What kind of dog makes the best apartment pet?

shih-tzus, they don't bark.

there is a website that allows you to choose a dog based on your personaility and amount of time you are at home, etc. try google. it is a compatibility match -- it includes apt versus house info.

It's called No-Dog ;-)

http://www.asseenontvguys.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=513

It's simple. Go to a shelter and pick the one that needs you most.

tenemental -- AMEN!

What about a Komondor?
http://www.i-love-dogs.com/dog-breeds/images/Komondor.jpg

I have a Coton. Great small but not too small, no shedding, loves to play. Never get a shedding dog. A shelter dog is always nice. I didn't get one because I had a baby and many of them can't be around small children. GL

i just adopted via petfinder.. omg- what a LOVE and now you has a new home with tons and tons of love. he is a pure breed . there are so many out there to adopt !!!

I agree with bubbles about Petfinder. We adopted our wonderful terrier from the Manhattan CACC via Petfinder and couldn't be happier. There's plenty of information on the site to help you make the right decision, and you'll be saving a life. Best of luck.

not only life but the adoption fee goes to saving other dogs.. of course i wonder if we rescue them or the other way around. anyone thinking of doing it- it's an amazing thing to do. this little guy can't give enough love!!!

Big dogs are actually more quiet than small dogs in apartments....but you'll have a hard time finding an apartment that will allow large dogs......most only want ones that are 30 lbs. or lighter.

The best way to find an appropriate city dog is to adopt one who already lives here! Stray from the Heart, Cause for Paws, ASPCA on the UES, Mighty Mutts all have great dogs who need homes. Craigs List also has some adoptions listed but beware - many are "home breeders" (just as evil as puppy mills, pet stores, and other breeders) but some are genuinely families needing to put their dog up for adoption.

For more resources, check out www.urbanhound.com

Good luck and all the best to you for doing such a wonderful thing! 8 million animals were killed in shelters last year ... giving one a home is an amazing thing!

Animal Haven is another great city shelter

We found our dog thru petfinder.com as well...she couldn't be more loviong...all 70 pounds of her. The big issue is what is your game plan for during the day, assuming you work out of home? Day care isn't cheap...

I have two Havanese - fantastic: smart, loving, funny, tough. They stay all day without a pet walker and never (well rarely) have an accident. I first had one, then got another to keep the first company. They're 12 and 11 now and they're the best.

Bide-a-wee is also an INCREDIBLE no-kill shelter. They have on-site vet care, which is free the first few months after you adopt. I cannot say enough wonderful things about Bide-a-wee.

nice to hear so many people adopt... no shortage of great places, i heard good things about north shore as well. i did not want a shedding, and boy is this little guy shedding. But who cares?????!!!! i just ordered a dust buster and furminator. Will be picking up about 100 lint rollers today. :-)

scoots- totally agree. urbanhound is a great website for general info as well
anyone thinking about it DO IT... i can't even express the emotions i felt when they handed me the dog.. he was SO scared; within 5 minutes he was licking my face!!now i feel like i have had him forever

I'm with tenemental. Pound poochies are the best.

if you have a kid with allergies, a purebred is a necessity.

I grew up with mutts so I understand the impulse to get a pound dog -- but if you're looking at purebreds, bichons, bulldogs and Great Danes (seriously, if you have enough room) are all pretty good apartment dogs, because they're all relatively inactive. Our neighbors have a lovely Shih Tzu. Cavalier King Charles spaniels are supposed to be fantastic, if you don't mind vacuuming.

You want in general to stay away from terriers, because they have an impulse to dig, and hounds, because they crave activity.

ali r.
{downtown broker}

Great suggestions above. I'd also add http://www.socialtees.com/ and the rescue service offered by the East Village Veterinarian http://www.nypeticare.com/EVVhome.htm.

On a related note, First Run Medical and Rescue is holding a benefit at 40C Bar (40 Ave C between 3rd and 4th) on June 7th between 4 and 8pm. $20 for beer, wine and food.

Ali – Great Danes are terrible apartment dogs. I have a dear friend who runs a rescue of Danes full of people (with plenty of room) who never should have had one in the first place. They are lovely dogs but they need very experienced owners. Ditto, King Charles Spaniel overbreeding has exploded since Sex & the City and they are not very compatible for most people (they are extremely needy and can’t be left alone for very long). This is not very good advice.

