I have a small yard (1/2 acre) and I really want a dog? Sorry about the long question!?
Question by Sharni Beliebes 
: I have a small yard (1/2 acre) and I really want a dog? Sorry about the long question!?
I really want a dog but can only have a small dog because our yard is small. Grandma wont let us have a dog but I figure by the time I save up for one comes I’m sure I can get one – if not i’ll donate my money to the RSPCA or get a kitten to make it feel more at home – After Losing another cat dont know though. But any ideas of small dogs I need a dog that fits these requirements
YARD SIZE – 1/2 acre
GROOMING – any
WALKING DISTANCE – 5 minutes to a park and back OR about 1km to the shopping centre.
TOYS – Is active and fun and likes to play
FRIENDLY TO – cats and doesn’t like to attack guinea pig cages (3 guinea pigs 2 boys and 1 girl seperate cages)
DOESNT ATTACK – any humans whatsover
TRAINING – easy to train and well behaved
If it is IMPOSSIBLE to get a dog fitting those requirements tell me the changes needed for what dog and just some small dogs in general
thanks to everyone NOT giving smart ass comments
also our next door neighbour has a dog a purebred maltese it looks similar to some of the dogs people have mentioned so I’m worried that they might think were copying them by getting a dog similar I want I female dog (because I haven’t had a female pet like a cat or a dog except my guinea) but next doors dog is a boy. They are very nice and everything but i am just a bit worried about getting a dog similar
also with my yard i live in town so the yards are small im not good with acres and stuff but our yard is like a twin house block except its a single yard
also i want to adopt a dog from a shelter my only problem is with that is I want a young puppy like 6mnths old so i can train it and watch it grow up so a breeder would be perfect I just dont know how to find them in an area near me
Best answer:
Answer by ebony_rose12
A Bichon Frise!!! (or maltese terrier which is a very similar but with longer fur)
It’s definately not impossbile – I had the same requirements as you and adopted a gorgeous Bichon from our RSPCA.
She is the best house pet, doesn’t shed fur, easy to train, and is small enough to travel in the car and walks as far as you will take it (don’t generally need a lot of walking), fit in the backyard, have a gentle personality, love people and other animals, love to play and please you…..the best pet and companion ever!!! You won’t regret getting one!
Any small or toy dog would be ideal anyway!
This is a Bichon Frise: http://www.petyourdog.com/images/dog%20breeds/bichon_frise_puppy.jpg
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Usually no means no, but here is a link that will match you up with breeds that fit your requirements.
http://www.selectsmart.com/DOG/
It asks a few other things too! Good luck
no dog
I would have a Whippet. They are quite content to lounge around all day, don’t walk miles (just as far as you want to), very playful & affectionate. If not a Whippet a Bedlington Terrier, Pug, or Westie, none of which need lots of walking & if got when young not necessarily a small puppy 6 months upwards can be trained to get on with any animal.
I’d say the 1km for walking is more realistic.
Friendly to other animals is subjected to how you bring the dog up yourself.
“Doesn’t attack humans” that’s another one you are going to have to work on yourself.
“Well behaved” is yet another
Havanesse~they fit all those “requirements”
~grooming you can have lots to none
[ if you shave them down you don't have any, and if you keep there coat you can have some ]
~Walking is fine
~they love to play, is active and loves people
~Friendly they were bred for kids..mine gets along with out cat..and doesn’t go after our hamster….
~Attack i would never see this breed attaking anyone they are soooooo sweet and love people
~Training i very easy and doesn’t take much time they learn very quickly
Most any dog will fit that category. A half acre is plenty big enough for any dog.
As for easy to train and well behaved, this is where you come in. If you are willing to only have the dog outside when someone can be out there to supervise, and consistently work with this dog, and understand that potty training takes about three months, unless you get an adult from a shelter, all will be fine.
Dogs who are left outside, unattended, will often get loose, killed, dognapped, etc. even if it’s for say, 30 minutes. Dog fighters and puppy millers look for dogs whose owners aren’t looking at the moment, and make it look like the dog got loose. Also, birds of prey can pick up and carry off small dogs.
A daschund is an absolutely ideal dog. I have one. They are very intelligent, are great with just about anyone (my baby sister often puts it through half hour ear pulling sessions), are easy to train and have absolutely great personalities. They don’t need vast amounts of exercise (such as labradors etc)and are happy to just curl up on your lap and watch TV with you. An added bonus is that tyhey don’t malt. So no furry mess to clean up!
If you are willing to play with the dog on a regular basis and take it for walks you don’t need to worry about how big or small your yard is. I have two very active dogs and not much of a yard. They are happy chasing balls or frisbees in the small space or even in the basement when the weather is bad. Dog parks are also good for exercise. Be aware that if you get a “non-shedding” breed you will have to pay someone to groom it every other month and that can be expensive. Any dog can have the other traits you describe as long as it has been trained and socialized properly. Getting a dog from a rescue or humane society would be perfect for you because they will already know how the dog is with people and other animals (where as you’d never know that with a puppy). Don’t forget that having a dog isn’t just about the purchase price. You’ll have to buy food (and nothing from a grocery store or walmart, those are really bad foods!), pay for vaccines and emergency vet visits, as well as licenses, and maybe to have the dog spayed/neutered. Its a huge responsibility. Cats are much easier, but then again I’d never give up my dogs.
You DON’T have to get a small dog. i have a about the same size or smaller yard than you and i have a Golden Retriever. she lives outside, so we got her a doggy door so she can go in and out of the garage. you could get any size of dog. i think though that a Golden retriever is really for you and it fits most of your standards.though i don’t think ANY dog is easy to train and a dog would need more then a walk like that. Other ways to give your dog exercises and not go any where is play with it in your back yard ( run around with it, play tug-a-war etc.)
HAVANESE! You should get a Havanese! Be careful though, I know a lot of puppy mills like to breed them. If you want an affordable one, I would try to find a small breeder that is clean and obviously loves their dogs. If you want a more playful one, get a boy. This breed does take a bit of brushing, but does not bark much and the compatibility with other animals is different for each puppy. They are on the hypoallergenic list and do not shed much. I love this breed and I think if you show a couple litters to your grandma, she will love them too!