Big dog in apartment?

[emilie42]

Originally Posted by TanjaBelieve

Are there any breeds of dog that can live in an apartment? Ive heard that Samoyeds can live in apartments as long as they get a good amount of workout every day. Im just interested in more breeds of big dogs that you can have in apartment.

Is this for yourself ? In an earlier thread you mentioned moving to a big house out in the country and you already had a German shepherd?

[Love4himies]

I agree with BenMax, it is not about the breed, it is about the individual dog. Keeping neighbours and the landlord happy is a must in condo/apt living, so having a dog that is not a barker or gets anxious when the owners are at work is so very important.

Dogs will adapt to a routine, so having 5000 sq ft or 500 sq ft is of no difference to a dog.

Love you suggestions of going to a rescue that has fostered dogs, BenMax. They will be able to match you up with a dog that meets your needs

[BenMax]

Originally Posted by Love4himies

Love you suggestions of going to a rescue that has fostered dogs, BenMax. They will be able to match you up with a dog that meets your needs

When in doubt, go the rescue route!
Having well over 200 fosters in my lifetime, I knew these animals very well and was able to successfully pass on information about the dog (or cat) and advise what is the best for the animal. Granted, I did have large and small dogs that were not for appartment or condo living based on their behaviours and activity level...as well as their vocal communication..

[Choochi]

You can't generalize about the dog's size or even breed being a precursor to if the dog will fit well in apartment living.

I know examples of all sorts of large breeds, GSDs, Pointers, Great Danes, Newfs, where the dog is either a couch potato that would do fine in an apartment with adequate exercise, or ones that are energetic nut balls that would be bouncing off the walls.


Honestly, there really isn't that much of a difference to the dog if he's living in a 1000 sq ft apartment or a 1100 sq ft bungalow with a small yard. It all comes down to the owner's commitment level and available time and energy to keep the dog exercises and entertained. An apartment dweller has no choice but to take the dog out for a walk, some one in the house can easily chuck the dog in the backyard and never walk it. The space you live in is by no means an indication of how dedicated of a dog owner you are.

That aside, would I want to live in a 500 sq ft condo with a large shedding drooling Newf regardless of how lazy it is? No, you would constantly be bumping into the dog, personally it would drive me nuts. Even if the dog is lazy, all dogs get the occasional zoomies or a desire to stretch out a little.

If you do want a near sure bet, the only dogs I can think of would be retired racing greyhounds, and you would be saving a life. Otherwise case by case rescue, where you can fairly evaluate the dog's ability to live in an apartment and be happy. Samoyeds, since they have been mentioned I think of as outdoorsy dogs, not ones that like to sit inside. Plus they can be pretty vocal, some thing that could get you kicked out in an apartment.

[yogibear]

Hi, after owning a saint bernard and a newfoundland both very laid back dogs yes there are exceptions mine are both couch potatoes and were rescued at about a year so their personality and energy levels were easy to pick. I would not pick a dog that was from a hound group too loud for a apartment or to hairy unless you don't mind the dog groomers every month since temp do not regulate very well they will blow their coats alot trust me. yes greyhounds are big couch potatoes but they will take up your couch if you do not like a dog on a couch they are not for you and the italian grey hounds are very hard to house break even if you have a yard many people use pee pads for them even when they have a fenced in yard same for min pins don't get me started yes I have one of those also. But I would def take a big laid back dog any day when you are researching what kind you would like make sure when you look them up it says energy level 1 not 10 and you should be fine low energy equals I am happy with a daily walk and then we can be couch potatoes I know not all low level energy dogs might not be the look you like but you have to pick based on your needs and how long you will be home everyday if you are at home and can go out several time a day a lab will be fine otherwise he will chew your house up or cry in the crate while you are gone for not having enough exercise. I hope this helps you in your dog search. My saint goes out runs 3 laps newfy does 5 then looks at me as if to say I'm done lets go in. Hence that is why I have a min pin the boys wanted a dog that moves let me tell you he is not for the faint of heart or those who are couch potatoes

[Hanora]

I used to have three dogs - 12 lb, 20 lb and 55 lb. We lived in several small apt.s and the dogs never complained.

They each had a bed for alone time. They never had any desire to go off into a room I was not in. In my experience, one's dog lives in a 20 ft radius of oneself which is why they are so good to trip over. The yard issue is a whole other thing.

We did not always have access to a yard and I must say that a yard makes things much easier for the owner but can make the owner less likely to go for a proper walk. A big yard can accommodate some good games and they can get some exercise but it's fairly boring as the scent landscape is same old/same old. Wandering around the back yard is not the same thing as eagerly following your nose down the street checking peemail. Dogs like to travel and you can't travel in the back yard so, if you're able bodied, it doesn't really matter whether you live in a house or an apt.; either way you should go for a walk.

2c from a newby

[lalalorz]

We have a BullMastiff puppy living in a 30 foot max bach apartment, with a CRAZY chorkie.
before you all freak we are moving to a bigger place but it is still an apartment. They both do swimmingly, we only go on one small walk a day, and a drive to take dad to work. They work each other out. BullMastiffs are supposed to be a lazy bum breed. sleep all day and night if you let them. I have a friend with a BM who can barely be pressed to get up to go pee and eat! Make sure you do your research and look into exactly what you want and what will be good for that pup but don't stress yourself over what everyone else is going to think as long as you have gumption and research on your side.

[MIA]

I had a GSD in an apartment and she didn't care, once I moved to a house and it made no difference except I got lazy and didn't walk her as much cause I had a yard for her to potty in!

As for small dogs in apartments, well I have a MinPin and he has 10 times the energy of my larger dog.

It's a matter of the dog, the owner and how much you want to devote to your dogs needs. Dogs don't care where they live as long as their needs are met. Look at NY, few people live in houses with big yards and many have dogs and they all live happily in a large dense city.