OT question

[Maeve 2]

Hubby and I have been talking about getting a pet, but cannot agree.

I am a huge animal lover (and would have a giant menagerie if I could!) but I am more of a cat person than a dog person. Hubby likes cats, but is definitely a dog person.

Neither one of us like tiny little dogs, but in only a 1-bedroom apartment, a large dog is definitely out of the question; although a smaller dog has to be taken out more often. A cat is a lot more self-sufficient, and won't be waking us up to go out (especially since I work nights!) Also, we're planning two Christmastime trips to see both our families, which would be fine to leave a cat alone (having friends drop in to feed it), but we can't afford to board a dog twice, nor would it be the best idea to take said dog with us. Plus care of a cat is far less expensive than care of a dog, and with only one of us working money's a little tight.

Hubby doesn't have his green card yet, so he spends a lot of time by himself and I think if he had a dog around it might make him a little less moody. But once he gets the card, he's going to sign up for the military, which will likely mean that he'll be gone for some sort of basic training. But I'll still be working (right now it's 12-hour shifts) which seems like way too much time to leave a dog alone, especially in a smaller apartment.

I've been doing research on different breeds of dogs that might be better for us (we'd been talking about getting a Shetland Sheepdog, perhaps...), but we certainly can't pay a breeder top $, and I prefer to support the Humane Society and local rescues who do their best to save the animals anyway.

Either way, I think having a pet would do us some good, as I had to sell my snake as a condition of the new apartment Just don't want to end up with an animal that becomes too difficult or expensive to care for...

Suggestions, anyone? I know there are lots of proud pet parents out there!

(Hopefully this won't launch into a "cat people" vs "dog people" debate lol.)

[Flames9_RN 358]

I love Shelties!!!! I had one,and stil sorta do,lol!! But my parents now have him. Military course went longer than expected, during that time my parents looked after him, and when the time came for me to get him back,they had bonded soo strongly with him,that it was unfair for me to take him back!! I love shelties for their personality, they are more focused towards the owners,where as some other breeds want everyone to love them, not soo much with a sheltie. Simba is on the bigger side for a sheltie, was around 30 lbs, you see a lot of very small shelties, and many have bred them that way. Originally they were bigger, as they had to survive a rougher terrain and they are a herder! They can be a bit yappy!! I trained Simba to be quiet, BUT my parents never enforced that and at times he does get yappy again! He excelled at agility training and other dog training classes I took him too,they are a very smart breed. They are rescue organizations out their as well,just google it In my opinion they are the #1 breed, lol but they are not for everyone, again do research and see their traits/characteristics

[Carlawarla 1]

I certainly can't recommend any breed. I'm a proponent on choosing a dog that is suited to your lifestyle, living circumstances, and how much time you can spend with the dog...which I believe is a lot of time. If you're living in an apartment, do you want a Great Dane? What excercise requirements will they have? Do you have the time if Hubby is in the military to do all the exercising of the dog if you're working 12 hour shifts? So many questions...

We lost a dog a few years ago, he was a beagle, and we loved him dearly. He seemed well suited to my husband, who got him 12 years ago, when on his own. His needs differed at different times of his life as well.

Gene found some books, and I don't know what one it was, but you could google and I'm sure they'd have great resources or sites, that gave suggestions based on your personality and lifestyle.

I mentioned the time component above...in my opinion, if you can't spend a lot of time exercising a dog, you should get a cat.

Edited October 24, 2008 by Carlawarla

[Reba 2]

If you're living in a small apartment and won't have time for a dog, a sheepdog of any sort is not the right dog for you. They're working dogs and need to be kept busy all the time. If you're gone for long stretches (btw, 12 hours is too long to leave a dog alone, they'll need someone to come and walk them for pee pee otherwise it'll get urinary/bladder, and possibly intestinal infections). A bored dog is a destructive dog, and a bored working breed is even worse.

I'd suggest something lazy, like a bulldog or bassett or some mutt from the pound whose accustomed to living in a crate for several hours a day.

Ideally however, I wouldn't recommend a dog to anyone who just doesn't have the time for it. Its not fair to the dog. Cats fare better on their own.

[BermyCat 1]

Pugs tend to have more of a big dog personality but in a small package. I love them.

You might be best off visiting the SPCA on a regular basis just to see what sort of dogs they've gotten each week. The perfect rescue dog might be there waiting for you.

~ Catherine

[Der Bücherwurm 1]

I'd suggest a male cat as they are more sociable than female cats. Otherwise, for apartment living a small dog is best. If you don't like small dogs like miniature Poodles then go for a bulldog. You can train dogs to go on newspaper laid on the kitchen or bathroom floor when inside.

[sly_wolf 199]

For a small dog I would suggest a Westie or a Laso. They are hardy and have a great character.

