Looking for a Dog Breed
 

My wife and I are looking for a good dog breed that fits our lifestyle. We both work, have no kids, and live in our own condo in the city. So we're looking for a dog that doesn't require a ton of space for exercise. We would also be first-time dog owners. My other requirement is no girly-dogs so no pugs, poodles, bischon frises, etc.

Our ideal would be an English bulldog since they are have low exercise requirements and make great companions. However pups from a breeder range from $1000-$1500.

Anyone with dogs have any suggestions?

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

A Lab if it wouldn't be too big.

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

Did you read his post? He wants a dog that doesn't require a ton of exercise, pretty much the opposite of a Lab.

Look at a Basset Hound. They are pretty cool, not too feminine, and they have no problems with chilling out for days on end. They aren't too bright, which is probably a good thing if you just want a companion dog, as they won't be challenging your dominance etc.

Cheers,

Swede

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

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My other requirement is no girly-dogs so no pugs, poodles, bischon frises, etc.

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I think you're selling the poodle a bit short. granted, in its show cuts it looks rather ghey, but when it has a normal coat, a standard poodle is a pretty cool looking and very nice dog.

my two cents.

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

If you subject a dog to this lifestyle--being alone a lot, not getting much exercise--you are a tool in my book.

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

I recommend a welsh corgi. They are very smart, personable, and virtually never bark. They need excersize like any dog, but I don't think they need an inordinate amount. As for cost, I think a show-quality one would be pricey, but in the corgi world occasionally a generic anomaly pops up called a "fluff" (or longhaired, according to some). Fluffs are not showable, so you can get one with good breeding for cheap - the only difference is a longer coat and possibly floppy ears.

My folks went through a serious of bad dog experiences until my mom did some research and decided to get a corgi. Its was by far the best dog they had, and they now have a second one.

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

seconded

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

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If you subject a dog to this lifestyle--being alone a lot, not getting much exercise--you are a tool in my book.

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Sorry to hear about your book. Just being realistic and finding a dog breed that fits us. I know we're not the only couple in the world that works and doesn't have a big backyard. I never said I'm going to neglect the dog, I just don't have a backyard that a dog can run around in.

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

Thanks, I'll look into the Corgi.

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

get a cat.

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

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get a cat.

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Hate them

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

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My other requirement is no girly-dogs so no pugs, poodles, bischon frises, etc.

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I think you're selling the poodle a bit short. granted, in its show cuts it looks rather ghey, but when it has a normal coat, a standard poodle is a pretty cool looking and very nice dog.

my two cents.

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This is true. Standard poodles are wonderful dogs, and pretty sedate, but still wouldn't be appropriate for condo life I don't think. A smaller poodle might be, but those are obnoxious.

I recommend a daschund (sp?). They're small dogs, calm, cute, and seem to be popular in urban centers from my experience.

Also, if you aren't willing to shell out $1000-1500 to a breeder for a dog you should perhaps reconsider. That's a reasonable price for one, and the ongoing expenses are going to be significantly higher over its lifetime anyway.

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

Ugh, cats are infinitely "more feminine" than the tiniest yappy dogs.

How much exercise do you think the dog will be getting? For instance, there's a big difference between taking it out once in the morning and once at night for a quick poop, and taking it running 3 miles with you in the morning and doing a brisk walk with the wife at night.

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

I've had pure-breds and mutts.

Mutts are better,check out the pound please.

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

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Mutts are better,check out the pound please.

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Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

i recommend a welsh corgi, they're cute, very easy to train, not sure about the exercise though.

plus being on cowboy bebop = awesome

http://rfblues.aaanime.net/Characters/Ein2.gif

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

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I've had pure-breds and mutts.

Mutts are better,check out the pound please.

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Seconded.

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

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I've had pure-breds and mutts.

Mutts are better,check out the pound please.

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Elaborate, please. I'm also considering a dawg and would love an excuse not to shell out $500 for one.

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

seriously. don't get a dog. get a goldfish or something. dogs need space. they need the outdoors. dogs that are confined to condos without much access to regular outside excercise are basically status symbols. if you love dogs, you wouldn't subject it to this. if you don't love dogs, but want the status of having a dog without being able to provide it with its basic needs, then you are a tool.

