Apartment Akitas

[Violet Turner]

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A standard schnauzer or a greyhound is probably your best options in this other than a large dog breed because your mum might have a real fear of big dogs.
the small one is a mini schnauzer, the medium one is a standard and the biggest is a giant schnauzer: .

 

[Violet Turner]

Owned dobermans for 12 years...they are a breed for more experienced owners. If I spend 5 minutes making a mistake with my dobe I'll spend 5 hours trying to correct it. I ruled akitas out of my breed list due to the fact they require very experienced owners. The dogs used listed are all extremely high energy working dogs when all you want is a companion dog, like a shih tzu. I am unsure how, after years of research, you still don't know what breed is suitable for your lifestyle and meets your needs. The first thing I worked out was what breeds would suit me. You need a low energy more agreeable dog than the ones you've mentioned.

ETA Depending where you are there are also restrictions. People under 16 aren't allowed to walk dogs over a certain weight and height in my area, for example.

i have a friend that is a first time owner of a Doberman and she is fine with such a large breed. she is able to walk and train (so easy to train) she's such a great Doberman she's called Fly imported from the USA.

 

[Kayak]

Yes, there is a massive temperament and agreeability difference between USA pet or conformation line dobermans and the EU working line dogs. A dog from pet or show lines will have weaker breed traits. My USA/UK girl was like a different breed to my EU dogs.

Back to the topic, if OP gets a working breed when a companion breed is the best fit, then he won't have a companion or a friend, he'll have a dog who isn't getting what she needs as he's out most of the day and just wants to chill with his furry at the end of it, instead of making sure the dog is exercised before and after school every day. EXERCISED, not taken for an on lead walk around the block.

 

[Violet Turner]

Yes, there is a massive temperament and agreeability difference between USA pet or conformation line dobermans and the EU working line dogs. A dog from pet or show lines will have weaker breed traits. My USA/UK girl was like a different breed to my EU dogs.

Back to the topic, if OP gets a working breed when a companion breed is the best fit, then he won't have a companion or a friend, he'll have a dog who isn't getting what she needs as he's out most of the day and just wants to chill with his furry at the end of it, instead of making sure the dog is exercised before and after school every day. EXERCISED, not taken for an on lead walk around the block.

Its all about what he wants

 

[BrianLovesAkitas]

Owned dobermans for 12 years...they are a breed for more experienced owners. If I spend 5 minutes making a mistake with my dobe I'll spend 5 hours trying to correct it. I ruled akitas out of my breed list due to the fact they require very experienced owners. The dogs used listed are all extremely high energy working dogs when all you want is a companion dog, like a shih tzu. I am unsure how, after years of research, you still don't know what breed is suitable for your lifestyle and meets your needs. The first thing I worked out was what breeds would suit me. You need a low energy more agreeable dog than the ones you've mentioned.

ETA Depending where you are there are also restrictions. People under 16 aren't allowed to walk dogs over a certain weight and height in my area, for example.

Me and my parents have been moving around my whole life and have only decided to settle in one place which we still don't know. I am either moving into an apartment, or a house for the rest of my school years, which is why I haven't decided on a breed yet. All my research has been on the *general* keeping of dogs, like what they shouldn't eat, how to toilet train, how to stop nibbling, things like that. Since I am definetely moving somewhere in Summer, I am now getting into specific breeds.

 

[Kayak]

Only you know your whole situation so only you can research breeds to find what suits your lifestyle.

I made my mum a list of dog breeds I wanted when she gave me the opportunity to get my own dog, and she looked into them and found the one she thought was best from the list. Really it's up to your parents as they will be liable for the dog, so you should have them make the final decision when it comes to important things like breed and gender. Maybe you could try something similar.

 

[BrianLovesAkitas]

After an hour with my family, turns out we are most likely moving to a house! I should start a whole new post for this, but which dogs do you think would be good for a first timer like me? Or should I start a new post?

 

[Violet Turner]

After an hour with my family, turns out we are most likely moving to a house! I should start a whole new post for this, but which dogs do you think would be good for a first timer like me? Or should I start a new post?

no keep this one. I'm still saying a schnauzer or a greyhound/whippet style dog

 

[JoanneF]

Its all about what he wants

No, it's not. At 13 it will be his parents who are responsible for the dog legally and financially at least so it has to be something that the whole family is on board with. As well as that, a dog is potentially a 12 year plus commitment. Over the next 12 years the OP will leave school, perhaps go to further education which might be away from home, perhaps travel, get a job, meet a partner, move out to somewhere that doesn't permit dogs, etc etc. So it has to be a family choice because being realistic the family will all be involved with this dog.

