Really wanting a dog

I need some advice on whether it would be a good idea to get a dog or not. My husband and I have always wanted a dog but we didn't think an apartment was a good place for one. We've lived in a good sized townhome for six years but it has a very tiny yard so we haven't gotten one and would like to move into an actual house before we do. But...I was looking at petfinder shortly after one of my kittens suddenly died and I absolutely fell in love with a dog at the local shelter.

I have a few concerns though especially since I have never owned a dog. My husband and I both work about 20 minutes away from home so I worry that the dog would not get enough attention and would need to get out to go to the bathroom. With such a tiny yard we couldn't keep her outside at all and it would be tough especially in the winter to make it all the way home to let her out. Also, we have three cats already and I worry about how they will get along. The cats are all great, friendly and easygoing and the dogs bio say she's ok with cats but I still worry.

Anyone with dogs have any advice? I have a huge weakness for black and white animals and I can't stop looking at the shelter's pictures of this dog. Help!

A lot of it will depend on the dominate breed of the dog - any herding dogs, especially border collies, I would avoid because it does not sound like you have the time/space to exercise it properly. If I were you, I'd go with a small to medium sized breed, avoiding sighthounds and herding breeds because of the cats and the energy level of the dog.

I have two dachshunds that live with me (will be three in the winter), and I have fostered many different breeds. When I got my first dachshund, I lived in a house, but she made the transition to an apartment just fine. My other dachshund used to live on a farm before I bought him, he also made the transition to an apartment just fine.

Breeds that I have had in an apartment:
Chi/Rat Terrier - quite barky, but once that was under control she was just fine.
English Bulldog - completely fine, other than the fact that we don't have AC. Good thing he was here in the winter/spring, lol.
Bouvier - completely fine, but required a good deal of long walks daily
Border Collie/Hound mix puppy- a bit barky, very high energy. Didn't have cats at the time, but my parents did and he would bug the cat constantly when we were there. Needed more exercise than the bouvier daily. Would not recommend.
Dachshund (foster, not mine) - short walk daily, other than that fine just running around the apartment with my dogs.
Shih Tzu/Lhasa Apso - got hair everywhere, quite barky, didn't need much exercise
Corgi/JRT mix - high energy, but only needed short walks daily - otherwise burned off enough running around apartment.

I would suggest crate training any dog you get for both the dog's safety, the cat's safety and your sanity. S/he will most likely just sleep the entire time you're gone in the crate and will be less likely to have accidents. Remember that mental stimulation can do a lot to tire out a dog as well.

Thanks for your reply The dog I am in love with is a pointer/lab mix. Her bio says that "She is a very smart loving little girl. She loves to lay on her doggie bed and sleep all afternoon and is a great cuddler. She is great in a kennel and is potty trained."

I'm not too worried about the exercise part. Exercise and fitness is pretty much my only hobby and I have always wanted a running/walking buddy so I'd take her for playtime every day when I get home. My house is a good enough size so we have plenty of room inside for her and I live in a neighborhood with tons of parks and running paths. My husband just wants a fenced backyard before we get a dog. I think our house would do just fine...I'm trying to convince him that we need to go get this dog

When I adopted my dog, I lived in a duplex with no yard, I then moved to a condo with a postage stamp sized yard.

Then I moved into my 28 foot travel trailer full time.

This is not a small dog, this is a LabXPitbull cross.
This situation is not ideal for most dogs, I just happen to have a couch potato, and it definitely helps that he's crate trained.

When I lived in the RV resorts (those that would allow him), his outside world was as long as his ten foot tether (not including his taking me for walks).

He has always been a quiet dog, well suited for apartment living, despite his size.
Quiet, though far from lazy.
He knows that outside is the place for rough play, and being loud.

Funny though, now that he has a 1/2 acre fenced yard, he's become even more laid back, not really wanting to be outside aside from doing his business.
We actually have to get out there with him and make him play and run and make sure he gets his excersize.
I'm sure that the fact that he's getting older has a lot to do with it.

Don't discount a dog's apartment suitability based on size, and also keep in mind that the larger the dog, the larger the bladder.
Large dogs can go much longer between potty breaks than small ones.
But, larger dogs also need more excersize.

Crate training not only prevents a lot of accidents, but it sets up a routine so a dog is less likely to develope seperation anxiety issues.

many larger dogs may be suited for your lifestyle...

Talk to the shelter they usually note things like activity level... High indoor activity may drive you nuts but also would normally = less walking and play outside

I have a Large shih tzu 15 lbs and she runs laps around the lab and lab crosses on each side .... HIGH indoor and outdoor activity dog...

