Hi All,
Interested in getting a puppy/dog for our family home. The main concerns I have is whether its suitable for an apartment and the type of breed would fit in with a younger child around. Which breed of dog do you recommend for those things and i'm open to adoption, for an older dog like 1yo. So i dont need to go through potty training, chewing cables etc.
I'm in Sydney so good places to buy/adopt would be appreciated.
I always feel sorry for dogs in an apartment, cats can get away with it.
It'll be a nightmare trying to get them to poo and pee where you want them as they're not like cats and litter trays.
Do you want to go down in the lift on winter mornings just so the dog can go to the toilet?
Yes you can train them but it's not pretty.
Just consider if you enjoy going away regularly on weekends, if you do, maybe don't get one just yet.
a nightmare trying to get them to poo and pee where you want them
https://drypaws.com.au/products/re-useable-washable-doggy-di…
I guess if you already have a kid its just another nappy to change
It takes some commitment but it really isn't anything difficult about a dog in an apartment.
Believe it or not, apartment dwellers are used to regularly using lifts… getting parcels, food deliveries etc.
Agreed. It's just kinda cruel to the poor pup. I'm really happy I live in a shitty old house with a yard and not an apartment right now.
OP please update here if you managed to get one, and from where.
i dont live in apartment but probably needs to go back work from office couple days a week after October
I thought I was a dog person, and was so so adamant on getting a puppy for a reaaaaaally long time.
After much thinking and consideration, I decided against it as I wasn't sure what the impact would be once I go back into the office full time. Also, I live in an apartment too and had the same concerns.
Ended up adopting a 2 year old cat from a shelter and now I am a cat person lol
If you are living in an apartment/unit, I highly recommend a cat instead. Very low maintenance and quite trainable (my cat learnt where the no-go zones are within the first two weeks). Really quiet (almost certain she teleports) and generally easy to care for. Also contrary to what you think about cats, they do greet you at the door when you have been out for a day.
I mean I still love dogs, but man I would never trade my cat for any other animal.
Once you go 🐈 you can't go back
Username checks out ;)
but they are not playful right like we cant call them by name and they come.. also very cold look…
or throw ball and they pick up…..
Yeah, but that requires a lot of training for your dog. Depends what you're after really.
I like that my cat is quite independent, she doesn't need attention around the clock, she's fine just doing her own thing and I don't have to worry about her. She came litter trained. I didn't have to do any training. Just showed her the location of her litter box on her first day home and she understood straight away. Haven't had a single accident.
I have a friend who has both and they agree that having a cat is 100% easier than a dog.. Their dog constantly begs for attention. If you're not within their line of sight at all times they get anxious and start whining (again training required here for separation anxiety) . You can't leave the dog for too long otherwise they start to get destructive. Heck, they left their cats home alone for the weekend (with ample food + water) and it was fine. Had to leave their dog with a friend.
After speaking to them, I thought really hard about it and decided that it probably wasn't suited to my lifestyle. (I cannot imagine myself waking up at 6am everyday on a cold winter morning to bring my dog out for a poo/pee). So I adopted a cat and honestly, best decision. My cat happens to be a lap cat so she loves being cuddly/snuggly when I'm on the couch watching tv at night and she'll just curl into a ball on my lap and purr away.
I still love dogs tho, but I think I will find the commitment a bit too much. My friends are afraid to leave their home for too long (not more than 4 - 5 hours) as they worry about their pup
Dogs can adjust surprisingly well to owners and their schedules, and basic commands are intuitive for dogs.
Whilst I disagree with the degree of difficultly you describe in owning a dog in an apartment I respect and thank you for considering what best suited your lifestyle and what you could offer a pet :)
@sovereign01: Yep, I definitely agree that dogs can adjust, but only if the owner is committed to putting in the time to train their dog to adjust. A lot of it boils down to the owners for sure. Many people likes the concept of "a furry best friend" but hadn't put in the actual thought on how much effort is required to raise a well behaved dog.
Honestly I was the same, I thought about how enjoyable it must be to have a dog and when the time finally came where I was living in my own property and COULD actually bring one into my life was when I went into full research mode and started asking other dog owners, dog breeds etc and came to the decision that I probably wouldn't be able to give a dog it's best life so that was the end of it.
