Easy Retriever Training

Living in an apartment is extremely difficult lifestyle if you are someone that loves dogs. Those four-legged little companions are not all suited for apartment living. Just because some dogs are too big or too busy for your apartment, it does not mean you can’t have any dog. You just need to know which dog breeds are better suited for your situation. Once you know that, then you can pick your puppy and get started. There are several factors that will determine which dogs are able to deal with living in an apartment. The best dog breeds for apartment living are Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Greyhound, French Bulldog, Bulldog, Basenji, Havanese, Boston Terrier, Biewer Terrier, and Shih Tzu. These dogs are not only small (most of them), but they are quiet and polite and do well in smaller spaces. As I looked around to see what other blogs and authorities said about the best pups for apartments, I was shocked to see that there were a few mentioned that I totally disagree with. For example, I absolutely do not think that the Mastiff, Chihuahua, or American Eskimo Dog should live in apartments. I will explain why not a little bit later. Among the things you need to consider when looking for the perfect apartment dog are dog size, exercise needs, shedding potential, and friendliness with other people. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel The position of this popular breed may have varied a little from person to person, but the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel made every list I came across. There is no question that this dog is the number one dog for apartment living. These little pups hit the scales at between 15 and 18 pounds on their heavy days. It does not take a long walk to tire out these little legs. A quick walk in the park and then your Cav is ready for a Netflix binge session with you on the couch. Don’t forget the doggy treats. Bichon Frise I believe the Bichon Frise is not really number two… The Bichon is more like 1.2 on this list. These little puffs of adorableness are total people pleasers. Their mission in life is to make you happy. They are smaller (topping the scale at around 15 pounds) and they do not shed. However, they are not actually hypoallergenic.[1] These dogs seem to be the ideal "youtuber" puppy. They are picture perfect. I mean, look at this picture. They look like the perfect stuffed animal--but they are real! Greyhound Photo by Enzo Muñoz on Pexels.com This dog is one that really surprised me. I was shocked to see such a large dog get so much praise for how well they do in apartments and other small spaces. As I did some more reading, I found that these dogs are either going full-speed or sleep-speed. Despite being so large, the Greyhound is happy to just lie around and kick on his dog bed—especially if you are chilling within sight. The one thing you need to consider before getting a greyhound for your apartment is the need to go full-speed sometimes. If they get a really good exercise session once a day, they will be good to just lie around as soon as you get home, and it will take them a while to recharge their batteries. Greyhounds do not bark very much, but they can be a little more difficult to potty train French Bulldog I have several friends that have French Bulldogs and they do well in the apartment lifestyle. They do not have huge exercise needs like the Greyhound. These dogs do very well with visitors and are not vocal like the Chihuahua or Yorkie. Your neighbors will appreciate this characteristic above all others. Their popularity is increasing every year in the United States, and part of that is how well they do in small spaces. The next generation does not live in big subdivisions with huge backyards. Bulldog This is the Frenchie’s favorite cousin. Although he is a little bit bigger, Bulldogs have also mastered the art of doing nothing and being happy about it. The best thing about these short-legged apartment dwellers is the fact that a brisk walk for them will not be a difficult task for you. It is quite easy to make sure you bulldog gets enough exercise. You don’t have to be able to keep up a fast paced-jog for several miles like you might if you owned a German Shorthair. "I can be lazy with the best of you" One thing to keep in mind when it comes to bulldogs. They have those adorable little noses. Those noses, while cute, come with some health risks. Allergies and breathing problems can be dangerous for these pups. Hot weather is also problematic because the bulldog is not able to keep himself cooled down like dogs with larger noses. This makes the bulldog a perfect option for an airconditioned apartment or studio. Basenji When we talk about dogs that do not bark, there is not a single breed that can best the Basenji—because this dog literally cannot bark. He does not have the larynx for it. Really. They can only yodel every now and then. That will be such a unique noise coming from a dog, that you might find that your dog becomes a party favorite when you get your friends to come over. Another benefit