[OT] What kind of dog do you have?

[Kai Lord]

I'm looking to get a dog, preferably a Viszla, Boxer, or Australian Shepherd, but since I live in an apartment it'll probably have to be something less energetic, like a Bulldog or a Pug.

So I'm curious as to what everyone here has. You got a dog? Tell us about it!

 

[Alzrius]

My old dog (who recently passed away...I miss you Penny) was a half-breed Golden Retriever/Beagle. She was perfect, her fur was short and coppery-colored. She wasn't big, but wasn't tiny in any sense of the word either. She was very energetic and liked to play. I'd recommend her type to anyone looking to get a dog.

 

[Eternalknight]

I used to have German Shepherd/Blue Heeler cross, but he died last year. My gf has a rottweiler. If I could get a new dog, I would get a Blue Heeler.

 

[WayneLigon]

I have a smooth-coat Jack Russell Terrier (ala Wishbone) and a chihuahua.

A JRT is NOT an apartment dog. If you must have a terrier, get a fox terrier. Much milder in temperment (for a terrier) and easier to train.

Chihuahuas makes excellent apartment dogs. I've had several. They are very protective and territorial; my experience has been that if you expose them to a lot of people within about their first six months to 1 year of life, they do not become snappy and mean. Otherwise, they see everyone as an intruder.

A friend of my mom has a Shi-zue (sp?); very nice dog for an apartment. Friendly and mild-natured.

 

[reapersaurus]

Not that it matters to you, but I don't think you should have a dog in an apartment.

The dog deserves a yard to run in - suck it up, be strong, and wait till you have a better situation to share with a doggie companion.

and you tell me what breed she is:

 

[s/LaSH]

I have a keeshond (Dutch barge dog) 'female' (I don't think the actual term would be acceptable by the boards). She's unusual for a keeshond, in that she's not as independant and free-willed as others of her breed (it only takes three sharp commands and some firm physical pressure to make her sit down), but she's very smart, knocking on doors and stuff. She's fairly tame in terms of energy, but she's extremely prone to barking at the slightest noise from the perimeter of our section (her breed were created as foghorns for barges, so she'll even bark at low clouds). She's figured out that people are higher in the pack structure than dogs, and often places her copious affection accordingly - with the older leaders of the household, not me.

I don't have a picture easily at hand, but she's small, black and silver, and very, very cute. Oh, and fluffy. We fill baskets with fluff whenever we groom her.

So not an apartment dog, but if you ever get a house in the country the barking won't be that much of a problem. (Unfortunately, we live in the suburbs, the fact that there's a farm 10 minutes walk down the road notwithstanding. Civilisation ends abruptly around here.)

 

[Kahuna Burger]

and you tell me what breed she is:

shepard mix from the ears, probably with lab from the coat, but its so hard to tell with just one picture....

as for the orriginal question - what are the noise limitiations in your appt? How much grooming do you want to do in terms of professional and home care? how active do you want to be (regular exercise and occasional serious romps)? do you have or want kids? how much training do you want to do?

pugs are nice appartment dogs (and nice dogs in general) but their short faces make any kind of intensive activity iffy. (esp in the summer when they can overheat easily). Not to say they can't be bundles of wiggly joy but a hiking trip might not work out. Bulls and pugs both tend towards snorting, snoring and er... gas. and bulls sometimes leave butt prints.

don't get any arctic breed in an apartment with noise limitations. They will bark, its just what they were bred for.

narrow things down for me a little more in what you want a dog for, and I can give you some decent breed advice.

Kahuna Burger

 

[kengar]

and you tell me what breed she is:

She might be one of these. That's what I have.

re: Apartment dogs. I had a Keeshond (like Slash's! ) in an apartment for years. Certain dogs do better in small homes than others. The trick is regular walks and exercise (running in park, etc.). By regular, I mean every day. Not including bathroom breaks.

As far as a breed recommendation, if you are going with a purebred, and there isn't a size limit on dogs in your lease, consider adopting a retired racing greyhound. They are short-haired & clean, and need surprisingly short exercise breaks. They are sprinters, not distance runners, so 10 minutes chasing frisbees and they are pooped! Also, you'll be saving a relatively yound dog (2-3 years is normal retirement age iirc) from euthanasia by the racing industry.

Couple things to keep in mind about greyhounds; they need to be indoors and have a pad to sleep on (low body fat means easily chilled & uncomfortable on hard floors). Also, no cats or other small animals with greyhounds, they have what's called a "high prey drive" (bred to chase rabbits) and might kill a cat.

Dobermans are incredibly sweet dogs too and are very clean. Unfortunately, they have an undeserved rep for meanness that makes some landlords nervous.

EDIT: Here's a pic of Zeke, my dog:

He's (we think) Carolina Yellow Dog with a little collie thrown in.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Shetland Sheepdogs, three of them, 8 years, 6 years, and 20 months. Great little dogs -- smart, loyal, friendly, furry & cuddly. Two of them have titles in agility and obedience; the youngster is just getting started and may show in conformation as well.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

As far as a breed recommendation, if you are going with a purebred, and there isn't a size limit on dogs in your lease, consider adopting a retired racing greyhound. They are short-haired & clean, and need surprisingly short exercise breaks. They are sprinters, not distance runners, so 10 minutes chasing frisbees and they are pooped! Also, you'll be saving a relatively yound dog (2-3 years is normal retirement age iirc) from euthanasia by the racing industry.

greyhounds - 50 mph couch potatoes.

young kids also aren't always great around greyhounds - they want to lean on them and such and the legs aren't that strong (and they have dominance protocols that are easily confused with kids playing)

another issue is long term thinking. small dogs live much longer than large dogs on average and its easier to keep up their quality of life in old age.

That reminds me, where's my Dog20 crew?

kahuna burger