Dog breed help

Ok so this summer I am renting a house with a friend and I really want a furry companion but I am having trouble figuring out a breed to go with. I want a rescue dog and I am going to look at pound dogs but it would be nice to have a couple breeds picked out to look to rescue as well.

Basically I am looking for something that will be allowed at a rental house (so probably not big or pit bull or rottie), fairly inactive inside, requiring about 1-2 hours exercise (probably towards the lower end of that but I would like them to be able to go on hikes and the like with me). I don't really like the temperament of most small dogs I have met and I more of a big dog person. Also my roommate is looking at getting a dog as well so I really need to avoid dog aggressive. I would prefer not wiry hair but that may be getting to focused.

A greyhound would top my list except from what I have seen they probably won't be taken at most rental places because they say smaller dogs.

For the record, I've known plenty of female pit mixes that come in around 40 lbs. If you're in an area rife with pits like St. Louis is, I wouldn't rule them out wholesale.

alex wrote: For the record, I've known plenty of female pit mixes that come in around 40 lbs. If you're in an area rife with pits like St. Louis is, I wouldn't rule them out wholesale.

It isn't the size of pits that rule them out. It is that most rentals will not allow them.

Greyhound.

I love Australian Shepherds, but they are very active. It won't be a problem with them getting 1-2 hours outside, but they will want to keep playing well beyond that until they hit about 4 years old. They are extremely smart too which makes them an excellent friend. They run around 45 lbs unless they are mixed with a large breed. Mine is 75 because she is a German Shepherd mix.

93EXCivic wrote:

alex wrote: For the record, I've known plenty of female pit mixes that come in around 40 lbs. If you're in an area rife with pits like St. Louis is, I wouldn't rule them out wholesale.

It isn't the size of pits that rule them out. It is that most rentals will not allow them.

Don't tell them it's a pit, just that it's a mutt from the pound. Mixes are a helluva lot more common in shelters around here than purebred pits.

Of course, that will be easier to pull off if your dog looks less like this

and more like this

How about a Sheltie or Corgi? They seem like travel sized versions of real dogs to me.

93EXCivic wrote:

alex wrote: For the record, I've known plenty of female pit mixes that come in around 40 lbs. If you're in an area rife with pits like St. Louis is, I wouldn't rule them out wholesale.

It isn't the size of pits that rule them out. It is that most rentals will not allow them.

It is not only the size but the breed too.
I wish not to debate the topic but it is a fact that many communities have rules against "dangerous breeds." I know this well since my S-I-L's Staffie lived with me for 18 months while she was active duty in Guantanamo (great, well mannered dog.) At the time, I lived in a community that had rules against. I also had homeowners insurance that had a "dont ask, dont tell policy" but if they was to be a claim against the dog it would surely result in a drop.

I understand wanting a dog - I have had two at all times for the past 15+ years but my advice is that dog ownership and rental make for a bad combination.

how about a beagle? there's a pretty active beagle rescue group here an likely to be others closer to your place.

Corgi or Basset.

Seriously. They are not the typical "small dog" that you are thinking of. My Basset sleeps ALL DAMN DAY, but if we go hiking, he is usually still ready to play catch after a 6 or 7 mile stretch.

They are stubborn, but they are the most affectionate and loveable dog I have ever met. Plus, they really grab the attention of the ladies...if you're into that kind of thing. I swear, at car shows, he gets more attention than most of the cars. (I just say he is running a bit too much camber and toe out in the front, that's why he's so slow.)

Do Bassets have a lot of ear problems? I seem to remember something about that. I'm rather partial to one particular breed, but it is sadly sometimes included on the DD list.

Maroon92 wrote: Corgi or Basset. Seriously. They are not the typical "small dog" that you are thinking of. My Basset sleeps ALL DAMN DAY, but if we go hiking, he is usually still ready to play catch after a 6 or 7 mile stretch.

How bad are the back problems with Bassets?

Do Corgis have a similar temperament to Bassets?