I like all animals though so it wasn't hard to switch to considering a cat instead after speaking to other cat owners lol
Now, if I feel like playing with dogs I literally just visit a dog park and pet alllllll the friendly dogs who comes up to me
Mine come when I call, and we play games. One of the cats' favourite games is chasies. She meows at me and when I get near she runs away into another room. I chase with pretend growling sounds to show I am playing. She hides behind a curtain or something and I pretend to approach with big footsteps. Before I get there she races out and hides somewhere else in the room or runs to another room. When she's had enough she'll flop over on the floor (really suddenly so if I am chasing I have to be careful not to step on her!) and we will rough-house a bit.
If in the initial phase where she meows at me, if I get up to pat her and she runs off and I decide I can't be bothered and sit back down, she'll come back in and look at me and if I get up, run off again. If I give up before she has had enough she'll stick her head out of the room and meow if I'm not far away, or come find me and run away when I approach again.
Another game that I call Marco Polo - if she is asleep in the lounge room and we go to bed or I go back to work in the study, then she wakes up and doesn't know where we've gone, she'll start meowing, and I call, puss puss! Then a pause and she meows, and I say puss puss! again. Her meows getting louder as she works out where the sound is coming from until she eventually finds me and goes meowmeowmeowmeow! really fast in relief. The other cat doesn't really play games as such except for chase the string or stick. What she does like to do is lie in your path, and then when you step over her, quickly move so she is exactly where you were aiming your foot, so you have to stumble and nearly fall over to avoid stepping on her 🤦♀️
They both do some tricks too - one will spin around quickly if you twirl your finger, the other can do front flips (but only when she really wants something like going in the garage or getting dinner, as we used to wait for her to do it before giving her what we knew she wanted. So now she thinks a flip is required to get these things)
Thankyou for sharing. Your cat sounds like they absolutely love you and you've made me reconsider my opinion on cats and ever having one as a pet.
My cat learnt his name within the first 2 days after coming home (he was a rescue and they called him something else). I sometimes call when I can’t find him in the house and he will come or meow if he’s sleeping. He greets us at the door, and loves playing balls with me (kind of like dogs but he doesn’t fetch). My friend has a cat that fetches.
Long story short, what you read about cats may not be true for all cats.
My cat acts more like a dog than my dog did.
Watching TV he lies in front upside down for you to rub his belly. Chases toys and brings them back to you. Always tries to sleep on my foot. I didn't even train it properly, pretty sure he'd be keen to go for a walk on a lead.
This is an interesting switch. What breed cat did you end up getting AssamLaksa?
Just a regular domestic longhair cat. I got her from a shelter
Your in an apartment hows the dog going to exercise not get destructively bored, and shit during the day when your at work for 8-10hrs a day?
My new house has no garden to speak of and wont get a dog as there isnt enough space for it to run and enjoy life.
I seriously think you should do alot of your own research. No matter what your kids or partner says they will do to help a bit. Take it on yourself that you will do all the work and they might help. If they remember. Are you ready for a dog to rip up all your beloved belongings and nice furniture. Are you ready for the vet bills, which could be in the thousands, or the constant attention they will want, and the barking. When they say it's for life you need to go all in. Nothing worse than dropping the poor guy after a month. Dogs are way overpriced at moment as well. The rescue dogs may have their own issues. Really you should take your dog out for a walk out of the apartment everyday. Rain hail or shine as it probably going to go nuts staying just around the apartment.
And oh lord please pick up after it.
Give it love and you will get heaps back. Good luck.
1) A dog (pet) is for life
2) Don't get a dog (pet) unless you are willing to spend over $10,000 on vet bills over their lifetime (no I'm not joking)
2) Take them to the vet at ANY unusual signs
4) Don't buy a breed that has inherent genetic (inbred) problems - MOST dog breeds should be banned for this reason (eg: King Charles Spaniels, French Bulldogs, Pugs, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc)
5) Law should be introduced that people should have to pass rigorous psychological testing before being allowed to own animals
6) Raising a puppy can be incredibly difficult, frustrating, time consuming - Be ready for that level of commitment if you want a well adjusted dog. It's not a plaything for children.