to these dogs is that they have an independent personality that helps them do well if you are not around all of the time. I don’t think any dog should spend a lot of time alone, but, if you do get a little busy, these dogs handle it a little better than a Golden Retriever or Labrador. However, if they get too bored, they will find something to do—like renovate the carpet for you. Havanese Have you noticed how many of the dogs on our list are little? It is something to consider when you are already scrimping on space in a small apartment. This little pup maxes out at only 10 pounds. As their name suggests, the Havanese comes to us from the capital of Cuba and they do really well in the apartment settings. They are very good at entertaining themselves—as long as they have an audience. Their coats require some maintenance, but a trip to the groomer every so often will help you keep it under control. If you are willing to regularly comb your pup out (my wife loved combing out our Shi Tzu when she was pregnant with our little Grace), then you can let the Havanese’s coat grow a little longer. Boston Terrier Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Pexels.com Boston Terriers meet almost every requirement I can think of when it comes to apartment living. They are small and have a very happy disposition around other people (if socialized correctly) and animals. The one concern I have about placing one of these dogs in an apartment situation has to do with my own personal experience with them. With only one exception, the Boston Terriers I have known were very vocal. Can you imagine your little terrier barking at every person that walks up and down the hall to get to other apartments on your floor? That could make the neighbors ask for a new “no pet” policy! Biewer Terrier The Biewer Terrier (pronounced “beaver”) is the little cousin to the yorkie. However, this little guy is not as vocal as the yorkie. It also gets along better with other people and animals than its cousin. The Biewer is a very intelligent and devoted roommate that will make every dog-lover smile when they come to visit you. They stand less than a foot tall at the shoulder and only 6-8 pounds on their heaviest days. They come with a long, tri-color coat. Biewers have only been recognized as a breed for 40 years or so. As things move more and more towards smaller living space, don’t be surprised if this breed quickly gains in popularity. Shih Tzu Photo by Lucian Potlog on Pexels.com We owned a Shih Tzu for a while and there were so many things that we loved about that dog. I already mentioned that my wife did not mind brushing her out. So, her coat was long and beautiful. Originally, this breed was placed in the palaces of different Chinese dynasties. They got used to staying indoors and being well taken care of in those poshy circumstances. She was really good with our brand-new baby. In fact, there were times when she would just stand guard and watch over her. The fact that these dogs don’t get much over 10 pounds makes them another great little dog for your little space. BAD Apartment Dogs As I was reading about what other dog owners have said about their experiences with different breeds in apartments, I was surprised to find a few breeds mentioned and potential dogs for apartment living. MastiffChihuahuaAmerican Eskimo Dog These dogs provide a great example of what characteristics you should look for in a dog if you live in an apartment. 1) Size. 2) Noisy. 3) Energy level. Other people make a big deal about whether or not the dog sheds, but I don’t think that actually matters as much. If can live in a large house and not like dog hair all over your furniture. At the same time, if you don’t mind leaving the house and bring some of your dog with you, then it doesn’t matter how big your place is. Mastiffs are massive animals and in living areas that are tight on space, these dogs will knock everything over as often as you are willing to set it back up. Chihuahuas, are small dogs and will fit in your apartment just fine. However, they are the poster-child of little dog syndrome and they will bark at every noise coming from the other side of the door. American Eskimo Dogs are small and do not bark as much as a chihuahua, but they have so much energy that you will need to spend a lot of time with them outside burning off that energy so that they can settle down. Once they do settle down, these dogs have a relatively fast recharge rate. By that, I mean that they are ready to go fairly soon after getting inside. [1] There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. There are dogs that do not shed their hair (like a poodle or a bichon), but the hair is not the only thing that people are allergic to when it comes to dogs. Hair is not even the thing that most people are allergic to. Most people are allergic to the dander (dead doggy skin cells that sluff off in the air). Anyone that tries to sell you a “hypoallergenic” dog is more interested in your money than they are worried about your allergies.

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