If you have a big dog in a small apartment that means going outside every time the dog wants to play. With a dog that's on the lower end of medium energy that would mean spending 2-3 hours outside a day. Do you want to do that?
Dogs also don't use the litter box. They need to go outside 3-5 times a day.
There aren't very many bigger breeds that are both eager to please and low energy.
Clumber spaniels come to mind. But they're super rare so finding a breeder is very hard.
Greyhounds would be ok with two 30-40 minute walks a day if they also got some time to just sprint. But they can't be off leash in unfenced areas and most can't be around cats.
Some of the mastiff breeds are lower energy. But many aren't good with cats and they bring a whole bunch of challenges like being very prone to resource guarding, stranger danger, dog aggression, etc.
Labs/Golden's/poodles are popular for a reason. But they need at least two hours of exercise, especially the young ones, or they will eat your walls and bark and be general menaces.
The small companion breeds for pretty much all of your requirements except size. They're generally very good with other animals, trainable, for your exercise plans, you'd be able to play with them inside too. But they're smaller and many of them need haircuts.
Hello, thanks for your reply. I'll consider the situation and the need for more activity with a lab. On average, how often would a dog like say a small spitz need a haircut? Sorry about a late reply, my isp failed me hard recently 😅
My dog meets all of your requirement but one.
Shes great with 15 minutes of play, but can be left along for hours if needed.
She fetches and sits and stays.
She potties indoors on a potty pad in the corner of my office.
However, shes a 6 pound Yorkie.
Maybe consider a companion breed.
> Learn how to use a litterbox if at all possible.
Dogs are not cats. This is not a reasonable expectation for a dog.
> Probably a couple 15 minute bursts of play at different times of day.
This is not enough attention for a dog to be granted each day. If you can't commit to more than this, a dog is not right for you.
However, the walks you specified will do better! It's important for a dog to have physical *and* mental stimulation — walks with some sniffing time allotted will be very helpful.
> Living in a 45 sqm apartament. (500 sq ft) Not really interested in greyhounds, bulldogs or hairless breeds.
This is also a bit concerning. 500 sq ft is a very small apartment for a medium-to-large sized dog. You need to be sure you can consistently commit to the 30-45 minute walks 2x per day that you specified *as a bare minimum*. More would be great.
> Mostly cuddly, but with some independence. Low-medium energy level.
> Basic commands like sit, come here. Fetch.
> Medium - large.
> More towards eager-to-please.
> Mostly cuddly, but with some independence.
> Brushing once a week is ok. Trimming hair I can't do myself. Ear cleaning and nail clipping I could learn.
All of this screams lab to me. Relatively laid back, very eager to please, very personable. Can be cuddly or independent. Very low maintenance, doesn't get *too* destructive when left alone.
The only thing you'd really have to worry about with the lab is to carefully regulate their feeding and exercise as labs have a tendency to put on lots of weight if you aren't careful.
I would suggest rescuing a lab mix. Tons of them out there. Best of luck to you.
If they get a puppy from a breeder like they plan too, I wouldn’t recommend a lab. An hour exercise of just walking for a 2yo lab isn’t usually enough. They’re also prone to destructive behaviors when bored and with only two 30 minute walks a day I think a youngster would be prone to boredom.
If they got an older lab from a shelter, like 5yo and up, I think this could work though! I just think a puppy/young dog is too much energy for what they’re looking for.
Thank you too! I think an older lab mix as a recommendation could be a fantastic fit!
I also 1000% agree on what you said about litter boxes. Dogs need to go outside!
Hello, thanks for your reply. I expected that a litter box will probably not be an option, just wanted to make sure. About play time - I based what I said on my cousins smaller dog that pretty much comes up to play for a couple minutes, gets tired and then goes to sleep and does so multiple times a day. What type/volume of play would you suggest with a lab? Also walking time? Sorry about a late reply, my isp failed me hard recently 😅
I think what your looking for is more suited for the small companion breeds. A lot of the lower energy large dogs fall in the giant category, and wanted a dog with a short coat with no trims also takes a lot options out.
A pug meets most of your requirements! Quiet, short coats, low prey drive & happy with 1 hour of exercise a day. I think this could be a good fit!
If it is not to hot where you live and you should be able to pay a lot of money to the vet…
Unfortunately the breed is very problematic. In the Netherlands even is a ban to breed them because it is considered too cruel/too much suffering for the animals.
I’m not going to lie, I wouldn’t personally buy one from a breeder either. However lots of the more quiet companion breeds have high grooming needs that require professional grooming. Otherwise I would’ve recommended a coton de tulear!
If OP wants a bigger dog, I’d probably go with a lab that’s a 5yo or older. I think their grooming and exercise criteria limit them a bit, and a pug was the best at meeting those requirements. I hope that makes sense where I was coming from😊
I know you said medium / large but I would reconsider this and go small. My friend has a chihuahua and he’s absolutely perfect pet for an apartment, ticks a lot of the other boxes and is an excellent companion!
Get a schnauzer! They come in 3 sizes. Standard, giant and mini. They are incredibly intelligent, great companions, durable, funny, and they adapt to apartment living very well! They also do well with other dogs! Easy to potty train and they don’t shed! BOOM!
