Winnie555: What are the pros and cons of having a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy in an apartment?
I live in a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment with my friend and we want to get a puppy. We are thinking about getting a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and I would like to know what the pros and cons of owning one in an apartment. Thanks for any information you give me in advance! :)
Photo Credit: Linda Dannhoff/Flickr CC
Answers and Views:
Answer by fragile.
will there be some one there at all times during the day (either you or her)? if not, don't even think about getting a puppy.
Answer by DeeF
they are very sweet dogs and i have never heard of anyone having problems with them.
plus their size is great for an apartment.
Depending on which floor you live on – it will be hard to housebreak the dog.
as soon as the dogs gives signes that he might have to pee, you have to take him out
immediatelly. that could mean you have to go outside every 30 minutes at first.
but once the dog is hosuetrained and he has enough walks outside (2-3 a day) he
will be fine in an apartment.
they are not high energy dogs.
you have to walk them though.
and teach him to relax in the apartment.
usually owning a house with a backyard always have more pros.
but if you exercise the dog enough, it will be fine for that kind of dog.
a Husky would probably be understimulated.
Answer by WyrDachsie
The cons to owning a pet when your in an apartment, you must walk the dog. There are no options.
As long as you are committed to training the dog and meeting it's exercise needs, it shouldn't be a issue, regardless of breed.
Cavaliers actually make pretty good apartment dogs, since they are typically not barkers and fairly friendly (though I do know a few nasty ones). Small dogs need to go out, just as large dogs do.
You will have to make sure your dog is reliably housebroken, so with a puppy, you will be doing crate training and getting the pup out very frequently. Usually a pup needs to go out 10 minutes after drinking and 20 minutes after eating. You can find plenty of information on housebreaking a dog on the internet.
As long as you understand, that you will be taking the dog out in every kind of weather, rain, snow, sleet, wind etc. That if your going to be working late or going out for the day or night, you need to make arrangements to have the dog taken out. If you want to go away, the dog will need to be in a kennel.
Don't forget, that you will need extra money for the vet and when the dog is sick. Please do your reserach on Cavaliers and find a responsible breeder, since they do have heart issues.
I live in an apartment with 2 Standard Dachshunds.
Answer by tnr
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is NOT a high energy working dog. They are lap dogs. Perfect size for an apartment (if your apartment allows dogs of course). They are known for having a very sweet and gentle nature, but they are also known for being velcro dogs. This means that they want to be around you all the time. Start crate training asap and take care to keep your dog from developing separation anxiety (keep them entertained when you are gone and don't make a big fuss when you are leaving / arriving)
Know better? Give your own answer to this question!
dorothy s says
If you are not on the ground floor and you do not have a fenced garden imagine the problems a puppy or even an older dog will create. Your dog will need to be walked regardless of the weather, it may need to have the mud washed off its coat and then dried. Can you carry a dirty dog up stairs or take it in the lift? Have you somewhere to wash it in your apartment/flat?
What do you do when it wants a pee in the middle of the night, Is it safe for you to take it out during the night? Will you mind going out in your nightwear?
When your dog wakes up in the morning, it will not cross it legs until you get dressed. Will you again take it downstairs for a pee? In all of this consider the fact that if you are not at home during the day to housetrain your dog it will pee and poo.
Have you ever heard a dog cry when it is left alone? If you are at work you will be unaware of this. Have you considered the other tenants and neighbours? they will almost certainly complain, then what. Eventually you may be asked to vacate your apartment/flat and make good the damage before you leave. Have you considered how many landlords will take you and a dog?
People part with their dogs every day because they cannot find accommodation.
IF YOU LIVE IN A RENTED APARTMENT/FLAT AND YOU INTEND TO LEAVE A DOG ALONE, THINK AGAIN.
Dorocheese says
What the fuck Dorothy? When was the last time you got fucked? A simple no may have sufficed.
wishnuwelltoo says
Holy cow, this is a clingy breed. It is not likely that a responsible breeder will sell you this breed unless you can prove that someone is at home with this breed 24/7 and there are other indoor pets to keep it company. Cavies are an extremely clingy breed, they have to be touching you all the time. You cannot do anything unless you are constantly toughing this breed. They want to be held while you go to the bathroom, while you are in the tub or shower, everything you do, they want to be held. They are extremely hard to train, one of the worse breeds for training. Puppies, all puppies need attention, but this breed is very clingy. It is only 1 hour for each month of age with puppies, any puppies, so a two-month-old puppy can only be alone/hold their potty for two hours at the most. Make sure you and your roommate have the time to devote to the demanding needs of a puppy. The puppy will be up every two hours day and night no matter what method of potty training you use. This breed has tear stains, so the eyes need to be cleaned daily. Ask your vet about Angels Eyes. They also need their ears cleaned daily and their hair has to be brushed daily, or it matts pretty bad. You need a shampoo, conditioner, and grooming spray with coconut oil in it for the hair. I can't think of a pro for this breed of puppy.
E says
This is not the breed for an apartment. Cavaliers suffer from Severe heart problems. So they need a large back yard to play in. Also they take Daily grooming with includes teeth cleaning and regular ear cleaning and nail trims. Plus regular professional hair trims to keep the hair on the ears, legs and sides of the body tidy.
You need a small short haired breed that doesn`t need so much indoor exercise like for example a dachshund. They are so small you can always get 2 for company for each other. But he/she will still need daily walks and regularly taking out to go to the toilet.
Don`t get any dog though if you are both out all day and will hardly be there with them.
NEVER buy from a Pet Shop the puppies All come from Horrific Cruel puppy farms. Only from a checked out breeder or rescue center.
Buy "The Dog Whisperer Cesar Milan" Seasons 2, 3 and 4 on DVD. If you haven`t seen the show on t.v to learn about dog behaviour. His Book on raising puppies is very good too if you`re a first time owner.
Wilco, Bull Terrier says
There are a few factors here. My biggest challenge was potty training as i lived on a second floor. It can be difficult to train because when they have to go they have to go now! Not to mention you have to be aware of the noise because of your close neighbors… whining or barking late at night was enough to pull your own hair out!
This doesn't mean its impossible, just means there is a little extra work to be done. You have to exercise him on your own outside of the apartments because of no backyard. And i would start crate training immediately as this helps with barking or whining because the crate becomes there safe place.
Good Luck!
Pilot says
Obviously there's the toilet training stage, which is a big con.
Some cavaliers that I know have to be forced on walks and spend the whole time wanting to go home, but mine loves to go for walks and run around and play.
Also they shed a lot, so bear that in mind.
Paul Bryson says
Pros: You wont feel so lonley when your freind isnt there, you'l keep fit taking it for walks, everyone loves a good pet. it will be your freind for life
Cons: It will make your apartment smell of dog, you will soon find hair all over your couch carpet etc. (maybe even droppings) It's a pretty gay dog.
MtoR signing up is e says
It is a high energy working dog and I expect would need more space and more stimuation than a small apartment offers