I know of a few of the smaller breeds (Chihuahua, Yorkie, etc.), but I was wondering if there were any other good small to medium sized breeds we should be looking at as well. I should also mention that we'd prefer a short haired breed as well.

If you don't want to take the dog on regular walks (at least), then you are pretty much limited to toy breeds.  Pugs are great, and aren't so "toyish" and delicate although you have to be careful of them in the heat.        

  If you consider a track rescue greyhound, by the way, get one only from organizations that are clear that greyhound racing needs to be banned, not from those that say it merely needs to be "cleaned up" or "reformed."   The latter are just greasing the wheels of an industry that slaughters thousands of greyhounds a year. 

No, no retired greyhounds!  It souns like a great thing to do but you would have to be a vey experienced dog owner!  They only know life inside the track!  They have no socialization outside the track, i.e. contact with other dogs, or just being in the normal home life setting.  When you get one, its like you are starting all over with a new puppy except its in an older dogs body!  And you only have a few more good years with this dog, maybe 3-5 left?  And your also be putting up with aging dog things like what kind of sicknesses they develop over the years, i.e. meds to be on for diseases they develop, cancers from being exposed to the sun (they live outside in kennels when they are not running) joint problems from runnning most of their lives, ect.  And you can't take them out much when they are retired, as most do develop hip and joint problems.  I know, I considered adopting one a few years ago, and talked to a rescue org. and they gave me some info., and told me some of these things I am telling in this reply.  And its very rare and unlikely to find a puppy, as most peoples yards don't come with a lot of room for many greyhounds to run (they need alot of exercise) even those who have 100s of acres, its stilll not enough for greyhounds to run on.  If there are any in homes today, they are usaully overweight, or not quite fit, or have hip and joint problems.  Your better off sterting from the beginning with a puppy so you can raise it to follow your commands, and teach it to do what you want it to do, and raise it how you want to.  Make sense?    

~Jessica

~Akilah the Female Livernosed Rhodesian Ridgeback  (A Swahili Name theat means Intellegent\One Who Reasons)

~Nanji the Male Black Masked Rhodesian Ridgeback (Means He Will Protect Us and Keep Us Safe)            

"Once you have owned a Rhodesian Ridgeback
 you will never be satisfied with anything less."–Major T.C. Hawley

Kerste,

Maybe look into pembroke welsh corgi (without a tail) or the cardigan welsh corgi (with a tail).  Both are small to medium and will work with the apartment life.  Most only get between 20 and 30 lbs.  I don't know if you have any kids or plan on having kids, but these two breeds will be able to handle kids better than chihuahuas or yorkies.  The cardigan is said to be more easy going and laid back.  The pembroke is more on the high energy side, they to can be laid back sometimes.  Which ever breed you choose you need to make sure they get out of the apartment and get the proper exercise they deserve.  Both are herding dogs so they will enjoy doing anything with you.  When you get your new addition and you leave it home by it's self you might want to play the t.v. or a radio until the dog is older and is okay with staying home by it's self.  The noise in the back ground will help drown out the dog whining and help make the transition go smoother.

 

~~~Mandy~~~Sergeant~~~Jake~~~

Kerste,

Another breed you might consider is the cavalier king charles.  They usually get between 13 and 18 lbs.  They would need to be brushed every other day or at least 3 times a week since their coat is longer and will get matted or tangled easily.  If you get them clipped and keep them that way their coat care will be easier.  This breed is also good with kids and will hold up to them better than the smaller toy breeds.

Make sure you do lots of reaserch on the breed.  You will be happier in the long run.  Good luck on finding your perfect pet. 

 

~~~Mandy~~~Sergeant~~~Jake~~~

Proud owner of Mocha the Dachshund, 2006 Cutest Dog Channel Dog Champion, and 2007 runner up!

F.Y.I.- I am a Dog Groomer, and I have seen many of these dogs and they shed alot.  I think I remember she said she was looking for a short\smooth coated dog.  Not a fluffy one like the P. or C. Corgi.  I also recall someone recently trying to get rid of a pair because she had them in her apartment, and they were shedding hair all over, and barked all the time, and tore up things, and broke out of their crates, which the barking disturbed the neighboors, who called management.  In an apartment you pay rent, so any damage that is done to the room is at your expense!  I can't even imagine the money she had to owe the manager due to the dog being so trapped, and frusterated!  She wasn't able to be with the dogs and give them the attention and exercise they needed.  Believe it or not their origin is a herding dog, and they are just short enough so the cattle can't kick them and injure them.  Thus explains their short, and cute little bodies!  And they also need to run, something they would normally do.  I have seen too many of these dogs get overweight, and it makes them have hip and joint problems later, and makes it hard to trim their toe nails.  (they bite because it hurts to lift their legs up)   They had given her a week to get rid of the dogs, and she put up flyers all over my area, saying that these were not apartment dogs no matter how small and cute they are!  I wouldn't base a dog on size alone for apartments, consider their temprament, and coat type.  I good suggestioin is to  do you homework first!  Its not fair to the dog to put them in a situation where he is not truly happy doing something close to what he was bread to do!

~Jessica

~Akilah the Female Livernosed Rhodesian Ridgeback  (A Swahili Name theat means Intellegent\One Who Reasons)

~Nanji the Male Black Masked Rhodesian Ridgeback (Means He Will Protect Us and Keep Us Safe)            

"Once you have owned a Rhodesian Ridgeback
 you will never be satisfied with anything less."–Major T.C. Hawley