looking for a dog?

ORIGINAL: willowchow

  the loyalty.

That alone may cause a problem if you think you might need your parents to keep him/her.  If the dog is bonded to you it may become a behavior/temperment issue for your parents.

That said, chows make excellent apartment dogs.  They are quiet, clean, not destructive and do not require all that much exercise. 

I see that u have a chow.. It seems like whatever dog a particular person has, that dog is the best!! Not to say chows arent great, i'm sure they are.  Its just funny how that works out.  I guess if u raise it right and with love, any dog could be considered the best.

I'm not saying they are the best dog for everyone or even would be for you.  But, you mentioned you would be in an apartment and it is a fact that they are great in an apartment--not just my dog but the breed in general.  And, also you didn't seem to be concerned with the "dangerous" stigma that rotties have so didn't think it would be an issue if I brought up a chow either.  Honestly, if you had said you were looking at other breeds I probably wouldn't have even mentioned a chow. 

i dont own a greyhound, but everything i have read about them says they are good apartment dogs. i tried to convince my wife that we should get an adult greyhound before we adopted sydney. i think they are great dogs, and beautiful too. large but laid back.

there is a lady at my apartment complex who has one.  Her name is Bella (the dog) don't know the woman's name, she is absolutely gorgeous and well behaved (now) I remember when she moved in with her as a puppy and she was a riot and a handful, I saw her taking off after a cat once dragging her 90lbs owner a good ways across the parking lot, but she put and still does a lot of time on training her, exercising her and Bella is the most beautiful Rottie I have ever laid eyes on. 
 
This woman's world revolves around excersing and training her dog, but to her is worth it.

ORIGINAL: dang236d

My question is: how do all the more experienced owners feel about a rottweiler being able to live in an apartment?

I did it for two years with a five year old rott and it's HARD. Be ready to commit every free second to mentally or physically exercising that dog. It can be done, but I don't recommend it, and with a younger dog it would be even harder. My dog was miserable, but she was used to having a yard and now that we have one again she'll almost always choose to be outside running around.

All this depends on if you can find rental housing that will accept a rott. I couldn't. I searched and searched and searched. Houses were out financially and most didn't allow pets anyway. I could only find one apartment complex that took dogs over 30 lbs and they didn't allow any of the bad rap breeds. For lack of any other choices I paid my pet deposit and moved in there anyway. Fortunately nobody ever said anything, but I was incredibly careful with her. She didn't make any noise and I didn't walk her on the grounds, we always drove down the road. I don't recommend trying what I did either, it's probably a good way to get evicted, but desperation makes people do stupid things.

Good luck with it if you go with it, but it might be better to wait. Other breeds mentioned might be a better fit for you right now. Or just waiting a few years.

I kept a shepard in an apartment one time.  He was really laid back. The sweetest dog ever. Extremely well trained.   Eventually I had to move, even though the dog was super friendly and well behaved.  The tenants couldn't handle meeting a large dog in the hallway or elevator.

Now Zeus, he is high energy. He absolutely requires a yard with a fence.  Today started out with a 7AM power walk in 6 degree weather. He is 12.

Just some things to consider.

I think you've gotten some pretty good advice here.  I'd also have to agree to finding a "dogs OK" apartment first, then get the dog. And remember that a lot of rentals that allow dogs have either size restrictions and/or breed restrictions. If the dog is going to wind up living with your parents, then he/she really won't be your dog at all, but will be your parents dog.
 
Joyce

I agree with those who've said you should wait until you actually FIND an apartment - it'll save you and your dog a LOT of trouble.

Also, I have to second the shelter idea. If you get a dog that's already an adult through a shelter, you may be able to already have a good idea of their adult activity needs. Some Rottie mixes (like my Balto) can be VERY laid back in an apartment. Balto's indoor activity level is very low, but once he gets to the dog park he can play for hours. It's great to find dogs with that difference.

