Small Dog Breeds For Small Homes
Posted on August 31, 2009
Filed Under Apartment Living | 9 Comments
Just because you live in a small home or apartment doesn’t mean you can’t have a dog. There are many small and toy breeds that make excellent pets for small homes. But even small dogs like variety and exercise, so it is important that you are prepared to spend time with your dog, take her for walks and ensure that she gets the best care. Once you have made that commitment to yourself, you can choose which breed of dog is most suitable to you and your lifestyle.
Small dog breeds make the cutest puppies, and one of the cutest small dog puppies around is the Maltese. This popular small dog breed generally grows to no more than six or seven pounds in weight, and has a beautiful white coat. The Maltese is a very ancient dog breed and has a strong constitution, though it should not be kept in very hot areas, due to the thick coat. The Maltese enjoys walks and is very playful. A great companion if you want a lively little pet and will enjoy the grooming chores.
Another delightful long haired small dog breed is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This lovely small dog is as courtly as its name and weighs about twice as much as a Maltese. The King Charles is a friendly and sociable small dog, well known for giving a lifetime of loyal attachment. This is the ideal dog if you prefer to lead a quiet life.
Top of the line in long haired small dog breeds is the Lowchen, as long as you enjoy spending long hours brushing, and don’t mind the hefty price tag. The beautiful Little Lion’ dog can cost around $1000. A true indoors dog, the Lowchen is no exercise fanatic but owners have reportedseparation anxiety’ to be a problem, so don’t get this dog breed if you are away for long hours every day.
If you want a pet with a shorter coat, try the Miniature Fox Terrier. This lively little dog will need lots of exercise, and appreciates having a collection of toys. Fox terriers can be yappy, so your pet may need to go to obedience school if she annoys the neighbors. This is a healthy and low maintenance dog breed, suitable for the owner who just wants to enjoy having a pet without all the grooming fuss.
A more sleek and elegant short haired pet is the Italian greyhound, and if you want a pet that enjoys exercise, this is the dog breed for you. Owners report that the Italian greyhound is a very well behaved dog, but prone to stress, so it is not a suitable pet where there are small children. This dog breed grows to a height of about 15 inches but is very lightweight – around 5 pounds.
The Welsh corgi is one of the classic small dog breeds, and very popular with Queen Elizabeth II of England. They will be popular with you, too, if you want a playful, affectionate pet. The Welsh corgi comes in two breeds, the Cardigan and the Pembrokeshire. The Pembrokeshire is smaller and more popular than the Cardigan, but both make faithful pets for small homes.
Finally, there is the ultimate small dog breed for apartment living – the toy poodle. Naturally popular in Europe, the toy poodle is somewhat high maintenance regarding its fluffy coat, but a surprisingly undemanding pet. Toy poodles love to play and appreciate having their own toys, but they are easy to train and adapt to their owners. Like most pets, the toy poodle prefers company to being left alone, but if you spend a lot of time away from home, perhaps you should think twice about getting a pet anyway!
Copyright © 2006, Ian White
Watch the video related to dogs for apartment living
Mimi is a delightful calm four month old spayed female Chihuahua puppy who was abandoned at the Baldwin Park Shelter on May 12th. Weighing perhaps 6 pounds this gentle girl loves to snuggle with people. She will grow up to be close to 10 pounds, and she will make a fantastic purse dog. Mimi will complete any family living in either an apartment or private home! Mimi is in Kennel 210.
Help answer the question about dogs for apartment living
Dogs living in dog-free apartment, what can I do?I have absolutely terrified of dogs and therefore live in a dog-free apartment complex. However, for the last 2 months or so I had been hearing a dog bark periodically somewhere on my floor. I thought it was my imagination when one day while I was waiting for the elevator, a guy stepped out from the elevator with two huge dogs. My legs went weak and I almost fainted, but somehow I still managed to ask him if he lived in the complex with dogs and he said 'yes.’ I confirmed with the apartment manager that they still have a no-dogs allowed policy in place and asked him to find out what's going on. However, it's been two weeks and I still haven’t heard back from him. I followed up twice but he said he’d look into it. I heard the dog bark again today and turns out the guy does actually live on the same floor as me. If the manager refuses to do anything about the situation, what other options do I have to ensure compliance with the policy? Who can I get in touch with to get this situation resolved? Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!
