Choosing the Best Canine Companion for Apartment Living: Factors to Consider

With the state of today's economy, buying a house seems like a distant dream to many forcing people to choose renting an apartment over buying a house. Renting an apartment comes with many restrictions and can put a significant damper on our lifestyles, especially for dog lovers. Many apartments are not suitable for most breeds of dogs because of space limitations and restrictions set forth by the landlords of apartments. Here is a guide to follow when choosing which dog will be the best fit for you and small apartment living.

When deciding on which breed of dog would be best for your small apartment, there are many things to consider. Dogs have very different personalities and needs, just like their human companions. Some dogs are very hyper while others are relaxed and laid back. Some breeds need a lot of living space to run around, exercise, and play while other dog breeds are perfectly content living in small spaces. Aside from the needs of each breed of dog, there are other things to consider as well before choosing your perfect apartment canine companion.

When living in such a small area such as an apartment, the size of the dog does matter. Consider the size of your apartment and the type of dog you would like to get. If you have very limited space say, a one bedroom apartment, bringing home a Golden Retriever may not be the best choice. While Golden Retrievers are great companions, they don't fit well with smaller apartments and living spaces.

The energy level of the dog is another thing to consider. If you work a full time job and know you will not be around much during the day, getting a high energy dog may not be the best decision. If you know you aren't available to take your dog out on regular walks and giving him regular exercise and play time then looking into adopting a low energy dog may be your best bet. There's nothing like coming home from a hard day at work and seeing your small apartment torn to shreds because your little four-legged companion needed to release some energy.

Age of the dog also plays a very important role when choosing a dog for your apartment. There are several pros and cons to consider when deciding between bringing home an adult dog that is already house-broken and trained and a puppy that needs a lot of TLC and discipline. Take your needs and the needs of your dog into consideration before deciding on a dog.

Having kids is another important factor to consider when deciding on which dog should join your family. Some dogs do not have the temperament or patience to be around children, especially young children. Some dogs are very patient and can handle the pulling and tugging of their tail or rough house play. Many breeds of dogs aren't that patient with children. Take this into consideration to avoid a possible bite or nip.

While dogs make excellent pets for many people, apartment life may not be the best environment for certain breeds of dogs. When deciding on a canine companion for your apartment living, do your research and take these things into consideration before making a final decision on which dog you want to join your family.

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The Doberman Pinscher: A Loyal Breed, Excellent Work Dog, and Wonderful Companion

This article is the third in a series I am writing about working dogs. The breed I am going to talk about is the Doberman Pinscher. This dog has only been bred since around 1890, when Louis Dobermann, a German tax collector, wanted a particular breed to be both a guard dog and a companion. As a tax collector, Dobermann had to go to some very dangerous cities and towns to do his work. He needed protection. Many different breeds were used to develop the Doberman Pinscher. Some of the breeds which were used to develop this dog were the short-haired shepherd, Rottweiler, Black and Tan Terries, and German Pinscher.

Doberman Pinschers, both male and female, stand about 26 inches tall and weigh about 63 to 68 pounds. They have mostly brown hair which does not shed much. Some Dobermans may be born without any color at all and are known as albinos. There is no consensus if this will cause future medical problems. At any rate, the short hair means that shedding is not a problem. With regard to grooming, the dog is easy to care for.

The Doberman Pinscher is an intelligent breed. They like to please their masters. They make excellent family dogs and develop close relationships. However, they must be carefully and consistently trained. Firmness and consistency is essential for this dog.

Those who work often with this breed must ensure the dog understands who is boss. Doberman Pinschers are very loyal. They make excellent watchdogs and guard dogs. They are often used in law enforcement. Although they are good family dogs, care must be taken when they are around children. Sometimes they may try to defend themselves if there is sudden movement. But I think this might be the case with any dog that is around children. The important thing is to provide close supervision for children when they are around dogs of any type. Then they will be safe. If the dog shows any agitation, it is time to intervene and remove the dog from the area. Safety is always the most important thing.

Generally speaking, Doberman Pinschers are healthy. But they can develop a certain spinal condition where the spinal column becomes suppressed and fused with the neck vertebrae. In older age, these dogs may develop a blood disorder called Von Willebrands Disease. Obesity in later life is also a problem.

Doberman Pinschers are excellent dogs. They have many outstanding characteristics as work dogs and as companions. They make excellent family dogs with some reservations for children. They are very loyal to their masters. I would recommend this breed to anyone.

Bob Solley

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