Apartment living dogs

wolfpawnat

Hey all,

My partner and I want to get a dog that will suit our living arrangement at the moment.

We are living in a two bedroomed apartment with our 2 and a half year old, who is thankfully very kind and gentle to animals (we have gerbils).

We have several parks within a two mile radius of us.One of which has an area that is fenced in so the dog could be allowed off the lead. Also as a dog owner for years I do not allow bad weather to get in the way of a walk!

We are not picky about breeds and a cross breed would suit us too!

We want something ranging from a Cavalier King Charles to a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Something that has a good reputation with children!

Anyone have good ideas on a dog that would suit our situation?

We are keeping an eye on DogsTrust and the like, but we are sort of looking for a pup as then we can socialise it ourselves and get it used to our child from a young age.

Thanks for all replies

mymo

First off hope you don't mind me asking, have you checked its ok to have a dog in your apartment?
Some leases, management clauses say no dogs.

Assuming thats all ok, most small dogs would suit, I wouldn't advise anything too high energy with a toddler or you'll be in trouble:D
Have you thought about Shih Tzu, Yorkie (not the ones advertised as mini or teacup), Lhasa apso, small terrier, or their crosses?
All quite sturdy dogs, and nice size.
Also Bichon, or spitz?

What are your views on grooming, shedding? how much time do you have for exercise?

This would help narrow it down.

Its a bit more work training with no garden, but its done by many people.
Also I wouldn't rule out older dogs, 6 months plus. Some training done, may have been around children.

Whispered

I would recommend a staffy, but then I'm biased. It's great to see you being so open to breed and to the option of rescue.

I would also recommend a slightly older dog, as they would have already been house trained. House training without a garden to stand shivering in at 2 am in your dressing gown might be difficult

wolfpawnat

Thank you for your posts,

We really would love a Staffordshire BT most of all, their reputation with children and small space living. They are a beautiful animal and are always so good natured!

I am a stay at home mum, so I will walk it at least once a day, we have a dog park not too far from our home so he will have his off the lead run there, and my partner is a fitness freak and would love a dog that would go for a jog with him if possible and if not he will give it at least a 3 mile walk in the evenings.

Yes, we have gotten the ok from our apartment owner, as long as we repair any damage the dog does ourselves (only fair)

We have a small enough balcony, but I do not allow my toddler there so we were thinking of converting it to a litter area for the dog. Easy access at 4am and easily cleaned without soiling the neighbourhood.

We do not want a yappy breed as, though we have nice neighbours who are not bothered by our pet choice, we do not want them annoying them when they are trying to get their young children to sleep.

As for grooming/shedding, we hoover everyday anyway (we have messy gerbils) too much shedding would be a pain, but not a definitive factor in breed.

mymo

If you like the staffy I would email EGAR, she's on boards here and facebook (east galway animal rescue).
She has a bull breed rescue and a child, some lovely pic's on facebook. (sweetest little staffy bitch on there at the mo )
I would go to her for advice and she may have a little doggie to suit you.

wolfpawnat

mymo wrote: »

If you like the staffy I would email EGAR, she's on boards here and facebook (east galway animal rescue).
She has a bull breed rescue and a child, some lovely pic's on facebook. (sweetest little staffy bitch on there at the mo )
I would go to her for advice and she may have a little doggie to suit you.

Just emailed her there thank you, she has some beauties there We would be glad to be assessed to be owners of any of them

toadfly

Best of luck, I adopted a staff cross from EGAR in may, fantastic dog!

DBB

A Dog's Life also have a lot of great Staffies available at the min: it'd be so cool if you can adopt a Staff from one of the rescues as not enough people adopt them!
Have a look at some of A Dog's Life's dogs here:

http://www.adogslife.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85&Itemid=54

wolfpawnat

Thanks for the replies. We are more willing to adopt one than buy one as you can guarantee one from a shelter is assessed for children! (my main concern with having an active toddler!)

anniehoo

Nothing to add bar im "following" this thread...and +1 for both EGAR and A Dogs Life. Staffies are fab.....(helping ya at all?):D

DamagedTrax

+ 1 on SBT

best breed with kids by a long shot.

they do need plenty of excercise and they like rough play (but they know who they can rough play with and are so gentle with kids).

for apartment living its best to keep them on a restricted feeding schedule. it saves them needing to run out to do their "business" at random times. 1 meal at the same time every evening and they get into a routine very quickly.

i would also advise an older staff. a 2 year old bitch would be perfect with a toddler as she'd have already learnt to "mouth" without nipping.