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.

View the original article here

Top Five Breeds of Dogs for Apartment Living

For those dog lovers that can't see their lives without a dog and are in the midst of apartment life, there is still hope to have a wonderful canine companion to share their time with.

There are many breeds of dogs that are considered to be the top breeds for apartment living. Many are smaller dogs that are low maintenance and lower energy. Other breeds are slightly more high energy and need living space bigger than a loft or a one bedroom apartment. With this being said, here are the top breeds of dogs fit for apartment life.

Pugs are small dogs that are known for their very friendly behavior and intelligent nature. They are able to keep themselves occupied and can create their own games to keep themselves busy. Pugs are considered the best dogs for apartment life as they need very little space and have an extremely friendly temperament. Grooming needs are moderate as pugs needs to be groomed daily to remove any dirt and facial wrinkles.

Cocker spaniels are adorable little dogs that capture any dog lover's heart with their sad eyes. They are great with kids and are very mild tempered. They do need basic exercise with regular walks but are also perfectly content hanging around the apartment and lounging on the sofa or a comfortable chair. Cocker spaniels have an eager "welcome home" greeting and are loyal little canines for when you have had a bad day at work.

Bichon Frise are similar to poodles. They are extremely friendly, very loving and affectionate, and very dedicated and loyal to their human companions. These cute little canines need very little exercise and only require short walks to satisfy their exercising needs. Bichon Frise are very content and will be very satisfied and happy living their years amongst apartment life.

Lhasa Apso's are one big ball of long fur on a small dog. They typically weigh approximately 15 pounds at most and are known for being lovable lap dogs. This breed of dog typically takes care of their own grooming needs making it easier on his human companion. Overall they are very happy and good dogs making for a perfect apartment roommate.

Dachshunds are well known as a "hot dog" dog. They are small, have short legs, and a long body that resembles a hot dog. These are one of the best dogs to have in an apartment. They are moderately active and are laid back enough to not care if they don't have a back yard to run around in. Dachshunds are best with older children who will not bother then too much and are typically not suitable for younger children.

Even those these dogs have been rated the 5 best apartment dogs it is good to do your own research to find out which dog is the best fit for you. Even low maintenance dogs need a lot of love, care, and attention.

View the original article here