Does it, really, when we're talking about dogs and where we -- and they -- live? "What could she have possibly been thinking? An ENGLISH MASTIFF in that studio apartment? That place is so small that when her dog shakes his head he throws slobber on every wall.
" "All that big house and huge yard .
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.
why wouldn't he have a couple of Great Danes instead of those Jack Russells?" But if you know dogs, you recognize right away how ridiculous those statements are.
It's not as much about the size of the dog, as it is about the amount of energy the dog needs to burn off and the space it needs in which to burn it.
The English Mastiff -- and most of the legions of Mastiff breeds -- are quite content to be slothful wretches in between bursts of activity.
A good long walk or jog each day with a regular trip to a park or someplace they can get some running in and they will be perfectly happy to curl up on your bed or sofa in a small apartment.
They tend to be quiet, preferring to wait until a potential threat is within range before announcing their presence, so disturbing the neighbors with barking is rarely a problem.
The same can be said of many of the larger breeds.
Terriers .
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or Terrors, as those of us who live with them lovingly refer to them .
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Now these are little dogs (mostly, with a few exceptions) on the outside with a very large dog trying to get out.
A great deal of energy is usually packed into that compact space as well as a surprisingly large bark.
Keeping most Terriers in a small space without a yard can be an exercise in frustration: yours, the dog's and the neighbors'.
Can it be done? Sure.
It's not likely to be easy and it will take a great deal of dedication, patience and diligence on your part -- and probably some patient, dog loving neighbors.
When most people consider a dog for a small space they immediately think of a toy breed.
Toys were bred to be companions and some of them are small enough in stature that even the tiniest studio apartment provides the canine equivalent of Watkins Glen for the execution of zoomies.
Perfect! Exactly the kind of dog one should have in an apartment! Well, not necessarily.
Some of those tinies can be pretty vocal -- definitely a faux pas in many multi-family housing complexes, and if you want to be able to depend on your dog for some security a toy breed isn't going to do you much good, particularly if it's a "barky" dog.
If someone's breaking into your place at two in the morning and your dog with a reputation among the neighbors for being vocal starts up the neighbors are going to curse you and your little dog too rather than rushing to your aid.
If you're lucky they might call the cops, though.
Not all large dogs are suited to the urban life.
A Labrador Retriever isn't made to live in close quarters.
They're an active breed that needs space.
A bored Lab is a creative Lab when it comes to finding ways to amuse themselves.
The same can be said of the sledding and hound breeds.
Many of the herding breeds legitimately need space to cut loose several times a day, as well as to exercise their right to be heard - and herd.
Most importantly, the decision of which dog to bring to live with you in your apartment (or other small space) has to finally be made on the basis of the individual dog.
You might be the lucky person who finds the one Border Collie in all of creation who is happy as a quiet couch potato by day and is satisfied with a good long run at the dog park and some games of throwing the ball down the stairwell.
But don't be afraid of getting the giant you've always yearned for because you're in a small space.
It might be just the right size.