About Author
Author Ian White is founder of Dog-Breeders.biz. This extensive online directory includes listings by private breeders, kennel clubs, and occasional hobby or family breeders. Those seeking dogs can locate and match with appropriate breeders. Dog-Breeders.biz automates the matching of dogs for sale with puppy wanted entries, with daily email notifications to all parties. Post Free Pure Bred puppy wanted ad online”
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9 Responses to “Small Dog Breeds For Small Homes”
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Small dogs and small children are a bad mix.
Reputable breeders of small dogs will not ever place their puppies in a home with small children. Nor will reputable rescues.
I suggest if you must have another dog get a larger dog.
It does not go by breed, rather by individual dog.
You would do well to go to Animal Services, the Humane Society or SPCA to see if they have a dog the size you want who is known to be o.k. with cats.
I have 6 dogs at the moment, all the same breed, 3 are fine with cats and the other 3 would try to "desqueek" any cat they get ahold of.
Strictly an individual thing – get a mature dog you know will tolerate your cats.
Miniature Schnauzers, Corgis, West Highland White Terriers, Scottish Terriers, and Pugs would fit the bill. Keep in mind Pugs shed something heinous though. Corgies can go over the 25 pounds but they're stocky, low to the ground dogs so they don't look as heavy as they really are. The Corgies and Scotties seem to be the least popular with the backyard breeders and millers, so tend to be of better temperments and have fewer health issues than the Schnauzers and Westies on average. I had a Mini Schnauzer as a kid, and I was allergic to everything, but she didn't bother me. The vet recommended the breed to us. She was yappy when strangers came over though. Scotties, Westies, and Schnauzers will all require regular trips to the groomer.
Jack Russell Terriers are often described as a dog in need of an exorcism. Pomeranians are adorable with huge attitudes but are also notoriously difficult to house train, plus they're fragile dogs. Some people love them but I wouldn't have either one.
There are dozens of breeds that fall into your size catagory, thos are just the ones I have personal experience with.
In that price range, the only place you should go is to a rescue. http://www.petfinder.com
A well-bred dog will be closer to $1500 for a companion animal. For $300, you should be able to get a temperament tested healthy dog from a rescue group.
You should also remember that small dogs are usually very yappy, which does not work in an apartment very well. Unless you can committ to lots of exercise and training, a larger, quieter dog would be better suited to an apartment.
GL!
Here's an adorable young Chihuahua Mix: http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=13114886
An 11 month old gorgeous MinPin: http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=11854389
A sweet Yorkie Mix: http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=12530642
A fun little Shih Tzu: http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=12674675
I had a shihtzu growing up, sweetest dog ever. They do require grooming & brushing but really have the sweetest disposition. They are quite possibly the cutest puppies.
Boston Terriers-http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/bostonterrier.htm
Schnauzer-http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/miniatureschnauzer.htm
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel-http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/cavalierkingcharlesspaniel.htm
Pug-http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/pug.htm
French Bulldog-http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/frenchbulldog.htm
West Highland White Terrier-http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/westhighland.htm
Pembroke Welsh Corgi-http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/pembrokecorgi.htm
Italian Greyhounds-http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/italiangreyhound.htm
Whippets-http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/whippet.htm
Man small breed dogs are not good with children, because they are so small they are always on the defensive from children who like to pull ears, tails, and just generally irritate the hell out of a little dog.
As far as growing up with a kitten – if both animals are young and introduced to the house at the same time – usually they grow to be great friends .
Do not go to pet shops – there are hundreds of GREAT dogs at shelters all over the country. Usually these pet shop dogs are products of puppy mills – have a bad gene pool and are in the end very sickly. A mutt is always your best bet – you get a varied gene pool – a dog that wants to be loved bc it was abandoned.
Multipoo. They love children
Here you can get the perfect dog like you ask, it can sit around for more then 8 hours with no care. You need to contact the kennel called amazon.com and they are only 219.99
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