I would also point out that even if Riverside wants a purebred, he or she should still adopt. There are many purebred rescue groups in NYC. All one has to do is a bit of research – which is one should do before adding any new family member.

the pup i got on petfinder is a purebred. is you know the breed you want almost every breed has a rescue group dedicated to them. i have a doxie, while they are hounds they are great city dogs

And, if you must have the pedigree, there's always the irresponsible owners who buy the purebred and then realize it's not just a stuffed toy and actually requires care. They often advertise on Craigslist, although sometimes they are trying to sell to recoup some of their "investment." Far better than going to a puppy mill.

Tenemental, thanks for posting the First Run benefit. I think I'll check it out.

I'm too lazy selfish and cheap to have a dog, so compensate by reading all kinds of "which dog?" and dog-training books. Might work for you, too.

Quite a few people who think they're not cat people end up happily with a cat.

Although I do appreciate dogs, let me second NWT's endorsement of cats as a very unerrated perfect urban pets. I don't know where some of the myths abouts cats evolved, for example that they are aloof and independent, but whoever believes that never met the crew that doesn't leave my side except at nap or meal time. Cats are affectionate, playful (especially when they are young but I have a 9 year old who destroys toy mice with abandon) and face less discrimination in housing than dogs. Are they perfect? Of course not, they come with cat hair, there is the litter box and since declawing is barbarious, the best efforts of my decorator's creativity and my wallet are being somewhat compromised. But one 10 degree and windy/snowy night when I was finally getting home and one of my neighbors was taking their dog out for the mandatory walk I turned to my doorman and said "That is why I have cats!"

Cat owner here, too.

I think their personality depends on when you get them. I've had my two since they were six weeks old. I've always cuddled and played with them, and they've grown into affectionate adult cats who -- believe it or not -- talk and respond like dogs.

Cats are some of the lowest-maintenance pets, too. Just feed them the best food you can afford, get them one of those waterfall electric watering dishes (they really do encourage the cats to drink more, which is a good thing), use the silica gel litter crystals (no dust to get into their lungs or their tummies), and buy yourself a good vacuum for the cat hair.

A bonus: mice really can sense when a cat is in an apartment, and will move onto the next apartment.

Actually Matt, I adopted my cats as adults and they are are mush balls. When you adopt an adult cat and you work with a shelter or rescue group such as City Critters or Bide A Wee, they will work with you to find a cat that has exactly the personality you are looking for. Unfortunately, the supply of homeless cats, including those who have grown up in homes but have been surrendered or abandonded, in New York is endless.

scoots, the Dane owners I know (admittedly only two) both say that Danes are fine in an NYC apartment as long as you don't have anything at tail level where the windshield-wiper effect can get it -- it's not like I recommended that someone get a boxer or an Afghan hound, for heaven's sake.

I hadn't heard about the King Charles Cavalier overbreeding, that's a real tragedy. But I have to say every time I ask attendees/breeders at Westminster for their list of apartment dogs, that's a breed that always comes up.

In general, I would recommend that anyone who wants a purebred go to the Westminster Kennel Club dog show (held annually at the Garden around Valentine's Day) and talk to the breeders and owners, who are fundamentally there to promote their breeds.

ali r.
{downtown broker}

lizyank, it breaks my heart to hear about abandoned pets.

A pet is a LIFETIME commitment!

Ali - In general, I would recomend that anyone who wants any dog to please spend time at a shelter before spending time at the Westminster Dog Show.

What's your activity level? If you're an outdoor kind of person, always active, a lounge-around dog won't fit your lifestyle very well. And if you're a couch potato, an active dog won't work.

There are active and less active dogs in all sizes. Size isn't as important as a dog that fits your life. And yes, shelters have all kinds.

Be willing to spend the time and money. Dogs aren't cheap. Vet, food, shots, care, etc. And the time must be there. Three walks a day and an hour of exercise is minimum. And that 6am walk in February when it's cold and rainy isn't easy.

Best thing in the world is a dog. Loyal, loving, and always giving. I will avoid the wife versus dog flame war here...

You might want to try baby-sitting a dog -- any dog -- for a week, just to see what's entailed in practice rather than theory. There're always friends or neighbors who want to unload the dog while on vacation. Sort of like those deterrence programs where teenagers have to take care of a kid for a while.

