[TheProfessional9]

Hi , I am a prospective first time dog owner. I am currently considering different breeds and would like to get some feedback. I live in a 900 sq ft condo in the suburbs by myself, there are 2 bedrooms and a hallway, and outside a small common backyard. I've always liked dogs but I have never owned one so I know that I am probably better off with a relatively low maintenance dog, and one that does not require too much space since I live in a condo. I was thinking either a Boston Terrier, a French Bulldog or a dash hound. I was also thinking to get a mixed breed puppy to minimize health issues. I'm looking at puppies for sale on Kijiji right now and I have come across purebred Boston Terrier, French Bulldog– dashound mix, or Bojack. Thoughts? I'm leaning towards either a Boston or the Frenchie dashound, considering my situation am I on to something? I also came across Jack Russell puppies while searching but given my situation I don't think it would be ideal. I would appreciate some feedback from some more experienced dog owners. Thanks a lot guys.

 

[storyist]

Your ideas about breed sound sensible to me. I don't know what Kijiji is, but the fact you say "puppies for sale on" makes me think of the kind of list or brokerage that's a poor source for a puppy. I'm sure others who know what it actually is will chime in.

 

[TheProfessional9]

Your ideas about breed sound sensible to me. I don't know what Kijiji is, but the fact you say "puppies for sale on" makes me think of the kind of list or brokerage that's a poor source for a puppy. I'm sure others who know what it actually is will chime in.

Oops sorry I forgot that Kijiji is a Canadian thing ha ha ha. It's a classified ads website basically. People use it to advertise when they have puppies/dogs for sale but it is not strictly a dog site of course. What kind of source would you recommend for finding a puppy?

 

[LeoRose]

Kijiji is Canada's Craigslist. Not a place I would be looking for a puppy, personally.

Since you are in Canada, check out the CKC parent club for a list of member breeders if you want a purebred. If you want a cross-breed, then I suggest that you start with Find puppies from responsible breeders and shelters near you | Good Dog

Make sure you know the health testing suggested for a breed (or breeds, if a mix), and that the breeder has proof of them being done. A mixed breed dog is not healthier simply because they are a mixed breed dog. They can, and frequently do, inherit health issues. I've met more than one designer cross that had severe allergies, hip dysplasia, and other problems common in one or more of the parent breeds. My own Doberman cross had DCM, which is very common in the breed.

Also, be aware in Canada that is illegal for a dog to be sold as a purebred unless it is CKC registered. Makes is a bit hard on the rarer breeds that aren't recognized, but there you have it.

It's Dachshund, not dash hound. Unless you really have the ability to get them out and exercised, both mentally and physically, neither they nor a Jack Russel would be a good choice.

 

[TheProfessional9]

Kijiji is Canada's Craigslist. Not a place I would be looking for a puppy, personally.

Since you are in Canada, check out the CKC parent club for a list of member breeders if you want a purebred. If you want a cross-breed, then I suggest that you start with Find puppies from responsible breeders and shelters near you | Good Dog

Make sure you know the health testing suggested for a breed (or breeds, if a mix), and that the breeder has proof of them being done. A mixed breed dog is not healthier simply because they are a mixed breed dog. They can, and frequently do, inherit health issues. I've met more than one designer cross that had severe allergies, hip dysplasia, and other problems common in one or more of the parent breeds. My own Doberman cross had DCM, which is very common in the breed.

Also, be aware in Canada that is illegal for a dog to be sold as a purebred unless it is CKC registered. Makes is a bit hard on the rarer breeds that aren't recognized, but there you have it.

It's Dachshund, not dash hound. Unless you really have the ability to get them out and exercised, both mentally and physically, neither they nor a Jack Russel would be a good choice.

Yeah I know about dachshunds, stupid autocorrect. Thought so about Jack Russells i wasn't leaning towards them anyways as I know they are not well suited for condo living anyhow. Thanks for the advices on where to search for puppies, i will look it up. Anyone have experience with bojacks?

