Dog breeds for an apartment: how to choose and maintain?

Is it possible to live your whole life like this without a dog - the protagonist of the animated film "Kid and Carlson" reasoned in frustration. And with the same annoyance, many animal lovers even deny themselves thoughts and do not get a dog for a number of reasons. And the most common reason for refusal is the fear that a four-legged friend will not be comfortable living in a small apartment in a noisy metropolis. Undoubtedly, the conditions of detention are the basis for the healthy and proper development of the dog.

A dog for a person is, first and foremost, a loyal friend and loving companion. And before choosing a future pet, you need to answer yourself a few simple questions.

• What tasks should the dog perform: protect the owner, be an assistant or just be a true friend?
• What character should a dog have: calm or playful?
• How much free space in the apartment can be allocated for the future full member of the family?
• How much time can be reserved for daily walks?

Regardless of the answers, each future dog breeder should remember that a dog in the house is a big responsibility, in addition, in the future, the four-legged pet will become a full member of the family. And therefore it is important to be attentive and selective and it is worthwhile to immediately understand the pros and cons of keeping a dog in the apartment.

• The main plus is a great joy in the family. Dogs are incredibly kind and immensely loving creatures.Every day the dog will step by step on the landing to recognize his master and bounce from the joy of meeting.
• Dog accustoms responsibility. Young couples without children learn to love and care for a new member of the family. And for families with teenage children, the dog helps to teach the child to be more responsible and respect smaller brothers.
• Morning exercises and evening walks in the fresh air every day, as well as joint trips to nature and hiking will become more interesting with a four-legged pet.
• The dog will help make new friends - This is especially important for those who feel lonely. Each walk on the street will bring new acquaintances for both the pet and the owner. As a rule, dog breeders, especially those living in the same area, are familiar with each other and arrange joint walks with their four-legged friends.
• Good guard - even in spite of its size, any dog ​​will rush to protect its master in any situation.

The minuses include the following nuances.

• Financial expenses. They include feeding, visits to the veterinarian, toys, vitamins, leashes and collars, clothes (depending on the chosen breed of the dog), as well as a bed - these are only the main expenses that you will encounter in the first week of a puppy’s life in the apartment. It is a mistake to believe that it is enough to feed the dog twice a day with simple cereals. Pet food, especially during the period of active growth and development, should be balanced and include meat, cereals, cottage cheese, eggs, various minerals and additives. As well as visits to the veterinarian and vaccinations will take away part of the family budget.
• Waste of time. Despite fatigue, feeling unwell or weather, the dog requires at least walks on the street daily. It will not be possible to sleep longer in the morning on the day off - the dog will surely wake up and with all his displeased look will show that it is time to go for a walk. And with a puppy you need to walk 5-6 times a day.
• Responsibility. The owner is responsible for both safety and health, and for the behavior of his pet.
• Damage to property. Especially in the first year of a pet’s life in the house, it’s worth mentally preparing for the fact that shoes, furniture, telephone wires and any other things and objects that are at eye level with the puppy can be chewed and chewed.
• Frequent wet cleaning of the apartment. Footprints on the floor, spilled water from a bowl, the remains of torn toys, and plus a persistent dog smell from a pet’s bed — this is the small minimum that the owner will expect in the apartment every day.
• Possible problems with neighbors and other residents of the house. Especially in the first year of life, an unreasonable puppy and even an adult bored dog can begin to bark or howl in the apartment. And some of the neighbors may complain about the remaining footprints or the smell in the entrance.

When choosing which dog to make for living in an apartment, you must first pay attention to the size and physiological characteristics of the dog. The breed indicates not only the size of the dog, but also the nature, needs and purpose. Therefore, it is important that the character and temperament of the animal and the owner complement each other perfectly.

Each breed of dog was bred for specific purposes. Spaniels and dachshunds are great hunters and in need of physical activity. A small spitz or pekingese can live happily their whole life without running a few kilometers in the park a day.

Large breeds with a greater degree of confidence can be attributed to the category of trouble-free dogs, because they do not often need active and long walks, and prefer to spend all their free time lying on the couch. Vivid confirmation of this - large and charismatic mastiffs. Even during a walk, they can sit or lie down on the ground several times, showing their master their basic desires.

