Worst Dogs for Apartments
Having lived for decades in apartments, most recently in New York City and in Miami Beach, I’ve really come to question the arbitrary restrictions against certain dogs based on size and weight.
Some people say it’s because large dogs are destructive, others say there are insurance issues, and still others say they are dangerous.
I’ve written about this before on Urban Dog, here and here, and now Charlotte Reed, “pet trendologist” and author, is weighing in on the subject.
Here is her list of the worst dogs for apartment living:
- German Shepherd Dog
- Yorkshire Terriers
- Labrador
- Dachshund
- Chihuahua
- Border Collie
- Beagle
- Briard
There are three small dogs on that list! Yorkshire Terriers, Dachshunds, and Chihuahuas are included because they are yappy and are often hard to housebreak.
Take note: Yorkies are among the most popular dogs in New York City.
The German Shepherd Dog is the only dog on the list that is included because it is potentially dangerous. They can be very territorial and might cause problems when they encounter other dogs in hallways and elevators.
The other medium to large dogs on the list are included because they need lots of exercise (Labs and Border Collies, for example), or because of barking (Beagles!), or they might try to “herd” other dogs or children (Border Collies and Briards.)
Reed goes on to say that some of the largest dogs, like Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards, and Great Danes, make the best apartment dwellers because they’re basically the canine equivalents of couch potatoes. They’re just not that active.
As you can see the list is a mixed bag. The bottom line is that it’s NOT the size of the dog that matters, it’s the TEMPERAMENT! Condo and coop boards, rental agents, and landlords should give that some thought.
For more click here from Fox News or check out Reed’s website.
