Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

 Blueshavenhobbit wrote:
Might want to look at a retired Greyhound, bit close to your weight restriction though. (Maybe look at half a retired greyhound.) Affectionate dogs and do not really need as much exercise as you would think.

That was my first thought, but the size is where the problem is. Hell, even the ones that weren't retired racers are HUGE couch potatoes. On par with a Mastiff in my opinion.

 mega_bassist wrote:

 Blueshavenhobbit wrote:
Might want to look at a retired Greyhound, bit close to your weight restriction though. (Maybe look at half a retired greyhound.) Affectionate dogs and do not really need as much exercise as you would think.

That was my first thought, but the size is where the problem is. Hell, even the ones that weren't retired racers are HUGE couch potatoes. On par with a Mastiff in my opinion.

Greyhounds are indeed surprisingly lazy, but they are also too large for the size restriction the OP has to deal with.
Have you considered looking into a Puggle, Keeshond or Tibetan Spaniel? From what I know about them, they seem to be about right for you.

 Iron_Captain wrote:

 mega_bassist wrote:

 Blueshavenhobbit wrote:
Might want to look at a retired Greyhound, bit close to your weight restriction though. (Maybe look at half a retired greyhound.) Affectionate dogs and do not really need as much exercise as you would think.

That was my first thought, but the size is where the problem is. Hell, even the ones that weren't retired racers are HUGE couch potatoes. On par with a Mastiff in my opinion.

Greyhounds are indeed surprisingly lazy, but they are also too large for the size restriction the OP has to deal with.

That's why I recommended an Italian Greyhound

i've heard from friends that pugs can be seriously destructive as puppies so I;m not sure they could be a good idea. I know you want a dog but from your situation it seems like a cat would tick all the boxes your situation requires, I'd suggest a Burmese or some other friendly asian breed. I have an Assyrian cross whilst she is loud when I am around (she seems to like greeting me when I walk into the room rather loudly) when I am not home she occupies herself and is exceedingly quiet , when I am around she is like a limpet, has to be in the same room, likes attention and being friendly- the most people based cat I have ever had. About half an hour to an hour playtime keeps cats active.

It sounds like your complex has similar rules to mine. That's going to limit your options.

I'm going to say this outright, do not get a working dog. Working dogs are very intelligent and require a lot of activity. If they don't get that activity or stimulation, they'll make their own, which usually means you're going to at the very least have things get chewed.

You're going to want a smaller dog from the Terrier or Toy groups. They're much better suited to apartment living than a working breed. Something like a Boston Terrier might not be a bad choice. I've had two growing up and they're great dogs. Very affectionate and more than happy to spend the day lazing about.

Your best bet though is to look into a local rescue or shelter. See what kind of dogs are available and just spend some time with them. Get to know a dog first because regardless of breed, size, or gender, the absolute most important thing is whether or not that dog is going to be compatible with you and the only way to find out is to spend some time with them first.

I am sure terriers are working dogs, rabbiters, ratters and the like.

Bullockist wrote:
I am sure terriers are working dogs, rabbiters, ratters and the like.

Yes they are. Not sure what Boston's were for though.

If you didn't have a weight/size restriction I would've suggested a deerhound. Huge but oh so lazy.

 Platuan4th wrote:
Unfortunately, I'me going to have to stand against the rest of Team Wienerdog.

While I love all three of my Doxies, they are exactly the dog you don't want. Not only are they extremely stubborn and hard to train, they're also more prone to being what are known as "nuisance barkers".

Agreed. I don't recommend them either for a condo unless they are old or known nonbarkers (old dogs like to sleep and eat - just like me). Of course they still beat the wall shaking roar of a caucasian mountain dog.

 curran12 wrote:

Maaaaaaybe a Shiba Inu, but I'm very turned away by the high training ceiling for them

I had never really trained a dog before getting my Shiba Inus. Anecdotally the training ceiling is not that bad, as they are intelligent, but intelligent enough to be belligerent and stubborn when they don't get their way. We began training both when they each were 4 months, and it wasn't too difficult to get the basics down. As with any dog, you will need to find what they'll work for. One is more motivated by play than food, so I normally have him do a trick when he wants me to throw his ball. They don't get too large (mine are on the small and large ends at 20 and 30 lbs individually) but they are active animals and mine tend to get a bit destructive when they're bored. Chewing specifically, they love hot sauces and ironically chewed up a bottle of bitter apple gel. Other than that, they don't require much space and are seen as an appropriate apartment dog if you can walk them twice a day. I can walk my dogs fairly easily, but they can be stubborn. They also dislike harnesses/collars

Hopefully that experience helps a bit.

Post Edit: One of my dogs is nearly entirely silent. The other one is more vocal. For bothm this only really occurs when they get particularly excited during play or when guests come to visit. Shiba Inus make some... interesting... vocalizations. Search for "Shiba Scream" on youtube and enjoy.

 reiner wrote:
Post Edit: One of my dogs is nearly entirely silent. The other one is more vocal. For bothm this only really occurs when they get particularly excited during play or when guests come to visit. Shiba Inus make some... interesting... vocalizations. Search for "Shiba Scream" on youtube and enjoy.

Such scream. Very noise. Much wow.

On a side note, my Landlord's black hunting lab had puppies on St Patty's day. 5 red/gold and 2 black. They're adorable.

 Soladrin wrote:

Bullockist wrote:
I am sure terriers are working dogs, rabbiters, ratters and the like.

Yes they are. Not sure what Boston's were for though.

If you didn't have a weight/size restriction I would've suggested a deerhound. Huge but oh so lazy.

Eeeh, they're a different kind of working dog. Dogs bred to pull things (Huskies & 'Mutes) or dogs bred to herd things (Shepherds or varying types, Kelpies, probably Corgis) are what I was referring to.

Bostons... I think I've read that they were originally bred for bull baiting, but quickly fell into the role of lap dog.

I covered that earlier. They were developed out of the various Bully breeds, but their original purpose was as lap dogs.

Basically a lap dog bred out of working stock.