On the subject of chows - my husband's family is a Chow Family, his dad grew up with chows and they've always had one. Right now his parents run a retirement community and they have their chow, Homer, living right there with them. Homer's always done great in apartments/small spaces, as have a lot of other chows we've known. There are some great chows and chow mixes in shelters - for some reason chow mixes seem to be some of the most fantastic mixes. Balto has a little chow in him that really shines through from time to time, which may be part of why he's so relaxed indoors. But again, many rentals have bans on chows . . .

That being said, when you're apartment-hunting, look for apartments within a close radius of a dog park or somewhere you can walk or hike, etc. That way you'll have easy access to a great place to exercise your dog, despite being in a small apartment.

Also, if you get a mix, and I'm not one to teach others to try and bend the rules [] - you may find it easier to rent. If it's not  a purebred,  most rentals will want a note from a vet saying it's not that breed and what mix it is. You can pretty much make it up, then. They have no way of proving what's in a mix, and if it's well-tempered you can call it, say, an Aussie/Lab/Malamute or something like that, the vet will write the note, and you should be fine. That's a lot harder to do if you have a purebred.

ORIGINAL: mrv

The apartment issue is critical.  I rented houses, lost apartments (because of other people's behavior with their dogs), and spent many sleepless nights worrying what to do with my dogs. I had dobermans.  In the 70's long before the specific breed legislation was an issue, it could be a nightmare to find housing.

One of the things I have not seen anyone mention, involves the need for training and socialization from day one.  Rotts can also be barker when they feel a need to warn and defend.  It would not be unexpected to see the dog develop into an animal that barked (and scratched the heck out of the door if you do not use a crate) when the UPS guy/girl delivered 4 or 5 doors down.

Working and herding dogs get bored and when they get bored or worried bad things happen.  I have had dogs tear up the middle of the sheet linoleum, eat rugs, eat the checkbook and car payment book, personal momentos etc.  This was my first dog as an adult and a dobe (that my parents wouldnt let me have growing up).  I have gotten a lot smarter, but secruity deposits aren't always enough to cover the costs of living with a dog especially when making first time owner mistakes.

So, get the apartment and be very discriminating while selecting it.  Consider an adult dog from rescue, it is a whole lot easier especially when you are under the stress of starting a new job too.  Then move into the world of dog ownership.  Make sure you have the training classes arranged before the dog comes too.

Ditto to everything mrv said, PLUS, you have to consider what your lifestyle will look like for the next fifteen years or so if you get a puppy.  If you marry and have kids, will your spouse (or you) be worried about a toddler being overwhelmed by a large heavy dog?  Hopefully, you will have socialized the dog to kids, and will marry someone dog savvy, but it doesn't always work out that way.  Do your homework about getting a Rott, either from a breeder, or rescue.  Going to the wrong breeder with this breed may really cost you, both in terms of health issues, and temperament, which is of utmost importance.  You want a middle of the pack *stable* dog.  Rescuing is fine, but at your age, with your childrearing years ahead of you possibly, you don't need a dog with any "issues".  Be up front with the rescue group (many won't give you a dog anyway, because you are a renter).  Start with the AKC breeder referral through the Rottie parent club. 
Personally, if I were you, I'd get a different breed as a first time owner.  Take a look at some others before you decide.  More mellow dogs that may be less of a problem to landlords, insurers, or kids:
Field Spaniel (not popular enough to have been ruined yet)
Smooth or Rough Collie (still a big dog, but mellow and non-threatening)
English Cocker Spaniel (Nice if you get a nice one)
Portuguese Water Dog (A clown of a dog - really fun, and "hypoallergenic")

Maybe get 2 small dogs,  small dogs are much better for aparments and if u have 2 they wont be lonely when u r not home

Thanks alot to everyone who has posted.  You all have been extremely helpful.  I'm going to pass on getting a large dog, and wait til i move out before i get one at all

That is very level headed thinking.

Paula

Good choice!

Seriously, when you really want a dog- the right dog will find you. Maybe you'll be driving down the street one day and find some poor lost little soul ready to come home with you. Maybe you'll be at the pound, or come by an "adoption day" event, or meet a great breeder by chance. They really do "seek you out" . . . []