Sly

[Mephys 2]

We were in the same situation as you, small appartment, 3rd floor. Big dogs are allowed, but no bullie breeds and we are Rotties and Pitbull lovers. I couldn't see myself with a smaller dog either and I didn't want to have to go walk outside on a cold winter morning, etc. So even though my husband wasn't much of a cat person, we both agreed we would wait until we have a bigger house and a fenced backyard until we would get a dog. Neither of us is a an early morning person so walking a dog in the morning is a no no. We need to be able to just open the door for it and be done for that ( for the morning that is)

I was getting homesick at home with no pets ( ok you've seen our extensive list of pets in the pet thread now so that isn't an issue anymore), so we decided for 1 cat, and on the day we went to the adoption show he actually changed his mind and let me have 2 because there was those 2 cute kittens from the same litter

Now today I am fostering a few kittens and he's actually going to let me keep a 3rd one....

Needless to say cats are the best choice for an appartment. No matter what you decide to go with you have to understand it's a long term commitment, so if you like big dogs and go with a small breed you might regret later, or if you get a cat they can live as long as 20 yo.....

I hope you will find what's the best for you guys!

[trailmix 77]

Dog people kidding! I don't have any incredibly wise advice, because I haven't had a dog since I was a child - so my Mom took care of it

We do have a Cat.

We just stayed in an apartment complex for 6 months, and I would see the dog owners taking their dogs out for walks all the time and all I could think is - how annoying that must be! If that type of thing doesn't bother you, well that's different!

While Cats are much more low maintenance, you don't really know with a cat what you are getting until you get to know them.

I don't know what your lifestyle is or how many people you have that are going to help you out, but one other thing to consider is, if you like to travel, you may need someone to look after your pet for extended periods - if you decided to backpack across Europe, is there someone you can count on? If you are gone for a week or more, even with a cat, you will need someone who will come in and spend time with him or her - not just feed them.

Cats need love too

Any chance you could perhaps foster a pet until your Husband gets his greencard?

Edited October 24, 2008 by trailmix

[sly_wolf 199]

For a small dog I would suggest a Westie or a Laso. They are hardy and have a great character.

Sly

Just to add. If you plan to stay in an apartment, I would definitley go the cat route.

Sly

[brnidokiegurl 0]

cats usually are pretty aloof ha with a mind of their own but for apt would be good, i have a minature daschound (prob didnt spell right) as we say weiner dog, she has the best temperment i have ever see, loves everyone and i swear she is human sometimes, shes my baby. My family now is her and two cats but as i say the cats do their own thing most of the time. (there are (potty papers) you can buy for the dogs to be inside also) they learn these real quick

[thetreble 19]

This is my little girl-

We lived in an apartment when we got her. But we soon moved out because we realized it was not good for a puppy crying all day. As you are in an apartment, you have to remind yourself that you have close neighbors that can hear a dog growl, cry or bark.

While we got a basset hound which is a very lazy, easy going dog...it still was too much for a one bedroom apartment.

Please do not get a sheltie. Shelties are great dogs but they require a lot of exercise and company. It's a work dog. We are gone all day but my father in law takes her out during the day and we take her out for walks at night. When we move to our new place, we are going to hire a dog walker to spend time with her while we are at work. Luckily though for us, my husband gets his days off during the week and I get mine off during the weekends so most days someone is home for her.

You may want to think about getting a cat for now, even if it's not as fun as a dog for your husband while he has no green card. You have to think about the future and who will take care of your pet once your husband is in training.

[JillA 2]

This is my little girl-

We lived in an apartment when we got her. But we soon moved out because we realized it was not good for a puppy crying all day. As you are in an apartment, you have to remind yourself that you have close neighbors that can hear a dog growl, cry or bark.

While we got a basset hound which is a very lazy, easy going dog...it still was too much for a one bedroom apartment.

Please do not get a sheltie. Shelties are great dogs but they require a lot of exercise and company. It's a work dog. We are gone all day but my father in law takes her out during the day and we take her out for walks at night. When we move to our new place, we are going to hire a dog walker to spend time with her while we are at work. Luckily though for us, my husband gets his days off during the week and I get mine off during the weekends so most days someone is home for her.

You may want to think about getting a cat for now, even if it's not as fun as a dog for your husband while he has no green card. You have to think about the future and who will take care of your pet once your husband is in training.

AWWW she is so beautiful!! I just want to pick her up and give her a great big cuddle!!

[Sprailenes 47]

I have a papillion, and she's great, very cute, cuddly. She has a cat-like personality too. Papillons are great for apartment living, but they also love to get outside and run about and go for a long walk. They're very energetic. But their bark is almost sonic. We used to have to muzzle her when we left the apartment for any time period, but now she's used to it and doesn't bark so much. They're lap dogs, they love to be close to you. Mine will actually scratch at the door when I'm in the washroom. But I think she just has separation issues that stem from her puppy-hood.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Shelties are work dogs, but they dont require huge amounts of exercise like some of the "working dogs" Good with a 1 bedroom apart?? demands how often u go out for walks and exercise them!! in 99% of the cases a cat is better suited for an apartment!! but again depends how active you are. And a sheltie does require company, they are attached more so to the owner than other people! My sheltie could careless about other people,lol but an extremely tight bond with his owners!!