Dog for Small Apartment & College?

Chales · Guest

I can't remember if I've already made a thread on this or not... I tried searching and couldn't find one but it may have been deleted for whatever reason... but anyway,

The time is drawing near to when I will have my own living area that allows a pet. I'll probably just end up going to a shelter, getting their opinion, and adopting a dog, but I'd like your opinion.

I want a dog that's 1) good at frisbee 2) smart. I really don't care about age or looks too much. However, from what I have heard, most dogs of this type wouldn't do too well in a small apartment. Any ideas?

Or should I not even think about it? Is second year in college/somewhat low (but not broke) on cash not a good time to buy a dog? I don't really spend my money on much else, so as long as it doesn't need some $2000 surgery I think I'll be okay... Has anyone else had a dog through college?

htownbdr · Posted: Dec 20, 2004 9:16 am Post subject:

Big dogs probably aren't great for college life with apartments. But, a friend of mine had a Cocker Spaniel throughout college and I thought is was a perfect dog for that time. They are pretty well rounded. Worked for picking up girls, chilling around any size place, hunting, going on the boat, and just about anything else.

I really prefer labs but I think for your needs a cocker spaniel should do great.

joedirt00 · Posted: Dec 20, 2004 9:24 am Post subject:

Small terrier like a Jack Russell, or a Rat Terrier. My RAt can jump about 5 feet, catch a frisbee, stalk birds and catch them out of the air when they fly away, and can run like a Mother f'er.

But for picking up chicks a Jack Russell would be good. After all, what girl could resist a Frasier dog. Very Happy

E.J. · Ladies Man Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 7597 City: Mogadishu

The first dog I had on my own was a Doberman I picked up the Summer before my last year of school...... He was great..... I think all dogs are "indoor" dogs, so the size of a place is all relative. It is your commitment to actually getting the dog adequate stimulation, physical activity.

E.J.

SupraBoarder · Posted: Dec 20, 2004 9:27 am Post subject:

Leggester · Posted: Dec 20, 2004 9:28 am Post subject:

None. During college/apartment crap, just keep away from pets. It's not fair to them when you're out partying and cannot let them out, play with them or feed them.

Nope, it would never happen that you go out around 2:00 p.m. meet up with others, wind up grabbing dinner and stay out until the following morning...

NAW · Posted: Dec 20, 2004 9:33 am Post subject:

I would definetly say to adopt a dog. There are so many wonderful dogs in shelters that need a great home! You may want to budget some money for obedience classes to ensure proper socialization and manners. Also, make sure you budget the time it takes to own a dog (daily activities, walks, runs, etc.)

A few of my friends have all adopted or rescued dogs and they have turned out to be the absolute best pets. That being said, there's over 60,000 APBT's and/or American Staffordshire's that need a home in Chicago shelters alone! These dogs will excel at any activity you train them to do as they have in unblievable passion to please their owner. They require minimal grooming, but do require a good socialization/obedience program. My breed of choice, but not for every owner or living situation. My .02.

timmy · Addict Joined: 18 Jun 2003 Posts: 882 City: Jupiter, FL

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

Don't get a dog until you are stable and out of college and ready to buy a house, or chances are excellent that your dog will end up right back in the shelter, and this time worse off, because he's been abandoned twice now.

In addition, a jack russell will require hours of activity, time you can't provide and you don't have a backyard even for the dog to run and occupy himself. So what's he going to do? Rip your stuff up and chew your school books. And they you will have the nerve to be angry at the dog.

Just skip it until you have the time, money, and real estate.

jason_ssr · Posted: Dec 20, 2004 10:14 am Post subject:

yeah, get a goldfish.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

Don't even get a fish unless you have a big enough tank and have the time to do maintanence.

jason_ssr · Posted: Dec 20, 2004 10:15 am Post subject:

pet rock?

Leggester · Posted: Dec 20, 2004 10:16 am Post subject:

Take a pet rock and paint it black. Then you have a pet beetle rock!

