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Choosing the right dog for your lifestyle is a bit of a challenge. Our lives are very busy and as adults we have formed our own opinions on how we want to live and what we want in our lives. At one point or another the thought of a pet creeps into our thinking and usually the types of pet we choose is either a cat or dog. Cats as a general rule can fit into a lifestyle quite nicely. Dogs on the other hand require a bit more thought as they do require more space, time, and general care. The purpose of this article is to alert you to some of the types of breeds there are and how their demands might fit into your lifestyle. The first thing we will consider is "apartment living and the dog." Granted there are many apartments that will not allow a dog for obvious reasons. Some dog owners who are not responsible have made it almost impossible for the responsible dog owner to find a place to live. Animal shelters are filled with dogs that their owners have either abandoned or have turned over to the shelter because they cannot keep them in an apartment. It is very hard to keep a barking dog in an apartment. It is equally unfair to keep a large dog that needs plenty of exercise and doesn't get it, from tearing up the carpet or chewing on the woodwork out of sheer boredom. If you want a dog and live in an apartment there are certain breeds that make good apartment dogs. Some dogs secretly want to become "couch Potatoes" and would love living in an apartment or condominium. Some of these low energy dogs are: Cocker Spaniels, Clumber Spaniels, Bichon Frise, Poodles, Lhasa Apso, Shih-Tzu, Yorkshire Terriers, Chihuahua, Maltese, Papillon, Pekinese, Pomeranian, and Cockapoo to name a few. Mixed breeds with combinations of these dogs can make good pets, too. This does not mean they do not need exercise; it means that they don't demand a great deal of it and for the most part are not noisy (granted a few are.) If you are moving into an apartment and already have a similar dog and the apartment owner or manager is not too happy with the idea of you moving in, you might consider this game plan. Put together a packet that includes a list of references such as your vet, current neighbors, possibly a former landlord and others, that will state the pet is well kept and that you are a responsible owner. Include information on your pet's current vaccinations, proof of license, a
record that shows the pet was spayed or neutered and a copy of obedience school training, if applicable. Also include a promise to clean up after the pet inside (should an accident occur) and outside, agree to a pet deposit, promise to keep the pet "flea free" as well as the apartment and agree to sign a policy agreement if necessary. Offer to bring the pet in for an interview and allow the owner or manager the opportunity to visit your apartment at times that are convenient. If you are living in an apartment that has no set rules about pets, I would consider asking for permission before I ventured out and became a pet parent. Depending on the situation, I would also present, when I applied for permission, a list of references stating that you are a responsible person and the name of a vet you are considering on using for your pet. Offer to pay a pet security deposit and make list of things you will do in caring for your pet and the apartment, should you be allowed a pet. It has been proven that most pet owners are responsible people. It is unfortunate that there are some people that do not care about the property of others and truly do not care about taken proper care of their pets. When trying to convince your future landlord or your current landlord that having a pet in the building is a good idea, keep a cool head. Spend some time gathering evidence that a responsible pet owner is also a responsible tenant. Be willing to compromise. If having a dog is no problem and you are looking for a dog that demands "only some exercise." Here are a few breeds or to consider: Bulldog, Pug, Italian Greyhound, and Miniature Fox Terrier, Bichon Frise, Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Pekepoo, plus there are many more. If shedding is another point of contention, when thinking of getting a dog I have included some of those breeds. There are many people that do not think having cat or dog hair on their clothes is a sign of a well-groomed person. Keep in mind there truly isn't a dog that is totally "non-shedding." All dogs shed some, however there are some breeds that shed little and here is a list of some of them: Airdale Terrier, Basenj, Bichon Frise, Bichon/Yorkie, Cairn Terrier, Cockapoo, Schnauzer, Kerry Blue Terrier, Labradoodle, Maltese, Schnoodles, Shih Tzu, Silky Terrier and many more. Some of us really just want a "lap dog." The truth being most dogs "big or small" would love to be a lap dog. However, I am going to list a few that are truly lap dogs: American Cocker Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Bichon/Yorkie, Chihuahua, Dachshund, Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Malti-poo, poodles, many Terriers, Shih-Tzu, Schnoodles and many more of the smaller dogs. If you are a jogger, you may want a companion to run with you and there are some dogs that just love to run. Among the breeds that love running you will find: Airedale Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, Australian Cattle Dogs, Basenjis, Bearded Collies, Boxers, Dalmatians, Doberman Pinschers, Golden Retrievers, Greyhounds, Irish Setters, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Rottweilers only to name a few.
