An important factor to keep in mind when picking out a new puppy is your place of residence; hence your puppy’s new home. Do you live in an apartment, a condo, or a house? Is your home in the countryside or in the middle of a busy city?
Few dog owners consider this, but your living quarter should play a significant role in choosing the right puppy for you and your family. Three important factors to take into account are:
1. The amount of noise/barking that the particular breed is known for.
2. Exercise requirements and whether or not your activity level will complement the dog’s needs.
3. Size restrictions enforced by the home owner’s association or your landlord (if renting).
A Common Misconception
A common misconception about dogs and their ideal living situation is that only small dogs are suited to live in an apartment, whereas large dogs should live in a rural house with a big space to run around in.
In reality, it is not necessary to have a big backyard to own a large dog, and small dogs aren’t necessarily fitted for apartment living. Many large dogs do very well in apartments and condos, while some small dogs are better off living in a rural home.
For example, if you are thinking about owning a Greyhound, you don’t have to live in a country or own a big backyard to keep him happy. This breed is a sprinter, not a long-distance runner. And although he enjoys a good jog with his owner, he will be satisfied with a 15 to a 20-minute brisk walk in the morning and at night.
Greyhound dogs are also not known to be loud barkers, which makes them suited for apartment or condo living. The main concern with owning a large dog in a condo or a high-rise apartment is the owner’s strength in having to carry him up and down the stairs if he’s unable to do it on his own, mainly because of age or injury.
On the other hand, most terriers, like a Jack Russell Terrier, for instance, may seem perfectly suitable for apartment living because of their size. But his incessant barking may cause you to lose your apartment or have angry neighbors knocking on your door.
Many small breeds bark so much and have enormous high energy levels that it causes them to make a lot of noise, which in return officially makes them a poor candidate for apartment life.
Therefore, when choosing a dog, it is important to consider the breed’s noise level, the amount of time you spend at home, and the amount of time you are willing to devote to exercising your pet.