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Apartment Dog Choices-Help!

6.7K views 123 replies 36 participants last post by  Lady3131  
#1 ·
Hello everyone,

I am a 28 year old man and I work 9:30-18:30 so I am looking for a dog that can stay in my cozy apartment and keep me company from 18:30 onwards on weekdays and all day on weekends :)

I have been looking at breeds that are independent so they can stand being alone in the apartment but I also would like a affectionate companion.

I can`t decide between:

  • Shiba Inu (affraid they might not make a bond)
  • Shipperke (affraid they will bark too much and upset the neighboors)
  • Beagle (affraid they will bark too much and upset the neighboors)
  • Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (maybe needs a owner with more time and too big for apartment)

Which one would you reccomend for me?

I know there are other options like: toy dogs, pugs, basenji, terriers, cockers, corgi and basset but the above were the ones I liked the most.

I would appreciate if you all could help out with some comments as I am at a loss.

Thank you!
 
#2 ·
The apartmemts not the problem although it can make things more difficult. The problem is your not going to be there 9hrs a day!!! That ever dog you get if its a puppy they need feeding 3 to 4 times a day. They need toilet training and when their pups have bladders size of a pea or walnut for bigger breeds. They also need exercise and training and socialisation. Even an older dog wouldnt cope toilet wise or alone for 9hours.
 
#3 ·
My recommendation: Get a cat! I am sorry, and I don't wish to cause offence, but you seem to be thinking an awful lot about what you want and not nearly enough about what the dog wants. Dogs need company, all dogs. And leaving a dog alone for all those hours is just not acceptable. If you intend to go ahead with this, you would definitely need a dog walker to go in at least twice a day, walk the dog, let him out for a wee or whatever, and give him some time.
 
#4 ·
My recommendation: Get a cat! I am sorry, and I don't wish to cause offence, but you seem to be thinking an awful lot about what you want and not nearly enough about what the dog wants. Dogs need company, all dogs. And leaving a dog alone for all those hours is just not acceptable. If you intend to go ahead with this, you would definitely need a dog walker to go in at least twice a day, walk the dog, let him out for a wee or whatever, and give him some time.
sorry but i have to agree with that, in fact i`d say get 2 cats so they can keep one another company as it`s still a long time for a cat to be left alone.

i don`t know anything about the other breeds but i think if you had a beagle it`d be a very miserable dog being left alone so much as they love attention. like what was said before, if you do decide to get a dog you`ll need someone to see to the dog during the day and it may be best looking into homing an older dog as i really can`t see a pup being able to be left alone for too long.
 
#5 ·
None of those breeds are suitable and to be honest being out for that amount of time during the day is going to cause you a huge problem settling and toilet training a pup.

You could consider doggy day care or a walker but i think you would still need to get an older dog for that to be viable as puppies need taking outside to toilet every half hour when you are training them so unless you want to spend your evening cleaning the carpets you can see the problem and as has already been pointed out a pup needs smaller regular meals throughout the day to beging with.

It is unlikely a rescue will consider you with those sort of hours either.

Dogs when left can howl, chew urinate and defecate so unless you are happy to accept these issues (and your neighbours problems with them) then i am afraid its a no go.

This time of year its not much fun spending your evenings trudging about in the dark and rain because the dog needs a decent walk when you get in (like 1-2 hrs a day for some of the breeds you have given as a minimum if you don't want it to go mental and wreck the house)

Yes SOME dogs (not puppies) can be left for long periods, SOME are perfectly well behaved, SOME never toilet the house BUT alot CAN'T and you have no way of knowing how a dog will react to this sort of regime irrespective of the breed.

And please dont think i am being harsh i speak from experience, believe me been there done that and it was awful, for us and the dog involved.

The way to approach getting a dog is to think, What does a dog need ?? Can i satisfy those needs ?? NOT what can the dog do for me and my life ;)
 
#6 ·
I'm sorry but a dog just isn't for you yet... and some of the breeds you mentioned are huge! You are out for much too long... when is the dog going to get exercised, get trained, play and got to the toilet?