Along with running there are some dogs that have a high need for exercise. These are dogs that need long walks, running and big yards to play in. I cannot name them all, but here are a few of the standard breeds: Airedale Terrier, Afghan Hound, Australian Cattle Dog, Border Collie, Brittany Spaniel, Dalmatian, English Setter, Great Pyrenees, Irish Setter, Vizula, Weimaraner, and the Redbone Coonhound. There are many popular mixed breeds in dogs. The poodle has more combinations than you can count from Boxerdoodle, Cockapoo, Lhasapoo, Schnoodle, Shih-Poo, to a Weimardoodle (which I would love to see.) Think of a combination of dogs and somewhere you will be able to find it. There are breeders that raise mixed breeds, all you need to do is get on the Internet and find one. Just be certain to check out their credentials before you buy and try to see the dogs before your buy. If you already have a pet and wonder what kind of dog would get along with your cat, bird or whatever. Here is a list of some dogs that are usually good with other pets (notice I said usually, there are no guarantees.) The generally good ones are: Affenpinscher, American Cocker Spaniel, American Eskimo Dog, Australian Shepherd, Basset Hound, Bearded Collie, Bichon Frise, Boston Terrier, Bulldog, Dachshund, Gordon Setter, Keeshond, and there are many more. Some dogs will get along with other types of pets if they are raised with them from puppy-hood. Among those are: American Bulldog, American Pit Bull Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Chihuahua, English Springer Spaniel, Great Dane, Mastiff and many more. Now there are some that are not trustworthy with other pets, (what comes to my mind is a picture of a Greyhound and a bunny.) Here is a short list of some of the breeds: Bichon/Yorkie, Bull terrier, Dingo, Fox Terrier, Irish Terrier, Lhasa Apso, Miniature Fox Terrier, Rat Terrier, Silky Terrier and more. I believe the Terrier breed was bred by the English to hunt rodents and small prey and that may be why they do not get along with other pets. In order to cover all categories I will mention some breeds that do not get along with anything except another dog and I would be careful there, too. Afghan Hounds will start our list and I will continue with Australian Cattle Dog, Basenji, Beagle, Border Collie, Greyhound, Jack Russell Terrier, Parson Russell Terrier, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Samoyed, Whippet and Weimaraner, however there are more. If you are looking for a dog that will be great with your children, I will cover some of those, too. The better dogs are: American Cocker Spaniel, American Mastiff, American Bulldog, Basset Hound, Bloodhound, English Setter, Golden Retriever, Great Dane, Gordon Setter, Keeshond, Labrador Retriever, Pug, Saint Bernard, and there are others. Some of the best dogs for older children (children that will not tease the dogs are:) Alaskan Malamute, Border Collie, Cairn Terrier, Chihuahua, Chow Chow, Greyhound, Jack Russell Terrier, Maltese, Miniature Poodle, Pekingese, Pekepoo, Pomeranian, Shih-Tzu, and of course there are more.
There truly is a "dog" for every lifestyle, you just need to take your time and search for it. The Internet is a great source for finding information on breeds. There are many breeders that are willing to help you find the perfect pet. Dogs can be a challenge. You need patience and you need to be willing to give of your time and love. Do not consider a dog, if you are not willing to take complete responsibility for it. Being a dog parent requires time, money, patience, love and respect for another life. If you are up to the responsibility, a dog will give you so much more in return.
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==== ==== Check out my new website You'll find a FREE report to download called, 'How To Be The Alpha Dog And Stop Your Dog's Behavior Problems' http://www.bullbreeds.org ==== ====