5) Law should be introduced that people should have to pass rigorous psychological testing before being allowed to own animals
I agree.
However, if this was done we would have to do it for having children as well… 😐
If you live in an apartment and will leave the animal alone in the dwelling I'd recommend you do a lot of soul searching regardless of what breed you choose.
Just saw the details in the opening post. JEEEEBUS. A dog in an apartment! This is the type of person who would never pass the rigorous psychological testing I mention. Too self absorbed
Man, no need to be a total tool. You don’t know the exact circumstances, nor should be acting like you’re a psychologist who can pass judgement on people based on incredibly limited facts.
This is pretty much the reactive response I expected. Almost word for word.
You should hear my opinion on people having children. Its way more offensive
@Boogerman: It’s becoming quite annoying the amount of pseudointellectuals like yourself on the internet who sit around arrogantly judging others. OP is asking the question so it’s not like they’re just seeing a puppy in a pet shop and randomly deciding to buy it on a whim with zero planning.
Now, next time you see your mother, ask her to finally teach you “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all”.
Absolutely go to a dog rescue place and ask them . Don't buy a puppy or groom a breeder or private. Best not to look in books to read all about what to expect because you'll be disappointed. All dogs are individuals and don't always live up to their reputation. Not all black men have… Absolutely best is to rescue one and get the information from the people there.
This is a handy website to get an idea of what to expect from each breed of dog. It effectively has a stat sheet for most breeds from friendliness, grooming and requirements.
I'd suggest a breed like a Tibetan Spaniel or a Japanese Spitz.
You want a dog that is generally clean, small, and family oriented.
Get a goldfish and call it Charlie
miniature bull terrier
Dogs are not suited in an apartment. Where is it going to pee? Take it outside on to the streets every time it needs to? You would resent the frequency and amount of times.
Just get a cat instead. They can also be gentle and playful. I've had cats and dogs and they all have different personalities. Cats can also be very loving.
Owning a dog is a lot of work, similar to having another child. Their world is you versus them being part of your world.
Cost of food, vet visits, boarding fees, grooming, accessories, dog training / puppy school could amount to around $5000.00 per year. Dogs live on average 10-15 years. Also time you will need to set aside for one on one walking/exercise, training, and general care estimate 1.5-2hrs per day. They need your companionship/ presence the majority of the day as they are pack animals. Failure to give a dog sufficient care and training will likely result in destructive/ negative behaviour.
Make sure you and your family are 100% committed and also that any future property you live in is dog friendly.
I really don't understand the logic behind people suddenly deciding to get a pet just because they are spending more time at home with lockdowns etc. So what will you do when we no longer have lockdowns and you have to return to working from the office?
Stopped reading at apartment. No, please dont
tbh thats kind of BS - if you know you are living in an apartment and buy a dog that suits that environment and your level of activity it is fine.
My daughter recently adopted a greyhound from GAP (Greyhounds as Pets). whilst it is a tall dog they are normally around 30KG and they are very docile so living in an apartment is no problem. He likes a daily walk so it would be good if you worked from home. They are very good companion dogs. https://www.gapnsw.com.au/our-greyhounds
Doesn't matter what you get, just make sure you follow Aussie tradition and leave it outside until it goes nuts and barks all hours of the day and night 😕
My Malshi pup is now 11 months. Never regret getting him. Wonderful temperament, smart and great companion. Loves going for walks but will happily sleep and wait for you to come home. Worth considering if you can find one.
Hope you have cheap IKEA furnitures
We got a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel from a breeder about 6 months ago.
Perfect size for us. He loves to sit in the passenger seat of the MX5 as we drive to our favourite walking spots in the Adelaide hills. Best dog I have ever had. So gentle and loving. And just perfect size for me. Good with kids too.
I have also heard great things about greyhounds.
That is a breed with some of the greatest/serious genetic problems. The breed should be banned
Uhh, no it isn't - Don't confuse a cavalier with a pug etc.
You bet king charles spaniels have severe problems. Pug is another one. Plenty of dog breeds came into existence for vanity
@Boogerman: Can you elaborate more on the reasons why it should banned? I know heart issues can be more common on the Cavs. But all other issues seem to be standard dog health issues.
