don't recommend them because they get yappy. Our is whining constantly right now, it's really irritating me. :madder:

We also have a chihuahua mixed with a daschund and some other things. She's 14 years old and bites nearly everybody. She's better than a burglar alarm, and cheaper. :) I think any dog should have that added benefit.

Paul

[sondra_finchley]

My parents have two purebred Afghan Hounds- DUMBER than DIRT. But in a way nice dogs- they do nothing but sleep all day, and have one crazy hour at night and then thats about it. Fed twice a day and crate trained. They have them trimmed pretty close now because their coat was a massive pain in the ass before to groom- took 5 hours for EACH dog. They dont bark, dont bite, dont chew, dont fetch, dont shed, dont smell, and frankly, they really do look like we have large rugs on the couches. Females are much smaller than the big males- our two look like midsized to small labs than afghans. Im even a cat person and find them to be like really big cats. Maybe in 10 years if I have the space then I would get a Borzoi or two (Borzois need lots of space) because I kinda like the pretty hounds. Oh, but they were bred to be stealers- ours cant figure out where you threw something, but they can figure out how to pick their cage lock if they feel like it. Or steal your pizza crust (or used Kleenex- I dont know where one of them picked THAT up from) and eat it.

[KraheCrowbird]

I've had dogs my whole life and the best advice I can give you is research alot of breeds to find which is best for you. All breeds have are different and they need you just as much as you want them. Also, visit the shelter before you buy from a breeder or pet store because you just never know what you'll find. My gf and I adopted the sweetest dog ever from a shelter about a year ago. Her name is Dixie, she's a Jack Russell mix and she was very easily trained. We live in an apartment also and she's brought us so much joy since we got her. Most shelters will also offer a free initial health check and spay/neuter to be performed at an area vet's office. Go visit the shelter, but be strong and don't adopt on impulse.

[Xander]

ETA - if I don't get my own, I'll probably volunteer at a shelter to walk dogs to get my doggy fix. And to give back ;).
That's what I'm considering too until I decide to rent or buy. The shelter downtown is soooo depressing though. :(

And of course it's a good idea to read and research and observe all you can. I'm not sure if anyone else is a fan, but I really enjoy watching the Dog Whisperer (http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/). Books by the Monks of New Skete are good too: adult (http://www.amazon.com/How-Your-Dogs-Best-Friend/dp/0316610003/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b/002-0399201-2209660) puppy (http://www.amazon.com/Art-Raising-Puppy-Skete-Monks/dp/0316578398/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_a/002-0399201-2209660)

This is the breed I want:
http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/customergraphics/finnishlapphund_top.jpg

I wont be able to give a puppy the care it needs though, so some serious research is going to have to go into locating a 1 year old.

[StillInCali]

I have a 70 pound dog who's lived in apartments with me for the past 4 years. She's pretty calm and has never been a barker or been destructive while I've been away. I do have to come back home immediately after work to let her out and walk her, and I feel bad that she has to stay alone for so long.

It depends upon the individual dog's temperment whether they will do well in an apartment, I'm surrounded by yappy little dogs and my dog doesn't make a sound. My dog is always happy as long as she's around people, she loves everyone. I do have to say that it was very difficult to find a building that would accept a large dog, and I'm trying to move again and it's taking way longer than it should to find a place for this reason. But I can't imagine living without her, even though my parents would gladly adopt her.

You have to consider the fact that your dog might have some expensive health problems. Mine had TPLO (a kind of knee surgery) a couple of months ago and that set me back nearly $4000 and the recovery was incredibly stressful. She also got arthritis in that knee and now has to live in a building with an elevator for the rest of her life because she can't go up and down stairs well. I love my dog but it would have been much easier to get a Yorkie or some other small dog, who could be carried upstairs if they had arthritis.

[winneythepooh7]

Dogs are children in fur coats LOL.

I also got a Christmas present that is hanging on my front door right now:

It's a ceramic "bone" that says "A VERY spoiled pug lives here".

These are the ways to think about dog-ownership.