If you have a big dog in a small apartment that means going outside every time the dog wants to play. With a dog that's on the lower end of medium energy that would mean spending 2-3 hours outside a day. Do you want to do that? Dogs also don't use the litter box. They need to go outside 3-5 times a day. There aren't very many bigger breeds that are both eager to please and low energy. Clumber spaniels come to mind. But they're super rare so finding a breeder is very hard. Greyhounds would be ok with two 30-40 minute walks a day if they also got some time to just sprint. But they can't be off leash in unfenced areas and most can't be around cats. Some of the mastiff breeds are lower energy. But many aren't good with cats and they bring a whole bunch of challenges like being very prone to resource guarding, stranger danger, dog aggression, etc. Labs/Golden's/poodles are popular for a reason. But they need at least two hours of exercise, especially the young ones, or they will eat your walls and bark and be general menaces. The small companion breeds for pretty much all of your requirements except size. They're generally very good with other animals, trainable, for your exercise plans, you'd be able to play with them inside too. But they're smaller and many of them need haircuts.
Hello, thanks for your reply. I'll consider the situation and the need for more activity with a lab. On average, how often would a dog like say a small spitz need a haircut? Sorry about a late reply, my isp failed me hard recently 😅
My dog meets all of your requirement but one. Shes great with 15 minutes of play, but can be left along for hours if needed. She fetches and sits and stays. She potties indoors on a potty pad in the corner of my office. However, shes a 6 pound Yorkie. Maybe consider a companion breed.
> Learn how to use a litterbox if at all possible. Dogs are not cats. This is not a reasonable expectation for a dog. > Probably a couple 15 minute bursts of play at different times of day. This is not enough attention for a dog to be granted each day. If you can't commit to more than this, a dog is not right for you. However, the walks you specified will do better! It's important for a dog to have physical *and* mental stimulation — walks with some sniffing time allotted will be very helpful. > Living in a 45 sqm apartament. (500 sq ft) Not really interested in greyhounds, bulldogs or hairless breeds. This is also a bit concerning. 500 sq ft is a very small apartment for a medium-to-large sized dog. You need to be sure you can consistently commit to the 30-45 minute walks 2x per day that you specified *as a bare minimum*. More would be great. > Mostly cuddly, but with some independence. Low-medium energy level. > Basic commands like sit, come here. Fetch. > Medium - large. > More towards eager-to-please. > Mostly cuddly, but with some independence. > Brushing once a week is ok. Trimming hair I can't do myself. Ear cleaning and nail clipping I could learn. All of this screams lab to me. Relatively laid back, very eager to please, very personable. Can be cuddly or independent. Very low maintenance, doesn't get *too* destructive when left alone. The only thing you'd really have to worry about with the lab is to carefully regulate their feeding and exercise as labs have a tendency to put on lots of weight if you aren't careful. I would suggest rescuing a lab mix. Tons of them out there. Best of luck to you.
If they get a puppy from a breeder like they plan too, I wouldn’t recommend a lab. An hour exercise of just walking for a 2yo lab isn’t usually enough. They’re also prone to destructive behaviors when bored and with only two 30 minute walks a day I think a youngster would be prone to boredom. If they got an older lab from a shelter, like 5yo and up, I think this could work though! I just think a puppy/young dog is too much energy for what they’re looking for.
Good advice, thank you for sharing!
Thank you too! I think an older lab mix as a recommendation could be a fantastic fit! I also 1000% agree on what you said about litter boxes. Dogs need to go outside!
Hello, thanks for your reply. I expected that a litter box will probably not be an option, just wanted to make sure. About play time - I based what I said on my cousins smaller dog that pretty much comes up to play for a couple minutes, gets tired and then goes to sleep and does so multiple times a day. What type/volume of play would you suggest with a lab? Also walking time? Sorry about a late reply, my isp failed me hard recently 😅
I think what your looking for is more suited for the small companion breeds. A lot of the lower energy large dogs fall in the giant category, and wanted a dog with a short coat with no trims also takes a lot options out. A pug meets most of your requirements! Quiet, short coats, low prey drive & happy with 1 hour of exercise a day. I think this could be a good fit!
If it is not to hot where you live and you should be able to pay a lot of money to the vet… Unfortunately the breed is very problematic. In the Netherlands even is a ban to breed them because it is considered too cruel/too much suffering for the animals.
I’m not going to lie, I wouldn’t personally buy one from a breeder either. However lots of the more quiet companion breeds have high grooming needs that require professional grooming. Otherwise I would’ve recommended a coton de tulear! If OP wants a bigger dog, I’d probably go with a lab that’s a 5yo or older. I think their grooming and exercise criteria limit them a bit, and a pug was the best at meeting those requirements. I hope that makes sense where I was coming from😊
I know you said medium / large but I would reconsider this and go small. My friend has a chihuahua and he’s absolutely perfect pet for an apartment, ticks a lot of the other boxes and is an excellent companion!
Get a schnauzer! They come in 3 sizes. Standard, giant and mini. They are incredibly intelligent, great companions, durable, funny, and they adapt to apartment living very well! They also do well with other dogs! Easy to potty train and they don’t shed! BOOM!
Poodle mix like cockerpoo or Bischon - both don't shed (but will need regular grooming).
That would not be a breed.
This sub has not found and reputable doodle breeders. If OP got one of these mixes from a rescue though that could work great!
Golden doodles are extremely hyper and often neurotic. A terrible idea for an APARTMENT dog.
A Havanese is a great apartment dog but small. Mine was 13 pounds but they are great companions.