[latoya_shaw]

Hey there!

I don't have a basset yet but I have been doing a lot of research on the breed and I think a basset would be a good fit for my lifestyle, but I also wanted to ask the experts (you guys) about a big concern that I have.

I live in a condo, meaning I have people living around me and I was wondering if a basset(given the right amount of exercise of course) could be happy living in a condo or do they need space...also do you think noise will be an issue?

I have already contacted the local Basset Rescue here in Atlanta and have filled out an application, I just want to make sure that is will be a happy dog!

P.S. I do work full-time if this influences your answers at all, but on the flip side I worked as a vet tech for 3 years so I have alot of "health knowledge" about animals and I would be a very attentive owner...but at the same time I don't want the dog to be miserable...anyone here that has bassets in an apartment or condo?

thanks for all of your input!
LaToya

P.S. This is the girl I'm trying to adopt...isn't she precious??

I was and still am to some extent considering a puppy, and if I went that route I would definately have someone come in halfway through my work day for potty breaks and play time.

I'd love input on that as well.

[ January 03, 2006, 12:39 PM: Message edited by: Toya ]

 

[Guest]

Welcome to the board and thank you for thinking of adoption. Pebbles is precious! All dogs are different as you probably know. Pebble's foster family could probably fill you in on whether she is a barker or not. If you work full time adult dogs are a much better choice than pups. I live in a house but my female dog would be just as happy in an apartment. My male on the other hand likes the outside and a fenced in yard is a plus. Good Luck. I hope you find the perfect match! yvonne

 

[MissMolly]

I agree with Sabians Mom. Puppies are ALOT of work in the beginning. I was forunate enough to take off 8 weeks when we first got Molly, so she was into a routine before I went back to work. Now she is crated for most of the day, but we have someone come to the house while we are at work to walk her and play with her for an hour. She seemed to adjust to it very well. She also is pretty docile now (22 weeks). She sleeps 6-7 hours per day even on the weekends.

As far as a condo goes, I think it would be fine. We have an inlaw apartment, and the person is not bothered by Molly. Some bassets do howel though. I think it depends.

Good luck to you regardless.

 

[Taralynn]

I agree with Sabians mom. I think an adult would be better. When we first got Ryder he would cry in his crate and it took him time to get used to it.At least Pebbles would have better bladder control than a puppy. As for a condo I live in base housing because we are military and our walls are pretty thin and I am always asking the neighbor if she hears him and she says no.We have a fence that we let Ryder out to use the bathroom, but there is another basset owner down the street that is military and she and her husband work all day. They give him a potty break at lunch. They do not have a fence and they seem to do ok.They just walk him a little bit so that he can do his business.

I hope this helps your decision Pebbles is cute and welcome aboard!

 

[Guest]

Pebbles is very cute. I had two bassets in my condo. You need to walk them more and make sure you have patience to go outside with them whenever they need it. Bassets are definately not the kind of dogs to just let run around. I think if you could find out if Pebbles is a barker, then that would be the major concern. I lucked out with only having one connected neighbor that just loved both my babies. I know at times they were very loud, but she never minded. I also lucked out when Spud was a puppy. He grew up with my Grandma during the day. Until he was like 4 months then I would put him in our bathroom during the day and now him and Penny get the run of the house.

Good luck with whatever decision you make. Let us know.

 

[Erin Davis]

We live in a condo as well, and Molson does very well. We live on the third floor so the first year was a little tough, (we carried him up and down four flights of stairs every time he had to go out) and we had to adjust our schedule to be home for him more. I think the biggest thing living in a condo is to make sure he gets enough exercise, (because we quickly learned that a tired puppy is a good puppy!) So we take him for long walks, and we go to hubby's parents house to let him run off leash (they have a 10 acres of land) and during the summertime we take him to one of the area dog parks and let him play with other dogs.
I think if you are willing to take on the challenges of a basset to begin with, it doesn't matter the size of the dog house and the plus side of having a small space, it's easier to keep an eye on them!

 

[Milly and Lily]

I don't live in an apartment or condo, but wanted to welcome you to the group just the same. Pebbles is adorable, puppies are tons of work, but I'm sure you know that having been a vet tech.
Best of luck and keep us posted.

 

[Rocket]

Pebbles is too cute! A condo is fine - you will just have to take her on walks - something that you should do yard or no yard, so no real difference. As long as she doesn't bark during the day (check with her foster parents) you should be fine. Good luck!

 

[Guest]

Ruby has been in apartments and houses. She's likes quiet but that's just her. The apt is pretty noisy and she's bothered by it. I imagine that the other residents are bothered by her howling when we're not here.... But we'll be out in a couple of months.

You might want to check out the HOA policies of your condo re: dogs that howl and so on. You'd hate to get kicked out if they don't allow stuff like that.

 

[Guest]

I live in a townhouse, and there is no problem I would look into having someone take her out 1/2 thru the day. Good luck i hope you get pebbles and welcome

 

[Sadeyes]

Yes, I agree with ec, I would definately get someone in to give her a toilet break and if possible a walk half way through the day. She looks lovely and I love the name!!

 

[Guest]

I agree with everyone else in checking with the foster home to see if she is a howler. I have 2 bassets one who is quite and who that is vocal. And she gets pretty loud too.

Pebbles is a cutie pie. And I have to agree with others too about the puppy. Puppies are so cute don't get me wrong, but they are tons of work. Speaking from current expierence I have a 8 month old puppy and I stay home with my kids and she is still a handful. And they need a lot of walks or outside time to burn the energy. I think you are doing a great thing and hope all works out with Pebbles.

Please keep up posted and good luck! You are on the right track!

 

[Guest]

We live in an apartment with Byron. He does well. We stuff a kong when we go to work so it keeps him busy and quiet. Our neighbor noted once that she heard him howl when we first got him, but since then he has been fine. You have to be prepared to go out whenever she needs it. It's more challenging in an apartment, but Byron is worth it!

 

[latoya_shaw]

Hi again!

Thanks to everyone for the advice, and I got some sad news today...they told me her foster mom will be adopting pebbles so I'm going to take another look at their adoptees but she was the only one that grabbed me the first time I looked...I don't know I will have to think long and hard about it, I've been down the puppy road before and whew... I felt like I had a newborn!!

 

[Barbara Winters]

Welcome to Cyberhound! When and if you do get a new dog plan on taking a week or two off around that time so you can get used to each other and you can practice leaving her for longer periods of time each day. Also having a dog sitter come during the middle of the day is often helpful.

good luck in your search.

 

[JoniFog]

Barbara's reply is good! Maybe you can get some vacation time to spend with your new baby so you two can get used to each other. Puppies require a LOT of work and attention, so maybe that wouldn't be a good idea with you working full time. Pebbles is a beautiful girl! I hope you can bring her into your family!