Dog Breeds That Should Not Live In An Apartment
Where you live and the conditions in which your future dog will grow up are factors that you should take into account, not only because of the size of the dog but also because of its character.
When it comes to having a pet, many people think that a dog is the best option. Loyal, affectionate, protective, playful… However, we are not always aware that not all of them are the same and that we must take into account a series of factors when deciding on what type of animal to have as a pet.
Our lifestyle, the type of house where the pet will live and, above all, the breed of dog we want are aspects to take into account before making a decision. There are some that are not advisable to have at home, even less so if it is a flat in a city. Let’s look in detail at some of the conditions we mentioned.
Living in an apartment
A dog is an animal that needs to walk and run. First of all, it should be said that the ideal would be for it to live in a house with a garden where it can be free to roam, but we already know that in most cases people live in apartments, and that limits the type of pet to have. A Mastiff, a Husky, or a Shepherd are perfect for the countryside.
Small size, most suitable
Given the limitations of the home, it is better to opt for small dogs. Golden Retrievers or German Shepherds, for example, are affectionate dogs that integrate easily into a family, but they are quite large. Even if they are taken in when they are puppies, in a few years they will have grown and it will be uncomfortable to have them in a flat. This is not only for the pet, who will see their movements restricted but also for their owners.
They also need, like other dogs, to go out several times a day to move around and do their business. To do this, they need a park or a large green area where they can run and play freely. If we don’t have one near our house or we don’t have time to take the dog out every day, we should avoid large animals.
If you live in an apartment, it is best to choose smaller dogs. Pugs, with their characteristic sad face, Boston terriers or Dachshunds – popularly known as sausage dogs – are a more suitable size for smaller homes. You can teach them to do their business in a designated area at home and although they also need to go out to stretch their legs, keep in mind that they have much smaller legs and will tire sooner than a large dog.
Dogs and children
Many times when a dog comes to a family it is because of the insistence of the children. Almost all children like them as pets and having one is a good way to instill values such as responsibility and respect, but it is also true that sometimes the children and the dogs themselves have to be educated. There are breeds that can be very affectionate, but require training, such as the Dogo Argentino, and others such as the Bichon Frise that are very familiar but require a lot of aesthetic care.
The Yorkshire Terrier is a small dog but very affectionate with the people around him, although he is also very protective and can be too loud for strangers, at whom he will bark insistently. The Beagle is, in addition to being protective, very playful. Ideal for children, but he likes to run and explore, something to keep in mind when deciding on this or another breed.
Miniature Dogs
Regardless of personal taste, there is no doubt that when it comes to having a dog that is going to live in an apartment, the smaller the better, so breeds that are practically miniature are ideal. They take up the same amount of space as a stuffed animal, but be careful because their small size usually comes with quite a bit of temperament.
We are talking about Poodles, Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, or Pomeranians. All of them are breeds whose specimens will not exceed four kilos in weight or 30 centimeters in height. They are dogs that can be easily transported anywhere, and bags have even been created specially designed to carry them and the products they may need.
It cannot be said that they are particularly coquettish dog breeds, but they do tend to be very well groomed, although this is more a matter for their owners than for the animals. It is their owners who usually decorate them with bows, clothes specially designed for them, and the most original haircuts.
Breeds considered dangerous
Since 2002, a group of dog breeds have been classified in Spain as dangerous. They can be kept as pets, although extreme caution and, especially, training are necessary. They are all characterized by being large and very protective dogs, with a certain tendency towards aggression.
Among them is the Dogo Argentino, which we already mentioned before is one of the most affectionate species of dogs you can find. It all depends on educating the animal in the correct way. Pitbulls, various Terrier breeds, the Rottweiler, or the Bullmastiff are some of the breeds considered dangerous, and that almost all of us know. Others that are less known, due to their origin, but with the same classification, are the Presa Canario, the Fila Brasileiro, the Tosa Inu, the Akira Uno, and the American Staffordshire.