Golden retriever - Large and muscular dogs have a color from cream and beige to shades of red. Retrievers are very smart, calm and obedient dogs. They need not only daily walks, but also active games and physical activity. Do not start such a dog if the future owner does not have the means and time to maintain it.

Labrador - Good and balanced dogs, often used as guide and rescuers. The Labrador is flexible and calmly gets along with young children and other pets in the house. But since Labradors are quite large dogs, the average weight of a dog can reach 30-36 kg, it is not worth it to start such a dog in a one-room apartment.

Collie - known to many thanks to the film "Lassie." The shepherd dog breed has a long coat and a pointed muzzle. Despite her shepherd’s genes, the collie is incredibly loyal to her owners, has a calm character and gets along well with children.

Dalmatians Due to its spotty color, it is impossible to confuse with other dogs. Dalmatians do not belong to the category of "couch" dogs, they are very mobile and need active games and frequent physical exertion. An interesting fact about Dalmatians: at birth, puppies have a uniform white color, and dark spots appear in the first weeks of life.

Boxer, despite its formidable appearance and stocky physique, it is great for children and other pets if grown up with them. He has a sensitive ear and can be a great security guard in an apartment.

Rottweiler - a large dog with a strong character. A strong and hardy dog ​​can not only guard the house, but also serve in the army and carry heavy loads, and can also become a full member of the family and a good friend for children.

Newfoundlands belong to huge dogs and can reach a weight of 60 kg, but despite this they are incredibly good-natured and calm. They can fulfill the functions of both a family guard and a nanny for a child. They have a long thick coat of dark and white color, which requires daily care. And also Newfoundlands are characterized by profuse salivation.

Irish setter - An active and cheerful dog with good manners will become a reliable companion for many years. A great companion for a young active family. A distinctive feature of the breed is a bright silky hair falling in waves. Often the Irish setter participates in promotions and is very popular with various world stars.

Spaniels - This is a wide group of dog breeds. They have a small to medium build depending on the breed. The cavalier king charles spaniel can be attributed to the decorative breed - these are cute restless dogs with a complaisant and even aristocratic character, which is already clear from the name. But even despite his flirty appearance, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel requires active and long games.

American cocker spaniel - Behind a pretty appearance hides a strong and hardy character. It is very simple to distinguish it from other spaniels: the American cocker spaniel has an upturned nose, long ears with curls at the tips and a shaggy forelock. In addition, nature has endowed dogs with an extremely sensitive scent that helps them hunt.

English cocker spaniel - A great companion and a great pet. A distinctive feature is long ears and thick long hair. The American Spaniel easily gets along with other pets, gets along with children, but chooses for itself only one owner, who will be truly loved all his life.And despite the calm and balanced nature, he needs active pastime.

Russian hunting spaniel - his genes already contain information that it is necessary to bring game to the owner in any conditions, even on water. Therefore, the future owner should be prepared that, at the sight of a city pigeon, his four-legged friend will stand in a hunting rack by 6 months, and then try to catch and catch a bird, even if the pond is an obstacle. The Russian spaniel is not only mobile, runs fast and loves to swim, but also can be easily trained and quickly remembers new commands.

Bulldogs - Another large category of dogs. Despite the slight external differences, the American and French bulldogs are of the same nature - they are incredibly lazy, refuse any physical exertion, and willingly prefer to lie on the couch for long walks in the park. In the puppy and youthful period, like all the four-legged brothers of our lesser, they will undoubtedly actively explore the world and find themselves various activities. But with age, this desire will quickly change to a passive and relaxing holiday.

Basenji Ideal for keeping in a small apartment. She makes few sounds, does not require careful and daily care of the coat and is incredibly loyal to her master.

Beagle has a naughty and active character, ideal for young and active families. It gets along easily with other animals and small children. Unpretentious care: it has a short coat that does not need to be combed daily, you need to wash the dog 3-5 times a year, and any dirt on the coat can be easily removed with a wet rag.