CB and I agree?? Run for the hills folks! j/k

Trucker T · Posted: Dec 20, 2004 10:20 am Post subject:

stewart · Posted: Dec 20, 2004 10:27 am Post subject:

Dees · Posted: Dec 20, 2004 10:40 am Post subject:

so you want one that is smarter then you and that will lick peanut butter off of you balls. .

-=LoneStar=- · Addict Joined: 20 Nov 2004 Posts: 751

You know, I don't often like to see people getting pure-bred dogs because too often, they are just attracted to the looks or "lifestyle image" of the breed and end up with dogs that really don't fit well into their lives. In your case, however, I actually might recommend a particular breed because your requirements are very specific and you might have a hard time adapting to the unspecified requirements of a mix.

It sounds like you want an smart, active, and playful dog that can run around and play frisbee. Unfortunately, most breeds that fit that description require nearly contant attention and stimulation (Border Collie, for example), without which they often become very mischievous and uncontrollable. You, however, as a single college student who cannot commit this sort of constant attention, need a quiet dog who will be content to lie around, alone, in a small apartment most of the time.

All of these requirements together sound like the exact description of a Whippet--one of least needy dogs around, smart in that it responds well to obedience training, and also one of the best frisbee dogs there is. I don't think I'm aware of any other dog whose personality would fit this type of situation well. Do some research and see if I have not nailed it.

If you go with a Whippet, their ongoing requirements are easy--basically just some exercise at least 4 days per week. Just be sure, however, to do a great job of obedience training the dog, up front, for its own safety. Some untrained Whippets can get spooked easily and you can't just run after a dog that goes 35 mph.

BR_WB · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 2850

My friend got a puppy at the beginning of this semester from a girl who was giving it away for free in his apartment complex. We aren't really sure what it is. It is a little under knee high right now (it's probably four months old) and about 25 is pounds. It's a really bad ass dog, but he isn't totally potty trained yet. Another friend of mine just got a Great Dane. It's already past my knee (I'm 6' 1") and it's probably two months old now. Jack Russels have tons of energy and will become destructive if not given enough to do. Get a Collie, they are great at frisbee are the most intelligent dog I believe. I have been wanting to get an English Mastiff for a long time, and I'm not sure when I'm going to get one.

Chales · Guest

BR_WB · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 2850

Paint it Black is such a good song.

Chales,

Good one Laughing

That rim shot was loud!!!

churchy · Posted: Dec 20, 2004 11:24 am Post subject:

Do Not Get A Dog... It will be very hard to find the time for it, and it will most likely ruin some of your stuff.. I have a big house, a big yard and a dog. I love my dog, but not sure I would do it over again.

Crissylicous · Outlaw Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 193 City: Wonder Lake

Maybe you could get a kitten? They can keep themselfs occupied during the time your gone, and insted of having to take them for walks, they just use a litter box. They are also alot easier to potty train... Unfortunetly, I dont know know well they'd hold up having a frisbee thrown at their head? Shocked

-=LoneStar=- · Addict Joined: 20 Nov 2004 Posts: 751

churchy,

That's why you have to do your homework on the temperaments and requirements of different breeds. Some breeds are hardly any more trouble than a cat. Unfortunately, these aspects of a dog are often the last to be considered.

Anybody in a situation like Chales's who gets something like a Collie, German Shepherd, Lab, Jack Russel Terrier, or any other breed that requires a lot of attention, is being very irresponsible, IMO.

Crissylicous · Outlaw Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 193 City: Wonder Lake

Actually, we have a shitzu. She spends most of the day in her little bed, we call her cat-dog because she just lounges around all day. She is also very affectionate and loves to play. I don't know if you'd even consider a lap dog like that, but she's a great, plus she doesn't eat much and we only have to take her out like three times a day.

Dpierce37 · Ladies Man Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 7659 City: Austin

Crissylicous, I might be bringing home a stuff-zu from my parents. The pups are going to be 7 weeks old. I will take some pics. She is brown and white. Already got a name for her!

churchy · Posted: Dec 20, 2004 12:10 pm Post subject:

-=LoneStar=-, I know all about the breed I have.. I have had a few. Dogs any genereal (not just this breed) are hard on yards, etc. Plus, I am gone too much so I don't spend enough time with him as I probably should. Luckily he gets to play with the neighbor's dog everyday. I definately didn't have time for a dog in college.

