Dogs

[AndrewWiggin]

I've been wanting a dog for quite a while now, and I'm thinking about buying one. I live in an apartment (about 1400 sq ft) with a roommate (he's okay with me getting a dog), and I'm a senior about to graduate and then enroll in a Master's program.

Right now my schedule is pretty laid back. I work in addition to my classes, but for the most part I have enough breaks to make it home and play with the dog. My thoughts right now are to buy a Golden Retriever or a Labrador (or maybe a Goldador) in January when I have a few weeks off so that I can spend time with the dog/train the dog.

Anyway, that's enough background; do any of you own dogs in apartments? Would you recommend a Golden or a Lab? Lastly, I'm pretty sure I will adopt from a shelter, but if I had the money, I would buy from a breeder, any suggestions on how to accomplish that?

I'm trying to put as much thought into this decision as possible because I don't want to get a dog I can't give a good home, and I'd like to take a dog out of a crappy situation in a shelter.

 

[rickboone1]

I am not sure of your actual question. Are you asking how to get a dog from a shelter? Just call and ask them. Most have a nominal adoption fee. Cheers to you for providing a good home. It is a good way to go. Depending on breed, a purebred from a reputable breeder can be $800-$1500 or more. Then you add in training and everything else.

 

[Hughies_online]

Remember its a big commitment so don't go into it likely. If you want a pure bred, I'd recommend a Rhodesian Ridgeback. Best dog ever!!!

 

[TimmyBoston]

I have a golden, I grew up with goldens. I love them. In your current situation I would recommend against one. They are big dogs that needs lots of room, exercise and attention. Additionally, they are plagued with allergies, I don't know if I'd ever get another because of that. It breaks my heart to see her suffer.

I would look into a smaller, companion breed. You'll want a dog that doesn't require as much attention as a retreiver. All dogs are great, they're just wonderful and no matter what you get just make it has lots and lots of love.

 

[AndrewWiggin]

plagued with allergies, I don't know if I'd ever get another because of that

That brings up another question I have: does anyone use pet insurance?

 

[TimmyBoston]

That brings up another question I have: does anyone use pet insurance?

I don't, but I do have lots and lots and lots of vet bills.

My former girlfriend has insurance for our cocker spaniels, it hasn't been very effective, sadly.

 

[AndrewWiggin]

insurance for our cocker spaniels, it hasn't been very effective, sadly

I had assumed as much... Well I was thinking either pet insurance or just an insurance savings account. If I deposit the same amount of money into a separate account I can't be much worse off (given the controlled nature of an apartment I doubt the dog would get hit by a car, it would just probably get sick somehow).

On average, how much do your Goldens set you back per month?

 

[modern man]

Beagle....

I could be wrong but its my choice.

I don't think a apartment and someone who has a busy life should take on a Lab or Golden. They need a lot of attention and room.

 

[BullGoose]

That brings up another question I have: does anyone use pet insurance?

Yes...VPI Pet insurance. They have several different plans and I highly recommend it. If you get the coverage while your dog is a puppy the premium stays low. If you wait a few years, the premium can be quite expensive. Treatments for dogs can be just as expensive as for people (sometimes more). It isn't just getting hit by a car that you have to worry about.

I saw someone mention that pure breeds can run $800-$1500. Trust me, that is a drop in the bucket in the grand scheme of things. Owning a dog is expensive.

 

[WhosYerBob]

We had a couple big dogs (Borzoi) for many years and found the annual cost of their food and vet visits to be about $1,000 to $1,500 per dog per year. Most of that was in vet costs.

We have a single small cat now and her annual cost is around $250, with most of that being food and litter.

 

[Emmett]

Labs are wonderful dogs, but if you want one it might be best to adopt an older adult who will be content with lazing around your apartment most of the time. Young Labs tend to be...rambunctious.

 

[AndrewWiggin]

adopt an older adult who will be content with lazing around your apartment most of the time.

Yeah I should have mentioned that beforehand, I was thinking of adopting an older dog. I don't want the hassle of housetraining a puppy and can't handle the immense amount of energy puppies have...

 

[BEAR DEN]

Labs, Huskey, Beagle...all Hounds (Blood, Blue Tic etc.) are by nature very active. To consider also Beagles with all the other Hounds have a very loud bark...howl! I am a dog lover x100. I made a mistake in my early 30's when living in an apartment to adopt a Huskey..lose..lose situation. We now have 3 dogs...different breeds different ages...house with a front and back yard that is gated...it still takes a tremendous amount of commitment. All I'm saying is...pause and think it over...they are not toys...don't get a dog on emotional whim...the commitment is very big indeed. Good luck and keep us updated!

 

[SpyvSpy]

I got a chocolate lab and a husky. The lab is 3 and the husky is 1. Eveyone tells me huskys run off they're bad blah blah.. I got mine when she was 7 wks old and she's never ran away from me or my wife. She loves cats (doesn't try to eat them) and she picked up all good habits from my lab. So for me huskys are a win win for me only downfall is the LOVE to dig.

Oh and might I add expect to pay up to 16500 dollars for a lifetime of a medium sized dog. (vet, medicine if sick, food, toys ect.)

 

[BigRich]

Beagle....

I could be wrong but its my choice.

I don't think a apartment and someone who has a busy life should take on a Lab or Golden. They need a lot of attention and room.

No labs or goldens and probably no beagles either. All are great dogs but not for apartment living. Golden's and Labs are too big and require too much exercise for the average apartment and Beagle are the right size but they love to bark. That could get the property manager at your door more often than you'd like. Sporting, herding, and hunting dogs are probably not a good idea. Go with Tim's suggestion of a smaller companion dog.

 

[BEAR DEN]

Actually when my family was out of our apartment when we owned our Huskey that's exactly what he did...he dug up our carpet to the point where the apartment needed new carpet...I don't want to totally stereotype any dog...We have a Rotte and a Pit Bull that are gentle and loving to everyone who comes by...that was not their canine given nature for the most part...all I was saying is that it does take work and commitment...that's all.

 

[tg16]

I have a 6 year old Border Collie that I adopted from a shelter 2 years ago. She was already fixed and housebroken and is a very good pet. I realize this is not the breed you want; however, I really do advocate the shelter route. When I went, I was planning on something small and she adopted me. There was also the option to return her should things not work out. I have been looking at pet insurance, but don't currently have it.

 

[Johnny Dale]

We have had a lab once who was wonderful but our favorite breed are Doberman Pinschers. Wonderful dogs that get a bad rep from movies and poor owners. Dogs demand a lot of your time regardless of breed but they give so much more back.

If you get a puppy I would highly recommend a crate for the dog that is large and will keep him/her from destroying the apartment while you are gone. They will! Once they are crate trained they go in their without any struggle. We show ours so we feed the pups in the crate so they are used to it when on the show tour.

 

[SpyvSpy]

Here's a nice small dog

J/K

why not get a tea cup dog or a min-pin.

 

[Emmett]

You could also consider a greyhound rescue. They need daily exercise but their nickname is '40 mph couch potatoes' because if they are not running, they are lazing around. Also they're affectionate and not very noisy. I've heard they don't bark at all, but I know ones who do--only because they learned from the other dogs they were living with, though.