GSDs need a lot of mental stimulation, so you’d need to find a way to exercise their brains since walks around the neighborhood won’t be enough.
Also, most GSDs aren’t dog park dogs. A lot of them are reactive to other dogs or just don’t really enjoy being with strange dogs. There’s exceptions, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
If you’re adopting, it makes more sense to just go see what’s available and see the temperaments of each dog. Most are going to be total mutts so there’s no need to worry about breeds.
I'd definitely look into greyhound. They tick almost all the boxes for you. People think they're high energy dogs they're actually couch potatoes and actually do very well in apartments so long as they get walked a few times a day.
In America anyway access to Greyhound's generally only through Greyhounf adoption groups since Greyhound breeding is very controlled in the US as us breeders primarily breed for racing and the quality of the breed in America is very high we're very few genetic defects and medical issues.
It depends on the dog. Some greys are not cat reactive and a good adoption agency will keep the fact that OP has a cat in mind for placing any dog, but especially a greyhound.
I have a greyhound and based on your answers, it's the breed you want. Just be mindful of those 100+ degree days and how much time your dog spends outside on those days as greys are sensitive to temp extremes
>I don’t think there are bans that you would find on most common dogs.
there often are in rentals. There can be size, weight and yes, breed restrictions.
>I’m very partial to boxers because I grew up with them and they’re very sweet and funny dogs. Outside of that, I love german shepherds (loving and inquisitive in my experience).
GSD's and Boxers are very often on breed ban lists in rentals.
A subset of greyhounds are safe around cats. These are usually the ex racers who were failed out quickly for being bad racers with no drive to chase the lure. It does regularly happen and most greyhound adoption groups will have a cat available for cat testing incoming dogs (with a muzzle on of course).
Careful, muzzled intros should still take place over the course of multiple weeks or even months, in my opinion. But I do frequently see greyhounds in cat households, on greyhound owner groups.
OP would want to work with a greyhound group to find a grey they've evaluated as cat safe, if they want to go this route. And then they'd want to still take the intro very seriously.
Greyhounds are low energy, and even though they shed, their fur is very short.
But if you're a germaphobe, maybe a Poodle mix? They don't usually slobber or shed. There are Boxer Doodles, too.
Pragmatically looking at shelters in the US what you’ll find is a lot of pits and pit mixes. And the *right* pit mix would likely be a good fit. Something that’s lived with cats— ideally a dog being fostered so you can get a feel for temperament outside of the shelter. Pit/lab could be a good option, and there are lots out there. The challenge will be to find the right one- because they absolutely can be aggressive to other animals; but they can also be the sweetest dogs ever.
Adopting an older dog with a cat already in the dog could be tricky, even if the rescue says it’s good with cats. It’ll be easier to start with a younger dog.
What about a corgi? Or one of those Heinz 57 chihuahua mixes that are everywhere in shelters, but ones on the larger side?
The lab/lab mix ideas are good too. Some labs are super chill and would be good for apartments,
What about a great dane?
Large dogs, lower energy, low prey drive, low grooming requirements, known to do good in apartments and are commonly found in rescues! Try checking out Petfinder.com if you want to find a specific breed available in your area, rescues and fosters put their dogs available there usually.
One of their answers were low slobber. From my Great Dane experience, probably not the best fit.
OP, you may be looking for a black lab to be honest. Totally flexible in having a higher activity level if you want to hike or play, but also typically content with chilling on the couch with their human too. We had a black lab/husky/german shepherd who looked mostly black lab as a family dog and she was the BEST dog I have ever known.
Slobber hasn’t ever been a huge problem for the ones I know! Even though they’re big they don’t have the big, wrinkly jaws like some other slobber prone breeds. OP also said he didn’t think slobber would bother them as much for their own dog☺️
And I feel like in the scheme of things a great dane would truly fit. But that’s just my personal opinion.
I've had a few. I suppose they do slobber while exercising as well but aside from those situations they're not slobbery. It isn't like they just drool all day long and leave puddles when just chilling on the couch like some dogs do. Honestly my malinois drools more than my dane ever did though hers is mostly like spitting since it just flies out of her mouth when she's breathing.
GSDs need a lot of mental stimulation, so you’d need to find a way to exercise their brains since walks around the neighborhood won’t be enough. Also, most GSDs aren’t dog park dogs. A lot of them are reactive to other dogs or just don’t really enjoy being with strange dogs. There’s exceptions, but I wouldn’t bet on it. If you’re adopting, it makes more sense to just go see what’s available and see the temperaments of each dog. Most are going to be total mutts so there’s no need to worry about breeds.
