Having a dog in an apartment is possible, as long as you choose a suitable breed! You have no house, no outdoor garden, let alone a private corner outside your home, your home is not spacious and yet you dream of having a dog. No problem, as long as you respect certain aspects of your future pet’s life. We explain how …
Not everyone has a large home with a garden. However, this does not mean that we cannot have dogs when we live in an apartment. You just need to choose a breed that adapts well to a small home. In other words, the newcomer should be able to be happy in an apartment and not make your daily life more complicated, due to the small size of the place.
Discover all our tips for choosing the right apartment dog .
Not necessarily a small dog
Difficult to live with a German Shepherd , despite all the goodwill in the world. Such a dog needs spaces and above all a garden to exercise daily energy. He will be more fulfilled and happy there . So avoid all breeds of athletic dogs.
Thus, you will have to turn more to dogs like Bichons, Whippet , Welsh Corgi or a Boxer , provided that the latter comes out often enough. Going out is really the key to a successful apartment life for a dog. Whether it is small or a little larger, it will need regular contact with the outside world. If only for his needs, but also to maintain a certain sociability .
Having a dog of a larger size may therefore also be suitable. Provided that the latter has a predominantly sedentary character. A bit like the Shar-Pei which adapts to every lifestyle. No way to ask a Newfoundland to doze off all day on your living room rug. No way, despite their small size, to risk conflicts with your neighbors with a Chihuahua or a Dachshund , whose vocal cords could quickly make you regret your choice …
A dog adapted to his lifestyle
In addition to the size, the character of the dog will be important. He must be compatible with his master’s way of life . So, a sporty person will have to choose a dog that likes to run (like a Jack Russell). A calm and homey person, a dog who likes to be quiet (like a Chihuahua). Sometimes the breed is not enough to determine the character of the animal, it is also necessary to observe the puppy to know, then to question the breeder. Like humans, dogs are all different!
The dog must also be able to adapt to the whole family : like to play with children, if you have them, and to accept other animals . The best is to bring your little blond heads at the time of adoption. This will make it easier to choose your dog based on its behavior with children. You should know that some breeds particularly like children (such as bichons, French bulldogs, Cairns Terriers …). If you have other animals, it is better not to opt for a breed of dog predisposed to hunting (such as Terriers for example).
An essential presence
In fact, the size of your apartment is not the main criterion. The absence of a garden also. The sine qua non for adopting a dog in an apartment is the time needed to devote to it.
Your dog will not be able to do without you to leave the building. He will not have the leisure to stretch his legs on your terrace or in a non-existent garden. You will need to take him out regularly every day, and not just for his needs. In addition, the lack of space will make your dog more sentimentally sensitive. He may be more stressed and seeing you by his side will reassure him.
A house dog needs more , to have social connection . Outside, and even between your walls, where you won’t hesitate to play with him.
When traveling , you should take your dog with you as much as possible . If your work allows it, this is a significant plus. This is a parameter to take into account before welcoming your pet into your home.
Apartment cleanliness
Your dog will therefore not benefit from a garden to get out quickly in case of an urgent need. Cleanliness in an apartment is learned as in a house. Initially, do not hesitate to take your dog out quite often. Don’t wait for him to urinate on your apartment floor. If that were to happen, don’t punish him .
Clean the floor, having taken care to put your dog temporarily in another room, so that he cannot analyze it as a game. By dint of patience and rigor (regular outing times), but also of compassion and attention, you will know how to educate him correctly.
The best breeds of apartment dogs
Some small breeds are better suited than others for apartment living. We have selected for you those which are easy to educate and maintain, and which the whole family appreciates:
Read also: The 10 fastest dog breeds
- The Bichon
- The Poodle
- The French Bulldog
- The Cairn Terrier
- The Cavalier King Charles,
- The King Charles Spaniel,
- The Westie …
Finally, you should know that an apartment dog, by its small size, is more fragile. It requires more care (veterinarian, grooming …) and costs more.
In conclusion
The choice of the apartment dog is not just about its size. What matters is your dog’s ability to adapt to this particular lifestyle . In any case, you will have to devote time to it, take it out, and offer it the social bond it craves.
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