OT question

[britty 1]

Definitely not a sheltie !! They really do need a lot of exercise and are extremely intelligent, so to be alone for long periods of time will result in a destructive and loud dog (they bark like crazy). We are in the process of adopting a golden retriever, however my husband works from home full time and I work from home 2-3 days a week so someone is always around. If you have a dog you really need someone around to feed and exercise it, and of course they require a lot of training and socialization with other dogs and people. ALL dogs need exercise so a dog will have you up at 6am for a walk and potty time EVERY single morning. We have two cats at the moment that have their own cat door as they like to roam outside. Aside from feeding them in the morning and evening, they pretty much do their own thing. The like to sit with us in the evening and play with their toys but you can leave them alone all day if you need to and they will likely just sleep. Also if you are away for one night, you don't have to have anyone feed your cat as you can just leave a big bowl of dry food for them and a big water bowl and they are fine.

[thetreble 19]

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

Thanks! She is the best dog. She gives us many laughs. She is just so stupid. We take her to the dog park and she is definetely the slowest dog I have ever seen run in my entire life.

Nev-Your dog seems very adjusted to your living space which is nice. She def. has separation issues though haha. Remember her waiting at the window before we even got to your place?

[thetreble 19]

ALL dogs need exercise so a dog will have you up at 6am for a walk and potty time EVERY single morning.

Oh yes 5:30am every morning for her morning bathroom break! If we don't get up, she sure reminds us that she has to go! haha

[Sprailenes 47]

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

Thanks! She is the best dog. She gives us many laughs. She is just so stupid. We take her to the dog park and she is definetely the slowest dog I have ever seen run in my entire life.

Nev-Your dog seems very adjusted to your living space which is nice. She def. has separation issues though haha. Remember her waiting at the window before we even got to your place?

Yea Mike said she sat there pretty much the ENTIRE time.

ALL dogs need exercise so a dog will have you up at 6am for a walk and potty time EVERY single morning.

Oh yes 5:30am every morning for her morning bathroom break! If we don't get up, she sure reminds us that she has to go! haha

Does she do this on weekends too!?

[thetreble 19]

hah Hell yes! She's on a schedule. I usually don't sleep in on weekends though so it doesn't bother me much.

[rupa 2]

Greyhounds are the best apartment dog hands down. My husband's dog is so mellow he is like a cat and most other greyhounds I have met are the same way. He can be left alone four hours and just sleeps and sleeps and sleeps and is very content just to rest. He is super affectionate and likes to have a "deep relationship" ha ha, meaning that they become very attached to their owners. He was a rescue dog but adapted very well. The great thing is they are happy just to chill while you are at work then when you get home, they are ready for a burst of energy to play run or go for a walk, then they lay down to "relax and chill" for the rest of the evening. Check out youtube videos, they are precious!

I'd have to say that they are the one of the few large dogs that I would not consider it cruel to keep in an apartment, plus you can't get much closer to a cat like personality!

Edited October 24, 2008 by rupa

[rupa 2]

Greyhounds are the best apartment dog hands down. My husband's dog is so mellow he is like a cat and most other greyhounds I have met are the same way. He can be left alone four hours and just sleeps and sleeps and sleeps and is very content just to rest. He is super affectionate and likes to have a "deep relationship" ha ha, meaning that they become very attached to their owners. He was a rescue dog but adapted very well. The great thing is they are happy just to chill while you are at work then when you get home, they are ready for a burst of energy to play run or go for a walk, then they lay down to "relax and chill" for the rest of the evening. Check out youtube videos, they are precious!

I'd have to say that they are the one of the few large dogs that I would not consider it cruel to keep in an apartment, plus you can't get much closer to a cat like personality!

oops I meant for hours not four hours. But I agree with the other poster that they need potty breaks 2-3 time a day, once in the morning and in the evening at the very least.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Yes greyhounds can be great apartment dogs. We almost adopted one from a rescue organization. The one thing that kept us back was that we have 2 cats and 1 was a kitten, and the greyhounds instinct is to kil small prey,lol We did a fair bit of research on the topic, bought books. Even if they say the greyhound is 'cat safe' its not a for sure thing! 1 lady that has had greyhounds for many years stated we were probably better off with a different breed of dog. They do not require that much exercise, we were told 2-30 min walks a day! And yes they are the biggest slackers inside, sleep and sleep! But keep in mind they do take a bit of training. Since most of their lives, has been spent at the track or in cages, they are not used to do simple things as going up stairs. And it takes a bit of time for their personality to come alive. but they are great dogs and very affectionate. And they tend to have very few genetic problems! As well there are some medicine that one can give to "normal" dogs, but are deadly to greyhounds! As well, there tends to be greyhound groups that meet and allow their dogs to socialize with other greyhound. They are an amazing animal! I used to know of a sitr that helped u pick a suitable dog. You answered a bunch of questions, and out plopped a list of possible suitable dogs! Im sure one could google it. But im soon out the door.

