In general, if you don't have a lot of space, a small dog seems the obvious choice. However, it is possible to have a big dog in a smaller space.  You just have to decide whether you want a 15 pound poodle charging around your apartment or a 90 pound shepherd.  Whatever size you decide to bring into your family, make sure to excersize them as much as they require whether it's just romping around the play yard or long walks/jogs twice a day.  Some dogs require less, some much more.  The dog generally won't care how much space he has inside the house as long as he's given plenty of excersize.

I would highly recommend going to your local shelter.  There you will be able to meet the potential dogs and puppies you are going to be living with for 15+ years and get a feel for their personality.  Plus, you will be saving a life.  More than half of all pets that end up in shelters are euthanized simply because there aren't enough people opting for adoption.  The majority of the dogs at shelters were given up simply because people get tired of having a dog, not because they've been "bad" as some people may believe.  The best dogs I have ever met have ALL been rescued dogs.

Good luck with your decision!  Let us know what kind of dog you choose. :)
 

Here are my two dogs.  The Collie is much younger and bigger than the Border Terrier mix, yet is far less energetic.  Both were rescued and both are fabulous pups!  The Collie was actually facing euthanasia before I rescued him and he is the perfect pet... already houstrained, doesn't jump, doesn't chew on anything but his toys, gets along with all people and pets... just perfect.

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Stephanie
www.PinkPuppyDesigns.com

Thinking about getting a pet? Try PetFinder.com!

WOW! Those pictures are fantastic!

 Thank ya for your advice!  I'm taking my time and also trying to take a few vacation days when I finally do make the decision. I've been visiting a few shelters as well so that will help my timing for a decision too

Did you get a dog yet?

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[merlot17]

Dachshunds are the greatest little dogs with a good playful spririt.

Pluss most have short hair and are hilarious to watch run around with there squaty little frame. 

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Great Danes make great apartment dogs. They are big giant couch potatoes and just want to be with you all the time. I own 3 Great Danes myself, and we had our first one in an apartment. She was great. They don't need alot of exercise so anywhere you have to let them potty is fine. As puppies they can be rambuncious so I would recommend adopting an adult dane. This might be TOO big of a dog for you, but just wanted to let you know I've had experience with them in an apartment and it was great!

There are a lot of toy breeds and small dogs that DONT do well in small spaces. A lot of terrier breeds need room to run and explore and are VERY barky. I've worked with dogs my whole life and am a dog groomer, so I have experienced almost every breed.

Anyways, good luck! Just thought I'd give my input as a big dog LOVER! 

 

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Cray4danes!

Pugs are very easy and fun!

I agree with peabody71, dachshuds are the dog of choice.  I have owned them all my life, (50+years) and think they are a wonderful breed.

I just last week rescued three of them from certain death.  They are just wonderful and are having a great time although I will be glad when the house training gets better.

Have said that Dachshunds are great dogs I must also tell you that you cannot rule a Dachshund.  You have to make a deal with it and it has to think there is something in it for them before they will do anything.  They are sharp as a tack and pick things up well but can be stubborn and if a dachshund makes its mind up that's pretty much the way it is going to be.  On the positive side , if you offer them an alternative they will usually comply.

Get a Dachshund, you wont be sorry, I would suggest the Dachshund Rescue of America.

Good Luck

Yep,

 Dachshunds are it!  Of course I'm a little biased.  I LOVE my two dachshunds to death.  They are great housedogs and as mentioned previously, don't leave hair everywhere. There are so many choices out there.....good luck!

 

Kathleen

My dachshunds OWN me!

hi here is an old website, follow the directions. you answer the questions and then at the end it gives you a list of breeds that may fit for you, you can look them up and read all about them. now i have noticed some breeds are missing but most are there. good luck

http://aolsvc.decisionguides.aol.com/dogs/

I recently got a standard poodle puppy.  After reading extensively on them and being around a few of them who were fairly young, I was sold. I already knew what an intelligent breed they were.  No body odor, no shedding.  Poodles actually have wool like a sheep, not hair like most dogs.  Anyway, I have a 4-mont-old stardard multi-colored poodle (brown and white).  He lives in the house (stays in a kennel while we work during the day and he took to that immediately.)  He is UNBELIEVABLY calm and well behaved.  The breeder is GREAT - checks on him, sent me a little video of his parents and his birth, etc.  We have a 1.5 year old black lab female and they are the best of friends.  Absolutely no agreesion by either of them.  Also the puppy plays very well and gently with my 2-year-old granddaughter.  He sleeps in our king size bed with us and is just the PERFECT companion and pet.  I STRONGLY a standard poodle but make sure you use a REPUTABLE breeder.  I can recommend a great one to you.