Dog Breed Sections
Living in the city can be challenging for humans. It’s crowded,
it’s noisy, and there are lots of cars, sometimes driving too
fast. The city can be a challenging place for dogs as well.
Like people, dogs come with all sorts of personalities.
Personality, in the end, will determine who’s a good city
dweller, and who’s not. Generally speaking, with enough outdoor
time, and plenty of exercise,
most dogs will be happiest wherever there’s ample love,
moderate comfort, and regular meals.
That said, some breeds of dogs are great city companions while
others are best left to the more wide open spaces.
Best Breeds for City Dwellers
A couple of factors go into making a certain type of dog well
suited to city life. If you’re living in an apartment or other
small space, and you’re out of the apartment most hours of the
day, you’ll need a dog that won’t go crazy spending a lot of
their time indoors, alone, with no place to run.
Also, since your city dog might be getting most of their
exercise in the park or on the busy sidewalks, he or she should
be good with strangers and with other
dogs.
For a dog that falls into the first camp, the Shih Tzu can hardly be beat. These tiny dogs are relatively low energy and will happily spend hours laying around snoozing. A quick walk around the block, mornings and evenings, can satisfy the Shih Tzu’s exercise needs.
The Chihuahua is another dog that doesn’t need much space to
run and can be quite happy living in an apartment. In fact,
this breed can be so laid back that obesity is a common problem in
Chihuahuas, so be sure to get your little guy or girl to the
park as often as you can. One drawback to the breed is that
they can be feisty with other dogs or with strangers if not
properly socialized early in life.
For a breed that loves to play in the park and is easygoing with other dogs, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is ideal. These friendly, joyful dogs are great with city dwelling kids too.
One larger dog that can be perfectly happy with an urban lifestyle is the Golden Retriever. Not only is the Golden a happy, sociable dog, they are also highly intelligent and easy to train, which is why they are often used as service dogs. Assuming you can provide them with some daily walks, life in an apartment is just another thing these dogs excell at.
Pound Puppies
Dogs who have been rescued or adopted from being previously homeless or abandoned have had a less than luxurious early life. They will often adapt to any new lifestyle where there’s love, food, warmth, and comfort regularly dispensed.
Breeds Not Recommended for City Dwellers
At the top of the list for dogs not well suited to the city are those that tend to be aggressive to other dogs or to people they encounter on the street.
The Dalmatian is a dog that can be less than ideal for the city
dweller. These dogs can be shy around people and other pets,
which may lead to sudden outbursts of aggression. They can be
high strung as well, and the noise and bustle of the city might
cause the Dalmatian stress.
This Shepherd might be better off in the country. The fact is, working dogs not only require constant exercise and space to run, they also need a job to do (shepherds were bred to herd) and can become restless and destructive without enough of either. A bored Australian Shepherd can resort to destructive chewing, running off, and chasing cars. Certainly the last is bad news in the urban landscape. All this said, if you’re able to get your Aussie to the dog park for hours of play, and can supplement regular bathroom breaks with extra walks, it is possible to keep a happy Australian Shepherd in the city.
Finally, although the Alaskan Malamute is very affectionate with their owners, this dog tends to lose patience with smaller animals, including other dogs. Bred to pull sleds in the Arctic, the Malamute needs plenty of space to run off leash, which can be tough to find in the city. Also, given their very thick coat, the Malamute might find life in some cities a bit too hot for their liking.
The Best Dog Breeds for Older People
Dog Breed Sections
Dogs bring love and joy to any household, and none more than
the retiree. If you’ve left the workforce, and will be
spending more time at home, it might be a great time
to adopt a dog. Studies
have shown that dogs lower the blood pressure of older
adults, and increase lifespan. Dogs also provide
companionship for older folks, who might be living on their
own. Finally, dogs can give the retiree a sense of security,
especially those breeds well known as watchdogs.
Which breeds are best for retirees? Well, before you ponder
breeds, it is important also to consider where the dog is in
their life cycle. An older dog may be more subdued and
relaxed than a younger dog, making them a better fit for an
older family. That said, with an older dog also comes some
other considerations, such as medication, like Rimadyl (or Carprofen) for their arthritis.
After weighing the pros and cons of adopting a mature dog, now you can think about what breed would be the best fit. This will of course depend on your lifestyle and energy level. In general, small dogs with lower exercise and play needs are great for elderly owners. Breeds that love to sit in the lap for many hours a day can be an excellent choice if you’re fairly inactive. Smaller dogs are easier to walk -- even if they pull on their leash, they’re easy to handle because of their light weight. Also, dogs that don't shed are always a plus when it comes to the elderly.
The Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie, is a relatively low energy dog that can happily spend an afternoon snuggled up on their owner’s lap. Yorkshires tend to bond very strongly with one person, so the retiree living on his or her own will find an excellent companion in this breed.
The diminutive Shih Tzu is another lap dog that is ideal for the older person. These dogs are calm and affectionate, and love spending time with their owners. The long coat of the Shih Tzu will require frequent grooming, but given the dog’s patience and small stature, this can be a pleasant routine for the retiree.
The lively Scottie is a good dog for a retired person who can give this breed frequent walks around the neighborhood. Scottish Terriers are both affectionate and protective of their owners and will provide a sense of security.
Perhaps contrary to many people’s idea of this breed, the Greyhound is a dog that requires only moderate exercise. They also do not require a great deal of room to run around in and will be content living in a smaller home, apartment, or condominium. The somewhat smaller Whippet is another dog that is known, like the Greyhound, for their sweet, docile, and even couch-potato-like nature.
Cocker Spaniel or Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Spaniels are lively, medium sized dogs that will require frequent walks and romps in the park or backyard. These dogs are favored by many retirees, however, for their easy going nature. Spaniels tend to like other people and other dogs, making them a nice addition to the family, although Cockers do need strong boundaries. They can get cranky, and at times exhibit dominant behavior, without a strong leader.
The Pomeranian is a lively little dog that can bring cheer
and affection to an older person’s home. These dogs like to
play but need only a small area in which to run. In fact, the
space available in an apartment is usually enough to keep
these dogs happy and healthy.
One other consideration that the retiree should take into
account is the age of the dog he or she will adopt. Puppies
are cute and playful but will need a lot more care and
attention, especially during their first year. Puppies
need frequent trips to the
vet for shots and other medical needs and will
require a great deal of training.
Older dogs are generally
calmer and are sometimes already housetrained. If they were
well cared for in their younger years, the middle-aged dog
will need only yearly or bi-yearly trips to the vet. While
purebreds are wonderful and can be predictable in nature and
temperament, adopting an older dog can be the way to
go.
More on Caring for Your Dog
What to Do About Your Dog's
Anxiety
5 Steps to Dog
Obedience Training
5 Tips for
Dog Safety Around the Home
Grain Freee Dog Food: Cut Down on
Carbs
How to Find the Right
Vet