Choosing the Right Dog for Apartment Life

A listener writes, “I was wondering what type of dog fits best in an apartment.  Does it depend more on the size or the type of dog?” Like most interesting questions, this one can best be answered “It depends.” What it depends on is the subject of today’s podcast.

Apartment Living

Urban furniture and appliance stores offer “apartment-sized” versions of all the standard equipment. Petite refrigerators! Itty-bitty sofas! It’s easy to assume that the best apartment dogs are the scaled-down models, too. Indeed, size may be a make-or-break issue, because some landlords and co-op boards limit tenants to dogs under a set weight. But if your options are open, start by thinking about how the dog’s activity level intersects with what kind and amount of exercise you can comfortably provide. Consider sociability and noise sensitivity as well.

A Word About Dog Breeds

First, a word about breeds. The dog that every other apartment dweller seems to have may or may not be right for you. I’ll be mentioning a few breeds; that I don’t name the hundreds of others doesn’t mean you should rule them out. Or in. And full-bred dogs are in no way superior to mixed breeds, except that they make convenient reference points. Finally, generalizations about breeds are just that. Upbringing and individual variation make a huge difference, for good or bad.

How Zippy Is That Dog? How Zippy Are You?

Let’s start with activity level. That includes physical and mental exercise. The suburban backyard is way overrated as an exercise source — the dog put out in the backyard often just stands there waiting to be let in again. Many apartment dwellers can meet the needs of an active dog. Do you have access to a large, safe off-leash area? I’m not talking about a quarter-acre dog run here, but a space big enough for a dog to play fetch or really cut loose and run. If so, are you willing to take the time to teach your dog to come reliably when called?

What if you don’t have access to such a space or can’t see yourself using it, but your heart’s set on an athletic dog, such as a Rhodesian Ridgeback or a Pit Bull mix? In that case, be sure you can provide aerobic exercise in other ways — a dog sport such as agility or flyball, for instance. Less formally, you can jog with your dog, play tug, and arrange play dates with compatible dogs.

If little of that seems workable, a small dog may be easier to exercise; but remember the terriers, and don’t assume that “small” equals “placid.” Conversely, the world holds many a large-sized couch potato. Rescue Greyhounds are notorious for being just that. Another good choice: adopt an older dog. He may have lost his home because his owner died or got sick. Job loss and foreclosure send many nice animals to shelters these days, too.

No matter how active you are, some working dogs are generally ill-suited for pet-dog life. Among these are the so-called field-bred Labs and Retrievers, and working lines of certain other breeds. 

Mental Exercise

Take into account mental exercise, too. That includes not only training but interactive puzzle toys and food-dispensing toys. How much mental exercise can you give? Many smart, bored dogs come up with ways to have fun on their own — couch eating, shoe stealing, and unrolling the toilet paper are just a few possibilities. When a client’s neighbors complain that his dog barks all day long, the first cause I look for is boredom. (Of course, these problems aren’t limited to apartment dogs.) If you don’t see yourself providing much mental stimulation and need a low-mental-maintenance dog, leave the Jack Russell Terriers and Border Collies to someone else.

Sociability

Next, think about sociability. In an apartment building or a condo complex, your dog will be meeting your neighbors, their friends, their children, and their pets. You may be better off if you avoid the guarding breeds, such as Rottweilers and Akitas. Also think twice – or more — about the flock guardians, for example Anatolian Shepherds. Be cautious, too, of any breed whose standard includes terms like “aloof,” “pugnacious,” or “reserved with strangers.” Sometimes these are code for “Once I’m grown up, forget having your takeout delivered.” Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Pugs are generally friendly dogs, as are Beagles and many Labs. Responsible shelters and rescue groups evaluate their dogs’ behavior and will help you make the right match. I also recommend that anyone looking for a dog read Sue Sternberg’s book Successful Dog Adoption. Its clear guidance in choosing a family pet emphasizes friendliness.

If you’re buying from a breeder, ask a lot of questions! A high-quality breeder will happily tell you how she carefully socialized her pups, and she will help you choose the one who’s right for you. If the pups’ mother is unfriendly, go elsewhere for a pet.

Noise Sensitivity

Noise sensitivity isn’t often mentioned as a factor in choosing an apartment dog. But how a dog reacts to noises from the building’s hallway or the sidewalk out front hugely affects his quality of life and yours. In my experience, terriers of all kinds and Mini Schnauzers commonly get agitated even when neighbors pass the apartment door. Many blow up barking every time the doorbell rings. Herding breeds —Collies and Australian Shepherds, for two – can run to the visually sensitive, but my general experience is that they have an easier time learning to settle down after a few barks.

All the standard behavioral evaluations done at good shelters include noise sensitivity. You can also try clapping your hands or dropping your keys while a dog is looking away from you. I wouldn’t rule out a dog who responded with some startlement. But if a barking frenzy ensues, that may be a dog who has a tough time with your intercom buzz. As for those puppies at the breeder, studies suggest that puppy behavioral tests don’t predict adult personality very well. This is where your careful early training will come in.

There you have my starting points for answering the question “What makes a good apartment dog?” Whatever dog you choose, remember that fun, affection, and dog-friendly training are part of the answer to that other crucial question: “What makes a good person for an apartment dog?”

Your questions and comments help me prepare future episodes. E-mail me at dogtrainer@quickanddirtytips.com, or phone 206-600-5661. Before I go, here’s a suggestion: my friend Grant Barrett’s radio program, A Way with Words, at www.waywordradio.org. Lexicography on the radio – yeah. Till next week!