Did you choose a specific breed of dog?

[Sideways]

simply due to their size.

There's a couple of hard issues when it comes to giant breeds in small apartments.

I know you're an animal advocate from way back, and there is a quality of life issue: just because I can, doesn't mean I should. I've lived in small apartments (single bed or studio) for years now. Picture a giant-breed sized crate where Chopper's crate currently is. Can you and a giant breed squeeze into your apartment? Possibly, idk. Doesn't mean you should, if it ends up that the dog literally doesn't have the space to simply move around. Same goes for accommodating the dog at work - that's a lot of space, even just assuming the dog lies in a drop position all day long.

That raises quality of life questions. You possibly can make that work. But...does that mean you should?

My oldest sister keeps 2 budgies in a tiny cage that they can't move around in, and have no space for anything more than a perch - just because she can, doesn't mean she should, you know?

Second issue of giant breeds is the additional cost. Because every single cost that comes with owning a dog goes up. From the jumbo crate and gear you have to special order, to the volumes of kibble, and have you seen how much they charge for giant breed sized packs of stuff like heartworm and flea treatment!

Cost you're also factoring in with your new vehicle one that's large enough to safely transport a giant breed, and the additional running costs that go with slightly larger vehicles.

I love great danes. They're gentle giants, and truly magnificent dogs. But they are a giant breed.

My micro-dog is a lap dog, so his idea of a great time is spending all day on my lap. But that doesn't mean he doesn't also love the odd indoor game. All dogs do. It's part of their quality of life. We can do that with my doggo, because he's 5kg, and is small enough to race around the coffee table and recliner (and up over the coffee table and recliner occasionally!). That's a straight up quality of life issue for the dog and it's living space.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Yeah, @Sideways, all considerations I have thought about. I'm getting rid of furniture to be able to house another large or possibly giant breed of dog. I already have space for the crate and all I honestly have to do is move a few pieces and I can put a dog bed for a giant breed down. Though I am still getting rid of furniture that I don't use which will make a lot more room.

Work would be a challenge. That I'd have to figure out.

I'm not saying that I will be going with a giant breed. Just that I'll take another look at the breeds. I can't have a small dog as the dog needs to be able to do mobility tasks too. I will probably end up with a large breed instead instead of a giant breed. All of things you listed are considered and more. Though, once I can get to some shows, I can get the feel of the size of the breed and that will help too.

 

[DharmaGirl]

And the biggest cuddle bugs ? but seriously lazy.

Add mastiffs to that category. I have two in a small house. We used to walk to the dog park, 1/2 mile, walk 2 miles at the dog park and walk home. They were done after a mile and would wait by the gate for me to finish walking. They are protective, easy to train, good with children and incredibly loving. They never spent any time in a crate. Nugget was able to do mobility tasks and while I didn't take her to any restaurants that didn't have outside seating, now, with social distancing, I could.

 

[RubyBlue]

Mastiffs are the best ?????

 

[MrMoonlight]

I had a yellow lab, the sweetest girl. I do prefer large breed because they can put their weight on you...maybe if you trained them they could stand between you and another while outdoors...maybe a german shepherd or something that doesn't look too friendly. I'm mixing my thoughts of a family dog and service dog I think./

 

[Mee]

I was brought up with a giant breed - they got in bed. You get used to it. And big beds.

Later I got a greyhound - she was really an odd greyhound - outstandingly smart - and did things like herd for me - not as well as a sheep/ cattle breed but impressively for Amy other breed - especially one with strong prey drive. She was also great with small furries. She was aloof with kids. I got a terrier for vermin on the farm but chose the one I did because it’s cute and I had seen them for years - and I once chatted to an elderly man about his and he said he had always had one - since a boy , but had only had five. With giant breeds you get used to shorter life spans and it was heartbreaking. We have the terrier and a small Italian sighthound - Almost No one outside italy has heard of them. They are good dogs for us. It’s been suggested several times I should be getting a ptsd service dog- and breed is a sticking point for me. Poodle seems quite likely. It will just increase grooming costs if I feel unable to clip a dog out myself. My second favourite choice is Doberman- a breed I have owned before too. The trainers I have spoken to all feel Pure poodle is Vastly underused and the best choice ( for those able to groom). That trainability is so apt for PTSD service work it’s hard to ignore this advice.
My guess is I’ll put off the decision and hide in my house for some time yet .

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Poodle seems quite likely. It will just increase grooming costs

Just buy some clippers do what's usually known as a "puppy cut". It's an even, one length cut, all over. It's usually manageable and is much cheaper then a groomer.

 

[Mee]

Just buy some clippers do what's usually known as a "puppy cut". It's an even, one length cut, all over. It's usually manageable and is much cheaper then a groomer.

This is fine many weeks. Other weeks I’m not physically capable of that. there are periods of time I am not ambulant and clipping out a dog does help to be a little mobile :).
and yes- I’d probably go for a puppy clip anyway. I am a rarity in that I love the traditional clips but i know my maintenance limits and those are beyond them.

