Bulldog
Labrador Retriever
Miniature Pinscher
Norfolk Terrier
Pug
Shih Tzu
Yorkshire Terrier
A dog must have a specific combination of traits to be an ideal city dweller. For one thing, he should be relatively quiet. A hound who bays at all times of day in the country, where the nearest neighbor is a mile away, usually won’t cause his owner any problems, but a neighbor on the other side of the wall is likely to complain about the noise.
If you live above the first floor, you should also consider how often you will be taking your dog outdoors. An elevator can make trips outside for potty breaks and walks considerably easier, but if you will be taking the stairs with your pet, he must be up to the task. Many people carry smaller breeds on stairways, but even the fittest owner may find it inconvenient to lug a French Bulldog up and down the stairs several times a day.
If you own a larger breed, indoor housetraining might never occur to you, but it is a common choice of small-dog owners living in cities. Many pet-supply companies now make odor-absorbing pads and faux-grass patches for this purpose. Some owners find that litter boxes sold for cats also work well for toy dog breeds. Pet-supply stores even sell litter made specifically for dogs; it is typically larger and more absorbent than varieties made for felines.
Daily Schedule
I often joke about how wonderful it would be to live a dog’s life. Having someone prepare all my meals, never having to clean up after myself, and playing whenever the urge strikes me definitely hold a certain appeal. Napping several times a day would be rather splendid, too.
Although it is easy to assume that a dog’s life is an easy one, it important to understand that dogs need routines just like people do. Eating at specific times is important for your pet’s health. It also helps you predict when he will need to head to his potty spot. Dogs also need regular activity and time to de-stress. If you think there is nothing stressful about being a dog, try staying cooped up at home each day while you wait for everyone else in your household to return home from work.
Choosing a dog who fits into your existing household schedule well is smart, but do expect that you may need to make some changes when you become a pet owner. Adjustments might be as simple as getting up 20 minutes earlier to walk your dog before breakfast and going for another walk at the end of the day when you don’t always feel like doing it. You can allow yourself a little flexibility within the schedule, but what matters most is that you establish and stick to a healthy routine for everyone in the household, including the four-legged members.
Tag-team caregiving often works well in a home with multiple people and schedules. The earliest riser is often the best person to perform the first walk of the day. The next person up may be the one to feed the dog and take him out before everyone heads to work or school. Older kids returning home from school in the afternoon can also help out. Children often make the best playmates for energetic pups, providing they are old enough to be respectful. A busy household can offer plenty of room for a dog, as long as everyone is willing to play a role in fulfilling his needs.
The joy of canine companionship is well worth the effort of caring for your pet.
Finding Your Dog
Once you’ve carefully thought about all of the foregoing considerations, it’s time to decide on the type of dog you want and where you might find him. You might have narrowed it down to a particular breed, or you may have your heart set on a mixed breed. Either way, you will have many choices.
Is a Purebred Right for You?
Members of a particular breed share a general appearance as well as many temperamental traits. Personalities will vary from one individual to another, of course, but many of these characteristics are also linked to a dog’s breed. Golden Retrievers are known as friendly and affectionate pets, whereas Akitas are more independent or aloof. None of these traits is good or bad, per se. Prospective owners must simply decide which combination of traits creates the best match for their lifestyles.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) divides its recognized dog breeds into seven different groups:
• Herding Group
• Hound Group
• Non-sporting Group
• Sporting Group
• Terrier Group
• Toy Group
• Working Group
The members of each group typically have several traits in common, most often related to the breeds’ original functions. Members of the Working Group were first bred to serve laborious purposes such as guarding property, pulling sleds, or rescuing people from drowning. Likewise, Herding Group members helped farmers by herding cattle or other livestock. Hounds, sporting dogs, and terriers all hunted, but in different ways. Toy dogs had the easiest job—to serve as loving companions. The non-sporting dogs make up the most diverse of the seven groups, as what these dogs have in common is that they don’t fit into any of the other categories.
Members of the Family
With approximately 200 AKC breeds and a virtually unlimited number of mixed breeds to choose from, finding a dog who matches your family’s needs shouldn’t be too difficult as long as everyone is in agreement about the endeavor. Before you add a pet to your family, discuss the idea with each member of your household. Everyone must be prepared and willing to deal with all that owning a new dog entails. This doesn’t mean that each family member must take on an equal share of caring for the animal, but everyone should be in agreement about this life-changing decision.
Your significant other may love dogs as much as you do but might worry that you don’t have enough time or other resources for a pet right now. If you both work full-time jobs, you must consider who will perform vital tasks like feeding, walking, and housetraining before you get the pet. Don’t try to delegate tasks as you go along; discuss them beforehand. A little planning goes a long way in making sure that you are ready for a pet.
If anyone in the household has an issue with getting a dog, take his or her concerns seriously. Perhaps one family member is comfortable with a smaller pet but not a larger one. Likewise, even a dog’s age can make the difference in the decision to welcome a specific animal. Puppies can be demanding creatures. Adopting an older dog is often a better choice for families with busy schedules, but they must have enough time to devote to a new pet, regardless of his age.
If you don’t yet know exactly which breed is best for you, you might have more luck narrowing your choices down to one of these groups. If you are a hunter looking for a canine assistant, a hound or sporting breed is likely your best match. People who want to participate in organized activities, such as agility or rally, often find that herding dogs make excellent athletes; Australian Cattle Dogs and Border Collies in particular are highly intelligent and trainable as well.
If you are seeking a smaller yet playful pet, consider a toy breed such as the Italian Greyhound or Maltese. With proper training, working breeds like the Anatolian Shepherd and Doberman Pinscher often make capable guard dogs as well as loving pets.
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