I've loved Shar Peis since I was about 10, but the only person I've ever known who owned a Shar Pei was my major adviser in college, who got a Shar Pei puppy my senior year and named it after her childhood pediatrician--Dr. Johnson. I used to see her walking the dog on campus my senior year, and I would always stop and pet it and talk to her, but I wasn't seriously considering getting a dog at that point, so I never asked her about the practical parts of owning one. But the reason we were thinking about a Shar Pei specifically is because they are independent, medium-sized, short-haired dogs who can be left alone while their owners are at work but are still loyal and cuddly. At least, that's what I've read. Also, they're super cute. Unfortunately, we'd probably want to adopt an older dog, and Shar Peis more than almost any other breed are at their cutest when they're puppies:
Anyway, so I asked this woman all about what it was like to own a Shar Pei, and she said that while he was the sweetest dog when it came to other humans, he absolutely hated other dogs, and for that reason could never be brought to a dog park and had to be held on a very tight leash when outside in case another dog passed by, because if he could, he would absolutely attack and try to kill any other dog he saw. This surprised me because everything I've read about Shar Peis said that they are very good watchdogs and are not particularly friendly to strange people, and nothing has said anything about them being vicious toward other dogs. I'm trying to decide if I think her dog was poorly trained and I can still pursue my dream of Shar Pei ownership. But then again, if we adopt an older dog, we won't have control over how it was trained or what fears or complexes it might have developed when it was younger. So maybe it's better to scrap the whole Shar Pei thing and go for one of my other favourite breeds--like chocolate labs, beagles, Welsh corgis, and, of course, un-pedigreed mixes. Does anyone have any thoughts on these breeds, or any others that are particularly good (or not) to own if you live in an apartment without a yard and aren't home for 8 or 9 hours out of the day?
It's hard to have a dog when you both work out of the house full time. Seriously, I have two dogs and one of us has to go home and let them out during lunch, or time our hours such that they are not alone for more than 6 hours. However, I cannot say enough about what a wonderful thing it is to have a dog. Seriously, we love our dogs a ridiculous amount and they keep us calm, healthy and outdoorsy! Therefore, I will recomend a poodle. I know, but they are the perfect dog. They are couch potatoes, very clean (they don't shed at all) and very smart so they potty train quickly and permanently. Also, very little barking as long as you train them, which is important in an apartment setting. In fact, I know people who have litter box trained them. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteah, little puntable dogs. i mean... uh... cute small dogs. who YAP and YAP and YAP and YAP and YAP and YAP and YAP and YAP and YAP and YAP and YAP. or maybe that's just the maltese who lives in our house. YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP.
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm totally pimping my dogs! We have two schnoodles, cuz we both have crazy allergies and they don't shed. I would recommend, as big an expense it is, to get two dogs together if you're both gone all day. Our first dog suffered terrible separation anxiety when we were at work and tore the house apart. Once we got the second one, no problems. Gives them something to do all day. And they are the most loveable and loyal dogs you could wish for. The downsides? They don't like other dogs, or small children until we show them that WE like them. And the yipping, oh the yipping. But I couldn't live without them.
ReplyDeleteOne thing about larger dogs (like for example a lab or mix) is that they can Hold It longer. Our dogs routinely go 12 hours without having to "go out", which is nice since we are both out of the house all day.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was seriously thinking of getting a dog about 5 years ago, I almost got a bulldog due to the lack of a yard and working full-time. They definitely aren't as high-energy as smaller dogs, but you have to watch out for hip dysplasia.
ReplyDeleteI'm also a huge fan of corgis.
I'd encourage you to go the mutt route, just because you won't have to deal with all the weird genetic issues that occur in many purebreds. We got our mutt from a shelter, and he is AWESOME. I agree that it's hard to have a dog if you have to be away from the house 8-9 hours a day--we always make sure we can be home every four hours to let the dog out, and try not to leave him in more than 6 or 7 hours unless it's unavoidable. Mostly because I figure if I can't hold it nine hours I shouldn't really except him to. But maybe that's not correct thinking, I don't know. He's gone over 12 hours before, so it's doable. I'd just go to shelters and play with dogs and get a dog you like. They'll normally be able to tell you how they get along with other dogs, cats, kids, etc.
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