Choosing Puppies To Suit Your Living Conditions

An important thing to keep in mind when choosing puppies, or any dog, is the living space you have available. You need to be certain that your living arrangements will be able to accommodate the type of puppy or dog you select.

If you are adopting an older dog then you will already be certain of her size. But if you are buying a puppy then you not only have to consider where you live now, but also where you think you will be living in the future.

So, are you living in an apartment or a condo? Or are you living in a house? Do you live in a busy city, or do you live in the country with lots of space for your dog to run free?

Consider These When Choosing Puppies

• Size restrictions imposed by your landlord or by your homeowner’s association.
• Consider the amount of barking that is typically associated with a particular breed you are considering, and think about how close you live to neighbors.
• Ask yourself if your lifestyle suits the activity level of your dog and if you will have the time to provide her with sufficient exercise.

A Common Misconception When Choosing Puppies

One mistake that potential dog owners often make is to think that only small dogs are suitable to living in an apartment, and that large dogs require a house in the country to be happy.

Side note: Our dog breed profiles list the recommended living conditions for a particular breed in the Quick Stats section.

The reality is that in many cases you do not have to own a large backyard to own a large dog, and some small dogs are not very good at life in an apartment. On the contrary, many large dogs do well in an apartment, and some small dogs are better off living in the country with lots of space to run, explore, and dig.

For example, if you are considering rescuing a retired Greyhound, you do not have to live in the country or own a huge backyard to own this wonderful dog. The Greyhound dog breed is a sprinter, not a long distance runner. And although she loves to jog with her owner, she would be just as happy with a good fifteen to twenty minute brisk walk in the morning and at night. Greyhounds are not loud barkers. This makes them ideal for living in an apartment or a condo.

The main concern for people living in an apartment or condo is their ability to take their dogs up and down any stairs if the dog cannot make it on her own. This is usually due to old age or an injury.

On the other hand, you may think that most small terriers would be perfect for apartment life. However, some terriers, like the Jack Russell Terrier, can bark almost none stop. This may not sit too well with the neighbors in your apartment building.

Many small breeds bark so much, and have such high energy levels, that they are not ideal for living in an apartment.

So when choosing puppies, or a grown dog for that matter, it is important to consider the noise level of the breed, and how much exercise you will able to give them, and not just how big they will get.

Choosing a Family Dog is a series of articles discussing several things you need to know when deciding to bring a new dog or puppy into your family. Move on to the next article, Male or Female Dogs, or go back to the previous article, Buy A New Puppy.