by Anthony Megna

Created on: April 05, 2009   Last Updated: November 26, 2011

It's okay for people to have dogs in their apartments without yards, but it should be the right type of dog! Some dogs do better in apartments than others. You will be saving yourself and your dog a whole lot of heartache as long as you do some research beforehand. Take a look on the Internet and find which dogs do great in small areas so you can match up what size and breed of dogs do well.

You wouldn't want to have a large German Shepherd in a studio apartment now, would you? Common sense should dictate what dog is right for where you live. Research needs to be done before the person gets the pet. Some dogs do quite well in an apartment. Obviously most of these are small dogs and are bred not to need a lot of exercise. However, no matter what breed the dog is, they still need some "out" time.

Living in a condo, my wife and I have a relatively small dog, about twenty pounds, and he goes for a walk at least once a day. We don't mind, as we also get our exercise as well, and it's imperative for the health of the dog and us. We do have common space with a green area, and we always make sure we have a "poop" bag on us at all times when walking our dog. No one wants to step in a mess, and it is against the rules of the home owners' association board as well. Even if it wasn't, we never would subject anyone to a mess. It is piggish. Some people don't clean up after their dogs, and I haven't found the correct word to describe these lowbrows!

A dog is great for companionship and it's true when they say "Man's best friend". Such loyalty is hard to find these days, and with a dog at your side you will always have a best friend. But one must respect their dog, and having the wrong dog in the wrong domain is just "wrong". That's why research is essential before getting a pet and finding out which dogs do great in apartments is key.

Most places have an area close by that you can walk your dog, a park for instance. Also, most cities or towns have leash laws on the books so for your own protection make sure your dog is on a leash. I'm not talking about those dogs that are called "extreme toy dogs" that fit in your purse. That's way different. But you still wouldn't want one of those dogs to be running free as they can be lost real easy. You will be doing yourself and your dog a big favor by finding a park or someplace where the dog can be a "dog".

Yes, it's possible to have a nice dog to share an apartment with you as long as you adhere to his/her needs. You will always have a friend by your side, and a smile every day!

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