I believe there is also a difference between the "King Charles Spaniel" and the "Cavalier King Charles Spaniel". With the Cavalier type having less squashed, pug like features.
@Commander Shepard: Google genetic issues amongst dog breeds. It’s a pretty awful read
From memory your breed has skull structural issues
This is a breed i was leaning towards because its good with kids.
Had a google of genetic issues and this is what i found :(
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is prone to several significant issues including heart disease – nearly 50% of Cavaliers will develop mitral valve disease (MVD) by the age of five, and nearly all will have it by age 10. This breed also suffers from luxating patellas, allergies, hip dysplasia, cataracts and syringomyelia.
All those things are fairly common to most pure breed dogs tbh.
Absolute rubbish
I disagree with any dog being kept in an apartment.
You're gonna get downvoted. Cause, cognitive dissonance
To be fair, we have quite a big backyard for our dogs. Sure they often go for a bit of a roam to pee and stuff but they mostly just stay at the door. They'd be inside all day with us if they could. But I do emphasise, that is when we're home (well, there's generally always someone home). Can't comment on what they want to do when we're not there.
Can't comment on what they want to do when we're not there.
bark constantly and annoy the neighbours.
You reckon? Maybe I should get cameras. I've had friends come by when we're not around and they say the dogs aren't barking.
Greyhounds, ideally adopted.
Docile couch potatoes that give you as much as you put in.
Toy poodle, clean and do not shed hair everywhere. Smart little ones also 🖖🏻
Adopt an RSPCA dog
Skinny dogs are the go - whippets/greyhounds. Yes they need daily exercise but absolute couch potatoes. Additionally they don't have many health issues, don't generally bark much and are incredibly social.
Golden retriever, we did it as first dog in a 2 bed room apartment. Toilet training was done in a week only two pee and a few poo accidents, they are really receptive to training because they are so food motivated.
We also had a geriatric rottie for a year with him and they kept each other busy.
Goldens are really adaptive dogs, some days we play who can be the best couch potato (he wins) and other days we can be out the entire day and he can keep up
Would love golden retriever but might be too big when fully grown for the little one.
They are lovely with kids and are really patient. Not an aggressive bone in his body. He also learnt really quick that humans don’t belong in his mouth he freaks out if he accidentally gently gets your hand instead of a toy.
I have a picture of him just laying on the floor enjoying his best life while one of my mates kids use him as a table and draw on him.
They really are the best dogs. Except for the lack of protective instinct (that’s what the rottie is for)
So in my opinion there are many dogs that can suit apartment living and children. That depends on you taking the responsibility to prevent destructive behaviour from boredom, your family lifestyle will need to suit the dog. I don't know enough about yourself and your family to further comment.
Dogs have individual personalities like people, a breed less prone to a behaviour (such as barking) doesn't mean the one you adopt fits that mold. This also largely depends on you as the owner and socialisation also plays a big part in preventing unwanted behaviour.
Keep in mind that simply because a dog is potty trained and taught not to carry out destructive behaviour on your property doesn't mean there any not alternate scenarios that you won't be able to predict. If a dog feels sick and needs to vomit they will, it is a fact of life and if you live in an apartment you won't be able to get them outside in time. Destructive behaviour may be directed inward to themselves such as excessive licking of fur or knawing feet causing injury where their outlet isn't destroying your shoes, couch etc.
Cavoodle, probably not cheap at the moment - but that's the same with most dogs right now.
They are a small dog, but not stupidly small, easy to walk at a decent pace and play with. You can get away with one 30 minute walk a day. Easy to pick up and transport and they don't take up too much space sitting on the lounge with you.
Social and good with other pets and children.
Allergy friendly, don't really shed at all. Reasonable grooming maintenance.
Smart enough without being too smart.
Good size for an apartment.
source: me, I bought one two years ago and it has been great. I have dog allergies and I am used to having larger outdoor dogs after moving to an apartment I faced a similar choice and after a lot of research this is what I settled on.
Advice on Getting a Pet Dog
Don't
Don't get an animal requiring outdoor space in an apartment please.
