I agree with 09:25 - foster first. Sign up to foster with a high volume rescue and youll see all those dogs with such a variation of personalities and "fitness" for condo living.

Beagles and hounds are generally bad fits for condos because they like to sing, for instance. Not all of them, but many. Ditto huskies.

Small dogs sound like good fits for condos in theory but many small dogs are terriers and need a LOT of exercise - and have small bladders to match.

A great condo dog would be an older (4 or older) mid size to larger size dog (bigger bladder) that is NOT a working dog - no border collies, no Malinois! An older pit mix, 6-7 years old, who loves being on the couch all day, doesn't need lots of walking, and is just a super snuggle buddy would be a great fit for condo living but yeah some people are just scared of those.

So. Foster for a while with a high volume rescue, see the type of dog that is a good fit for your condo - and see if yu're willing to walk as often as they need - and you'll have your answer. (the rescue I volunteer with has a ton of fosters who live in apartments and condos)

My neighbors in my condo building have a big dog and it's horrible -- the dog is so noisy, so hard on the floors, sheds everywhere. We've had lots of neighbors with small dogs and that's totally fine -- we've been fortunate not to have any dogs who bark a lot. But the big dogs are awful even if they don't bark. Maybe an elderly dog who was more sedentary would be okay. I love dogs so I don't want to be a hater, but my quality of life has noticeably declined since this big, energetic dog moved in upstairs. It also doesn't look fun for the owners -- they look like overwhelmed parents who still haven't gotten the hang of it even years later.

u Anonymous wrote:Hows that going- noise, elevators or stairs, late night potty times. Thinking this through.

It really depends on the dog. It is less about size and more about temperament and exercise needs; although the latter can be managed.

I would consider fostering first and seeing how that goes before adopting. I would try to choose a foster that would do well with your lifestyle.

Many dogs are compatible with apartment and condo living. My father lives in a condo and has had rescue greyhounds and bull dogs without issue. They are both pretty relaxed breeds, but temperament is also dog specific. When we lived in an apartment we fostered and then adopted a corgi- lab- heeler/cattle dog mix who is the calmest, most trainable, best behaved dog.

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I've done it, in DC and NYC. Bigger dogs too. I always tell people it's totally fine with the (enormous) caveat you need to be committed to 2 to 4 hours of walking/hiking/dog parks/outdoor dining 365 days a year, rain or shine. I think city dogs can have amazing lives and all their needs met, but it is a significant commitment. The elevator and smaller space is a non issue for a trained and exercised dog, but that's back to the original point that you need to be out and about with them a lot.

Think of it like having a toddler that would never grow up.
If you are ready for that you are ready.

I did for years with no problems or complaints, but I was young and childless.

I think pee pads are so disgusting and so are those balcony things. The pee has to go somewhere! It’s just going yo drain down on other people. NO.

I had a Foxhound in a ground floor Condo for years.
It was fine. She probably got more exercise than dogs with yards.
I worked 3-11pm.
Long walk at 0700, long walk again or dog park for an hour at 1330.
10 min walk at 2300.

I have a large dog in a condo - the big difference is I now commit to multiple longer walks daily while "old me" used to go on one or two shorties and mostly let the dog out into the backyard of our old house.

It's a bigger everyday commitment than I originally envisioned - particularly on rainy or ugly winter days - but I find I enjoy it mostly.

Anonymous wrote:You teach your dog elevator etiquette. They are taught to walk into the elevator and sit down in a corner and stay until it's time to get off at their floor.

if you have a balcony you can get one of those grass pee pads so the dog can go out there late at night if you don't feel safe taking them for a bedtime pee, but by age 18 months most can hold their pee from 9pm to like 7am.

Our little dog has to pee at night. We have a pee pad set up in the bathroom.

You teach your dog elevator etiquette. They are taught to walk into the elevator and sit down in a corner and stay until it's time to get off at their floor.

if you have a balcony you can get one of those grass pee pads so the dog can go out there late at night if you don't feel safe taking them for a bedtime pee, but by age 18 months most can hold their pee from 9pm to like 7am.

^common greenspace

I live in a condo townhouse neighborhood. We have common Greenspan and private decks on the rear.

There was, maybe still is, a dog weight limit in our bylaws.

People have brought bigger dogs than were allowed and kept them for years. Some leash their dogs on long leashes off their deck while they are inside (not allowed). Some let their dogs off leash while present (also not allowed).

I've stepped in poop right off my deck a couple times. And my kids. My kids have also been charged at a few times by untrained but not dangerous dogs.

I know one person who had a small dog who needed vet care after being roughed up and bitten by another neighbor's dog. That person now has another tiny dog that likes to bolt under cars and delivery vans.

And our condo president had to give away her German Shepherd because it kept going after a neighbor's dog and coming up onto the neighbor's private deck.

I've also seen some lawn damage from peeing dogs. The condo collectively has to pay for that. Which is not fair.

I guess I would say...please think carefully about kindness to others and how good of a pet owner you can be. Don't violate the condo rules. Our houses are big enough for big dogs but our shared greenspace is not set up for leaving poops until the owner feels like picking up. And is not suitable for any unleashed running.

My best friend had a dog in a condo. It was fine until she had a toddler, a baby, and an aging dog in a condo.

Hows that going- noise, elevators or stairs, late night potty times. Thinking this through.