Dog Breeds

Dogs are the most popular pet in the U.S. Some dog breeds would work fine in a small apartment.  Others need more space and might not do well living in a city.  When choosing a dog, you want to consider its personality, energy level, how much it sheds, how easy it is to train, how noisy it tends to be, and what kind of grooming is needed.  You may also want to think about if it is good with children, other dogs, or other animals.

Each Dog is an Individual

Photo by Los Muertos Crew: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-romantic-couple-holding-dogs-8230097/

Of course, all dogs have their own personality so an individual dog from a breed that does well in the city may not actually enjoy city life. Likewise, a particular dog from a breed that is best suited for rural life might adapt well in a metropolis. That being said, here are some things to think about with certain breeds of dogs living in the city.

Exercise

Photo by chepté cormani: https://www.pexels.com/photo/dog-with-ball-in-mouth-jumping-over-a-fallen-tree-trunk-3013467/

Dogs, especially large dogs, need daily exercise.  A large breed dog will need lots of aerobic exercise every day and a minimum amount of space in the home. If you can pay a dog walker, have a yard the dog can run around in, or a dog park nearby, you can definitely have a large breed dog in the city. 

Make sure your large dog doesn’t have to go up and down too many stairs to get outside. Multiple daily stair climbs might cause joint problems as the dog gets older.

Herding and Sporting Dog Breeds

Photo by Ron Lach : https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-combing-corgi-with-furminator-on-valentines-day-9985949/

A herding breed or a sporting breed of dog needs to work. So living a luxurious apartment life may be too boring for this type of dog.  They would get bored and a bored dog is an unhappy dog.  They will have all kinds of behavioral problems and be difficult to live with. They may bark or dig excessively, and they might chew on things. So if you want to have a large dog that is a sporting or herding dog, make sure you can keep them occupied and moving.

Herding dogs have been bred to gather and protect livestock.  Pet herding dogs will probably try to herd the humans they live with! Herding dogs have been described as industrious, athletic, energetic, focused, highly intelligent, fast learners, and loyal. So if you can give them the exercise and stimulation they need, they could be great city pets.  Just realize that they are high maintenance.  Shepherds, Sheepdogs, Corgis, and Collies are all examples of herding breeds.

Photo by Joshua Köller: https://www.pexels.com/photo/adult-brown-labrador-retriever-1010121/

Sporting dogs are meant to be used when hunting to spot game, get it out in the open and retrieve it. They tend to be enthusiastic, playful, responsive to training, loyal affectionate, and protective. They need to be busy, but if you can satisfy their need for activity and engagement, they are wonderful pets. Sporting breeds include Spaniels, Pointers, Retrievers, and Setters. 

Hound Dogs

Photo by Balog Krisztina: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-dog-leashed-on-daytime-3678869/

Hound dogs are a type of hunting dog that sniffs out its prey, so their sense of smell is great.  They have also been bred to howl when they see something, so they might be prone to excessive barking. There are lots of shapes and sizes of hound dogs, including Beagles, Dachshunds, Basset Hounds, and Irish Wolfhounds.

Toy Dogs

Photo by nishizuka: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-chihuahua-485294/

Toy dog breeds are often considered best for apartment living.  These are small dogs that tend to be easy to care for, although they often have health problems that larger dogs don’t have. Even if a toy dog breed is spoiled and yap and nip, they are not often dangerous and they can be very affectionate. Toy dogs include Pugs, Chihuahuas, Shih Tzu, and Toy Poodles.

Guard Dogs

Photo by Carl Adrian Barcelo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-and-tan-german-shepherd-3709026/

Are you looking for a guard dog? Maybe you want a dog to bark like crazy if a stranger comes to the door.  You want to feel like the dog will protect you in the home and when you are taking them for a walk. Cane Corsos can make great guard dogs and they are a large breed dog that doesn’t tend to need so much exercise. Other great guard dog breeds include German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Rottweiler, and Doberman Pinscher.

"Dangerous Breeds"

Photo by Gustavo Santana: https://www.pexels.com/photo/portrait-of-two-dogs-sitting-5860549/

Pitbulls, German Shepherds, and Rottweilers are considered dangerous breeds of dogs.  They are large, muscular dogs with lots of power. Many of them are trained to be aggressive. While some might be trained for aggression, they don’t necessarily have an aggressive temperament.  If they are well-trained with gentle methods and are in a calm environment, they can be loyal and loving pets. Realize that if you have a dog that is considered a dangerous breed, many people will be afraid of your dog just by looking at it. You need to be super careful with training and monitoring the behavior of a dog that is perceived to be an aggressive breed. If you rescue a dog, you don’t know how humans before have treated it and the dog may have experienced abuse.  You can provide a great environment for the dog, which could counteract these early experiences, but you just don’t know, so you have to be very careful. All dog breeds have the potential to be dangerous, but when most people think of a certain breed as being vicious, they are wary of any dog of that breed and likely to blame that dog if there is ever any issue.

Best Dogs for Families

Photo by PNW Production: https://www.pexels.com/photo/happy-mother-and-child-playing-with-their-pet-dog-7677733/

The American Kennel Club lists the following breeds as the best for kids and families:

• Labrador Retriever
• Bulldog
• Golden Retriever
• Beagle
• Pug
• Irish Setter
• Brussels Griffon
• Newfoundland
• French Bulldog
• Collie

Muts

Photo by Anna Galimova : https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-walking-his-dogs-9758201/

When you get a rescue dog, you will probably not be getting a purebred.  If you are really interested in a certain breed of dog, there are many shelters and animal rescue organizations that specialize in one breed or another. But most of the time you will find a mixed-breed dog. The shelter may or may not know what breeds are mixed in your future pet, so it is important to get behavioral information from the rescue and get to know the dog before you commit to adopting it.

What To Look For When Adopting A Dog 

Here are things to look for with any dog you are thinking about adopting:

• Why are you getting a dog? Companionship? Guard dog? To play fetch with? Know what you are looking for in a dog and make sure the dog you choose can do what you want them to.
• How much exercise do they need and will you be able to meet the dog’s need for exercise and stimulation?
• Is your space big enough for the dog you are considering?
• What type of grooming do they need and how often?
• Does the dog bark a lot? Are they anxious?
• Do they show signs of aggression?
• Can you afford all the food, medical care, accessories, training, and other needs of this dog? Does this dog have any special needs?
• Is everyone you live with or who visits you often happy for you to get this dog?
• Can you involve your dog in your social life If not, is the dog ok with being alone often?
• Does this dog need to be able to get along with other pets or children?

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