We thank Sloan McKinney for this guest post on the best apartment dogs. If you would like to contribute a guest post of your own, please email us at [email protected].
Apartment living can be the ideal home environment for many people, including their pets. In these rented spaces, single people make up almost half of those living in these tight-knit communities and, of that group, over half of them are single women. Some of the best apartment dogs are, first and foremost, great companions. The responsibility of dog ownership is significant, regardless of the size of your living space or pet, both apartment living and caring for an animal has its challenges.
Best Apartment Dogs
Whether a pet owner is home often, working or attending school, keeping their dog happy and healthy should be a main priority. As the infographic below shows, some smaller breeds are the best apartment dogs, even though enormous dogs like the Great Dane can easily tolerate smaller spaces. In addition to the breeds mentioned, other good choices, in three convenient sizes, are:
PUG (small): This small, adorable breed is particularly popular amongst city dwellers and has an excellent disposition. Highly loyal and companion-oriented, look for this little munchkin to be glued to your side, following you around the apartment or napping quietly on the couch. One of the brachycephalic breeds, those with short snouts and squashed faces, they usually don’t bark much but are known to snore, prone to panting and need air conditioning in warmer climates during the summer months. Overall, the small pug is one of the best apartment dogs ever!
CAIRN TERRIER (medium): Best known as Toto from The Wizard of Oz, terriers are great pets and have a tendency to remain true and completely loyal to their sole owner. Some don’t tolerate the annoyances of toddlers and young children very well so they might not make the best apartment dogs for growing families, but they are mostly sweet, playful and inquisitive by nature. Their rough, thick, yet soft coats, will require added attention and grooming.
ROTTWEILER (large): Many might be surprised to see this gentle giant on a list of the best apartment dogs. Rottweilers are somewhat similar to the Great Dane, but these intelligent dogs also share a trait with their smaller counterparts in that they are extremely loyal. Easily crate trained, some of them have been known to be barkers so extra training may be necessary in that department.
As noted above for a “Rottie,” crate training or sequestering the dog somewhere safe during excessively long absences during work or school can be beneficial to their well-being and give the owner some peace of mind.
Special Needs
Any dog, regardless of size or breed, needs attention, love, training and perhaps, most importantly, plenty of fresh air, sunshine and exercise. Pet owners should walk their dogs at least twice a day. Whether they’re out on a daily walk or taken to the dog park to run off-leash, these outings should occur consistently and regularly.
Indoor exercise can also benefit the apartment-bound pooch. A good game of tug-of-war, hide-and-go-seek, playing fetch or keep-away with their favorite toy and treat location can really get the pet’s blood pumping and the heart rate up. Remember, always check with your vet first and ensure that exercise is age appropriate for your animals:
- The ASPCA recommends that dogs under the age of eighteen months be given limited exercise since their bones are still growing and developing.
- Younger, adult dogs need the most exercise and activity.
- Lengthy walks, hiking and running are not recommended exercises for senior pets with aging joints, cartilage, muscles and the possible onset or existence of arthritis.
Different breeds of dogs come with different personality types. Some are calm and others are more active. There are also breeds notorious for barking and howling, while others have a reputation for being quiet. If you don’t already have a dog, research common traits of specific breeds before committing to a purchase or considering adoption and see the infographic below for other important advice on the best apartment dogs.
Sloan McKinney is a journalist based in Southern California. Inspired by DeAnthony, her cat, as well as her dog, Max, Sloan now hopes to help other pet owners guarantee their animal companions happy and healthy lives.
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