I love dogs. Growing up as a child, there was always a dog in our
house, so I know how to train and live with dogs.

My problem for the last few years has been that I've been going to
school in New York City, living in a small apartment, without much
money, and I have never felt that it was a good situation to get a dog
in.

Now, however, I am about to move to Atlanta, Georgia, into a much
larger apartment, and I am starting a fairly lucrative job that will
give me lots of extra cash. I'll also know absolutely nobody anywhere
near to Georgia, so I've been thinking about getting a dog. I know
from experience that I love boxers, so I was considering a boxer, and
also perhaps a beagle, though I'm open to other breeds.

My only concern is that the job is a pretty standard 9-5, Monday
through Friday type deal. I'll be able to lavish attention on the dog
before work, after work, and on the weekends, but probably not during
the day really (except for maybe a fifteen minute quick walk during my
lunch break).

So, I'm asking if this would be an okay situation for any dog. To sum up:

-1000sq foot apartment (not shared by anyone, just me)
-Walks before work, after work, possible (but not definite) short walk at lunch
-No yard
-I am very familiar with several different breeds of dogs
-I am confident and comfortable training a dog
-I don't like toys, generally

Is there a dog for me out there? Or should I wait...? A satisfactory
answer will give me at least a few professional opinions about this,
and of course any comments are welcomed.

Hi mrisaka1...

As  a long time dog and cat owner, I have no new input for you. Some
of the "wee" dogs are more work than the bigger dogs tho...

I owned a Boxer/Lab who was huge but yet at the same time we adopted a
wee Border Collie... what a mistake!!!

As far as getting a great apt dweller dog, my choice would be a small
doggie... No need to get a purebred..there are many homeless pups that
 would love to have a home and a loving owner at your local Humane
Society...

Steph53

Look for a reasonably quiet dog, and practice techniques for avoiding
separation anxiety from day one because a dog with separation anxiety
will howl and bark, as well as destroy things out of fear, when left
alone.

Here's a couple of links for you to peruse.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/apartment.htm

http://apartments.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canismajor.com%2Fdog%2Fapart.html

Would you like to buy Daisy?

PLEASE!

She's a Yorkshire Terrier who will be 15 in May.

She will do the job but she is never left ALL day. Someone always pops
in to give her walkies, etc.

I take PayPal.

Imagine yourself in a large jail cell.

Twice a day, if you are lucky, a warder will stick a restraint on you.
- most days he'll take you for a walk round boring streets
- and drag you away from anything interesting - like a lamp post

Occasionally he'll take you to something called a 'park', or even
better some country side.

Then he'll be annoyed when you are reluctant to return to jail.

Just a thought, and one that might not be practical, but is there any
way you can have *two* dogs? If there are two, then they will keep
each other company and although they will still require walks,
affection, attention, training, etc, at least it means that your
conscience will be that much clearer when leaving them home alone
during the day. According to a radio vet here in Melbourne, getting
two female dogs will often end up in tears but two boys or a girl and
a boy is usually, according to him, a much happier and successful
combination.

I've always had two dogs -- never, ever had just the one -- and it's
never been anything other than a very happy, friendly arrangement for
all of us. Avoid getting any of the 'working' or larger breeds;
they'll absolutely hate being shut in all day and will find things to
do. Bad things. I totally agree with Steph53 who advises you to think
about giving a home to a mixed breed pup (or 2) from the Humane
Society.

Our Humane Society, the RSPCA, has this excellent information on its site:

http://www.rspcavic.org/animal_care/dogcare.htm

Best wishes. I hope you make the right decision for you and the dog/s.

Stressedmum.

Hire somebody to come and keep the dog company and walk him/her once
or twice during the day with your "lots of extra cash".  Check with
local vets or animal shelters for recommendations for pet sitters or
dog walkers.

An adult dog, rather than a puppy, would probably be best.

Well, yes, you could get two or three dogs, as stressedmum has suggested ...

And there's a good chance that the dogs will be happy ...

Not certain because dogs do not always hit it off ... (Ever heard of a dog fight?)

But what is for sure is that YOU will soon get highly stressed ...

And then you could describe yourself as 'stressedman' ...

Be warned!

Miniature Schnauzer, loyal, smart, non allerginic, love you to be held
when you get home,and will hold the bathroom all day.

I own one, I was railroaded into by wife and kids, but would do it all
again.  GREAT DOGS

I don't know what part of town you will be moving too...but...there is
an awesome dog owner community in Atlanta and this is one of the best
dog parks ever...ok i'm bias:
http://www.piedmontpark.org/do/dogpark.html

Not only is it great for the dog but also for you...its a great way to meet people.

Good luck in your search....the perfect dog is out there for you...you
sound like you will be the perfect dog owner. Remember...we are not
promised tomorrow...so...you love dogs...get a dog...you will both be
better for it.
http://www.atlantahumane.org/

There's a chapter with several "9-5 dog" suggestions.  imo, avoid
collies, shepherds, and working dogs *unless* you adopt a senior dog
who is more sedentary.  Good luck.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0446521515/103-2551512-6430266

I would not recommend a beagle for apartment living. As cute and
loving at they are, they were bred to BARK! Your neighbors will not
appreciate you at all.

Deeply consider what each breed of dog was bred to do. You need one
with a quiet, calm, loving personality, because first and foremost you
are asking him to live alone in an apartment half of his time with no
outside stimulation.  Perhaps you should consider adopting an adult
dog that has already adapted to this lifesyle.  I suggest talking to a
local vet or humane society.

Would you be able to afford a "doggie day care"?

://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Atlanta%2C+GA+Doggie+Day+Care

Based on a quick search, prices are around $20 a day.

Hope this helps!

azureisle

I think doggy day care is an excellent idea, as azureisle suggested. I
have two dogs (I got two so just one wouldn't be lonely by herself.) I
walked them every day. I took them to the park. It just wasn't enough.
Doggy day care is the answer for me. It's not for all dogs, but for
those who qualify, it is one of the greatest things ever! Your dog
gets to exercise, meet new dogs, meet people, play, have fun, and love
you for it. After the second visit or so, you'll have to spell "day
care" or your dog(s) will go crazy and then you'll just have to do
something about it.  :-)  Good luck and I hope you love your new job!
You sound like you'll make a great doggy daddy.