We adopted two abandoned cats years ago. Loved them to pieces. Then, post 09/11, my daughter contracted asthma and the doctor said they had to go. Do you have any idea how hard it is to place pets? In the end we (happily, I might add) offerred one of the more understanding rescue organziations a large donation to place our beloved cats.

I tried to find a rescued purebred Yorkie, but couldn't do so. We were not going to break the family's heart again by trying a pet and then having to give it up.

Good advice, NWT. On a related note, every person I know (and I have known many) who has attempted fostering dogs has ended up dropping out of the fostering program because they fall in love with one of their charges. As a cat owner I also second cats as wonderful city pets, although at least in my case they still don't fill the dog-shaped hole in my heart.

Danes are actually fine for an apartment--most breeds are. It is the OWNER who may not be right for a particular breed. If you can exercise a retriever 2x a day for an hour at a shot and find a way for the dog to run free and be happy, then a retriever can be fine in an apartment. If you are away 12 hours a day and can't do more than walk the dog to the sidewalk and back, then obviously the dog isn't right for you.

Breeds require different things in terms of exercise, have varying health care and dietary needs, and some are more independent than others. These are not "apartment" issues. They're owner issues.

Danes are relatively sedentary. A little exercise twice a day is enough. Around the house they tend to mostly laze around. But they also tend to have extraordinary health care issues and bills. Getting a dane an MRI is expensive--and you'll have to do it at some point for some issue. Getting a sick Dane to the vet is even more complicated. Babysitters for a Dane can be an issue and you won't be travelling much with it to most people's homes. These are the issues to consider when selecting a breed.

You have to be realistic about YOUR LIFESTYLE and the TIME commitment you are willing to make to the life you will be responsible for nurturing.

Cats are great. And they're, for the most part, easy. Our cat isn't so fond of us since we got the dog, and routinely knocks things off tables, sideboard, etc. for the dog to destroy. I am certain the cat knows exactly what she is doing. The cavalier king charles is a wonderful dog for a family.

kylewest, great post. our yorkie is just like a toddler. i'm ready, willing and able but it is a tremendous amount of work to run around the apartment tossing small stuffed things (although the toilet paper roll works fine as well) back and forth to make her happy.

Kylewest...the last sentence of your post should be mandatory on all pet adoption and (alas) sales contracts. And yes, puppies and kittens require much of the same patience and tolerance as amall children. If you prefer a little more peace and decorum in your home consider adopting an adult dog or cat.

Kylewest is 100% spot on. It all depends on your life and activity level. Our vet told us that any dog can be happy in the city as long as the owners understand the dog's exercise and socialization needs.

Some people thought we were nuts for getting a Golden Retriever in the city. But since we have an extremely active lifestyle, have her walked several times a day while we are at work, and take her to the "country" almost every weekend... we are a very happy (and fit) family!

lizyank, our yorkie is an adult. i'm still running, it's an attention thing.

Weimeramers are lovely but CRUEL for NYC. They need to not just be walked, but RAN for MILES every day. Unless you jog along the river with that dog every day, you are plain CRUEL to have those long-distance hunting dogs in NYC. They always look so crazy because they are cooped up. The AKC website says that literally you cannot possibly walk this breed enough to give them the exercise they need if you live in a city, and says city-dwellers should not get them period. yet I see so many in Manahattan!

Reality is that keeping a dog in a small Manhattan apartment is just cruel - that's true for any kind of dog. On top of that most dog owners treat their dog(s) as part of their family. Second mistake - just watch the Dog Wisperer.

I agree with HT1, plus in nature dogs hang out in packs, so you're not meeting THEIR social needs by isolating them.

a tasty one....

"Reality is that keeping a dog in a small Manhattan apartment is just cruel"

"in nature dogs hang out in packs, so you're not meeting THEIR social needs by isolating them."

Compared to the cramped kennel at a shelter, struggling on the street or death, a small apartment with a loving owner, a full bowl, 3 walks a day, trips to the dog run and cozy time in the evenings is paradise.

If you buy a dog and therefore contribute to their overpopulation it's a whole other story.

