chaostheory

you're like the pied piper of dogs!

Three griffons!.... A girl can only dream Cheers guys, and will do! Have a good chrissy

I'm meeting with a lovely breeder after xmas, which I'm looking forward to. :) At this stage I'm of the mindset that raising a puppy is a challenge no matter the property type and something I am looking forward to and want to be involved in, but this might change after I chat the breeder. I will see what they recommend, I have a million questions.. :laugh: The griffon has shot right up to my #1 breed of choice and it would hard to dissuade me <3 <3

Whilst I think they're gorgeous, I don't think I'm cut out for them temperament wise being a relative newbie.. from what I've read aloof and willful keep popping. Eep, :laugh: EFS

Just checking in. The front part of my yard has now been gated off :thumbsup: :thumbsup: and I hope to chat to and meet a few griffon dogs and people in the new year. :)

They're definitely not off my list! :) :) They sound ideal and everything I read/hear keeps directing me back to them. I see GAP is having an xmas meet up in Seymour. I might try and get out there and meet a few dogs and ask questions. (No big dog experience how does one even put them in the car?? :p) I think I could get over the size pretty quicky, my main concern is that they can't be taken off leash, and this would mean the dog would only ever be walked with a leash/no free running unless I could find a fenced dog park. Not sure if this would be a huge issue. Also most of my friends and family own smaller dogs, and I would mostly be socialising with them, so compatibility with a smaller dog would be a must. Cheers! It's tricky because I think mainly negative experiences get written about, and it's all you tend to see. The cav I am dog sitting is so hilarious, never seen a dog so friendly to complete strangers..

Hi guys! Just wanted to update and say that I have been dog sitting a young pretty energetic cavalier on a weekly basis and so far am really enjoying it. I adore his personality and looks, but after much reading I am a bit heartbroken about the myriad of health problems in cavs. I was just wondering if anyone could suggest a similar breed that I could research? I know I stated earlier that I was looking at a medium sized dog but have since re-assessed that a toy breed might be the more realistic option. Have been reading a little about the papillon, Panzer Attack how long/far do you walk your papillon each day and how does he go off lead at dog parks/the beach etc? Are they typically a noisy breed? Have also been reading about some of the smaller brachycephalic toy breeds but am really struggling to get past the health problems. Would love some feedback from anyone with a frenchie etc. I know things tend to look worse in print. I don't want to be in for a life of heartbreak, and do want a dog that will keep up with me exercise wise. Currently just enjoying reading about and meeting a bunch of dogs. Thanks again!

Cheers guys I found this http://www.petsinthecity.net.au which has been pretty helpful for anyone reading who might be in the same boat.

I agree with this, it may be doable but its really not ideal. Hey guys duly noted, anyway like I said I won't be making a decision any time soon. The unit won't be forever, but I suppose I will have to weigh up whether I want to wait five years or so until I'm in a place with a yard out of the city.

Hey! Cavaliers are definitely on my list but had maybe over looked them thinking they would just want to sleep all day.. Are they yappy? The unit has carpeted rooms and hard floors throughout the rest. The plan would be to close room doors so no chance to pee on carpet (at least initially) and leave dog with free run of rest of the unit when I'm not home. Taking dogs walking doesn't bother me, better I spend that hour and a half walking than watching tv haha. Might cancel my gym membership.

Thanks for the info guys! I tried to quote everyone but the post looked massive. It's good to hear stories about dogs in small spaces. I was actually thinking today that on my street there are two town houses (a little bigger than my place but still with no yard) that have a pair of little white fluffy dogs westies possibly and the other a rough collie. I often see the collie being walked at the dog park in the arvo and in the early morning. I suppose people in Melb make it work, must just depend on the individual dog and person. :) I've heard before that greyhounds are like couch potatoes but it always shocks me due to their size. I'm not sure how I'd go with a big dog, as having never owned one I find them a little bit intimidating and I'm not really sure how to handle them. I watched my uncles great dane for a day a while back and it was a beautiful lazy thing and super gentle but I still skitted around it and watched him like a hawk when he was inside lol. cheers! imo that all sounds adorable.. but will keep an open mind. The recall thing could be an issue as nearest dog park is unfenced as is yard. Neither are on a main road though. Thanks for your story, what breed of dog do you have? I have an outdoor table set up outside in the yard so spending supervised time outdoors is definitely doable. Ultimately I do want a sociable velcro dog that I could take with me when I go out for lunch/coffee, visit friends and family etc. Possibly attend some agility classes with a friend and just hang out with me on the couch and in the home office. Thanks again guys, I love forums, will continue to keep this thread for questions and what not while I keep researching. Hard as it is I like to make myself wait for a year before making big life decisions. p.s doggie toilet? never realised this was a thing, but I'll look into it.. I'm picturing a mini human toilet. :) :)

haha guys I'm now more confused than ever! Some people say no, others recommending large breed dogs as per a recommendation I think fostering a dog or dog sitting for a while next year might be a good idea. Would love to hear from people who are currently keeping dogs in apartments or units. I must admit still keen for the cockers... p.s i've heard indoor bunnies can be more destructive than any dog, so much chewing and bunny proofing!

Cheers for the replies, given me a bit to think about as they're pretty mixed. Sadly fencing off part of the yard would be a no. But my door does open directly onto the yard. I'm a bit torn, I think a smaller low energy companion dog could work in the unit but then I think would like to wait until I'm in a situation with a backyard to have a large more active dog that I could take hiking etc. The thought of taking a dog outside frequently for toilet trips does not stress me out greatly as am home most of the time. I have had a cat before but find their personalities can be a bit hit and miss (also you can't walk them without looking a bit nuts).. I think we lucked out with our cat, what I liked most about her was that she played fetch and was super affectionate...like a dog!

Hi guys! New to the forum and have a couple of questions. Have been doing some research and really just want to to let you know about my lifestyle to get some feedback about whether a dog is right for me and if so what breed might suit. When I was younger my family owned a mini foxie and maltese jack russell cross (we lived in the country and they were very much outdoor dogs, and we were very laid-back about raising them). I'm currently living in a unit in inner city Melbourne, and have been thinking for the past year that I would like to have another dog. However I don't have any experience in owning a dog without a fenced yard (the block has a shared yard with no fence). Is it doable? Or cruel? I own the property so landlords aren't an issue. I also live two minutes from a dog park on the yarra, where I walk often. I work from home most of the week and also do three 4 hours shifts in retail a week). In terms of a dog I am looking at something medium sized and low to moderately active, friendly and sociable that could tag along with me during the week. I love the look of spaniels and so have been thinking that a cocker spaniel might be a good match? I think red setters and brittany spaniels are beautiful but too active for a unit environment. I have two friends who have a king charles and a boston terrier in apartments but I think I would prefer something a little bigger. Thanks for reading, I'd be looking to get a dog in about a years time (still early days I want to do it properly)..