Corgi - with a small growth they have a long body, an elongated muzzle and large ears. Very active and cheerful Corgi is the favorite breed of the Queen of Great Britain. At the same time, Corgis do not require special attention, do not get confused in the apartment under their feet and respect furniture.

Jack Russell Terrier - gained great popularity in the 90s after the release of the film "Mask". Jumping, active, cheerful dogs with a small size have a strong and hardy body. The average weight reaches 7 kg. Jack Russell Terrier has the ability to guard, and can also act as a nanny for older children.

Basset hound - aristocratic dogs with a sad look. But behind its appearance, the basset hound hides an inquiring mind and hunting excitement. The appearance of the breed is somewhat ridiculous: short legs, a long powerful body, comical ears - all together creates the impression of a clumsy dog.

The list of the most trouble-free medium-breed dogs that can be kept in the apartment can be supplemented dachshund, Chinese crested, yagd terrier, sharpeth.

As a rule, medium dogs are very active and need games and constant attention. And if you leave your young fourth friend for a long time alone, he can safely find something to his taste, for example, gnaw a leg of a chair or his favorite pair of shoes.

Small apartment dogs bring no less joy to their owners, and sometimes even more large brothers. Little four-legged friends get along more easily in the apartment and require less attention. For example, most small dogs are not taken for a walk for the sole purpose of relieving themselves, but taking a walk.

Toilet for a small dog can be placed in the apartment. Thus, it will be enough just to change the diaper, and a long period of training the puppy to endure and relieve need only at a certain time on the street by itself disappears. In addition, many small dogs can not stand the cold, and it is simply dangerous for them to walk outside in the winter.

Spitz - a cute dog, very similar to a children's toy. Dwarf miniature dogs with a bright or white color easily get along even in a small apartment. But most representatives have poor health. Many Spitz suffer from a genetic disease - alopecia. Some areas of the skin of a furry friend may even be left without hair. To control and treat any skin diseases, you should immediately contact a veterinarian, and not self-medicate.

Pekingese - calm and cute dogs with big eyes. They have a flattened muzzle and a long thick coat, which requires constant care. The future owner of the Pekingese should be prepared for the fact that after each meal the tips of the ears of the fourth pet will require cleaning. Due to the structural features of the muzzle and the convex eyeball, dust, dirt, various microparticles often get into the eyes of the Pekingese, which causes lacrimation.

Pug dogs - noble and kind dogs, emotionally strongly attached to the owner. Suitable for calm families with children and the elderly. They have a short coat, which is easy to care for, but because of the structural features of the muzzle and bulging eyes, they face the same problems as the Pekingese.

Perhaps one of the most popular, included in the top decorative dogs, for many years remains Yorkshire Terrier. Cute big eyes-beads and a beautiful color - a distinctive feature of the dog. In its structure, York's hair is more like human hair, therefore allergies are often brought to this breed. But beautiful coat requires proper and, most importantly, daily care. And at least once a season, you will need to contact the groomer for professional hair care.

Decorative cute york do not need long walks, they quickly get tired on the street and often ask for arms to a caring owner. And in the winter, decorative York need to wear and shoe. Yorkshire terriers, chihuahuas and other mini-sized dogs are often the victims of dishonest owners. Because of their cute appearance, they become "living toys."

It is especially important for a beginner to choose the dog with whom he will be comfortable living for many years. You should pay attention to the following options when choosing a pet for living in an apartment building.