I am a pet sitter .... the saint was the easiest for a smallish space .. he only needed a couch and slobber rag... I would avoid the HERDING breeds

I have a Lab/German Shorhtaired Pointer mix. She's 8 years old now! I adopted her when she was 1 year 4 months old. Let me tell you she had energy to burn when she was younger! She's still very "lively" but also definitely a couch potato. She can run for awhile if you let her. She's a bigger girl at 90 lbs, the liver color of the GSP with the face of a GSP, but the size of a large Lab! Great dog though - very sensitive, great with my kitties....has a tiny 'issue' though. If a cat is outside she chases it. She is obsessed w/ rabbits, squirrels, birds, & pheasants. If she sees one I often have a hard time stopping her from going after it when on a walk.

Bottom line is - from your description of your living situation she'd do fine there. She happily sleeps during a workday, and often gets things to keep her occupied indoors (treat filled kongs, mind games, etc).

Thank you all for your advice I think she would be just fine...now just to convince my husband. For some reason I just can't stop looking at this dog's pictures. I love pretty much all animals but I feel like I just really need to have this one for some reason.

Originally Posted by Arlyn

Don't discount a dog's apartment suitability based on size, and also keep in mind that the larger the dog, the larger the bladder.
Large dogs can go much longer between potty breaks than small ones.
But, larger dogs also need more excersize.

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I disagree on this statement. Yes, a larger dog has a larger bladder, but it also has a larger water intake so the point is moot - a small dog will have to go out just as much as a larger dog. In fact, if I am remembering correctly, my bouvier (125 lbs) had to go out more often than my dachshunds (11lbs, 20lbs).

I was speaking in general terms earlier - yes there are some breeds that do well in small spaces despite their size, but the general rule of thumb for breeds (or mixes where there is a dominant breed) is the smaller the space the smaller the dog. I have a friend that had a great dane living with her in a bachelor apartment, she looked after one of my dogs for me when I went on vacation once and said he had too much energy - even though he was 1/10th of the size of her dane, lol.

Bottom line - there are always exceptions to the rules. The only way you will know for sure is to go visit the dog in the shelter - and bring your husband with you

You can also ask the shelter to test the dog around cats prior to you bringing him home. Usually they put a cat in a carrier and see how the dog reacts around it, if that goes well they have the cat loose with the dog leashed. That is usually the extent of the testing.

If you do get him, I would make sure that you have plenty of places that the kitties can go but the dog can't.

I have a 1.5 year old Australian shepherd mix. She and Peanut do not get along AT ALL- she wants to play with him constantly and he'll have none of it. I am lucky enough to live in a good-sized house, so we keep her on the main floor and he gets the upstairs, separated by a board on the stairs. We thought that since we got her when she was a puppy, he would teach her manners and how to treat him properly... and that didn't happen, she thinks he's a walking squeaky toy. She is incredibly energetic but also crate-trained, and she stays there while DH and I are at work with no problems. It CAN work- it may just take some creativity and engineering.

Good luck!!

Others may debate with me but I feel a dog needs a yard. You have to think about the welfare of the dog. Last winter I adopted a coonhound....no knowing that it was a hunting dog and need no only a yard but lots of acreage to run on. I live in an apartment....no yard. I walked this dog 3 hours a day and it still wasn't enough. Lost 10lbs in 4 days. This breed needs and lives to hunt. Their energy level never stops. I had to take the dog back after 4 days it was driving me nuts....it broke my heart. In the end I opted for another cat. I know cats. In working with dogs through the MO Animal Protective Association I would advise not getting one unless you go with a toy breed with a low energy level. Stay far away from hounds or any herding or hunting breeds. My sister has a Pampillon that gets on fine with my cats ....he's actually afraid of them...lol but they don't mind him.

Originally Posted by luvzmykatz

Others may debate with me but I feel a dog needs a yard. You have to think about the welfare of the dog. Last winter I adopted a coonhound....no knowing that it was a hunting dog and need no only a yard but lots of acreage to run on. I live in an apartment....no yard. I walked this dog 3 hours a day and it still wasn't enough. Lost 10lbs in 4 days. This breed needs and lives to hunt. Their energy level never stops. I had to take the dog back after 4 days it was driving me nuts....it broke my heart. In the end I opted for another cat. I know cats. In working with dogs through the MO Animal Protective Association I would advise not getting one unless you go with a toy breed with a low energy level. Stay far away from hounds or any herding or hunting breeds. My sister has a Pampillon that gets on fine with my cats ....he's actually afraid of them...lol but they don't mind him.

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My dogs are hunting breeds and have high energy levels for their size. They are actually considered high energy dogs. Between my boyfriend and I, we walk them about 10 k every day, or every other day.

It would be ideal for them to have a yard, but they do just fine with what we can give them living in an apartment.

Same case with my bouvier, the only reason I had to rehome him was because he was attacking one of the dachshunds for no reason and I didn't have the space to crate and rotate properly. He was the last to come in, so the first to go.

And please don't take offense to what I'm going to say - but that is why a lot of dogs are turned into rescue or shelters, because people don't research the breed before they get it.

