I need to buy a dog for apartment life which breed is better? German shepherd or

1. 69

   pradiiphiraposted 11 years ago

   I need to buy a dog for apartment life which breed is better? German shepherd or labrador

   replyreport
2. 93

   peeplesposted 11 years ago

   Neither breed is good for apartment life. Both like to have room to run. Both are very playful. Unless your apartment comes with a fenced back yard or you have a couple hours a day to get the dog out you may want to consider a different breed. There are many that do well in an apartment. I suggest you google a dog match website that will ask you tons of questions and give you an idea of what dogs best match your lifestyle. A Lab or German Shepherd can live in an apartment, but I don't think it would be living very happy without lots of outside play.

   replyreport
   1. 69

      pradiiphiraposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      But i still want one of them

      replyreport
   2. 93

      peeplesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Then maybe you should reconsider living in an apartment. I really want a new puppy but because I don't have time to train one I won't be getting one until I do. Getting a pet is about giving it a good life. (saying this in a nice way)

      replyreport
   3. 61

      duffsmomposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You still want one even though that is not what is best for the dog?  As peeples mentioned, move into a house.  Owning a pet is much like being a parent and you have to think about the needs of the animal first before bringing one into your home.

      replyreport
3. 61

   duffsmomposted 11 years ago

   I would say from my experience of owning a number of breeds for the past 50 years that neither breed is appropriate for apartment life.  Those two breeds need a lot of exercise.  Also please rethink owning a dog if it will be alone all day while you are at work.
   
   Dogs are pack animals and need a lot of interaction and exercise.  It you really must own a dog in an apartment research smaller, less active breeds.

   replyreport
4. 97

   DrMark1961posted 11 years ago

   Peeples gave you a very clear answer to this question. If you choose to ignore her and duffsmom you are setting yourself up for a lot of heartache. The dog is going to be unhappy locked up in a small environment and will most likely become destructive or develop other behavioral problems. It is wrong for the dog and wrong for you.
   If you want a big dog, there are several options. A Greyhound will do well in an apartment. A Great Dane (they are called German Dogues where I live) is also a good choice. Both breeds need exercise but will be willing to wait in an apartment.

   replyreport
5. 61

   Shellie Wyndhamposted 11 years ago

   As earlier posts have suggested, neither would be good for apartment living.  Both are high energy, working dogs.  Even in settings with lots of space, they need to be worked with or they will develop bad habits from being bored.

   replyreport
6. 92

   agilitymachposted 11 years ago

   Boy, please listen to this advice from all the posters.  Dr. Mark is right that a dog that needs lots of exercise (and a job) like GSDs or Labs will NOT work well in an apartment.  Behavior problems are bound to happen.  I'm going to be blunt here, but if you get one, you are being very selfish.  Go to the shelter and rescue a small breed or mixed breed dog, and later, when your living arrangements are better (ie a home with a back yard), you can get that GSD or Lab.  In the meantime, you  have saved the life of a little dog and found yourself a lifetime companion.

   replyreport