• Small and medium dogs get along better in a city apartment. They do not need a large territory and feel more comfortable in the city.
• The nature and activity of the dog and the owner should be on the same level. If the owner prefers to spend free time in the apartment, then the four-legged friend should be chosen to match. Pug cushions are often called pugs and bulldogs. A lover of an active lifestyle and frequent travels should take a closer look at medium-sized dogs.
• Noise level. Some dogs cannot remain alone for a long time, because of their physiological and pedigree characteristics, they feel lonely without a master.These dogs include husky and Samoyeds - they need not so much active games as in the presence of a person. Despite their good looks, Samoyeds and huskies have one unpleasant character trait: when left alone, the dog will be sad and will begin to howl from boredom. Noisy dogs often also include small dogs, which do not feed meat, let me bark at the person entering the house. And from many large dogs, such as a Labrador, you won’t get a sound.
• The sex of the animal. In many respects, the nature of the dog depends on it. Males are more active and are believed to be less emotionally attached to the owner. For example, during sexual activity, a male dog may leave the owner in search of adventure. In addition, males are more likely to be aggressive towards other dogs. As for bitches, the main problem that the owner will encounter twice a year is estrus. During this period, while walking, the dog will attract all the dogs to itself like a magnet. And if there is no desire to have offspring, then walks for safety reasons both the dog and the owner should be short.
• Shedding is a key factor for many dog ​​breeders. For example, the future owner of a husky needs to think many times before making such a fourth friend in an apartment. Even if the owner is ready to walk the dog for several kilometers in the morning and evening, both in the snow and in the heat, it is necessary to mentally prepare for plentiful and long shedding, since the wool of your beloved four-friend will be literally everywhere: on furniture, on clothes and even in home food . Small breeds of fluffy dogs are easier to maintain because they can be written to the master groomer before moulting, which will make the haircut shorter and the amount of hair falling out will decrease significantly.
• Some breeds are prone to excessive salivation. If you want to have a bulldog, mastiff, Newfoundland, St. Bernard or boxer, be prepared for the fact that drool will hang from the dog's face and accompany everywhere: for a walk, in an apartment or in a car.
• Many dog ​​breeds quickly find a common language with both children and senior citizens. But if there are small children in the house, then it is wiser to wait a while after acquiring a puppy. Since a child who knows the world can harm and cripple a defenseless puppy.

It is important for novice dog breeders to understand that a hassle-free dog is just a myth and fairy tales. In fact, regardless of the chosen breed, your future pet will require a lot of time and effort. But do not forget: not only a thoroughbred dog can become a true and loyal friend with an easygoing character.

The novice dog breeder must know the many nuances of keeping the dog in the apartment.

In the first months of life, the puppy's immune system functions through breast milk. As soon as a puppy switches to regular food, his immunity decreases, and the risk of contracting various diseases increases. therefore in the period of two to three months the first vaccinations are given to the puppy: from plague and rabies. During the first appointment with the veterinarian, a passport is issued, which will indicate the dates of affixing all vaccines and taking medication.

After that, a four-legged friend is quarantined for an average of one and a half months. At this point in life, the puppy's health is most vulnerable, it must be protected from contact with other animals, and walking on the street is prohibited. Accordingly, in these weeks, the puppy should be trained to go to the toilet at home in the designated place. After the recovery period, you can bring the puppy out for a walk on the street and train him to help there.

Revaccination must be carried out every year at the same time. But after repeated vaccinations, the dog no longer needs to be limited in movement and locked in quarantine.But after revaccination it is necessary to exclude the risk of possible infections: abandon long walks and meet new friends for at least a week.

Also every year with the onset of heat, the dog needs protection from ticks and other ectoparasites. Experienced dog breeders, in addition to annual vaccinations, also provide additional protection in the form of drops and collars that repel insects. From April to October, it is also recommended to give the pet Browecto and Nexgard preparations.

In addition, once a season the dog should be given anthelmintic drugs. But a novice and experienced dog breeder should not prescribe any medications to his pet. Before taking medication, you should consult with a veterinarian who will prescribe the necessary medications and calculate the dosage.

The most important thing that the future owner of the dog should know - especially at an early age, a four-legged friend requires a lot of attention. In this period of active growth and development, a growing friend lays down all the necessary qualities and habits are formed. And that is why it is very important during this period to engage in the upbringing and training of the dog. In puppyhood, the pet is most active, it learns the world and wants to communicate with new people and animals. That is why at an early age in a playful way, a puppy masters new teams easier and faster and learns the rules.

Training a growing family member can be entrusted to professionals, and also you can daily teach your puppy the simple commands "Sit", "Lie down", "Give a paw", "To me" and "Fu!" Gaps in raising a small puppy can cause big problems.

About dog breeds that are suitable for keeping in an apartment, see below.