Guest Anonymous Posted November 1, 2003 Posted November 1, 2003 okay, i am looking to get a dog, and i have no idea what i kind of dogs would fit into what i need. i need a dog that is medium sized, because i live in an apartment, and a big dog probably wouldent like that. i need the dog to be fairly quiet, or only bark as a warning, not just freeking out all the time like my moms pomerianian. i would prefer it be somewhat strong or tough in appearance. one that wont destroy my house while i am at work, and will take well to training. i have written down some names of dogs that i have looked at so far that i think might be good for what i am looking for, and i am very open to suggestions. i would love to hear anyone elses opinions. the dogs i have looked at so far are: american pit american staffordshir terrior blue heller? (might be too hyper) basset hound manchester terrior bohimian spotted dog boxer (fawn) bull boxer bull terrior english bulldog mallorquin bulldog pug shar-pei greatdane (brindle (fawn) (harlequin) <--i know they are huge, but they are such beautiful dogs.... if anyone has any other suggestions, warnings or just general comments, please feel free to reply, it would be most appreciated. brando Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted November 1, 2003 Posted November 1, 2003 DO NOT get a blue heeler (although heller is more appropriate for some) unless you are prepared for A LOT of heck for the first year! the most hyper dog i've ever seen, hard core attitude if you don't approach training in THEIR style, bred to work 6-8 hours a day, unless you have a farm and cattle i would not recommend a heller to anyone as a "pet", working dog yes, pet no. Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted November 1, 2003 Posted November 1, 2003 Please do not get a dog based only on looks... I know you have other reasons for choosing these breeds as well. But do not get a Pit Bull, or any other bully breed...because they look tough. They don't just look tough, they can be tough to own as well. Not because they are a bad breed, but they need a lot of exercise, training, attention, some people will give you a hard time for owning one (friends and family sometimes too), they are smart as whips and need to stimulated. This pretty much goes for any bully breed. Great Danes though huge do and can make good apartment dogs! Some questions for you though.... What sort of training do you want to have to do? Just the basics? or more? What kind of time will you be willing to put in for exercising? Would animal aggression be a problem for you? If you get a Bully breed, do you have BSL laws in the place that you live? Do you plan to crate train? Would you if your dog does have issues with being alone in your house? Because on less you get a older dog, you will not be able to tell if the dog will do this as a puppy. How long will the dog be alone? Some breeds are not good at being left alone for hours and hours, and some are. Something to think about. Do you want a dog that is good with kids? Maybe you don't now but you might in the future... Do you want to show or do anything like that with your dog? I could really go on and on..but I will start there! Good luck and welcome to the board! And please think about adopting a dog and not buying from a breeder! I would be more then happy to hook you with any breed rescue contact information you might decide on. And if I cannot find it then someone else here I am sure will know! :wink: Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted November 1, 2003 Posted November 1, 2003 my first statement of caution would be, don't pick a breed based on looks. second, take your willingness of commitment to grooming and exercise into consideration. a basset hound and a bull terrier are just about at opposite ends of activity level and exercise needs. third, don't get a great dane. they may be mellow enough to put up with living in an apartment, but it's not fair to the animal. imagine you had to live in cramped quarters all day long and just get to stretch your limbs once or twice a day. one breed i didn't see on your list that would make a good apartment dog and fits your preference for looks would be a boston terrier. Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted November 1, 2003 Posted November 1, 2003 I can't stay logged in. But anyway, I'll give my favorite answer to this kind of post :) Go to your local animal shelter. Tell them what you're looking for in a dog, and even some of your favorite kinds of dog. A good shelter will know their dogs on a personal basis, and a placement counselor should be able to narrow down their residents and pick out a few of their dogs that best match what you're looking for. You may be pleasantly suprised by what you may find at the shelter. My choice of dog never would have been a german shepherd or a chow chow, but the dog we got is pretty much a cross of those two dogs, and I love her to death :) If you really want a purebred, try to locate some breed-specific rescues in your area, and talk to them and see if they have a dog that will meet your requirements. They may. Also, you never said "puppy," so I hope you're willing to consider an adult dog, which will be calmer, possibly trained, and will have its personality clearly presented. Good luck, welcome to the forum, and keep us updated. Amber Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted November 2, 2003 Posted November 2, 2003 i would prefer it be somewhat strong or tough in appearance. If you are looking for some kind of personal protection, the breeds of dog you chose wont offer more than a shelter dog, or a medium sized mutt. Dogs protect because that is what their instincts tell them to do. If you are the pack lead, they will protect you, by warning, barking, snarling, whatever. It all depends on how you raise and train the dog. Most dogs can be good in an apartment if you are willing to put in the necessary time to excercise and train them. That's more important then the size, or the looks...heeling and herding dogs needs TONS of exercise, Labs need less but still need a lot, Bully breeds require special handling and someone who knows how to train and control them, or have them trained professionally. ANY dog that you get, that is properly trained and treated, and sees you as the Alpha presence in the household, will protect you if necessary. That's instinctive. You may think you need a guard dog, you do not. A well handled dog will always warn you of impending danger, and protect you if necessary, even if it's only by snarling in the face of a would-be burglar. There was a show on hosted by the Chief of Police of Detroit, where he stated that burglars have no problems with electroinc alarms, security systems, camera's, all they have to do is kill the power to the house and all of these things become inopearble... They will, however, shy away from a house with a dog. Unless you have Picasso's or Rembrandts, something extremely valuable that makes it worth the risk, they will pass by a house with a dog and go somewhere with 'easier pickings".... please think carefully about why you want a dog, and what kind of dog... all dogs needs a lot of work to be GOOD dogs...and that's the most important thing of all,,,, Quote
courtnek Posted November 2, 2003 Posted November 2, 2003 DAMNIT!!!! This site keeps losing my login!!! that was me, again... Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted November 2, 2003 Posted November 2, 2003 chaos napisał(a): i need a dog that is medium sized, because i live in an apartment, and a big dog probably wouldent like that... greatdane ? :-? ? Quote
StarFox Posted November 2, 2003 Posted November 2, 2003 I agree with everyone's posts. But I realy don't get why it has to look tough or strong? What do you plan on doing with the dog? Obediance training? Agility? Have you thought about going down to your local pound and looking around instead of buying a dog? How much time do you plan on devoting to this dog daily? Do you work long hours? Would the dog be home more than 8 hours at a time? And as for the Great Dane, they are beautiful dogs but they are HUGE! And since you live in an appartment I don't know how practicle that would be. Plus my dad always told me "Big dog, big poops" :lol: Quote
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