I'd definitely look into greyhound. They tick almost all the boxes for you. People think they're high energy dogs they're actually couch potatoes and actually do very well in apartments so long as they get walked a few times a day. In America anyway access to Greyhound's generally only through Greyhounf adoption groups since Greyhound breeding is very controlled in the US as us breeders primarily breed for racing and the quality of the breed in America is very high we're very few genetic defects and medical issues.
But they are sighthounds which probably wouldn't work super well with a cat unless the cat likes being chased constantly.
It depends on the dog. Some greys are not cat reactive and a good adoption agency will keep the fact that OP has a cat in mind for placing any dog, but especially a greyhound. I have a greyhound and based on your answers, it's the breed you want. Just be mindful of those 100+ degree days and how much time your dog spends outside on those days as greys are sensitive to temp extremes
>I don’t think there are bans that you would find on most common dogs. there often are in rentals. There can be size, weight and yes, breed restrictions. >I’m very partial to boxers because I grew up with them and they’re very sweet and funny dogs. Outside of that, I love german shepherds (loving and inquisitive in my experience). GSD's and Boxers are very often on breed ban lists in rentals.
A great dane might be a good fit. They're snuggly, good with people and other pets, and known for being great apartment dogs.
A lot of people have luck with greyhounds
Wouldn't that be bad with the cat?
A subset of greyhounds are safe around cats. These are usually the ex racers who were failed out quickly for being bad racers with no drive to chase the lure. It does regularly happen and most greyhound adoption groups will have a cat available for cat testing incoming dogs (with a muzzle on of course). Careful, muzzled intros should still take place over the course of multiple weeks or even months, in my opinion. But I do frequently see greyhounds in cat households, on greyhound owner groups. OP would want to work with a greyhound group to find a grey they've evaluated as cat safe, if they want to go this route. And then they'd want to still take the intro very seriously.
TIL
Greyhounds are low energy, and even though they shed, their fur is very short. But if you're a germaphobe, maybe a Poodle mix? They don't usually slobber or shed. There are Boxer Doodles, too.
Pragmatically looking at shelters in the US what you’ll find is a lot of pits and pit mixes. And the *right* pit mix would likely be a good fit. Something that’s lived with cats— ideally a dog being fostered so you can get a feel for temperament outside of the shelter. Pit/lab could be a good option, and there are lots out there. The challenge will be to find the right one- because they absolutely can be aggressive to other animals; but they can also be the sweetest dogs ever.
Adopting an older dog with a cat already in the dog could be tricky, even if the rescue says it’s good with cats. It’ll be easier to start with a younger dog. What about a corgi? Or one of those Heinz 57 chihuahua mixes that are everywhere in shelters, but ones on the larger side? The lab/lab mix ideas are good too. Some labs are super chill and would be good for apartments,
Maybe a rescue retired Greyhound?
check for size and breed restrictions on places you are going to rent from...
there are no breed or size restrictions. there are really big dogs in my complex as well as pitbulls (most common breed restriction)
Good deal, I moved around a lot with my last job and it was always hit or miss on if they had restrictions. Some did, some didn't.
American Labrador, dependable and no worries if you ever have to move compared to the like of a GSD or Rottweiler etc
What about a great dane? Large dogs, lower energy, low prey drive, low grooming requirements, known to do good in apartments and are commonly found in rescues! Try checking out Petfinder.com if you want to find a specific breed available in your area, rescues and fosters put their dogs available there usually.
One of their answers were low slobber. From my Great Dane experience, probably not the best fit. OP, you may be looking for a black lab to be honest. Totally flexible in having a higher activity level if you want to hike or play, but also typically content with chilling on the couch with their human too. We had a black lab/husky/german shepherd who looked mostly black lab as a family dog and she was the BEST dog I have ever known.
Slobber hasn’t ever been a huge problem for the ones I know! Even though they’re big they don’t have the big, wrinkly jaws like some other slobber prone breeds. OP also said he didn’t think slobber would bother them as much for their own dog☺️ And I feel like in the scheme of things a great dane would truly fit. But that’s just my personal opinion.
Danes slobber but mostly just while drinking. They said they're fine woth their own dogs slobber and just don't want it to be constant.
We’ve met different Danes lol.
I've had a few. I suppose they do slobber while exercising as well but aside from those situations they're not slobbery. It isn't like they just drool all day long and leave puddles when just chilling on the couch like some dogs do. Honestly my malinois drools more than my dane ever did though hers is mostly like spitting since it just flies out of her mouth when she's breathing.