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Are there NO big apartment friendly dogs? I don't really like the Toy Group or Terriers. I love bigger dogs like Golden Retrievers, English Sheepdogs and Poodles. Since I live in NYC, I don't wanna get a dog that would be unhappy in my small apartment...so what dog breeds do you guys suggest? I like basset hounds... Are they apartment friendly? Are they always Eeyore-lookin (meaning are they naturally just low-energy)? I hear corgis (another cute dog!) need space and they need to be constantly entertained, so they probably wouldn't be happy in a small apartment, right? Or are retrievers etc. still ok for a small apartment?

I'm a huge dog lover, so I wanna make sure my dog would be happy!

Thanks for the site, wendy. I'm not concerned about exercise, per se, but more so about space needs and the bark-factor. I'll look into those bulldogs! Thanks for lettin me know about the bark-factor for bassett hounds, OttawaBride. I never knew that.

OMG, Mrs. DG, you just made my day! I wrote this post because I dislike small dogs, but love, love LOVE gentle giants. Bernese Mountain Dogs are my FAVORITE (besides the old english sheepdog), and I'm so happy to hear that yours was ok without a backyard. I just don't want the lack of space to make my big doggy sad...so of course I'm going to think long and hard about it still. Maybe I could find someone with a big dog and doggysit for a weekend to see how s/he does in my tiny apartment...

I'm curious: What about springer spaniels and cocker spaniels? Do they bark a lot?

We have a bulldog, and she's awesome in our apartment.  Sometimes she doesn't want to go outside for longer than it takes her to pee.  But she's a big fan of playing inside and she enjoys her trips to the dog park.  We can't recommend them enough!  And they have HUGE personalities!

Not all dogs need the same amount of exercise. That of course does not mean that you can skip it with certain dogs, but the energy levels vary greatly.

In my experience dog energy levels decrease with size. For the most part, smaller dogs need more exercise, however because of their size, they get a lot more exercise indoors than larger dogs do. Mid size dogs are large enough and high energy enough that they need the most space and outdoor exercise. Larger dogs (gentle giants) in fact need the least exercise. They do well in apartments despite their size for that reason. They are usually low energy and calm dogs.

There are of course exceptions and differences in personalities, but I've owned and been around a lot of dogs and this is typically what I've seen. And of course, age plays a big role in energy level as well. A 1.5 yr old berner is going to be more energetic than a 10 year old lab. Puppies are a LOT of work, and there are so many dogs that need homes in shelters. Some really good dogs come from shelters and remember that a dog's temperament from the cage he's in might not be accurate refelction of his temperament when he's had some good exercise and isn't locked up almost 24/7.

Personally I LOVE st bernards and great danes. They are such gentle giants and I can't wait to get a second dog. My current dog is a small lab, shepherd, husky mix that I rescued at age 1. He is not like any of his breeds, though, and does well in an apartment, since we go to FI's parent's farm on weekends and he goes running with me 1-2 times per week for about 3-5 miles.

I'd always consider using a rescue group, shelter or reputable breeder. Do a lot of research, and take your time. When I found my dog, Marley, he was the twelfth dog that I went to meet. I saw big and small dogs of all breeds, and initially didn't even go to the shelter to see him. If you take your time and wait for the right dog, you'll save yourself a lot of headaches.

We're also in NYC and recently adopted a cocker spaniel/poodle mix. We think he'll grow to about 30 pounds and so far he is doing great in the apartment. We take him out 3 or 4 times a day, with a total mileage between 3 and 4 miles.

One of the great things about NYC is the abundance of dog parks--we have two great ones within walking distance. We have met so many wonderful owners and it's a great way to get to know other breeds. I second PP's advice of meeting many different dogs before you decide to adopt, and if there's a dog park near you, I highly recommend visiting one and chatting up some of the owners about how their pups handle apartment life.

I've been living in apartments for a few years with my mutt- a lab/shepherd mix. To be honest, an "apartment friendly" dog has a lot to do with what the places in your area allow. I know that, where I'm at, it would be very difficult to rent with a great dane due to the size restrictions many places have. Do some hunting around first, and see what  kinds of restrictions (on size, and on breed- for example, it can be hard to rent in some places with a pit bull or rottweiler) there are.

As for breed, mine is a mix of 2 fairly energetic dog breeds, but he's done well for a couple of reasons. First, I try to walk him and play with him, and to keep him occupied- that way, he's tired and/or busy and can't get into too much trouble.

Second, my dog is a senior. I got him around age 5, and he's now 10. Consider adopting a senior dog! They can make great companions, and they are often difficult to rehome because so many people want a puppy. Even if you don't want a senior dog, an adult might be a god idea. Puppies can be trouble makers, and they also take a lot of work (which adult dogs may or may not need- depending on the dog, of course).

When you do start looking for a dog, try petfinder.com-- you can type in your zip code, the breed you want, and the age, and they'll link you to local shelters!

I grew up with a spaniel mix -- we called her a mutant spaniel :p -- she was some mishmash of coker, and springer, I think.  She was a great dog!  She lived inside all day and hung out and slept until I got home from school or my parents got home from work.  I would highly encourage any breed of spaniel.  They've got a range of sizes, from Cavalier (smallest) to Brittney (I think is the largest) and they're all amazing.  Very loyal, very fun, and good "inside dogs" because of their craaaazy hunting instinct.  My puppy Cavalier will stalk the crap out of a moving leaf in the yard, I'm not sure what he'll do when he encounters a squirrel.  Very good inside dogs.   

I have a wonderful mutt from North Shore Animal League, and I can't say enough about what a great apartment dog she's been.  She's supposedly a rhondesian ridgeback mix (although with a shelter og, you can't usually be sure), and she's got a great temperment.  We've lived in apartments all her life and she's not a barker and is very calm.  She's about 50-60 lbs.

I'd like to echo what other posters said about adopting a senior dog, and also about checking out restictions in NYC.  It took me a while to find an apartment that allowed dogs up to 80 lbs in Manhattan.  Many only allow up to 50 lbs, so that may be a consideration.  Best of luck in your search, and remember that you have the chance to save a life by adopting a shelter dog.  Adopting mine was the best decision I ever made, and she's given me 9 years of happiness so far!

GO CAVALIERS!!!!  I own two black and tan CKCS and they are the joy of my life.  I lived in a small Chicago apartment when I purchased them.  They are sweet, joyful, and loving companions.  Please keep in mind, this is a "people person" breed and do not like to be left alone for long hours.  These dogs love their people and want to be by your side. A cavalier is curious by nature and, for the most part, must always be on a leash.  They are so curious about their surrounding that a squirrel might cause them to chase right out into a busy street without fear of traffic. 

I actually grew up with large hunting dogs and it was very difficult to give in and purchase a small breed.  But I am a huge dog lover and wanted a dog that would thrive in the city environment.  I was quite surprised to discover my cavs were like a mini labrador retriever.  I have been so taken my this breed that I now volunteer for several local cavalier rescues.

Good luck with your search.  ONE THING!!!!  Please do not purchase a purebred dog from a pet store of any kind.  No reputable breeder would ever allow one of their puppies to be sold in a pet store of any kind.  Most of these dogs come from unexperinced back yard breeers or commerical breeders (aka puppy mills).