What is the significance of a dog for a person? For most people, she is a wonderful friend and an excellent companion. Usually, small and beautiful dogs of decorative breeds are chosen to live in a city apartment, although there are exceptions.
Why are small breed dogs mostly kept in apartments? They are simpler in content. And the joy they bring is no less, and sometimes even more, than their larger counterparts.
So, how do you choose which is better?
You should not think that only small dogs such as lap dogs or the already mentioned pugs should be kept in apartments. Greyhounds and Great Danes, despite their size, thrive as homebodies. But important: only in company with the owner! And you need to take long walks in the fresh air with dogs of absolutely any breed.
And yet, when choosing a pet, you should not make the breed the main criterion for selection. You need to choose your four-legged friend with your heart . Who knows, maybe a dog found on the street will bring more joy than its purebred brothers.
Questions to ask yourself to decide which breed to choose:
- What character should a dog have?
- What is the owner's character?
- What is the family's financial situation?
- How much free space is in the apartment?
The following factors should also be considered:
- Vaccinations . You can't do without them. There are no dogs that do not need to be vaccinated to eliminate the risk of infecting people.
- Walk . Dogs must be walked. At least 2, and preferably 3 times a day. Moreover, one of the exits must be long-term.
- Training . Whatever the animal is, small, medium or large, smooth-haired or long-haired, they all require training and learning at least basic skills.
- The importance of safety goes without saying. Untrained, uncontrollable dogs, in whose company people fear for their lives, are not suitable for keeping in an apartment.
Let's move on to the list of suitable breeds that can be kept in an apartment.
The best enclosures for dogs and puppies in an apartment: how to make them yourself cheaply and with high quality?
Top 5 home
Yorkshire Terrier
The weight of this pet is only about 5 kilograms. They are very willful, so they are more difficult to train than other small breeds. They are moderately curious, active, inquisitive and sociable. By nature they are hunters.
A terrier can bring joy to all family members, because he is so cute! With proper care, such dogs can be called hypoallergenic. By the way, after he has been washed, the dog needs to be given hairdressing services - dry his fur and comb it. From time to time you need to cut it.
The structure of this dog's fur is similar to human hair, so it is suitable for allergy sufferers.
Popular Yorkies have good health. They live on average 14-16 years. Often their age reaches 20.
Chihuahua
This is the smallest dog in the world. These pets are suitable for active owners. They are inherently loyal, active and cheerful. But they treat strangers very badly and are jealous of their owner.
The main differences of this small breed are endurance, courage and loyalty. They live on average 15 years, but up to 20 are not uncommon.
Affenpinscher
You could say. that they are model pets. They behave well and also adapt to the characteristics of their owners. They have a very pretty appearance, but this does not negate their willingness to protect their owner and their hunting disposition.
French Bulldog
They are cheerful in temperament and have a sharp mind. They love children and have a very kind disposition. These dogs are suitable for almost everyone. They will support you in difficult times, and on the contrary, they will cheer you up if they see that the owner is in a great mood.
Jack Russell Terrier
This dog has high jumping ability. It is not suitable for inactive people and the elderly. You need to raise her like this: you shouldn’t spoil her too much, because... This dog chews on a lot of things.
How to choose a dog for an apartment
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a dog as a pet. Please pay attention to the following points:
- choose the size taking into account the area of the premises, for example, for small studios you should not give preference to large dogs;
- evaluate your own temperament and lifestyle - some breeds need regular physical exercise and activity;
- the time you are willing to devote to your pet;
- the presence of small children in the family;
- allergies to wool in family members;
- the dog's tendency to bark;
- cleanliness of the breed representatives.
Even before choosing a puppy, it is worth calculating whether you can provide your pet with everything necessary. Keeping a dog requires financial expenses - expenses for food, veterinary support, treats, toys, and ammunition.
Calm
Pug
Do you spend a lot of time outside the home, most often at work? The Pug is a great breed for these types of people. But they are very happy to show attention to them, and will respond to the owner with very strong love. They are not discouraged in the absence of the owner, and sincerely rejoice at his return.
These dogs also love to be trained. These dogs are ideal for living with older people .
Plus, they look like plush toys come to life! But in fact, they are wonderful, affectionate friends who, moreover, are friends without any self-interest.
But do not forget that dogs of these breeds have problems with the cardiovascular and digestive systems, they do not tolerate heat well, and prefer peace and long sleep to active rest and long walks. They also actively snore and suffer from flatulence.
Mastino-Neapolitan
Welsh Corgi
This is a wonderful, compact dog even for a one-room apartment. Corgis get along well with children and other animals and are suitable for inexperienced owners : they quickly remember commands and do not fight.
They do not require any special care: they need to be combed a couple of times a week, bathed once a month.
Pekingese
Basset Hound
He is very smart and curious, flexible, sociable and loyal. Most often he gets along well with other pets. He can cheerfully climb into the car, play with everyone at a picnic, and then lazily sit with his family in front of the TV.
Who to choose: a boy or a girl dog?