Greyhounds are fantastic apartment dogs. They sleep all day and require only a brisk walk each day. They are great with kids too. Only issues is they need to be muzzled and collared when walking them until trained properly. All my brothers have at least one (One of them has 3!) and I couldn't believe how lazy they are. My terrier on the other hand goes crazy even though he's now 12 lol
Dear OP
My humble advice as 20+ years dog owner is that firstly and most importantly evaluate yourself rather than the dog breed if you are ready financially and have enough time to spend with the dog.
Any small breed would be suitable for an apartment, you will need training/exercise and chew toys throughout its lifetime and it is a matter of difficulty, some breeds or individuals might be easier with pre-training some might be difficult and dog grows just like human-being, they will act like a teenager and anything is chewable in the household regardless training received.
At its senior time, be prepared for 5 figures bill if the dog is seriously sick.
Ultimately, do you or are your family like dogs in general.
Hope this help
Petrescue.com.au
Pick up the poo when you walk them!
Would recommend a Pug! Fantastic personality
I am biased, having owned 2.
The breed should be banned for its severe genetic issues
I got pet guinea pigs early this year as an experience to introduce pets to my kids and over half a year in, I'm regretting it majorly. So much work in keeping their cages and bedding clean. You want to make sure you really are committed to keeping whatever you choose to get, otherwise it's a serious waste of your time and the poor animal's.
I've got a Western highland terrier. Normally known as westie. It's <10kg (small turds for collection), great with kids, doesn't shed, some say they're stubborn, but mine was easy to train. But seeing as you're looking to adopt you probably won't find one, you'll be hard pressed finding your top 3 breed picks.
As a longtime dog enthusiast, and one time dog owner, I have the following advice;
Cavalier
NO to sight or scent hounds - they tend to howl and try to escape
Just because a dog is bigger, it doesn't mean it needs a big backyard - e.g. Greyhounds and Great Danes.
As for the apartment issue, it depends on how long you intend to stay in said apartment and what your life plans are.
Don't get a dog in an apartment at all.
A dog in an apartment is what we felt when we had level 4 restrictions and can't leave the house.
The dog needs daily runs and walks in a backyard, something which your schedule in an apartment can't accommodate.
You will be doing the dog a disservice.
Disagree - depends on the size of your apartment, how active you are, the breed of the dog.
Blanket statements like this are stupid.
Being in an apartment is one factor amongst many that you need to consider if you are going to commit to owning a pet, this one factor alone is not enough to outright say no.
Size of the dog?
If anything small dogs are more active than larger dogs, running around in a kitchen is not the ideal way the dog was born to spend.
Why is it a blanket statement?
Do you think the dog (regardless of size) loves to constantly shit in a bucket of sand and eat from a stainless steel plate as opposed to from the grass?
You're both incompetent and inconsiderate.
Did you read any of the above? because I didn't once mention the size of the dog.
I reckon there are plenty of dogs that are happier with a good owner in an apartment, than a bad owner and more space. The breed is an important consideration - not the size. Some dogs have low activity requirements, and can get their fix with walks and trips to dog parks etc.
What if someone is going the adopted greyhound route? you reckon the dog should just stay in a cage at a facility instead? Get a grip.
My dog had knee issues and would have probably been put down by most owners rather than pay to fix it, she does not require a lot of exercise, is perfectly healthy, happy and well cared for.
Ever thought about getting a cat?
When I moved into an apartment I couldn’t see myself taking the dog downstairs several times a day to poo and walk so I adopted a cat instead.
Had always had dogs but now I’m a cat person as I am a lazy person and don’t like taking dogs for walks and picking up dog poop all the time. You don’t even have to train cats.
You can consider foster a Greyhound for a few days or weeks before adopting. By that way, you and your family can get familiar with the dogs.
I adopted a greyhound and they are very gentle, low maintenance, they can run with you if you like walking or running
goto the nearest pound or animal shelter, rescue something from 'death row' rather than filling the pockets of a so called 'Breeder'..
I know a guy who owns a vet clinic and he loves these sort of dogs (bulldogs, pugs & Frenchie's). They bring in so much business.