@BrianLovesAkitas it seems to me you are more influenced by looks than anything else and honestly, that isn't a great way to choose. As a first time owner, temperament (which you haven't really focussed on) is far more important. Please do go and get some volunteering hours in at a local rescue if you are old enough, I don't know if they accept volunteers of your age. Apart from good experience you will get your eyes opened to what happens when an overdogged owner breaks their dog. Then if your family is still interested in getting a dog, you should look at the Kennel Club breed selector tool to help you choose something that will suit your family lifestyle.

The Kennel Club

 

[arealhuman]

Just to chip in - have you considered a rescue dog? Go to a centre near you and see what's around. As a first time owner - like me - you can see dogs first hand. I'd say try and look past breed - go with exhibited behaviour and history. You might well be able to get a loving dog that's already had some training, easing the burden on you and your family, and you can visit as a family and make the decision a group one. And of course you;ll be helping adog that really needs it .

 

[BrianLovesAkitas]

Just to chip in - have you considered a rescue dog? Go to a centre near you and see what's around. As a first time owner - like me - you can see dogs first hand. I'd say try and look past breed - go with exhibited behaviour and history. You might well be able to get a loving dog that's already had some training, easing the burden on you and your family, and you can visit as a family and make the decision a group one. And of course you;ll be helping adog that really needs it .

Yes. Many times I have told my parents "ADOPT ADOPT ADOPT!" but they really want a puppy as they don't really trust them and think they might be aggressive. I have only just be able to make my mom EVEN CONSIDER a dog thats good for beginners like an adoption german shepherd. I want to adopt the "big scary dogs" that no one wants but it's always a firm NO from my mum.

 

[Violet Turner]

Yes. Many times I have told my parents "ADOPT ADOPT ADOPT!" but they really want a puppy as they don't really trust them and think they might be aggressive. I have only just be able to make my mom EVEN CONSIDER a dog thats good for beginners like an adoption german shepherd. I want to adopt the "big scary dogs" that no one wants but it's always a firm NO from my mum.

where do you live like what state because I'm going to help you find a dog! but most people are putting you off getting a dog on this thread....

 

[Josie]

welcome to the forum @BrianLovesAkitas

I think it's extremely important to take some serious considerations when getting a dog for the first time. I would recommend you read through these threads:
choosing-the-right-breed-for-you
the-realities-of-getting-a-puppy-dog

@Violet Turner I don't believe members are trying to put Brian off of getting a dog, they are just making sure it's all been thought through correctly, especially as he is only 13. Technically still a minor and in the grand scheme of things the dog will be his parent s main responsibility.

I don't think it's your place to find him a dog (which would also be hard as he's in the US!) it's just our place on the forum to offer advice.

 

[Violet Turner]

@Josie what i am meaning is if i find out what state hes in i can do some research on laws in that part of the USA and some local rescue centers.

 

[BrianLovesAkitas]

where do you live like what state because I'm going to help you find a dog! but most people are putting you off getting a dog on this thread....

I live in the Uk and will be moving to kent. I heard it's quite a good place and will be moving into a house near the beach.

 

[Violet Turner]

I live in the Uk and will be moving to kent. I heard it's quite a good place and will be moving into a house near the beach.

oh okay i just thought you lived in the usa... much easer now thanks!

 

[BrianLovesAkitas]

oh okay i just thought you lived in the usa... much easer now thanks!

 

[BrianLovesAkitas]

oh okay i just thought you lived in the usa... much easer now thanks!

Thanks for all your help. I really like jax and Kong and I appreciate all your help. You helped me a lot through this. One last question: Would a GSD be any good? There are a lot of German shepherds for adoption around here and they need to be adopted.

 

[Violet Turner]

Yes they are great dogs, but most re-homing centres will ask for experienced handlers. Very friendly are German Shepherds. Yeah I also liked Kong because his face just drew me to him, but always check the description for any dog for the age of the owner wanted. What I would do if you want is sit around the table and get a piece of paper and ask your mum what dog breed she would like, and your dad and yourself and then research the breeds that everyone wants and meat in the middle with the breeds. You obviously don’t have to but it’s just a recommendation.

 

[BrianLovesAkitas]

Yes they are great dogs, but most re-homing centres will ask for experienced handlers. Very friendly are German Shepherds. Yeah I also liked Kong because his face just drew me to him, but always check the description for any dog for the age of the owner wanted. What I would do if you want is sit around the table and get a piece of paper and ask your mum what dog breed she would like, and your dad and yourself and then research the breeds that everyone wants and meat in the middle with the breeds. You obviously don’t have to but it’s just a recommendation.

Ok, thanks for all your help!