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Sariss · Sep 4, 2009, 05:44 PM

I need opinions.
I am finally moving into an apartment that allows dogs so once again I can have one! Yay!

I just need ideas as to what. I will PROBABLY rescue, but I want to have some breeds in mind.
It's an apartment, so I don't really have a yard, but I'm not one to put my dog outside and let it entertain itself, so it will go for regular walks. Hopefully not one that's prone to bark a lot just for noise concerns.

I work long hours (50-60 hours a week), but due to the nature of my job, it will be coming to work with me pretty much every day. It will have to deal with my cats..

I know most dogs are the way they are due to training, but I just want some ideas thrown about..

I don't care about prone to certain conditions or whatnot - due to my career I could deal with a dog that had multiple conditions and required 20 thousand pills a day. :P

Catsmine · Sep 4, 2009, 05:56 PM

How big an apartment? An English Bulldog is good in a ground floor with carpet. I'm not a fan of toy breeds, as you may remember, because they do tend to be loud and frequent barkers. Most pound puppies tend to be mixed so this may be pointless to discuss, or were you thinking of a rescue from a breeder/rescue kennel?

Sariss · Sep 4, 2009, 06:12 PM

It's decent sized for a one bedroom, but it's still a one bedroom.

I don't mind toy dogs, my parents have two Chihuahuas that are great.

I'm probably going to rescue if I can, but I have discovered that a lot of rescues are adamant about things like having a fenced in yard, so they won't even consider me. But then there are others who tell me I don't even have to fill an application out when I tell them what I do.

So we shall see. :) I've been THINKING about a Bull Terrier, or even something like a Norwich Terrier. I also love French Bulldogs. :P

My TRUE breed of choice is a Cane Corso, but they are pretty big and I believe my new landlord is a little nervous of the mastiff breeds.

Catsmine · Sep 4, 2009, 06:23 PM

Don't Mastiffs need a good bit of exercise, like in hours per day? I'll not bring up my favorites. You know how much room Dobies and Boxers need. Shaz says Danes can be good in an apartment, but I'd think you'd need at least a queen sized bed. What about a small Rottie?

Sariss · Sep 4, 2009, 06:28 PM

I know my landlord is a little nervous about the Rotties and Shepherds.
Exercise is not an issue for me, I'm up early enough to go for a good jog, and since he will be at work with me I can take him out when I've got a slow period, and then again at night.
Danes are cute, but I shy away from them just because they don't live very long. :( Then again Mastiffs don't fare too much better.

Catsmine · Sep 4, 2009, 06:42 PM

What about a Basenji? Quiet but active, and very loyal.

Alty · Sep 4, 2009, 07:28 PM

Golden retrievers are great dogs. They're very intelligent, easy going, just love to be with their people. Same with black labs, my breed of choice. :)

Of course you could get a beagle and pull your hair out like I am. ;)

Sariss · Sep 4, 2009, 07:45 PM

Haha.
Sadly for me, I've never been a fan of any retrieving breeds, except for maybe a Duck Toller.

Alty · Sep 4, 2009, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by Sariss

Haha.
Sadly for me, I've never been a fan of any retrieving breeds, except for maybe a Duck Toller.

Aww, but they're so sweet. :(

Okay, I'll think of something else. :)

simoneaugie · Sep 4, 2009, 09:30 PM

Basenji, that's a good suggestion. At work it wouldn't stay right by you though and would need to be crated, leashed or tied up. I was going to recommend adopting a Greyhound. They can live in an apartment and are quiet. But, at work, it would be a challenge to have a sight/scent hound. That's what both Greyhounds and Basenjis are.

Yes. A Boston Bull Terrier or a French Bulldog. In the past, their bloodlines were intermixed. My Boston loves everyone and doesn't run off. She only barks when playing with one of my other dogs. I adore Chihuahuas, have 2 and a Basenji right now. The Boston is so very different from the others. She's awesome!

shazamataz · Sep 5, 2009, 12:11 AM

Ooooh I love suggesting dogs haha
Congrats on the new apartment Sariss!!

Some dogs that can easily amuse themselves and would be fine while you are at work... and are a little bit different.

Dandie Dinmont Terrier:
They are the sweetest natured dogs, a friend of mine has 2 of them and she also works long hours.

Griffon Bruxellios - Rough Coat (not a fan of the short hair ones)
Also sweet little dogs, they can be a little on the lazy side so perfect for apartments.

Boston Terrier
Can be a little overly energetic but they do get along well with cats, a friend of my moms used to breed them, as well as cats, they all ran together fine.

Shiba Inu
The smaller less aggressive version of the Akita.
Unlike Akitas the Shibas weren't bred to fight, they were more companion/hunting dogs so the cats should not be a problem. Energy level is also relatively high but they are happy to be left alone.

Sariss · Sep 5, 2009, 04:54 AM

I never thought of a Shiba Inu. I'll look into them!

shazamataz · Sep 5, 2009, 05:21 AM

Originally Posted by Sariss

I never thought of a Shiba Inu. I'll look into them!

Whoops, I double posted... sorry.
Yeah we did a fair bit of research into them because my partner wanted an Akita, we found out they didn't do well with other dogs and then found out about Shibas, the basically smaller, nicer version of the dog he wanted!

Only problem was, I'm allergic to dogs, and they are pretty bad for allergies.

Sariss · Sep 5, 2009, 05:29 AM

I've still got a lot of reading to do since I've got so many breeds in mind. :D
So far it seems Cairn Terriers are in the lead, however..

shazamataz · Sep 5, 2009, 06:36 AM

Oooh OK!
They are very cute little dogs, unfortunately I don't personally know anyone with them so I can only tell you the same as what you can read :)

Sariss · Sep 5, 2009, 06:48 AM

It's kind of a tie between a Norwich Terrier and a Cairn. I've met quite a few of each. :)

shazamataz · Sep 5, 2009, 07:38 AM

I reckon you would, you would have pretty much met (rather intimately with some lol) every dog breed where you work :eek:

Catsmine · Sep 5, 2009, 09:39 AM

If you're going in a terrier direction, be sure to get them young so you can train them in being quiet. Terriers can bark constantly if not trained differently from a very young age.

Alty · Sep 5, 2009, 10:27 AM

You know we'll want lots of pictures when you get your pup.

Don't even think of not posting pictures! ;)

Sariss · Sep 5, 2009, 04:30 PM

I will definitely show pictures. :)
While I do like the idea of rescue, I'm sort of leaning towards a dog from a breeder so I know exactly what I am getting into.
I've found a breeder of Norwich Terriers that is only about 2 hours away, and I am going to meet her and her dogs in the next few months. They have a litter planned in the next 4 months or so and appear to be very reputable - all their dogs are health screened through the OFA, and they show them regularly (one of their dogs actually competed at Westminster a few years back) :O