HT1 - This is inaccurate. Loving dog owners provide wonderful families for dogs in need of a home. Our dog clearly prefers the city to his country weekends. He is incredibly social - loves the dog run (which he visits twice a day), loves meeting neighbors in the elevator and even loves his doormen. Many dogs in New York have fantastic lives. As many posters have noted - it is all about their owners' dedication and lifestyle.

why does every post go off on a ludacrous (sp) tangent ?????

"keeping a dog in a small Manhattan apartment is just cruel....in nature dogs hang out in packs, so you're not meeting THEIR social needs by isolating them."

Hmmm. Lets see. If its cruel to keep a 35 lb dog in an apartment, what does that say about a 175 lb human? Relatively speaking, I'm in a space that's 1/5 as large as the space the dog is in! And, I work too much, so i'm not meeting MY social needs either!

If anyone would like to adopt me and scratch my belly, I'll be at the SPCA...

p.s. I don't shed, I don't bark, and I rarely have accidents on the floor.

And, I only bite if you like that sort of thing...

bubbles, New York is all about the journey, not the destination.

seriously people stay on topic or I will go out and buy more ferragamos to throw at you... hey whatever happened to that Iraqi journalist/shoe thrower... or can I just drop the shoe thrower... cause that's like saying stupid broker? :)

I agree with the positive cat comments above. They're a lot of fun, and I find they each have their own distinct personality. Different than dogs (though, like lizyank said, not as different as people make them out to be) but awesome in their own way.

"in nature dogs hang out..."

French bulldogs don't, haven't, never did, and never could exist "in nature." That isn't the most cogent line of thought on here. Pretty dippy actually.

Admiral.. classic.

BTW, I always considered myself a dog guy and was surprised to find I love my little kitty so much. My wife and I adopted our little Mimi from Anjellicle Cats in Hells Kitchen. Anyhow, I'm ok with small (and relatively quiet) dogs for apartments if you can give them the time they deserve with you and the outdoors.

yes, kylewest, and my very small yorkie would love to attack a badger, but it might be to her detriment now, despite her genetic makeup. and is she happy as a puppy in someone's loving arms? yes.

and should i be shot for providing my daughter with her dream puppy after having to place her cats with adoptive families? Do people realize what this meant? People came, at least 6 to 10 per each cat, to check them out and decide whether or not they would accept them. As my 8 year old daughter watched her pets being farmed out. I paid $2000 to have those older pets adopted, i seriously resent anyone telling me that i have contributed to an overpopulation problem by providing my allergic daughter with an animal she can love.

Aboutready - should've given away the kid, kept the cats. They're less expensive. Just sayin'...

asmiral. what brand of kibble do you eat??? i have two varieties

My uncle rescued a dog from a puppy mill. Her belly was so distended by years of pregnancy it dragged on the ground. Her elbows had thick callouses from years spent lying on a cement pallet, and she trembled and whimpered every time it rained because she was left out in the open. She was an incredibly sweet, affectionate creature.

I'm not exaggerating. It was that bad.

puppy mills are awful. that doesn't mean everyone who feels compelled to purchase an animal (in our case i needed a purebred yorkie) gets them from a puppy mill.

dwayne, yes indeed. the shelter for children, an orphanage i believe? do they even have such things any longer?

she's had all her shots and her obedience training hasn't been half bad. someone might have taken her.

tenemental, what does that have to do with this discussion? children in some countries are treated in grotesque ways--that doesn't mean no one should have children. part of responsible pet ownership is to purchase a pet only from reputable sellers who take good care of their animals. breeders who show dogs often are such people. they care about the strength of their lines and reputations and will guarantee their pets against congenital problems. breeders who keep the number of litters down and interview a buyer as much as the buyer interviews them are usually best. the breeders with whom i've dealt will not sell to anyone who asks that a puppy be put on a plane to a buyer, they probe to be sure the buyer understands the breed and care necessary... Anyone who purchases from a pet store or mill should be ashamed--I agree. But there are very responsible routes to go that result in healthier pets with humane beginnings.

hot dog

that is what i have!!! a hot dog!!!!!!

