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I recently moved into my first apartment and I've decided that I really need a pet to keep my company and to help keep my spirits up. My depression and anxiety have been really bad lately, and I don't spend enough time at the barn to curb it at this point.

I won't be getting a pet in the next few weeks, because I need to find a second job first, my current one doesn't pay enough to support a pet as well as myself.

I've been wanting a dog forever, and my apartment does allow dogs, but there is a 25lb weight limit. I am a big dog kind of person. I don't like "yappy" small dogs in general, though I realize that every dog is an individual.

Can anyone recommend a small-medium breed that would do okay in apartment life? I don't have a yard or anything, but I'm a fairly active person and I could take it for walks/runs pretty much daily unless the weather gets REALLY bad (happens occasionally here). I don't know much about smaller breeds, because I've always planned on getting a big dog, preferably a pit mix, but there are also breed restrictions here. I'd most likely be adopting from the humane society or a rescue organization, but I have no idea where to start or what to look for in small dogs.

My apartment manager said that they'll let people slide up to about 35lbs and that they don't actually weigh people's dogs, so the 25lb limit isn't a hard one.

I was thinking about shelties, does anyone have any experience with them? How hard are their coats to take care of? (I've never had a long-haired... anything. Had a beagle mix growing up, short-haired cats, and my horses only get hairy in the winter, and we shave the ones who get REALLY long hair)

I also might get a cat... depending on how my situation pans out. There are still a lot of variables up in the air. I'd rather have a dog though. Having something that needs to be walked every day will encourage me to get out and move, which would help with my depression, it's just hard to motivate yourself.

Dang, I was gonna reccommend a Greyhound. Excellent, beautiful dogs. Perfect for apartment life.

Shelties need land, as froggymama said. I do not think that would be the best Apartment dog. Herding breeds tend to not be the best apartment dogs.
My recommendations:

Shiba Inu

or

Beagle

I live in an apartment, and I have a half-beagle/half-jack russel terrier. And she does incredibly well!

Though the terrier in her tends to make her a bit restless, I would reccomend a beagle. They are very calm dogs and easily pick up on their owners habits.

Or a greyhound, they are the same way.

I was wondering about whippets, I figured greyhounds would be too big. I couldn't find a lot of hard information about their size. Italian greyhounds are adorable... I'd have to get clothes for any of those breeds, it's way too cold up here otherwise. whee

And I do love beagles, I was just worried about barking? My beagle mix barked a lot, no matter how well trained she was. There are pretty strict noise ordinances around here. I had a roommate a few years ago with a min-beagle that barked a lot, but then, he didn't bother to train her at all...

I'll check out the quiz on Animalplanet, thanks!

Really? Because I had a beagle and it was one of the quietest dogs I've ever had. Didn't whine at all, my Malamute was the noisy one.

It depends on the dog. I was just giving her advice based on experiences I've had in the past with those particular breeds.

King Charles were actually at the top of my list from that animal planet quiz thing! I've always thought they were gorgeous. I guess if I'm going to have a "toy" dog, those would probably be my first choice, though I have no experience with them. I may look more into that.
As for Dachsunds... *points to signature* I've known some nice ones, but they're one of the small dog breeds that I'm not a big fan of. Those and jack russells. And Corgis, though I know those are medium dogs. Jack Russells and Corgis especially, but that might just be association, since they are both the "in" dogs for the hunter/jumper horse world, which is the direct opposite of the Dressage world, which is my world. 3nodding

And I'm really not too worried about the cold. I knit and crochet and have always thought it would be hilarious to make a sweater for my dog. A lot of people around here have clothes for their dogs, there are a lot of stores that sell coats and blankets and things, because it gets bloody cold in the winter. So there's less of the "I'm dressing up my dog!" stigma. It's practical. My best friend has a blanket for her Rott mix, and my old horse trainer had a variety of blankets and coats for her Boston Terrier.

Christizzle - Thanks for the input! My beagle mix barked a lot, but that could have been the german shepard in her too... so I don't know. I looked up Shiba Inu and they look awesome. Definitely the kind of dog I'd like, and a good size. I might look into those. Thanks!


Another question. What do people who don't have a yard their dogs can go out in during the day do while they're at work? I know some people who go home at lunch to let them out, but what if that's not an option? I teach all day on Saturdays, currently, and will hopefully be expanding that as we contract with some care facilities (we've already got one potential! I'm excited! I can't wait to work with ADULTS again! Not that I don't love kids, but I prefer teaching adults). I can't go home in the middle of the day because, even if I'm taking a break, I'm the only certified instructor on site, so lessons can't happen if I'm not there (hopefully that will change this summer, Ellen's working on getting re-certified). So do they just have to stay inside and... hold it for 9 hours? I mean, cats have litter boxes, what can you do for dogs? I don't think I'll be able to afford some sort of doggie daycare situation either.

ah, yeah, I think separation anxiety is common in shelter animals, unfortunately sad

I'm an animal person. I've been training horses semi-professionally since I was 16. I'm a professional riding instructor now, and I'm trying to figure out how to get a side training business started in a new city (with a MUCH more competitive market than my home-town!). I know how much of a difference breeds make in horses, and I've known enough dogs to know it can make a difference there too. I'm confident in my training abilities that I could potentially handle most problems, but my situation makes that less feasible. I can't have a dog that barks all day because my neighbors will complain. I don't have a big yard for a dog to run around in, and I think it would be cruel to coop something like an australian shepard up in an apartment all day. I've known a lot of Aussies, and they're awesome dogs, but NOT apartment dogs!
Basically, I understand how important making the right "match" is, with any animal. I've gotten several jobs riding really nice horses that were owned by awesome people that they just didn't click with.