Getting a dog..live in a flat?

DKLS

There is a very valid reason why a collie is classed as a working dog, IMHO not the best breed for a household pet, never mind living in a flat.
I would suggest picking a breed that is more suited to your lifestyle.

Edit: I have nothing against Collies at all, its just if you have been on the various dog forums, there are so many threads about "problem collies" and the rescue centres are full of unwanted collies, I think people underestimate what working dogs are capable of and the husbandry required to keep them healthy and happy.

I was brought up with working Springers and Labs, they were literally worked up to 12 hours a day earning their keep and they thrived on it.

foreign_correspondent

mrcol1000 wrote: »

Unless you live in a house miles from anywhere then the dog barking while your out will cause a nusiance whether you live in a flat or a house.

yes, but in a house you may share one, or at most two party walls with neighbours - in a flat you may share two or more party walls, plus have adjoining flats connected to yours via the floor and the ceiling - overall there are likely to be far more neighbours who can hear your dog bark...

UKTigerlily

emlou2009 wrote: »

a friend of mine lives in a flat with a dog and i wouldnt recommend it at all. she has a sh1tzu and he is so bored, all he does is pull throws off the furniture, wee everywhere and acts generally very naughty. and thats a small dog without a huge amount of energy - imagine it with a big dog! no thank you...

How much physical & mental stimulation does the Dog get? All bored Dogs will do the above, whether in a flat or a mansion!

skiTTish

Shouldnt be a problem if you plan to take them for atleast 3 good walks a day
BUT
What if you get ill ?
There have been several times lately when I havent been able to walk my dogs and have to resort to letting them wee in the garden ( something they had been trained not to do as its gravel and will smell ) But they still hold their poos until hubby can take hem so not ideal

shoe_girl_2

If your worried about the barking mentioned in the previous posts, drop it into conversations with your neighbours and judge the reactions,

We where ok with our old gent who'd go nuts at anyone new comming into the flats he didnt know as we dont live in to great a area . We made sure though late at night and stupid in the morning if he wanted to go bananas because someone came in the close to do a big good boy or a "the babies are in bed" becuase upstairs had grandkids and he loved em to bits.

I would say though that if you go for a rescue dog theyll proberly have a good idea if he or she is going to bark the place down or not.

Our wee lady dosent like barking for some reason, when she needs to bark though theres about a good 10/20 mins of dancing about. - so you might be lucky there if look at it like that (shes fine btw, we got her checked out at the vet)