My pit/lab mix can run all day, or sleep all day. Pits are generally pretty calm indoors, unlike smaller dogs that freak out and yap all day and pee on everything. I would say I can't understand why Renters don't allow Pits, but I have seen mine eat an unopened can of dog food so...

My suggestion would be my other dog, an indeterminate bird dog mix. They are very loyal, have great noses, well trained, lot's of energy when you want them too but are calm once inside as well. And who's afraid of an English or Irish Setter?

It's a ShiZhu mix, I swear!

BBsGarage wrote: Do Bassets have a lot of ear problems? I seem to remember something about that.

I have heard that too but after 7 years with two bassets I have never seen it. Long ears that drag the ground and into food are the culprits. My dogs LOVE ear cleanings and will beg for them every week or so. A damp cloth into the ear canal for a few minutes and they are good.

As far as back problems go again. Never seen it but we were warned to not let them jump off of things too much.

They don't like going down stairs. Up is no issue but with the forward rake they can't get down by themselves. We had to set up a baby gate at the base of our stairs to keep them from going up and then crying to be carried down.

Our 7 year old is what you expect out of a basset. A 70lb lazy sweetheart, slow and stubborn. The 3 year old is freakishly fast and energetic. I can walk her 4 miles and she is ready for another go within minutes. Still stubborn though.

They are ruled by their noses. They have the second best sense of smell in the dog group and it consumes 99% of their time. If a Basset gets loose it won't find its way home. It will keep sniffing around until it is miles away.

English Spaniel ( not the american spaniel... just my personal dislike) or larger, like the Springer or the Brittany ... especially if they've got a couple of yrs on them ( the hyperness will have worked it's way out of them) they love the outdoors/woods etc

jrw1621 wrote: my advice is that dog ownership and rental make for a bad combination.

Seems like good advice to me.

I think Shelties and Beagles are too active indoors for me. Spaniels are nice dogs I just don't want to own one. I have spent a decent amount of time with spaniels.

Corgis might be too small doggish for me but I might try to find one to meet.

Bassets might be the ticket.

Too bad big dogs are out. This is mine (~160lbs) and he doesn't need/like much exercise. Teddy bear personality is the bonus!

dyintorace wrote: Too bad big dogs are out. This is mine (~160lbs) and he doesn't need/like much exercise. Teddy bear personality is the bonus!

Yeah. I had a list of about 5 dogs but they are all too big.

Gertrude, rescued hound. Probably mostly foxhound, but she has the under bite common to beagles

Since I also agree (as the former owner of a rental house) that getting a dog while renting is a bit "risky"...why not find a local dog rescue that needs folks to foster dogs? It gives you a chance to "try out" a particular breed and get very well acquainted with it's quirks, plus, you don't have to have a long term comittment, unless you find a dog you really like.

Watch The People's Court, one BIG reason why pit bulls are not well liked is their unpredictable nature. 75% of defendents in dog bite cases had a pit bull. And dyintorace...my Cocker Spaniel was killed by a neighbor's Great Dane. Admittedly, the GD was trained to protect and my dog was on the neighbor's property, but I'll never own one.

integraguy wrote: Since I also agree (as the former owner of a rental house) that getting a dog while renting is a bit "risky"...why not find a local dog rescue that needs folks to foster dogs? It gives you a chance to "try out" a particular breed and get very well acquainted with it's quirks, plus, you don't have to have a long term comittment, unless you find a dog you really like. Watch The People's Court, one BIG reason why pit bulls are not well liked is their unpredictable nature. 75% of defendents in dog bite cases had a pit bull.

I am a bit confused as to why owning a dog in a rental house is a bit "risky". As in property damage or ??? Am I missing something? A big part of the reason I was planning on renting a house is so I could get a dog. Fostering dogs is not a bad idea either that way if I found one I really loved I could keep it and I would also be helping out other dogs.

Have you seen the people on that show? Is it any wonder a pit bull has attacked if it is owned by some of the people on the couple times I have seen that show?

Shiba Inu, beagle sized people dog.

914Driver wrote: Shiba Inu, beagle sized people dog.

I forgot about those.