[thetreble 19]

oops I meant for hours not four hours. But I agree with the other poster that they need potty breaks 2-3 time a day, once in the morning and in the evening at the very least.

2-3 times a day? My dog pisses about 10 times a day.

[trailmix 77]

oops I meant for hours not four hours. But I agree with the other poster that they need potty breaks 2-3 time a day, once in the morning and in the evening at the very least.

2-3 times a day? My dog pisses about 10 times a day.

Which is a good point Amanda. That's what I was getting at about cats. You can't tell what your cat will be like until you get to know them and they do change as they get older (just like you can't say a dog only needs to go outside 2-3 times a day) - for instance a fairly quiet cat can develop a whole new vocabulary of meows as they get older

Cats are known as extremely independant - but in comparison to what? To dogs - sure - I think we can generalize like that - but some cats need LOTS of attention - so in that case it would be rather cruel to leave them alone for any length of time.

I really hope you guys look in to fostering a pet while your hubby is still at home all the time Maeve.

[thetreble 19]

True dat, true dat..every pet is so individual and has individual needs. My dog has a weak stomach and often goes throw bouts of the "d" word. (hate the word)

She will have to poop many, many times a day to try to get rid of whatever it is she ate/consumed/breathed in, etc. and if you can't watch her it may end up on the carpet/floor.

That is why you have to be so ready to get a pet. They can consume your life.

[Steph0814 1]

I have to chime in! I am very passionate about people adopting dogs, you can find pure breed adoption agencies pretty much anywhere.

My suggestion for an Apartment is a Great Dane, yes it seems like an unusual match BUT: Great Danes were bread to lay around castles and hard floors. They do eat a lot of course because they are so big, but they are the MOST gentle Giants and they don't bark or jump on people, and they are EXTREMELY easy to leash and house train. If you adopt you probably will get a grown Dane and no worries there.

My 2 cents. I personally own 3 dogs and dogsit more. soooo

[thetreble 19]

I have to chime in! I am very passionate about people adopting dogs, you can find pure breed adoption agencies pretty much anywhere.

My suggestion for an Apartment is a Great Dane, yes it seems like an unusual match BUT: Great Danes were bread to lay around castles and hard floors. They do eat a lot of course because they are so big, but they are the MOST gentle Giants and they don't bark or jump on people, and they are EXTREMELY easy to leash and house train. If you adopt you probably will get a grown Dane and no worries there.

My 2 cents. I personally own 3 dogs and dogsit more. soooo

While I agree that Great Danes are gentle, intelligent and quiet, this is a one bedroom apartment we are talking about. A great dane is a massive dog and I don't think it's the best idea to keep in in a tiny little space.

Also, Great Danes are incredibly athletic. They are beautiful. But if you can't walk it every day, then probably not the best.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I am actually going to speak up for cats. I love dogs as well but it sounds like you don't have a lot of space nor a lot of consistent time. I have spent a lot of time dog sitting for friends. Dogs are social animals - they are happiest living in packs - and you are their packmates. If you expect to be away a lot of time - either in the military or working long hours - that means the dog is going to be alone for a good part of the time. Some dogs do better than others on their own, but many begin to develop destructive attention-seeking habits if they are alone too long, especially confined inside. Cats are also social creatures but most tend to be a lot more adaptable. I would actually suggest an older cat who is already somewhat established and in need of a new home as then you will have a good idea of their personality and if they will adapt to a life on their own a good amount of the time. I would actually recommend getting 2 older kittens or cats as they will keep each other company and literally are not that much more difficult or expensive than one. A one bedroom apartment is large enough. I would also suggest that since you will be away for Christmas as well as out of the house for long periods of time in a day not to get kittens as they require a fair bit of people interaction to become properly socialized. Get two older - 1 or 2 years old - companion cats in need of a good home from the Humane Society and you will never regret your decision. When circumstances improve either time wise or space wise then you can add a puppy. A puppy growing up with cats will be a lot better arrangement than kittens growing up with dogs.

Good luck.

Edited October 24, 2008 by Kathryn41

[Sprailenes 47]

My next dog is going to be either a yorkie or a west highland terrier.

Remember that song about Terrier's by the kids in the hall?

Edited October 24, 2008 by Sprailenes