Finding the Perfect New York Dog

Caroline Jackson writes:

Whoa. This can be a really really really tough task. I have been desperately wanting a pooch to call my own for about 2 or 3 years now. They are just so damn cute. And nothing beats the unconditional love of man’s best friend. Apart from the whole responsibility thing (walking them, no more late nights, no more spur of the moment vacations, will my land lord let me have a dog in my apartment, paying for doggie daycare, picking up after your beloved pup on the street ), holding me back is the quandary of what breed to get. This decision is only heightened living in new york city. You need a dog that appreciates the indoors, because of this a dog that doesn’t shed too much & isn’t too smelly. One that doesn’t need exorbitant amounts of exercise, isn’t too big (especially if you live in a typically small apartment like me). But at the same time, I don’t want a small dog. Because lets face it, if I wanted a small dog I could just get a cat or a bunny rabbit (no offence to small dog owners – this is merely my humble opinion. I know plenty of people who love small dogs – Paris Hilton comes to mind).

So with the all the aforementioned things to think about, plus the fact that there is a lot of pressure to adopt a furry friend from a shelter or the pound, it’s a lot for a city girl to think about.

Some of my favorite dogs like the Bernese Mountain Dog, Great Dane, Newfoundland, Mastiff, Old English Sheep Dog – are all too big. And lets face it, with their long coats they get pretty smelly. And they shed.

My all time favorite Boarder Collie or the Australian Shepherd need too much exercise. Apparently if in a confined space too long as a puppy they get depressed and destructive. These dogs need a purpose – a job, if you will. They were bred to be working dogs, so they need a daily task. There are no cattle or sheep in the city to round up that I know of.

My boyfriend is obsessed with German Wired Haired pointers. I think they’re pretty ugly (in a cute dog-like way of course), so it’s lucky they also need plenty of exercise. Off the list.

The consideration set shrinks with the long list of criteria. I think the French Bulldog is pretty cute but they are a dime a dozen these days. Same with the Puggle (pug/poodle – sounds like a pretty horrible combination but very cute).

Anyway, lots to think about, more research to do. I will be sure to keep you apprised of my progress.