There are so many different ways that people can exercise their dogs now while living in an apartment - dog parks, fenced in areas, treadmills, exercise areas, etc. Mental stimulation also goes a long way with keeping dogs tired - hunting and herding breeds especially need these if they are going to live in an apartment setting.

It's great you're considering a dog!

I would like to say not all dogs need a yard, some definately do especially high energy breeds but we don't deny someone a home at the shelter I work with if they don't have a yard, it honestly depends on the dog and how they are going to exercise the dog.

Originally Posted by nerdrock

And please don't take offense to what I'm going to say - but that is why a lot of dogs are turned into rescue or shelters, because people don't research the breed before they get it.

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This is so true. Our neighbor's dog passed away and they got a puppy from a breeder that is not only a herding dog but a high energy breed, (Belgian Shepherd), and one that needs a job. They both work long hours and are having issues with the pup already. It breaks my heart because they either did not research the right breed for their lifestyle or are in denial.

I think your best bet is to just talk to the shelter about your situation and see if it would be a good fit for your lifestyle and the dog. If the dog is potty trained well and you aren't going to be gone for TOO long at at time, I wouldn't worry too much about him/her needing to potty if we are talking about an adult dog (full grown, larger breeds can usually hold it for a while, but if we are talking being away for like 8+ hours at a time with no one home, it wouldn't be in the dog's best interest. If it's a puppy, you will absolutely have to have someone come home and let the dog potty because puppies CANNOT hold it!).

Even if the dog is good with cats, your cats may not accept the dog. I think most shelters allow you to go through a trial period to see how the dog and current family members adjust, and if it won't work, they'll take the dog back. So yeah, if your husband agrees to it, definitely speak with the shelter and see what you can work out. It would honestly be best if you could wait until you got a house with a yard, but I can totally relate to browsing PetFinder and getting your heart set on a particular pet, and then obsessing over it, ugh, that site kills me!

Thank you all for your advice. I've decided to kind of hold off on the dog thing for a while. I know that my work hours and distance from home are not really ideal for having a dog. I am still completely in love with this dog but I have decided to not really pursue it. The rescue has an adoption event 5 minutes from my work next weekend so I might go and see if she is there. I figure it will work out if she is supposed to be my dog. If not, I'm sure she'll find a great family anyway because she has the sweetest face. I think I'm just really missing the two kitties I have lost in the last year but I still have three awesome cats to keep me company

This may surprise you but Great Danes make pretty good townhome/condo dogs as adults. We have a house with a big yard but ours spend their days lounging around. They're more than happy to go for a walk with us but if we don't get around to giving them one they're fine with that. If you go with a reputable rescue they'll evaluate the dog so you know its energy level and how it is with cats.

Julie

We adopted Tulip (pitbull mix of some kind) last fall. She is everything you could want and ask for in a dog. LOVES everyone, including cats!!!! She is well behaved, ok so she has a bit of a blankie obsession, but she tries
She is happy to sleep all day and thrilled to see us when we get home. My husband fortunately keeps different shifts, so there are only 2 days of the week she is home along for any length of time.

We do have good sized yard and Tulip runs like a lunatc and also gets walks. Dogs are wonderful, but do require so much more different care than cats IMO.

I have 2 dogs. One, Missy, is a Shiloh Shepherd. Now she's almost 6 and a bit calmer than as a young dog. Of course she needs a good 2-3 mile run every day, but aside from that, she lays on the floor wherever I am and sleeps or chews a toy.

My other dog is a Maltese, Angel. She doesn't need much exercise, but can get the "Zooms" on occasion. I'd say behaivior-wise, she' be a great apartment dog, however, she is "teetering on the edge of potty training" She is an opportunistic potty girl, if you are not there to let her out, the wood floor is good. She is good in her crate, sleeps and plays with her toys. (Her crate is for a great dane)

I'd think about an older dog that has lived with cats. Older dogs have more bladder control (I don't mean a geriatric dog, one maybe 2-3 year old)If you'll exercising the dog once a day, really well, think about a greyhound. They need a good run, but are essentially couch potatoes, and the cats will have someone to cuddle with-greyhounds are very cuddly.

Hope that looooong and drawn out story helps!

greyhounds are very cuddly.

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This may be true, but they are also sight hounds and many are taught to chase anything that runs. Cats that are not used to a dog may become a game of chase. I know the resuces try to make sure every dog is tested with cats, but it can be iffy.

Originally Posted by anita1216

This may be true, but they are also sight hounds and many are taught to chase anything that runs. Cats that are not used to a dog may become a game of chase. I know the resuces try to make sure every dog is tested with cats, but it can be iffy.

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True, but a greyhounds sighting instinct kicks in when the animal runs if the cat sits and chills, the dog would have no game to play. I would without a doubt test any particular dog with the cats. My Missy (dog) chases squirrels like they owe her money, but in the house, she chases dreams since she gets enough exercise.
I don't leave Kairi alone with her simply because her paws are the size of his whole being. (Plus he tries to beat her up all the time. Obviously a Napolean complex )