Dogs and apartments : The Perfect Guide

Finding the perfect balance between a love for dogs and apartments living can be a delightful journey. Many believe that having a dog in an apartment is challenging, but with the right approach, it can be an enriching experience for both owner and pet. Whether you’re a seasoned dog owner or considering bringing a furry friend into your compact living space for the first time, understanding how to create a harmonious environment is essential. This guide will explore the joys and considerations of apartment living with a dog, offering practical tips to ensure your pet’s happiness and your peace of mind.

“I want a dog, but I live in an apartment.”

“I’m moving to an apartment, so I have to get rid of my dog.”

“I’d like to rent to pet owners, but I can’t afford the mess they leave.”

“It’s not fair to keep a dog in an apartment in the city.”

Dogs and apartments

A survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association shows that the number of dog-owning families is declining even while the number of dogs owned is slightly up. Oft-quoted statistics show that hundreds of thousands of healthy, adoptable dogs die in shelters each year. Many of these dogs could find homes if those who moved to apartments could take their pets along and those who live in apartments were allowed to keep a dog. The euthanasia of healthy dogs could be affected at both ends: dogs who might lose their homes because their owners are moving to an apartment could remain with their owners instead of going to the shelter or rescue group, and dogs already at the shelter or with a rescue group could get new homes in apartments.

The solution may be just around the corner. The San Francisco SPCA has developed a cooperative arrangement between pet owners and management companies that dissolves the barrier to pet ownership in apartments. The pact requires concessions on both sides, backed up by owner references, pet resumes, house rules, and contracts, and can easily be adapted to any city’s needs.

Dogs in the city

Many dogs, purebred and mixed breed, can live happily in the city as long as their needs for exercise and companionship are met. For many, a daily walk is sufficient; for some, biweekly romps in the park or participation in serious sports such as hunting trials, tracking, agility, flyball, lure-coursing, or other working events are necessary to dissipate large amounts of energy.

Owners of city dogs face some restrictions about cleaning up after their dogs and keeping their pets quiet, but these are easily dealt with by an education campaign emphasizing pride in a clean environment and good manners for all pet dogs.

Those who are willing to clean up their pet’s feces and instruct them in courteous behavior should not be robbed of the opportunity to own a dog because others are not willing to do so. Instead of blanket prohibitions, landlords could make use of strict policies governing pet ownership in their buildings.

In San Francisco, a pet owner provides these items to the landlord along with an application to rent an apartment:

1. References from veterinarians, neighbors, former landlords, and others that the pet is well kept and the owner is responsible;
2. A packet of information about the pet, including vaccination records, proof of sterilization and licensing, and certificate of completion of obedience class; and
3. Shows a sense of responsibility about pet care by becoming a member of the local animal welfare society
4. and also agrees to
   • Clean up after the pet inside and out;
     Pay a pet deposit and repair any damage the pet may cause;
   • Sign a pet policy agreement;
   • Keep the pet under control at all times.

The applicant may also offer to bring the pet to meet the landlord and welcome the landlord to visit the pet in the apartment to prove that the policies are being followed.

Landlords’ pet policies

Those who rent an apartment must be prepared to abide by the conditions set down by the owner of the property. If this means no pets because some pet owners in the past have caused trouble, the pet owner has three options: give up the pet, give up the apartment, or change the landlord’s mind.

Those who choose the third approach have their work cut out. Most important is to keep cool, gather information to prove the benefits of pets to people and to a stable environment in the apartment building or complex, and point out that responsible pet owners are likely to be responsible tenants as well.

Potential for other areas

In San Francisco, the pets as apartment dwellers program is part of an overall effort to reduce pet abandonment and deaths. There’s no reason why a similar program could not work in every city or region in the country. If a single shelter is reluctant to sponsor such an effort, a coalition of shelters could do so.

Dogs that do well in the city

Many breeds of dogs seem to have a secret yearning to become a couch potato and thus do well in apartments or condominiums.

Low Energy dogs

Those with low energy levels don’t even need extensive walks or workouts as long as they get sufficient exercise and are not overfed.

Toy dogs have high energy levels in some cases, but they are small enough that they can satisfy their needs running about the apartment.

Small to medium size low to moderate energy dogs that are also suitable for apartment living include:

• Cocker Spaniel,
• Clumber Spaniel,
• Sussex Spaniel,
• Basset Hound,
• Beagle,
• Basenji,
• Norwegian Elkhound,
• Dachshund,
• Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen,
• Whippet,
• most terriers,
• Bichon Frise,
• Bulldog (as long as there’s no flights of stairs to climb daily),
• French Bulldog,
• Keeshond,
• Finnish Spitz,
• American Eskimo,
• Lhasa Apso,
• Schipperke, Corgi,
• Shetland Sheepdog.

Medium energy dogs

Medium to large dogs that can adjust to living in good-sized apartments as long as they get moderately long walks and a weekly allowance of boisterous exercise include:

• Brittany,
• Springer Spaniel,
• Akita,
• Malamute,
• Siberian Husky,
• Newfoundland,
• Boxer,
• Rottweiler,
• Mastiff, Bullmastiff,
• Doberman
• Pinscher,
• Great Dane,
• Samoyed,
• St. Bernard,
• Bernese Mountain Dog,
• Chow Chow,
• Collie,
• Old English Sheepdog,
• Shar Pei,
• Bouvier des Flandres,
• Briard,
• German Shepherd.

Dogs that do poorly in the city

High energy dogs

Dogs with high energy levels that do not do well in apartments without daily exercise of at least moderate intensity include:

• the large sighthounds,
• pointers,
• setters,
• retrievers,
• Dalmatians,
• Border Collie,
• Bearded Collie,
• Siberian Husky,
• foxhounds,
• coonhounds,
• Weimaraner.

Any individual dog can have a higher or lower energy level than is typical of its breed. High energy dogs can be destructive dogs if left alone too long or if not given a job to do. Obedience training and crate confinement can be wonderful aids in channeling energy and preventing wholesale damage to possessions when the dog is left alone.

Dogs and Apartments : Noisy dogs

Apartment dwellers should also be aware that certain breeds of dogs tend to be noisy, including:

• terriers,
• some toys,
• many of the working breeds,
• Collies,
• Norwegian Elkhounds,
• Finnish Spitz,
• American Eskimos,
• Beagles.

Guardian breeds

Guardian breeds such as

• Dobermans,
• Akitas,
• Rottweilers,
• German Shepherds,
• Boxers,
• Giant and Standard Schnauzers,
• Airedale Terriers,
• Bouvier des Flandres,
• Briards

Senior Citizen’s Pet Protection Act

Senior citizens and disabled residents of privately-owned federally-subsidized housing complexes will gain the right to own pets if HR 1619, the Senior Citizen’s Pet Protection act, passes in this session of congress. Residents of federally-owned apartment buildings are already protected.

Living with dogs and apartments can be a rewarding experience with the right approach. By choosing a suitable breed, providing ample exercise, and creating a pet-friendly environment, you can ensure both you and your dog enjoy apartment living. We’d love to hear your tips and experiences with dogs and apartments. Share your thoughts and any additional advice in the comments below to help others make the most of their space with their furry friends!

Frequently Asked Questions