Australian Cattle Dog in apartment?

Question

I just put an ACD puppy on hold. As requested by me, the puppy has high drive and moderately good conformation. My friend told me I'm being cruel by keeping a high drive puppy of a high drive breed when I'll be living in an apartment.

While an apartment isn't ideal, I will be home most of the day, every day. (I might be gone a couple of hours max 2 or 3 days a week). I plan to schutzhund train, which is advanced obedience, tracking, and bite work all rolled into one, so it will have plenty of mental stimulation. I plan on daily walks and daily runs, as well as daily obedience training in puppyhood until it's old enough to start schutzhund. On weekends, my boyfriend and I would take it hiking, the beach, dog parks, etc. This is the whole reason I wanted an active dog.

That being said, do you think the amount of time and exercise I would give it would make up for the apartment or do you think it would be really miserable. I'd rather lose my deposit and get a different breed that unknowingly torture a dog. Serious answers only please. This is 300 dollars we're talking about.

Answer 1

When I got my first Australian Cattle Dog (over 20 years ago) I lived in a 2nd floor condo. I spent 5 years in that apartment with multiple ACDs and none of them were unhappy or tortured souls. We now live on 3 acres and, truth be known, there are times that I realize that my dogs got more exercise back when I did live in an apartment because I had to take them out for a walk (as opposed to opening the back door to let them out to potty).



One of the greatest joys for an Australian Cattle Dog is being with his/her owner. Physical exercise is great (and it looks like you have that figured out) but ACDs thrive on mental stimulation. Mental exercises are just as effective when done in an apartment as they are anywhere else!



Tell your friend to take a hike.....with you, and your dog (grin).

Answer 2

Having a house and a yard will not make you a better owner. Are you working with a reputable breeder? Do they know you live in an apartment? Know your plans for this pup? If the answers are yes and they don't have a problem with that then ignore your friend.



As long as the dog's needs are met, well taken care of you know what you are getting into as well your landlord is fine with it, it doesn't matter what other people think. I'm in the same boat, I plan on getting an active working breed and I live in an apartment, a large one but an apartment none the less and I have a plan for exercise/work and mental stimulation. The breeder I am dealing with has ZERO problems selling to me.



EDIT: While APBTs are want to please their master's they are still HIGH DRIVE AND HIGH ENERGY DOGS. The SAME issues you brought up with ACDs she could have with APBTs if she wasn't prepared, so what pray tell was the point of recommending another high energy prey driven breed other than the fact you don't like the idea of an ACD in an apartment?

Answer 3

Personally, I wouldn't have that breed in an apartment. Keep in mind that this is a herding breed, high drive, and high energy. They can become bored very quickly, and very easily. All in all it's your choice, and if you think you can handle that breed of dog, then by all means go for it. I do highly recommend crate training him for the times you can't be there with him, as they can become bored and destructive rather quickly.



In my opinion, something like an APBT (American Pit Bull Terrier) may be a better breed for you, and that's not just because I like the breed, but because they want basically nothing more then to please their owners, and can be great apartment dogs if trained properly. They would also work well with the amount of activity you plan to do with your new dog.



All in all, it's your choice, and I know that's not very much help, but it really is your decision. I personally wouldn't have a breed such as an ACD in an apartment because of how easily they can become bored and destructive. They are known for behavior and temperament issues if they don't have the proper mental and physical stimulation. Also, if you do decide to get one, look into getting toys where you can hide treats, etc.... that the dog has to work to get. These toys provide a good amount of mental stimulation, and may come in handy when you're not there. And please don't take this post the wrong way, I love ACD's, they can be an amazing breed, I just personally wouldn't have one in an apartment setting. Best of luck, and I'm sorry I can't be of much more help!

Answer 4

Well, you're going to be in for an awfully big adventure for the next 12-15+ years! ACDs need lots of mental and physical stimulation to remain happy. If you take up marathon running and a dog sport or two, this can work out. I would recommend buying a sturdy airline style (solid sided) crate to keep her from destructive or dangerous behaviors when left alone. I would find a "puppy kindergarten" or similar class at a local dog training facility, then sign up for a beginning obedience class when it ends - classes generally meet one night a week and the instructor will give you lots of things to work on at home as well. After basic obedience, you can look into participating in a variety of dog sports: obedience, rally obedience, agility, frisbee, flyball, tracking, herding, freestyle (canine/human dancing to music), and dock diving are all activities that she may like. I would try to make this work, if possible. If you find that she is not getting enough exercise (mental or physical) then I would contact ACD rescue - there are many good breed specific rescues for them all over the country - they can help you to find her a more suitable home if it becomes necessary. Good luck!

Answer 5

Why would you train ANY dog to actually attack ? ACD tend to be nippy anyway, as well as intelligent and INDEPENDENT. That is NOT a good combination for attack training. I love ACD, but you don't see them in obedience competitions much for a reason - independence. What you are thinking about is creating a lawsuit.



You can have an active dog in an apartment if they getn enough exercise. I know many Siberians that live in apartments but they need LOTS of running. Walking and obedience training are not exercise or much stimulation for such breeds (they learn incredibly fast but repition on command is not stimulating to them). And they need the exercise and stimulation ALL the time, not just weekends.

Answer 6

Your Australian Cattle Dog would be miserable in an apartment. This dog is in the working class and it is inbred in it to work. Also that breed needs a tremendous amount of exercise and a "job" to do to be fulfilled. Exercise alone will not meet the dog's need to work. Working dogs do not do well in small areas and will often become depressed or irritable if they cannot "work". Even though you will lose $300.00, you will not have the heartbreak of your dog being miserable which, in turn, will make you miserable. Go to the library and read about the breeds that are suited to your environment or open your heart to a rescue dog who will repay your choice with love, protection, caring, adoration, and loyalty as long as it lives. If you choose a rescue dog, you will get your money back and still have a friend for life. Good luck.

Answer 7

I've had 2 ACDs while living in a 2 bdrm condo and both were very happy dogs.



I adopted my 1st ACD when she was 5, and she didn't damage anything. When I was home all she wanted to do was follow me (the herding instinct) or hang out w/me on the sofa. She did have several mind stimulating toys (she loved anything with breakfast/dinner or treats in them), and we played catch in the apartment for about 20 minutes/day. It's important to note that I worked 10-12 hour days during several years of her life, and she was still a very happy dog that lived to be 15.



I adopted my 2nd ACD when she was 1, and she was a handful until I started faking her to doggy daycare 1 day/week every other week until she was 2. Once she turned 2 she totally mellowed out and now we play catch for about 20 minutes before I go to work. When I get home all she wants to do is lay on me and watch TV. She's 6 now and is a happy loving dog.



Both love riding in the car and that exhausts them both:):):).

Answer 8

I have asked this same question 4 times, and did not receive a good answer

Answer 9

Great point, but I'm not 100%

Answer 10

I dont see how you can train very well in an apartment situation...personallyI wouldnt recommend it...lucky u can be home all the time and not worry about a job, so maybe u can do it, but potty training will be the hardest.

Answer 11

i think keeping a ACD in a apartment would be abit unfair, knowing how much exercise they require. i think it would be very bored with no garden to atleast to go out in. but if your up to exercising it daily then its entirely up to you