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

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How much exercise do you think the dog will be getting? For instance, there's a big difference between taking it out once in the morning and once at night for a quick poop, and taking it running 3 miles with you in the morning and doing a brisk walk with the wife at night.

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Somewhere in the middle. The biggest consideration is the space issue, I know some dogs just need the space and get restless, yappy, etc. when they can't run around. We have a decent-sized place but it's no house in the 'burbs.

I'm thinking at least two walks a day, more on the weekends and when the weather is nice.

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

Pure breds often have genetic defects, because of what amounts to inbreeding. Mutts' don't.

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

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seriously. don't get a dog. get a goldfish or something. dogs need space. they need the outdoors. dogs that are confined to condos without much access to regular outside excercise are basically status symbols. if you love dogs, you wouldn't subject it to this. if you don't love dogs, but want the status of having a dog without being able to provide it with its basic needs, then you are a tool.

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Who said anything about not providing it with basic needs? Can someone who lives in a condo/apartment not provide a dog with basic needs? Again, I'm asking which type of dog would be suitable for a city environment.

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

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seriously. don't get a dog. get a goldfish or something. dogs need space. they need the outdoors. dogs that are confined to condos without much access to regular outside excercise are basically status symbols. if you love dogs, you wouldn't subject it to this. if you don't love dogs, but want the status of having a dog without being able to provide it with its basic needs, then you are a tool.

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your way overreacting

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

I don't know where you live, but whereever it is, investigate local Dog Parks (some places call them Dog Runs). They're great for the dogs.

I have a Belgian Shepherd/Border collie mix, but we live in a house. He's a 100% indoor dog, but we do make sure he gets plenty of exercise.

Rob

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

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Pure breds often have genetic defects, because of what amounts to inbreeding. Mutts' don't.

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Properly bred purebreds shouldn't have those problems (or have them as often), and you can get the papers or info or whatever from a reputable breeder. But what they do have - thanks to inbreeding - is certain favorable characteristics, such as intelligence.

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

a lot of mutts are also a lot less tempermental.

when you go ahead and factor in the cost, and then look at t he fact that your local pound puts 500-1000 dogs to sleep every month, there should be absolutely no reason for anyone to ever go to a breeder. if you love dogs, you should consider keeping one from getting killed, not overpaying for a couple pieces of paper that say your dogs parents are brother and sister.

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

http://secure.terrificpets.com/image...5102220424.jpg

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

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Pure breds often have genetic defects, because of what amounts to inbreeding. Mutts' don't.

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this is not true. i always pick pure breds. that way, you can pick one that fits your temperment requirements and lifestyle. if the breeder is large, you can often get pretty specific regarding barking, aggressivness, intelligence, etc of each line they have. most arent this big though.

i vote a small, yappy dog. a bassett is too big IMO. you need a dog under 20#. only a dog that can get tired running around a couch is appropriate for a condo. you never take a dog out as much as you intend to.

and say goodbye to your DINK lifestyle. get used to rushing home after work to let the dog out. no more str8 to happy hour or dinner after work. no more spontaneous trips to the beach or new orleans or whatever.

and you should never EVER pay more than $500 for a dog. you can get a pure bred w/o having to shell out show dog type prices. anyone that plays $1k plus is vain or not knowledgable IMO.

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

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seriously. don't get a dog. get a goldfish or something. dogs need space. they need the outdoors. dogs that are confined to condos without much access to regular outside excercise are basically status symbols. if you love dogs, you wouldn't subject it to this. if you don't love dogs, but want the status of having a dog without being able to provide it with its basic needs, then you are a tool.

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No.

Not all dogs are the same. Some require a great deal of excercise and space, and are in fact completele unsuitable for apartment life. Greyhounds, pointers, setters, many hounds, and many other breeds are examples of dogs not suited to city/apartment life. In fact there are breeds that will literally go insane if they live in a small space. But to say that all dogs are unsuited for apartment life is simply wrong. There are many breeds that live very happily in a small space, and in fact prefer to not go outside much at all.

