Did you know that the American Kennel Club has published a list of the best dogs for apartment living?
With cities growing and land prices escalating, most metropolitan areas around the globe are looking to establish neighborhoods characterized by apartments rather than single-family homes. This move can create challenges for people wanting to ensure that dogs remain part of their lives.
Years ago for example, in New Zealand, the main telecommunications company here used a Jack Russell Terrier named Spot in its commercials. The breeding and demand for these dogs soared. People thought that the dog, being small, would be good for the suburbs (let alone, apartments). But terriers need wide-open spaces and are bred for hunting down prey like rabbits and ferrets. The result: lots of ill-behaved dogs and owners who were out of their depth.
I would say that this list is a starting point, many mixed-breed dogs can acclimate to apartment living with the right routine and devotion. And small dog breeds need to be managed carefully around stairs – because a lifetime of walking up and down stairs puts a lot of strain on the back and shoulders….
The best dog breeds for apartment living are:
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Pug
The Shih Tzu
The Bulldog
The Bichon Frise
The French Bulldog
The Greyhound
The Chinese Crested
The Havanese
The Maltese
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
DoggyMom.com 