What to look for when choosing
Before you get a dog, you need to evaluate the conditions in which it will be kept. Don't forget that an improperly kept pet is much more distressing. Which dogs are best to keep in an apartment, and what feature is considered the most important?
Size
There is an opinion that with small-sized pets and medium-sized dog breeds there is less hassle, but the size of the animal does not have an initial meaning . Decorative animals sometimes require tireless care, while a large pet does not cause problems. True, having a dog like a Great Dane or Shepherd in a small apartment would be irresponsible - the dog should have its own place where it and the household members will not disturb each other.
Character
Calm dogs are preferable for apartments, as they do not cause trouble for neighbors. The character of an animal largely depends on upbringing , but some breeds require a lot of space to play. In addition, for living in the city, it is better to choose pets that can easily tolerate loneliness, otherwise they will bother the neighbors with constant barking and howling.
When answering the question of what kind of dog to have in an apartment, you should take into account the owner’s lifestyle. Elderly, conservative people are better off choosing pets who will happily spend time on the couch, while active people need a companion for fun walks.
Wool
Most pet owners have to get used to a certain amount of fur in their home. The only exception is “naked” pets. Short-haired dogs lose hair in the same way as long-haired dogs, and the hair can be prickly and get stuck in clothes, causing a lot of discomfort.
The “woolen” selection criterion is important when there are allergy sufferers among the household. The situation will be saved by hypoallergenic dogs for apartments - animals from this category do not have a thick undercoat, so they are less likely to cause unwanted reactions. With proper care of the animal, intense hair loss will disappear in the off-season, and with regular combing, the discomfort is minimal.
Features of the body
If we talk about which dogs are suitable for an apartment, it is worth remembering that many animals have anatomical features that should be taken into account before getting a dog in an apartment. Some dogs have increased salivation , so drool will be everywhere, which will cause special difficulties in a small apartment. Others have a special structure of the nasopharynx, so they often snore in their sleep - this can cause serious inconvenience for those who are used to sleeping in complete silence.
For apartment owners who work a lot and are rarely at home, unpretentious dogs - they only need to be bathed, fed and walked from time to time. Many small animals are difficult to place in this category. Pets with long hair need to be brushed often and make sure that hair does not get into the eyes, and “naked” pets require a lot of clothing, and before each walk the dog will have to be dressed in overalls or a coat.
Price
If the owner of the animal is going to take part in exhibitions , he will have to buy an expensive purebred puppy, and do not forget that funds will also be needed to maintain such a pet. In other cases, you can find inexpensive breeds, and sometimes get a puppy for a nominal price .
The healthiest
According to breeders, dogs can only become healthy with a very caring and sincerely loving owner. But there are some breeds that have very good health.
Australian Cattle Dog
They live a very long time. Of course, for dogs and in the hands of a caring owner. Approximately 12-13 years or even more. If the size of the apartment allows, she will become an excellent friend for a very long time.
Bichon Frize
This breed is valued by dog breeders for its attractive appearance and friendly character. But these dogs require thorough care. Their average life expectancy is 12-16 years. But when pets live up to 18 years, this does not surprise anyone.
English Springer Spaniel
These pets are very affectionate and active, and do not tolerate separation from their owner very well. Life expectancy ranges from 10 to 15 years.
Continental Toy Spaniel
They also have an average life expectancy of 15 years, but there have been cases of longer life. This breed is characterized by playfulness, mobility and good health.
Japanese Chin
Their average lifespan is about 14 years. They have a very unique muzzle structure and small dimensions, which makes them suitable for residents of even small apartments.
Absolutely not
- Caucasian Shepherd, weight 45-70 kg, height at withers 64-72 cm
A domesticated service breed that has found application in the army, military security forces, and hunting. With improper upbringing or attitude, it can perceive children or the owner as enemies, bite, and bark. The breed is too dangerous if the owner does not have the proper experience.Although, if you adopt a shepherd into your family at an early age, it will be easier for him to adapt to the conditions of the apartment and its residents.
- Husky, weight 16-27.5 kg, height at withers 51-60 cm
It would be better suited for a home, or better yet, for a huge house with a garden area. The husky will simply destroy the apartment: - Central Asian Shepherd Dog, weight 40-50 kg, height at withers 60-71 cm;
- Alaskan Malamute, weight 39-56 kg, height at withers 58-71 cm;
- Greyhound
Huge long-legged hound dogs. The breed was bred by man to hunt rodents, rabbits, and small animals. Although they are trained to obey humans, their level of activity is simply prohibitive. Dogs always want to run, walk, and chat with their friends. At home it will be difficult to keep such a spinning top.
- Tibetan Mastiff, weight 64-82 kg, height at withers 61-71 cm;
- Anatolian Karabash, weight 41-64 kg, height at withers 71-81 cm;
- Saint Bernard, weight 50-91 kg, height at withers 61-71 cm;
- Estrela Shepherd Dog, weight 41-64 kg, height at withers 71-81 cm;
- Pyrenean Mastiff, weight 55-75 kg, height at withers 71-80 cm.