The problem is that a majority of puppies come from mills, and most can't be arsed to check out the breeders beyond a quick "good enough, looks all right here." On a personal level, I feel that it is patently wrong to continue breeding animals when there are so many that are killed each year due to overbreeding. Just my two cents. A lot of purebreds end up in pounds.

evnyc, well said. Considering the number of animals literally dying for homes (including purebreds, as others noted above), "producing" more of them for profit is way beyond indulgent, even if the ones produced aren't abused. kylewest, you asked what my previous post had to do with the discussion. Clearly a whole lot of people don't actually know what so often happens when animals are bred commercially. People still, amazingly, walk by pet stores and go "awwww, I've got to have him" and haven't a clue what's on the other end of the transaction. Otherwise educated people discard their once-fashionable pets. At that point in the conversation an example seemed appropriate.

I certainly wasn't trying to personalize the issue. In the post that set aboutready off, I was responding to quotes (by two other posters) without naming names.

tenemental, it's not that i don't agree mostly in theory. i knew damn well what i was getting into with a teacup yorkie (and don't start on me, i had massive guilt issues with the daughter). I got up once or twice a night to feed our baby, just like a real baby. i know all the health issues. i'm a stay at home mom, with a child who is increasingly independent but a dog who is not. i must find and pay for house sitters when we travel, who i trust, because i do not want to board these animals (have a purebred abyssinian as well, i'm going broke here for the animals) for more than one week. it IS a huge responsibility that many people do not recognize. but just because you don't adopt doesn't mean you don't recognize it. and i have found that the availability of the "hypoallergenic" purebreds in the pound is little to none. remember Obama saying they wanted a mutt, to adopt a dog? poodles may be available, but it can be very hard to determine if a poodle is a purebred.

points taken, tenemental.

i think before people are allowed to have a dog, people should have to have a child so they can know how much work a dog will be and if they are up to the task.

"Clearly a whole lot of people don't actually know what so often happens when animals are bred commercially. People still, amazingly, walk by pet stores and go "awwww, I've got to have him" and haven't a clue what's on the other end of the transaction. Otherwise educated people discard their once-fashionable pets. "

Could you explain a bit more?
Thanks

gordoni, the abused animal I described above was a breeder in a puppy mill, and her treatment was typical. The vast majority of pet shops get their animals from such places (there are some notable exceptions, like the Petco in Union Square that houses and offers shelter animals). A couple examples of trends that led to discarded pets: After the live action 101 Dalmation movies families adopeted them in droves and breeders made a killing, then people realized the amount of work involved and many dogs wound up in the pound or on the street. A similar thing happened more recently when Paris Hilton and her pea-brained ilk popularized the blinged-out carry-everywhere miniature.

aboutready, if you and your daughter aren't 110% satisfied with her allergist, I'd recommend you try mine, Dr. Dean Mitchel. My allergies are SEVERE and include dogs and cats (I have both) and I have asthma as well (doesn't keep me from biking to crackville) and he completely turned me around. He's one of the few US practitioners who offers allergy drops instead of shots. It's the same concept of desensitization, but you take them yourself daily instead of making a weekly appointment. He's near Lincoln Center. 212-397-0157

I got my purebred through a rescue group. Sweetest dog you ever met. Surprised you don't hear about more peopel adopting Eskies. Smart too.

Riversider, since your original post? Congratulations to the both of you.

No. 3 years. My best buddy.

Was thnking about s second.(original post), but decided one is enough...

I thought that might be the case, but I let my enthusiasm get the best of me. Gorgeous day for a nice, long walk.

Don't rule out the dog/cat combo. Mine enjoy each other's company

As sweet as he is, he hates cats... Pretty much instinctive from the first time he saw one.

tenemental, thanks for the advice. as many here know our daughter's system was sent over the edge immediately following 9/11. since then we have been able to control her allergies to a large extent, and haven't had to do shots. as i'm sure you're aware, allergies can change over time, becoming better or worse, so i'll definitely take down the name of your allergist in case we need desensitization in the future.

we like her allergist a great deal, but where we really found success was with a great pediatric ENT, who set up a schedule of nasal flushing and a nasal spray that, while it contains a steroid, is much less whole body affecting than even an inhaled steroid, which i have avoided like the plague. for adults who can keep track of such things, NasalCrom is a fabulous spray, initially marketed as holistic, but now put on the drug shelves because otherwise people won't buy it. Works entirely differently than other drugs, actually prevents the allergens from entering the system, but needs to be done 3-4 times a day which is hard for a school-aged kid.

tenemental, is it true that allergy drops really help you cope with pets? My husband is extremely allergic to cats, and so we've ruled them out. However, if the drops help you, I have hope! Please advise.

