Ava Williams
If you are a city dweller and want to get a dog, you should think carefully about your choice of breed. It is important to consider what is expected of living with the dog. However, it is also important to consider how the dog can live a comfortable and species-appropriate life in the city. Too often, however, the choice is made solely based on external criteria. “Many people think above all about how big the dog should be and what it looks like,” says Udo Kopernik from the German Kennel Club.
The decisive factor is the choice of breed because the differences are great. Anyone who flirts with a Labrador must also have time to go on long trips into nature several times a week. The JackRussel Terrier, on the other hand, is not only cute but also very spirited – and likes to just run off. A Poodle, on the other hand, is friendly, intelligent, robust, and also easy to keep in the apartment.
The location of the apartment is also important in the city: Larger dogs in particular quickly develop joint problems if they have to climb stairs over several floors again and again. Also to consider: How does the dog owner himself normally move around the city? If he often travels by bus and train, a large animal is a rather cumbersome companion. On the other hand, if the bike is often used, then a short-legged dog like a Pug can hardly be expected to walk alongside the bike – a transport basket is needed. A Boxer, on the other hand, can complete the excursion on his own feet as well as on his bike.
“It’s best to get information from experienced breeders – they can say exactly whether a breed suits their living environment,” says Udo Kopernik. Because if the future owner lives in a small apartment, he will certainly appreciate it if someone tells him before buying that a pug is snoring quite loudly.