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There are many who believe that dogs should not be kept in the city. A lack of green spaces, apartment living and the mess they can make on the streets is primarily what feeds the naysayers doubts. However, there is actually nothing inherently wrong with keeping a dog in the city. In fact, in a society where broken families and working from home are becoming the norm, sometimes the importance of having a pet is crucial to an individual’s overall emotional and physical wellbeing.
It is the animal’s wellbeing that we need to consider. In an ideal world every animal will have a field to run in, but that is not always necessarily the most important thing. Many dogs can lead happy and fulfilling existences in even the most built up of conurbations. Responsible dog owners will take a lot of different factors into account before committing themselves, and a dog, to such as existence.
Make sure you choose the right breed
There are certain breeds of dog that are better suited to city living, while others are definitely more at home on the countryside. Most working dogs such as labradors and German Shepherds need to have the freedom, expanse and ‘sense of purpose’ a country life gives them. Keeping them cooped up in a city apartment seems cruel, no matter how many walks you take them on during the course of the day.
Size is surprisingly not an issue. While it is generally believed that smaller breeds would be better, they can in fact be bundles of energy that might end up being reported as a nuisance by your neighbours.
At the other end of the scale, Great Danes might seem a bizarre choice for a small apartment. However, as long as they have their regular walks, they are pretty chilled and docile, spending most of the day comatose waiting for their next pad around the block. They actually make great city companions (and pretty good preventative guardians as well!).
Check your building’s (or landlord’s) lease
You need to check that your building’s lease, or that your landlord, allows pets. Although a recent change in legislation removed the ability for landlords to ban pets in rental accommodation, often in leasehold buildings there are established covenants that also ban pets which landlords are not able to overrule.
Be conscious of your neighbours when it comes to choosing a dog. A whiny, yappy dog that makes constant noise hour after hour (particularly if you are absent) can be considered a noise nuisance and you may be forced to get rid of them.
Do you have access to any outside space?
A patch of artificial lawn in a North London converted block of flats? A small park at the end of the road? The closer you are to somewhere that can be sued as a toilet (and cleaned up by you) the more convenient it will be for you both if your pooch gets caught short during the night. The last thing you want to be doing is traipsing half a mile down the road in the pouring rain if your pooch has a dicky tummy.
How much time do you spend at home?
Ultimately, your decision to have a pet will depend on how much time you actively spend at home, and whether it is fair on the animal if your lifestyle does not suit dog ownership, no matter how much you want it.
For many people, working from home has become the norm, and having a dog is actually essential to their mental and physical health, forcing them to get outside for walks when otherwise you may be more inclined to stay at home. In this type of scenario a dog is the perfect companion. However, if your job demands many hours in the office, leaving early in the morning and returning late at night, dog ownership would be completely impractical.