My sister is a vet tech at an animal hospital in Chicago. When a puppy recued from owners who were abusive through neglegt was recovered and needed to be adopted, my sister recommended me & my wife to adopt her. The vets reviewed our living conditions and interviewed us before considering adoption. It wasn't even our idea in the first place. It was, in fact, the vets who had to convince us to adopt the dog. Not becasue there were no other potential parents, but becasue the vets felt the dog's quality of life would be best in our care.

At the time, we lived in a 550-sq ft condo in Chicago's west loop area. We had no yard, no fenced in area where the dog could run, and no immediate plans to move. Anyone who lives in the area can attest that there is precoius little green space. The vets decided that this environment was best for the dog.

Now, to be sure, having a dog is a much bigger responsibility than most people realize. They need excercise, attention, love and play. They need other dogs to play with in many cases. We were fortunate to have a car, and were able to drive to a big dog park in the nearby west suburbs (only a 10 minute drive) several times per week, where Kita could run until she was ready to drop.

Our dog is a miniature American Eskimo. This breed is not a high-excercise breed, but it is also not a sedentary one either. She does need excercise. But we make adjustments in our lives to make sure Kita is happy & healthy. For example, even as I write this, Kita is having an all-day play date at Dog's Day Inn. She loves it there, and when she comes home she is tuckered out and sleeps for a day.

I'd have more to say, but I want to go get my dog.

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

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and say goodbye to your DINK lifestyle. get used to rushing home after work to let the dog out. no more str8 to happy hour or dinner after work. no more spontaneous trips to the beach or new orleans or whatever.

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This is so very true. I thought I knew it when we got Kita, but I didn't. I used to get a beer until 7:00 on Fridays with the gang after work. Not anymore.

I'm not complaining (usually). But it is important to realize that having a dog is a big responsibility.

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

English Stafordshire Bull Terrier

Some pics of our own found here.

Google for more info...


Adam

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

It's always a risk, but mixed breed dogs generally have good temperaments, and you can get a good idea of a dog's exercise requirements from it's physique. I'm a bleeding heart I suppose, but I suggest your local SPCA. You can always "trade it in" if it turns out to be a horrible pet.

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

Who said a pugs are a girly-breed? I've got a black pug named Rufus and that little dude kicks butt. Pugs are awesome apartment dogs, too.

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

MINI PIN!!! or a big one!! i luv them and pits i have a pit right now but have always had a dober

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

english bulldog
theres no other choice
if you find a quality pup for 1000-1500, let me know where
warning, vet bills can start to get pricey over the life of the bulldog.
btw, pugs arent girly dogs!! id like a pug as a companion dog to my bully, thats if i cant find a nice bully pup

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

http://img163.echo.cx/img163/4083/16e40ug.jpg

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

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My wife and I are looking for a good dog breed that fits our lifestyle. We both work, have no kids, and live in our own condo in the city. So we're looking for a dog that doesn't require a ton of space for exercise. We would also be first-time dog owners. My other requirement is no girly-dogs so no pugs, poodles, bischon frises, etc.

Our ideal would be an English bulldog since they are have low exercise requirements and make great companions. However pups from a breeder range from $1000-$1500.

Anyone with dogs have any suggestions?

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Greyhound. They're the world's biggest lap dogs. They sleep like 18 hours a day, and a couple of walks a day is perfect for them. Plus they look fkn cool. End of thread.

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Great lap dogs, extremely friendly, perfect size for a condo (the size of a cocker spaniel), little exercise is necessary, and they generally have long lifespans. They are somewhat expensive, however, usually ranging from $1200 to $1500 for a purebred.

If you're worried about the money aspect of it all, then why don't you go to a nearby animal shelter to find a dog that suits you and your woman? Not only would you be saving another life, but you should get some satisfaction out of knowing that you've made this world a little better. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

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Properly bred purebreds shouldn't have those problems (or have them as often), and you can get the papers or info or whatever from a reputable breeder. But what they do have - thanks to inbreeding - is certain favorable characteristics, such as intelligence.

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this is basically opposite of what ive learned abouts dogs

Re: Looking for a Dog Breed
 

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Who said a pugs are a girly-breed? I've got a black pug named Rufus and that little dude kicks butt. Pugs are awesome apartment dogs, too.

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seconded