I need advise picking breed of dog

Question
I'm just about to move into a very small unit with a small courtyard near city. I'm wishing to find a small, quiet dog that is independent as I work long hours.  Are there any suitable breeds or would this be unfair to any dog?  

Answer

Hi Cel,

First let me caution you against getting a puppy! Puppies require a HUGE amount of time to get them trained and socialized before they can become good, quiet pets. If you adopt, it sounds like it should be an adult dog (over a year old).

Dog temperaments can vary wildly, even within single breeds. There are many happy-go-lucky goofy Pit Bull Terriers, and there are downright aggressive Golden Retrievers, so you can't go solely by a breed description alone. This is due to genetics, and how well the dog was socialized as a puppy. You should evaluate any dog you're considering adopting as the individual it is. Take the time to select a dog that has the temperament that you're looking for.
The good thing about adopting an adult dog is, it can be evaluated for temperament, and many animal shelters and dog rescue groups do just that. A puppy is a potential, there isn't a guarantee what it will grow up to be. You can read more about dog temperaments here:

http://www.petco.com/Content/ArticleList/Article/0/-1/2160/Evaluating-a-Dog%E2%8...

All dogs need to be taken for at least one walk at some point during the day. No dog should have to wait more than 6 or 7 hours (at the maximum) to go to the bathroom, just as any person would need. Many people who work long hours either arrange dog walks with friends, neighbors, or family, or come home at some point during the day to walk their dog. You could also pay for "doggy day-care", a service which many boarding kennels offer. Some people train their dogs to use a litter pan (much like what a cat uses), or paper-train their dogs so their dog doesn't require as many daily walks. While these are possibilities and may sound convenient, dogs (even the smallest of breeds) still need daily exercise or else they can develop undesirable habits, if they are deprived of exercise. The same holds true for too many hours left alone. Dogs are very social animals, and when they are deprived of contact with "their person" for too many hours, day in and day out, they can develop undesirable habits such as crying and howling nonstop, house training issues, or destructive habits.

The aspect of time sounds like the biggest hurdle for you to get a dog. Perhaps you can arrange for someone to do a walk or two during your work day, or afford the doggy-daycare. If not, I don't think this isn't the time for you to get a dog. If you still plan on getting a dog though, the best time to get one would be when you have some time off from work, so the dog can bond to you, and get used to the household routines before you head back to work.

No breed of dog does very well left alone for an extended time. If a dog has a calm temperament, and is not overly active, they'll do better. It helps to give the dog a good long walk or run before leaving the dog for the day, this will help ensure the dog is calm and quiet. You want to leave an utterly exhausted dog behind when you leave for work, and give it another good walk when you get home.

Surprisingly, there are also some larger breeds that make very good apartment dogs, and of course there are mixed breed dogs that come in all sizes, to consider. Mixed breed dogs are actually healthier than their purebred cousins. If you're set on getting a dog, some breeds to consider would be:

Pekingese
Whippet
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Bichon Frise
Pug
Shih Tzu
Greyhound (a large breed, but a real couch potato)
Japanese Chin

Even aloof dogs need their owner's personal attention, exercise, and training. In all honesty, between your long working hours, your need for a quiet pet, and desire for an independent pet, it sounds like your ideal pet would be a cat. Even young kittens can be left alone for most of the day, and learn how to use a littler box in about a day. If you take your time and select the right cat or kitten, you can easily find a very "dog-like" cat, that happily pay attention to you, love to be be with you, but won't destroy your home when you leave it alone all day!

I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck,

Patti