Riversider- it's been a week since i adopted this sweet little baby... does he shed, yes, have a dusted, swifted ect more then then i have in a lifetime, yes. would i change anything, NO!!!!! if you can go to a shelter and just pick the one that "speaks" to you. Trust me you will find him/her. I have also met more new people in one week then in my 20 years in NYC and i am amazed (pleasantly) that many, many people adopt rescue dogs. If you can, do it!
If you would like any additional info please let me know and i will share it.
A cute little story- he is not a city dog, after one week one of his favorite activities is to walk to the trash room with me and then run back to the apt really fast!! :-))))))))

"is it true that allergy drops really help you cope with pets?"

Absolutely. I had terrible allergies as a kid (had a dog), got shots, and stopped them in my later teens. Developed them again in my 20s after moving in w/ my gf and her wonderful dog. When the allergies came back, they brought asthma with them. I somehow wound up seeing Dr. Macris on the UES, one of the most respected in the field, and when tested, shocked the office with both the quantity and severity of my allergies. Problem was, with my schedule, I could never make regular appointments, and skipping is bad in a desensitization regimen. My mom, brilliant woman that she is, read about Dr. Mitchell and the drops. He's published a book on the subject and gives many interviews. While popular in Europe, allergy drops are very rare in the US, and he's considered an authority here. When I started, he almost passed on me because my allergies were so bad I was having chest pains from the initial dosage. He dropped it down to almost nothing, very slowly built it up and they worked beautifully. My allergies are practically totally controlled, and my asthma, for which allergies were the main trigger, is typically under control. I just have to watch for symptoms when exercising or in extreme cold. As for convenience, the drops mean I only stop by the office once a month (no once-a-week-with-a-half-hour-wait like shots) to pick them up (you can also have them shipped) and then visit with the Dr. 2 or 3 times a year.

Sorry for the long-winded post, but when adults talk about fearing pets from allergies I always want to mention how this guy changed my life.

rlmnyc, don't rule anything out. there are numerous approaches to allergy control these days, most people will greatly benefit from some combination thereof. you just need to find what works.

Congrats Bubbles!!!

Indeed. Congratulations, Bubbles. Your pooch won the doggie jackpot. My girlfriend loved your story.

Thanks for the kind words, my friends have said he hit the doggie lotto, but i think we both did!!!! I totally crack up from something he does at least 3 times a day.

Thanks for the additional info, tenemental, and for the support, aboutready. I'm going to tote my husband to an allergist for drops.

Best of luck, rlmnyc, and let me know if you have any questions.

tenemental, I called Dr. Mitchell's office and they're willing to see my husband to evaluate for the sublingual drops you recommended. However, Dr. Mitchell's out-of-network on our insurance plan and therefore quite expensive. Would you happen to know of any other doctors prescribing these drops? Many thanks in advance.

A dead one?

rlmnyc, sorry, I don't. My GP had never even heard of them, and she has allergies listed as a specialty. I don't recall what I paid for the initial testing. Actually, I can't even remember my testing w/ Dr. Mitchell. I wonder if he just had my results sent over from Dr. Macris' office. That one I remember, lots of little scratches in three sessions, nearly all positive.

Dr. Mitchell doesn't accept my insurance either (no HMOs), so I pay out-of-pocket for the drops each time. Since I didn't have any insurance until somewhat recently, it was actually a lot cheeper to pay $100 for the drops each month than to pay every week for shots and an office visit as I had been. I actually get 6 weeks or more out of my drops. I totally see what you mean, though, compared to the cost of a co-pay.

Have you discussed costs with them after testing? Maybe after getting over the intial hump it'll be manageable?

Also, did you talk to Maria at his office? I think she has more juice than some other people who answer the phone and might be able to help you work something out. She's a sweetheart. Good luck.

Thanks again, tenemental. I actually found one--yes, only one--in-network provider who prescribes the drops, so I'm waiting to hear back from him about uncovered costs. I really appreciate the info.

Wow, great find. Please share the deets.

D'oh! tonyb strikes again. He's my Insider account.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/business/emotional-support-with-fur-draws-complaints-on-planes.html

Read. Post. Repeat. Nice nice.

Betty Friedan