Good breed for apartment life?

I'm considering what breed of dog I want while in college [won't be living in dorms]. Lately I've been thinking Bull Terrier, Manchester Terrier or Chihuahua, what do you guys think?

Surprisingly, Great Danes and Greyhounds are wonderful apartment dogs from everything I've read.

Greyhounds especially are known as "the worlds fastest couch potato".

LOL, really? Geez.

Depends on what you like ! All dogs take time . I sure wouldn't get a barker !

What will your schedule be like - full or part time student, working? The apartment part isn't as big of a deal as is how much time you'll spend exercising the dog. When I was in college, I went part time and worked full time, but I had 2 Collies in a one bedroom apartment. Of course, I could take them to work with me whenever I wanted, and my life revolved around them (social outings were dog-related, etc.), so they got plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

With that said, I don't know that a Bull Terrier would work - they are pretty high energy (from the ones I've seen anyway!), and probably would need more time/energy than you might have available, once again, depending upon your schedule. I second the Greyhound ...

IMo i think pretty much any dog would do fine in a apartment (I mean size wise. I know some are mor eprone to barking ect. So Im just going by size). Dogs dont need 2500sq feet of house to move around in, they dont need a massive back yard (Ask the collie sitting beside me whos back yard is the size of some ones living room in a town house). Adequete excersise and mental stimulation is what a dog needs. Give them a corner and a bone/kong and they are content, until the next walk

a whippet.. Sighthounds love the simple life..

I'd definitely be walking, probably jogging daily with this dog, and I'll probably be a full time student for several years - going for vet tech.

Around here vet tech is 2 years.

Why not take Padfoot?

I loved my Whippet ... good choice!

Are you SURE that you're going to be able to afford an apartment and a dog? Cause that was always my plan for college, get an apartment. Yea...right, lol. There is no way I can afford an apartment on my own, much less find one that allows dogs, especially while in school.

If he's still around then I will, of course. Just looking at other options if something were to happen.

My parents will probably help me with the apartment thing.

The problem is the limits. College towns tend to have really strict limits as far as what is and isnt' allowed in the apartment. The apartments that allow the larger breeds tend not to be too good from my experience looking. Mine has a 20 lb limit. I'd definitely find the apartment first, settle into your schedule and then get the dog just in case. If you have a big dog or certain breeds you won't find a place to live.

It's hard enough for me to find an apartment that allows 1 small dog, 1 cat and three roomates.

I agree with Laurelin, a good plan is to find the apartment and settle into your schedule first, then decide on the dog later. I moved into an apartment my last semester of college and got a dog. I went to school full-time, and worked part time (luckily I could take my dog to work), and as much as I love my dog and am grateful to have her, I did wish I could've gotten her after I graduated. Between school and trying to have a bit of a social life (I wasn't a partier by any means, but I did like to hang out with my friends a couple of times a week), I was just too busy to have a dog.

That said, size is definately the most important factor in looking for a dog to live in an apartment. MOst apartments I've seen (and I've lived in four different apartments in as many years) have a 20-35 pound weight limit (some are 10 lbs). Plus you'll have to pay a pet deposit, which is usually more or less half a month's rent. The second most important thing you'll have to look for is a dog that's quiet. Neighbors don't like dogs, period, and it'll only be worse if your dog barks. At all. Plus potty training in an apartment is more difficult than it is in a house (and, you'll loose your deposit if you damage the carpet), so I'd definately go with an adult dog.

Where do you live? You really need to actually look at apartments and see if they even allow dogs before you get too excited. Then you need to ask what size dog they allow. Sorry, but I've never came across an apartment that allow an over 40 LB dog, so good luck if you want a bigger sized dog. Then again I was in So-Cal, don't know about where you're at.

im partial to chihuahuas...

bull terriers even minis can be extreemly hihg energy (and rather stubborn)
manchesters are an option but the ones ive met seem high strung...

a chi could be the prefect match, there a HUGE dog in a tiny tiny body.
a well bred chihuhaua can handle hikes and jogging...and if it were to get tired a simple backpack makes a nice...no need to stop...option. i know chihuahuas who hike and job MILES a day with no problems.
if you were to go with a chihuahua, you have to remember these little guys have huge personalities, training is a must.
they have a reputation for being "yippy" this is an unfortunae reputation because there realy not unless theyve been raised that way. a chihuahua thats been properly trained and socilized will bark only when it realy belives you NEED to know about it.
usually when the doorbell rings or something "strange" is outside.
I always say...i dont need an alarm system i have chihuahuas.

and being there so small (my 2 chihuhuas TOGEHTER = 8lbs!) many places allow them and even thought they can hike and job, they can also get enough excersize running round an apartment.
and they can be litterbox trained making upper floor apartment life very easy!

there smart, active and suprisingly strong for such little mites!

rescue or get from a GOOD breeder, the breed is plauged with byb and millers due to current celeb popularity and theres some NASTY health issues in the breed if your not carefull...

who can say no to these little faces?

Yeah, my stepmom says most apartments around here have a 30 lb limit... so Greyhounds, Danes and my big Padfoot are all probably not options. Paddy is 53 lbs

Keep in mind also what you'll be doing after college - if you'll move, where you'll live, looking for a job and a new apartment, needing to find another place to live with a dog. It's doable, but not always easy.

True. Eh... I'll figure it out when I'm there. Maybe I'll get a corgi or something, always wanted one of those... do they get destructive like Borders?

I'll send you Ares

They don't necessarily get destructive, but they do get creative. Then again that goes for any herding breed who is under challenged. If you're going to get a corgi, make sure you have time to at least do some obedience training. Also corgis can be very vocal.