I like the idea of a non shedding breed for sure. Our terrier is a non shedder and it makes house work much nicer .

 

[Freida]

SD is a golden doodle and I won't even try to groom him myself. I'm not that talented! Lol. Plus I sometimes have issues with my hands so ....nope

It is spendy to have him groomed every couple months or so but it's worth it to not have the stress :)

 

[lostforgottensoul]

SD is a golden doodle and I won't even try to groom him myself. I'm not that talented! Lol. Plus I sometimes have issues with my hands so ....nope

It is spendy to have him groomed every couple months or so but it's worth it to not have the stress :)

Everyone was telling me to stay away from the golden doodle and this was one of the reasons. Plus, I want to be able to groom my next service dog myself and even the standard poodle fits that list but the google doodle? No way! They are really cute though. My therapist has a black golden doodle named Moe. He shows me pictures and he's so precious!

And their temperments have got to be great mixing the laid back-ness of the golden and the intellengence of the standard poodle. I can see the appeal for service work!

 

[DharmaGirl]

What happens if you grow out the coats of poodles and goldendoodles while keeping them brushed? The big puff that happens with my hair?

 

[Mee]

There's a couple of hard issues when it comes to giant breeds in small apartments.

I know you're an animal advocate from way back, and there is a quality of life issue: just because I can, doesn't mean I should. I've lived in small apartments (single bed or studio) for years now. Picture a giant-breed sized crate where Chopper's crate currently is. Can you and a giant breed squeeze into your apartment? Possibly, idk. Doesn't mean you should, if it ends up that the dog literally doesn't have the space to simply move around. Same goes for accommodating the dog at work - that's a lot of space, even just assuming the dog lies in a drop position all day long.

That raises quality of life questions. You possibly can make that work. But...does that mean you should?

My oldest sister keeps 2 budgies in a tiny cage that they can't move around in, and have no space for anything more than a perch - just because she can, doesn't mean she should, you know?

Second issue of giant breeds is the additional cost. Because every single cost that comes with owning a dog goes up. From the jumbo crate and gear you have to special order, to the volumes of kibble, and have you seen how much they charge for giant breed sized packs of stuff like heartworm and flea treatment!

Cost you're also factoring in with your new vehicle one that's large enough to safely transport a giant breed, and the additional running costs that go with slightly larger vehicles.

I love great danes. They're gentle giants, and truly magnificent dogs. But they are a giant breed.

My micro-dog is a lap dog, so his idea of a great time is spending all day on my lap. But that doesn't mean he doesn't also love the odd indoor game. All dogs do. It's part of their quality of life. We can do that with my doggo, because he's 5kg, and is small enough to race around the coffee table and recliner (and up over the coffee table and recliner occasionally!). That's a straight up quality of life issue f

Just wanting to add. With breeds like labs (sorry, absolutely can't speak for GSDs, zero experience apart from random farm guard dogs during vacations) that are medium-energy (imho and ~experience) and not like those always hyper energy like many herding dogs but also a few others (Inus come to mind - beaaaautiful dogs, but would seriously be too much for me, also many terriers, actually), you don't actually have too worry toooo much about space. Given proper enrichment/exercise/walks, of course.

And unless you live in a teeny tiny studio, you really don't need a couple thousand square feet house even for larger breeds. (heck, I know people who live in a tiny cottage with three irish wolfhounds - ok, granted, HUGE yard :laugh: ). It's actually a fight I'm having with my hubby, because he is convinced our current home isn't large enough for two adults (one always gone during the day), three cats and a large dog. I politely disagree...because....they REALLY don't need much space indoors given proper activities. (our therapy dog trainer lives with husband and three labs in a rather small apartment but the labs get worked during the day, long walks, access to medium-sized yard....).

And this is about as much space they need in bed (unless they turn in the by @Friday mentioned 2-dimensional space).

View attachment 57372

(Goldens and Labs <are> approx equal in size or at least close)

If you go away from your standard show/conformation line Lab and towards Field labs, on average they're much smaller (and leaner).

Think about wolfhounds is they are fairly low energy after their short fast exercise - and once adult ( the first two years in the home they are busy - but still not as busy as many breeds) . I love them so much - would have them every time, grew up with them. But - my smaller dogs - and most non sight hound larger breeds - need more room because their activity span is longer. Sighthounds are great couch potatoes.

The giant thing is a big issue on cost and space because - car sizes - their are very few cars really suitable for giants - many compromise- and it certainly increases fuel costs ( my car was bought when we still had one giant left).

Medication- even standard flea/ worming is wildly more expensive in the top size / weight brackets .
totally agree about looking at dog shape.

Generally the closer a dog is shaped to a wolf in outline - Ie the least messed About with - the healthier .
I think Overriding climate where you live Is also worth considering.

I’d rather have one lazy large dog in a smallish home than a really active smaller one. I actually think my two small dogs would have caused havoc in a small home - the run around our house like little savages sometimes- in a way the giants just couldn’t have got away with - and didn’t once they were full grown .