Just because you live in an apartment, doesn’t mean you can’t still have a furry pup to keep you company in living there! If you live in an apartment or small home, you might naturally wonder about bringing a dog to live with you there and then, which breed would be best suited to it. If this sounds like you or you’re thinking of moving to an apartment with your poodle, then you’ve come to the right place!
Key Poodle traits
- Varying sizes: Many people think that all poodles are similar in sizes, but this isn’t true! Some can even be quite large and need more space than you’d think. SO make sure to familiarise yourself with the different types of poodle: toy, minature and standard, to make sure you choose the right breed for you.
- Low-shedding: Poodles are known as waterdogs, meaning they characteristically have curled and minimal shedding fur. This is a great trait for staying in smaller spaces because it means you won’t have loads of fur to clean up around the house or apartment!
- Bark moderately often: Poodles are not the loudest and most vocal dogs, but they’re not the quietest either. They might bark for a variety of reasons and this could be very important to consider if you live in an apartment. Vocal dogs could really bother your neighbors and cause issues for you in you apartment block, so make sure to make sure a moderately barking dog will suit your home!
Things to Consider if you Live in an Apartment
If you live in an apartment, there are some important things to consider about your living space to see if a poodle would be happy here! Keep reading this post to go into each of these factors in more detail, but these are some important things to think about your apartment if you’re considering getting a poodle or moving your poodle into an apartment!
- Space
- Access to outdoor space
- Access to ground floor
- Neighbours
Energy
A very important thing to consider when you’re wondering if your dog is suited to your living arrangements is their energy level. Dogs with higher energy levels tend to need more space to move around inside their home and also very easy access to the outdoors, especially an enclosed garden where they can get rid of some of that energy in a safe area! Therefore, always make sure your dog is getting outdoors enough and getting enough exercise to keep them happy and active!
Make sure not to over or under exercise your dog. Always ask your vet how much exercise your dog should be getting
Adaptability
Luckily, despite their high energy levels, many owners consider poodles to be fairly adaptable dogs to different lifestyles. This doesn’t mean that you should give them less exercise than any dog needs and always speak to your vet if you’re unsure how much exercise your individual dog should be getting!
Barking
Apartment living also comes with another very important factor to consider if you have a dog of any breed: the neighbors!
The last thing you want are angry neighbors complaining about your noisy dog and causing problems for you and your pup! Because this is an important issue especially in apartment blocks, its good to consider how vocal your dog is.
Poodle Breeds and Mixes
- While lots of people group poodles into one large ground, it’s important to remember that there is more than one kind! This matters because these different types could vary in their size and temperament so make sure you find the right one to suit your apartment and lifestyle! This will make sure that both you and your pup are as happy as possible where you live!
These three types of poodle are:
- Toy poodle
- Miniature poodle
- Standard poodle
However, poodle mixed breeds can also pose questions about their characteristics, temperament and size. There are so many poodle mixed breeds to choose from, that it is difficult to determine exactly what characteristics your pup is going to have! Remember, with any breed, every dog is different and no characteristics are exactly the same between each individual dog!
Your Apartment
Space
The first thing that might come to mind when wondering if your dog is suited to an apartment is the space. Obviously, many dogs are better suited to as much space at home as possible. This is normally better suited to both you but doesn’t necessarily mean you cannot have a dog. Ask your vet if you’re not sure if your living arrangements are suited to having a dog. One of the most important to consider how much your dog will grow and their is enough space for them to move around enough! Along with this, many people forget that along with your dog, you need to make sure you have enough space for all of their things!
Make sure you don’t underestimate this! Things like dog beds, toys, food and anything else your pup will need can take up plenty of space so make sure your apartment it suitable for all of these things.
Access to Outdoor Space
For any dog, it is very important for them to access to some outdoor space. Even if you live in an apartment, many building still have outdoor areas outside or nearby where your dog can go to the bathroom or go for a good walk!
Final Thoughts
Whether you live in an apartment and are considering getting a poodle or own one already and are thinking of moving, there are plenty of important things to think about to make sure an apartment is the right place for your pup. It’s normally better for dogs to have as much space as possible, but this doesn’t necessarily mean a pup couldn’t be happy in an apartment.
So make sure to think about all the points mentioned here before deciding if this is the right move for you and your dog!