 

[Lillith]

I second that Kijiji is not a good place to purchase a dog. It's a good way to get a puppy mill dog, or a dog that is not the type of dog that they said it was.

None of the breeds you mentioned I would consider low maintenance or easy. They're all fairly mid to higher energy, aside from the Frenchie, which are known for a number of health issues. So if you're looking for higher energy, great, but if you want a dog that is going to be content with a short walk and then hanging out for the rest of the day, I would pick something else. A Bojack is a mix of a BT and a Jack Russell, so that would also be a a higher energy dog.

It's a myth that mixes are automatically healthier. They can inherit health issues, too. The best way to limit the likelihood of encountering genetic health issues is purchase a puppy from a breeder who health tests her breeding stock.

What exactly are you looking for in relation to energy and exercise needs? Do you mean low maintenance as in "needs very little exercise and likes to nap" or low maintenance as in "needs very little grooming, not known for health issues, wash and wear"?

 

[parus]

How about a pekenese or a shih tzu? They're both bred to be lazy cuddlebugs. If you get one from a good breeder (not Kijiji) and that isn't excessively brachycephilitic, they tend to be comparatively healthy and long-lived.

 

[stbob]

Hmmmm, a boston terrier or a french bulldog? Sounds like you might wanna give some thought to a boxer and have the best of both worlds and then some...

 

[TheProfessional9]

I second that Kijiji is not a good place to purchase a dog. It's a good way to get a puppy mill dog, or a dog that is not the type of dog that they said it was.

None of the breeds you mentioned I would consider low maintenance or easy. They're all fairly mid to higher energy, aside from the Frenchie, which are known for a number of health issues. So if you're looking for higher energy, great, but if you want a dog that is going to be content with a short walk and then hanging out for the rest of the day, I would pick something else. A Bojack is a mix of a BT and a Jack Russell, so that would also be a a higher energy dog.

It's a myth that mixes are automatically healthier. They can inherit health issues, too. The best way to limit the likelihood of encountering genetic health issues is purchase a puppy from a breeder who health tests her breeding stock.

What exactly are you looking for in relation to energy and exercise needs? Do you mean low maintenance as in "needs very little exercise and likes to nap" or low maintenance as in "needs very little grooming, not known for health issues, wash and wear"?

I guess when I was saying low maintenance, I meant minimal grooming and such. I was leaning towards Boston Terriers because everything that I have heard about them indicates they are ideal for apartment / condo living. Limited space is more my concern since I do not have a house and a backyard. I don't mind it necessarily if a dog has high energy oh, I love playing with dogs but from what I understand the Boston's relatively small size mean that aside from walking the dog outside/ going to the park Etc, he can get a lot of his exercise playing games/ running around indoors in the condo. Please correct me if I'm wrong on that I am here to learn.

 

[Lillith]

I guess when I was saying low maintenance, I meant minimal grooming and such. I was leaning towards Boston Terriers because everything that I have heard about them indicates they are ideal for apartment / condo living. Limited space is more my concern since I do not have a house and a backyard. I don't mind it necessarily if a dog has high energy oh, I love playing with dogs but from what I understand the Boston's relatively small size mean that aside from walking the dog outside/ going to the park Etc, he can get a lot of his exercise playing games/ running around indoors in the condo. Please correct me if I'm wrong on that I am here to learn.

Oh, I see. Then either of your selections would be fine if you want minimal grooming, although those short coated breeds shed more than you might think!

 

[storyist]

A friend has Frenchies along with her Rotties and thinks they're just the greatest. It is a breed with a lot of health problems, but hers have come from good breeders and been healthy and long lived. The problem is that they're a popular breed and getting one from a good breeder is difficult and expensive.

I have no knowledge of Bostons except from hearing and reading about them, but my impression is that the OP is right about them and they'd also be a good choice in his situation.