Apartment dogs

lilac_lady

What dog breed would be considered as "apartment dogs", a phrase Americans use for dogs who don't need walking? Is there such a breed or do all dogs need a walk even if the owner has a garden?

DenBo_4

A Pug. Whatever you do, don't get Jack Russells, they ALWAYS want walking, and when they come back from a long walk their batteries are re-charged and all they want to do is play/run about! My next dog will be a Pug. Definitely.:p

WeirdoMagnet

Seems cruel to me. I would have thought all dogs need some form of exercise, even if it is only short walks. Can't be much fun being stuck in the same place, day in, day out. Even if the owner has a garden, it's still essential (IMO) for the dog to get out, be socialised with other dogs and people, and be exposed to a variety of stimuli and situations. Unless the owner is prepared to spend plenty of time interacting with the dog inside, playing training etc, I'm sure being kept in that sort of environment would lead to behavioural problems.

Kimberley

We had a dog come in once, it was a type that the owner had always carried rather then walked. When they dog was given to our rescue for rehoming, the poor dog refused to walk, so in the end the person who adopted her took her to see a behaviourist who after 2 months managed to get the dog walking, it forgot how to walk

Lazy dogs i guess are suited to this environment I guess if they dog is taking out regulary it would be ok but not ideal.

Kimberley

DenBo wrote: »

A Pug. Whatever you do, don't get Jack Russells, they ALWAYS want walking, and when they come back from a long walk their batteries are re-charged and all they want to do is play/run about! My next dog will be a Pug. Definitely.:p

My foster Jack Russel is slightly calmer then that.

mookiandco

We have 6 chihuahuas and a pug and breed both. When we hads 4 chihuahuas they lived in a flat but we would still take them out for atleast 2 walks a day. They used a litter tray lined with newspaper too. We now have a home in the country with lots of fields. The Pug loves going for long walks. She is very boisterous and full of energy, so i'm glad we didnt have her when we were in our flat.

Most of our chihuahuas would be happy if they never went outside! They are real home bodies. They have the run of the fields as they are fenced off but would much rather be curled up on the sofa or a lap. So I would definately say chihuahuas are more apartment dogs but they still need their walks, even if they have to be forced off the sofa!

Some pics of our pooches: www.chihuahuatails.co.uk

Dennis99

I think Georgina is spot on here - the only breed I can think of to fit that requirement is a cat!

~cleo~

i think any of the toy breeds would be considered apartment dogs - and i had my Chihuahua when i was living in a flat but she loves the outside and i used to walk her twice a day and i used to take her round to my mums who has a large garden and she would spend hours out there so we moved to somewhere with a garden as i dont think its fair to have any dog or cat and deprive them of outside space - i certainly wouldnt want to spend all day inside

Raksha

I went to see a Yorkie today - lovely family, regular walks, but they understood her needs, and even they said 'nobodies told her she's a Yorkie' and I think this applies to most, if not all small dogs - they are still dogs, with needs that have to be met - excercise, socialisation, training, house training etc. If these needs aren't met, you're laying yourself open to behavioural problems of one sort or another.

Sagz_2

How about adopting a oldie from a rescue?

lilac_lady

The "apartment dog" query was on behalf of an elderly neighbour. she would love a small dog but wouldn't be able to walk it everyday. She has a garden though so the dog wouldn't be cooped up inside all the time. I'm working full time but I'd walk it whenever I could.