Please please please rethink before you end up with a nightmare of a dog who is bored, unsociable and you are not able to re-home.

A cat would be a much better idea as they are a lot more independent although if you are up high in a flat may not be suitable.
 
#7 ·
Hi, I really hope you dont get a dog unless you would have an older one and find a good dog walker.I have 3 dogs and work 10 hours a day some days, but do 2 different jobs so that they arent left longer than 3 hours and they get 3 hours of walks a day.Please think carefully:)
 
#8 ·
If you are absolutly set on a dog then I would go for an older dog and get a dog walker in 2 times as a minimum. If not 2 older cats would be fine indoor. Just make sure you have plenty to do for whatever you do get as 9 hours is a long time to be alone for any animal. Yuri would probably chew though the wall if I was gone that long!
 
#11 ·
Um, have to speak up for cats here....if you leave a cat alone indoors for 9 hours a day, every work day, it will be miserable and destructive, and if you leave it out for that length of time regularly it will find somewhere else to live. Hamster maybe?
not necessarily, my cousin works 12 hours shifts 3 on an 3 off and her 2 cats are absolutely fine with this as they have one another as company as well as plenty of toys. cats are pretty independant and so long as given enough to keep them occupied don`t seem to mind being left alone so long as they still get attention while you`re at home
 
#12 ·
No dog should be subjected to solitary confinement for 9 hours at a time on a regular basis. Dogs need human companionship if they are to become housetrained and socialised. Dogs are social animals. At one time people wouldn't have them unless someone was at home all (or most) of the day. Now people want it all, including the impossible. The results are to be found in dog shelters. :( So many dogs in them with seperation anxiety related problems, lack of housetraining etc. The others have already given good advice. Please consider it.
 
#13 ·
None of them are suitable.
A beagle is a companion dog they very much need human attention most of the day
A nova scotia duck tolling retriever is a working dog. No way mate.

To be honest no dog is suitable for this. 9 hours a day is madness. You will have a destructive depressed demonic dog on your hands.

As recommended get a cat or two they will be able to cope much better with the hours.
 
#14 ·
What about a caged animal, like some rats, mice, hamster etc? These usually only need attention in the mornings and evenings, which would suit you fine.
 
#15 ·
Um, have to speak up for cats here....if you leave a cat alone indoors for 9 hours a day, every work day, it will be miserable and destructive, and if you leave it out for that length of time regularly it will find somewhere else to live. Hamster maybe?
I would have to disagree my cat comes in in the morning moans until fed then sleeps ALL day moans at dinner time to be fed then sods off out all night, i feel used :p
 
#16 ·
I would have to disagree my cat comes in in the morning moans until fed then sleeps ALL day moans at dinner time to be fed then sods off out all night, i feel used :p
That's what cats do - use us! That is why they are such great pets for people who are out all day. Two cats are better than one, of course, but I really, really miss my cat, used or not!
 
#17 · (Edited)
Hello everyone,

I have been looking at breeds that are independent so they can stand being alone in the apartment while I am at work but I also would like a affectionate companion.

I will surely hire a dog walker to keep the puppy busy during the day and my 3 kid brothers will visit often as well. So please, no unhelpful comments saying I should buy a cat, mouse or fish.

I can`t decide between:

  • Shiba Inu (affraid they might not make a bond)
  • Shipperke (affraid they will bark too much and upset the neighboors)
  • Beagle (affraid they will bark too much and upset the neighboors)
  • Basset Hound (drooling and heavy sheeding, but the breed is independent and a good friend, is he my only choice?)

I know there are other options like: toy dogs, pugs, basenji, terriers, cockers, corgi but the above were the ones I liked the most.

I would appreciate if you all could tell me which you would you reccomed for a appartment.
You could also post your Top 3 for Apt just please include one of those I have choosen.

Thank you!
 
#20 ·
what about looking for a older dog? i think an older dog might be best for an apartment.

as for breed i have no idea, but what about a greyhound? they're fairly lazy dogs and are happy to sleep most of the day and love cuddles! the ones i've met have also been quiet