NAW · Posted: Dec 20, 2004 12:16 pm Post subject:

Dpierce37, Skid Mark?

Dpierce37 · Ladies Man Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 7659 City: Austin

NAW, haha...umm NO Wink

Baily is her name!

Dragonlady8 · Black Widow Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Posts: 9198

I owned a big dog and worked 40+hrs/wk. I know that's a little different but if you have a good enough support group/friends to help watch your dog, it shouldn't be a problem.
I knew several people who brought their dogs to school with them and it wasn't an issue with the school. You sure can get a lot of attention from the opposite sex if your dog is friendly and not obnoxious.
Then again when you're living by yourself it sure does help to have a dog around for security purposes.

But you should try this site to find a dog that will match what you're looking for:
http://www.twbookmark.com/features/flash/flaweddogs.html

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

A freind of mine got a dog, a lab, after we were out of school. He had a lot of trouble finding a place to live that would accept the dog. He worked all day, and played in a serious band that played shows and rehearsed at night. The dog got locked in his room very often and wrecked the joint out of frustration. He would hook up after shows and not go home until the next morning, and find dog crap and his bed literally torn up.

Finally, he admitted that he wasn't ready to put the time into having a dog and he gave it up. I don't know what happened to that dog, but chances are it ended in a gas chamber, because thanks to my friend, the dog developed serious behaviour problems. All because my friend wanted something before he was ready to have it. I always think of that dog and feel bad about the whole thing. Don't make this same mistake.

Are you home enough? Do you have the space and the time to exercise the dog? ARe you willing to pay more at every place you rent, and are you prepared to have a much more difficult search every time you need to move? Do you have a stable job? Can you afford food, biscuits, leashes, shots, routine vet bills, vaccinations? Can you afford to fix the dog when he jumps out of the boat and slips off the dock and cuts his flank wide open on a nail? Walks EVERY day. Personal property casualty list WILL include at least one shoe, numerous socks, quite possibly your couch or part of it, your (your landlord's) carpet and possibly drapes. You have to go home every night, no matter how hot she is or how close her place is. You have to get up early every morning to walk the dog or you will get another stain on your carpet. Dogs love to get dirty. Can you deal with this? This means a dirty car, kitchen floor, etc.

You need to really give this some intelligent thought.

Leggester · Posted: Dec 21, 2004 6:28 am Post subject:

Why bother CB?

Most people don't even put intelligent thought into have children, much less pets.

timmy · Addict Joined: 18 Jun 2003 Posts: 882 City: Jupiter, FL

most people don't have ANY intelligent thoughts. however I think cameraboy is giving chales the benefit of the doubt

Broccoli B · Posted: Dec 21, 2004 2:38 pm Post subject:

Had a dog since i was a Jr in college. A weimerrainer/Viezla. She was 6 mons old when i got her and already potty trained. Great dog to have. I have alwyas lived in houses, not apartments. I have parents willing and close enough to take care of her when i'm away. She costs about 20 bucks a month to feed, and so far about $100 a year at the vet. Had her about 2.5 years now and have no regrets. SHe is able to hold it long enough to be home alone all night. I do work 40 hours a week, but live with 2 others that have different schedules, so she really only spends about 3 hours a day alone. I also have a good sized fenced in backyard.

finkle · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Posts: 4067

I recently moved and really miss the family dog. Whenever I see the patrol dogs or others, I am instantly drawn over to them and wish I had a dog here. But I know that I wouldn't be able to be fair to a dog so I am not going to get one for awhile.

My .02, don't get one, it's not fair to you and especially the dog.

krissy1919 · Newbie Joined: 13 Dec 2004 Posts: 5 City: bend

A collie would be a great idea or if you want something small get a pug or maybe a Chihuahua. They don’t eat a lot or take up that much room so they would be good in a dorm room.