Dog recomendations for a condo?

My wifes Chihuahua would let his bladder burst long before he'd ever go in the house. True Toby probably wouldn't scare a burglar off but his barking would be an attention getter to passers by. My yellow and black labs would probably try to lick the intruder to death before ever getting mean.

 

Choose a breed and look into it to see if it suits your mood.. Most breeds have different personalities.. Although, the personalities are different from breed to breed they are not limited.. If you like Jack russells and fits you mood, you like hyper dogs, lots of energy then by all means! Condo or house it does matter! I hate when some people just let the dog run in the back yard! Dogs need to go out for walks regardless of the breed..they like to explore new territories.. Now if you are schedule is busy and don't like hyper dogs very short walks (ie completly opposite of Jack russells) look into bulldogs.. They are cute chubby dogs that are USUALLY calm and cannot be taken for long walks/running/jogging..

Don't be limited to the characteristics you read online that the breed.. Every dog is unique in his/her own way.. Visit the dog couple of times,get to know him/her first and the parents..

 

Have you seen my new puppy thread? That will make you happy about a blocky headed english lab

I agree with KC that any dog can be a great pet and companion. Regardless of size.

 

We had a Chihuahua and a Miniature Pinshcer in our condo. It was around 1300 sq ft and they did fine. Our Miniature Pinscher has a ton of energy though so lots of walks and play time are needed for something like that. Another cool small breed is the Boston Terrier. It really depends what you're looking for though, it needs to fit your lifestyle and personality. Also do yourself a favor and ignore the stereotypes that most people preach about. Each dog is different and has its own unique traits so dont pay attention to folks that know someone that knows someone that has a mean "insert breed here". There is no such thing as a bad dog, only a bad owner.

 

We have two Jacks. They were both spazs when puppies. One is about 4 yrs old and is now extremely mellow (and overweight) and is a lap dog. The other is still a spaz and after 3 years isn't completely house trained. This guy actually jumps into the crown of our crab apple tree when going after a squirrel. When a squirrel is in a taller tree it will literally jump 6' trying to get it and then starts ripping the bark off the tree.

Both dogs absolutely love to spend hours outside and RUN. Definitely not a condo dog.

 

And that's why I mentioned jack's are not good for condos.

S10, I agree with you to a certain degree about each particular dog being of a certain demeanor, but when you know a certain breed needs a lot of excersize, then maybe one of those isn't the best idea for a condo.

It's like looking for an algae grazing lionfish. You are going against the grain trying to find one. Ok maybe that was a bit too extreme, but it's funny.

 

English bulldogs are some of the best dogs all around! Once you own one you will never own a different breed. Love my bulls!!! .

 

Oh I totally agree with the people who class a breed by the amount of energy and excersize they need, most of those facts are spot on. What I meant by the stereotypes was just simply the temperment. Alot of folks claim certain breeds are mean, stubborn, not trustworthy, loud, etc. Those asumptions are simply not true. The personality of the dog is as unique as any of us, you never know. I will always say that if your dog has a quality you dont like or if you cant trust your dog its due to being an ignorant owner, not due to the breed of the dog.

 

Yeah, that's my first response too. But sometimes traits are bred in for generations and it is something you can't undo with most dogs of that breed.

Try teaching a lab to not go in the lake

My Brittany is a pointing dog. As such, she will stay within a couple hundred yards of me. Now, getting her to stay within 15 feet of you is another thing. For that a lab would be better. We have an acre, and she knows the boundaries.

Now you get guys that have "pointing" labradors. That is a totally bogus gimmick. Labs are flushing dogs, if you want a pointer, get a pointer.
Trainers teach their dogs to point, but they have no idea what they are doing, beyond making their master happy. It's undoing the "go in and get it" trait that has been with the breed since forever.

Unfortunately some breeds that have been used for fighting get that bad trait into their genes.

It's hard to undo what a dog does instinctively.

 

I have to put my vote in on a Bulldog. And an extra vote on getting a dog for a rescue. Also don't get a puppy. They are cute for a couple of months, then they are a dog. Getting a dog that is a year old or older means they will be housebroken, socialized and are less likely to gnaw on the furniture.

Generally, a Bulldog needs little exercise. They make a great couch potato companion. They are people dogs. Mine will play fetch across the room 3 or 4 times, then decide he's had enough. He will go on a walk only with another dog. Then when he has decided he has had enough, he will stop and sit. He won't budge until you head back to the house. When I bring mine to the dog park, he makes sure to greet every person there, and has little interaction with the other dogs. They make a good watch dog, and a horrible guard dog.

But they also have their drawbacks. Mainly medical. Do not get a Bulldog if money is in short supply. Expect to become close friends with your vet. That's not to say that every Bulldog will have issues. But when my Gus walks in the vet office, it's like Norm walking into Cheers. All the vets, vet techs, receptionists come to greet him. They also have a short life expectancy of about 10 years.

My wife knows, and agrees that we will always have dogs. And they will always be English Bulldogs. And will always come from a rescue.

PS: DO NOT get a Bulldog if you are a neat freak. They do drool, especially if they see you eat something. They also do shed. A Furminator comes in real handy. Also expect snoring and killer farts.