Smart
Papillons
Of the dogs of this type, the smartest and kindest, and also the most odorless , are Papillons. They became popular during the time of Henry III. And gradually they earned the status of lap dogs of kings and queens.
They won the hearts of royalty not only with their pretty appearance, but also with their devotion and high intelligence.
Golden retriever
These dogs are very beautiful and affectionate towards their owners and other pets, with whom they get along well. They are trusting and friendly.
Dachshund
This breed can be described as brave, even-tempered, energetic four-legged friends. A number of owners say that these dogs even have a sense of humor and expressive facial expressions.
Of the obvious disadvantages of this breed: very loud barking . Therefore, it would be better to visit quiet places with her, for example, walk with her in nature. She is easy to train. Possible drawback: She doesn't like strangers.
Poodle
In addition to being strong, active and very stylish, poodles are well socialized. They are very easy to teach new skills and even some of them imitate their owners.
Basenji
Many dog breeders say that the Basenji is a cat in the body of a dog, because dogs of this breed love cleanliness, but hate water, love to watch others from high places and are very curious!
It is of average height 40 - 43 cm and weighs up to 12 kg. They communicate well with children. Short hair does not require complicated care: it is enough to comb the animal once a week and bathe it every month.
These little nimble dogs need a lot of physical exercise and warm clothes for the winter, plus this dog is difficult to “manage” due to its proud and stubborn disposition, so beginners should not buy it.
Due to the structure of the throat, Basenjis cannot bark, but they can communicate in other ways: howl, squeal, grumble and even meow!
Collie
These Scottish Shepherds have no aggression at all. But they closely monitor their “flock” (even if they are people). Collies try to avoid conflicts, but always protect their pack. He gets along very well with children - he considers them his pack.
Very long walks and high activity are required. Therefore, this breed is not suitable for busy people and/or those who live in a small apartment.
There are also kind and affectionate breeds that are problematic to keep in the main part of the apartments. This Newfoundland . They require a large space, so both they and the owners will only be comfortable in a private house or large apartment. It is better not to have them in small apartments.
Should you adopt a mongrel or animal from a shelter?
Adopting a mongrel or an animal from a shelter is a very noble deed, but it is better to take a dog for a child only from trusted kennels. The character of mestizos is not predictable, and an abandoned purebred pet needs special attention and long adaptation.
In both cases there is a high risk of aggression or cowardice. An animal with an unhealthy psyche is difficult to train and often attacks its owners, so it is better to avoid such increased danger.
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Which don't bark
There are few of these among indoor “types” of dogs, but there are still:
- Basenji . These dogs don't actually bark, instead they... purr or howl if they're allowed to. True, this rumbling can also be very annoying. It is advisable to keep this pet in a relatively large apartment.
- Bichon Frize
- Or Chinese Shar Pei . His puppies are very attached to their owner. And it usually barks either during play, or when the owner is in real danger.
- English bulldog. Despite the terrifying expression on their faces, these dogs are actually very cute. And, of course, they will not irritate their owners by barking.
- Irish Setter.
- Cane Corso.
- Chinese Crested.
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
- Other breeds are not particularly suitable for apartments. a Bullmastiff, St. Bernard, Mountain Dog, Afghan Hound, Akita Inu, Deerhound in a private house or in an apartment of a sufficiently large area.
But these doggies will delight you with their vocal abilities:
- Beagle,
- Border Collie,
- Brussels griffin,
- Weimaraner,
- West Terrier,
- Drathaar,
- Jack Russell Terrier,
- York,
- miniature pinscher,
- American Cocker Spaniel,
- Collie,
- Kurzhaar,
- Maltese,
- Pekingese,
- Pomeranian Spitz,
- Poodle,
- Russian toy terrier,
- Samoyed husky,
- Dachshund,
- Fox terrier,
- Miniature Schnauzer,
- Chihuahua,
- Shih Tzu.
The smallest
Decorative dogs are suitable for small apartments. The smallest animals are those with a weight of 2-5 kg and a height of 28-35 cm.
Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are the smallest dogs in the world. As adults, they weigh no more than 3.5 kg, and the recorded minimum for this breed is 450 g.
Despite their modest size, Chihuahuas are real badasses. They easily attack even a pit bull, so it is recommended to walk them in public places only on a leash.
Features of caring for a Chihuahua depend on the length of the coat. Long-haired individuals are bathed once every 1-2 months, and short-haired individuals - once every 3-4 months.
Yorkshire Terrier
The average weight of a Yorkie is 1.35-3.2 kg. This energetic pet is very friendly and sociable. He happily gives his love to all household members, including other four-legged animals.
Yorkies are picky eaters and often suffer from allergies. When feeding them, it is important to avoid sudden changes in diet and monitor the reaction to all new foods.
Pomeranian Spitz
Fluffy “bells” have excellent guard qualities and a very loud voice. Despite their dominant character and courage, their maximum weight is only 3.5 kg.
To care for your orange's coat, you need an impressive arsenal of tools and a lot of free time. For this reason, many Spitz owners prefer the services of a groomer.
