Thinking of adopting a pet as a college student? If you are a responsible, grounded individual with the time and income to properly care for an animal, and give him/her all the attention and care they require, then perhaps you should!
There are many benefits to having a furry friend around – they provide unconditional love, companionship, and company, and can help you through the busy and tumultuous period in your life that is college.
In addition to this, pets can relieve stress, improve mood, and boost self-esteem. In addition, they offer comfort during times of loneliness. Pets can also teach us valuable lessons.
For example, dogs show us that being kind to other living beings is important. They teach us how to take care of ourselves and our environment – which is a key part of your college or university experience.
We have compiled this list of dog breeds to help you find a dog that is suitable for your college life. Each dog breed has its own characteristics, personality and different suitability with college life.
Read on to potentially find your new best friend.
But, an important note. Adopting a dog is a lifelong commitment, for the enrire life of the dog. This is not like buying a TShirt, where you just throw it away when it gets old. Bringing a dog into your family is a big responsibility, and if you aren’t in a stable environment where you can provide for the dog properly then please wait a few years until you are in a better place to do this.
Best Dog Breeds for College Students
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When you go to the shelter to find your friend, make sure your heart is open to older dogs. Sure, the puppies are cute, but the older dogs need a home more.
The puppies will have no trouble getting adopted.
And the older dogs are often there because they had a cruel owner who dumped them when they got old. Can you imagine living your life with your family and then one day your parents abandon you at a shelter because you are old?
1. Golden Retrievers
Golden retrievers are very friendly and playful dogs. Their size makes them easy to handle, while their intelligence and friendliness make them easy to train.
They need lots of exercise and playtime, but a few daily walks around campus will suffice, especially if supplemented with additional mental stimulation (such as puzzle dog toys). They love to play and run around, making them great for an active college student.
Furthermore, they get along well with other dogs, but they require some alone time too. Unfortunately, they have separation anxiety, so living in a busy college house or apartment with multiple housemates is ideal.
Just make sure that all of your housemates like dogs first!
2. Poodles
Poodles are very intelligent dogs, meaning that they can handle themselves, and are quite independent dogs. They are known for being snobby, but this couldn’t be further from the truth – they can adapt to any situation, and they love everyone!
They have a hypoallergenic coat and an unusually friendly personality. Overall, poodles are smart dogs that love to meet new people, making them a great dog for college students.
They’re pretty energetic, and require a lot of exercise. They need regular grooming, but this shouldn’t stop you from getting them as pets. Standard poodles can weigh up to 70 lbs, but there are a lot of different sizes.
A smaller poodle is a more suitable pet for college students who are living in a bit of a smaller area. Overall, this breed is really adaptable, so you can change the kind of poodle you get to suit your needs.
3. Basset Hounds
Basset hounds are sometimes called ‘giant-tiny dogs’. This is because their low-riding frame contains 50 to 60 pounds of muscles, fur, and fat, but they’re still very tiny, only standing about 12 to 14 inches tall. This makes them great pets for college students.
Bassets are outgoing, friendly canines, who are also fairly intelligent. They won’t get crazy if you go to school in the morning and leave them behind, and despite their rabbit hunting heritage, they’re pretty low energy.
That being said, basset hounds can be quite loud and even annoying, so before you get one you need to know that they need to be trained to be calm, quiet, and obedient.
4. Shih Tzu
Small dogs are ideal for college students, with their compact size being a distinct advantage. Shih tzus are a great small breed, as they are friendly (and also cute). Shih tzus are very smart and easy going.
They are great for college students because they are small and do not need much space – they are a great dog for living in a little apartment, or in a dorm room.
As they were bred to be a companion breed (rather than a working dog, like most of the other dogs on this list), they don’t require much exercise, with one walk a day being sufficient. They also love to be around people and are always happy when someone is playing with them.
There are a couple of potential disadvantages to having a shih tzu as your pet though – shih tzu’s need regular grooming, and you should watch them closely because they tend to gain weight as time goes by.
You shouldn’t feed them too many treats or give them too much food. But this is true for any breed. Overfeeding can cause problems for your dog regardless of breed, but it is a particular problem for shih tzus, so keep a firm hand on the treats, and track your dog’s eating.
5. Boston Terriers
Boston Terriers are great dogs for college students. They are tiny, friendly, and smart.
As a breed, they don’t tend to suffer from separation anxiety, and they don’t make lots of noise either, making them great for life in a dorm or shared accommodation.
They are easy to housebreak, and they don’t shed a lot, so you won’t be cleaning constantly to keep up with them. They are also very well-behaved, and they don’t drool a ton.
Their only drawback is that they tend to be very high energy. Boston terriers are energetic, but they’re also small – so they will probably require less exercise than a high-energy bigger breed.
Your dog needs lots of exercises, especially if he’s going to be living with you during school hours.
He won’t tire out as quickly as other small dogs, so you will need to take him on at least one fast-paced walk a day, or play fetch with him in the backyard.
6. Papillon
Papillons are very loyal dogs that love people. They are great guard dogs because they protect you, and despite their small size, their loud bark can scare off intruders.
They are also great pets because they enjoy being around people, and are incredibly affectionate little dogs who love nothing more than cuddling when you come home from school.
Papillons are also very cute dogs. They are smart, relaxed, and easy to care for. They’re also great companions, who will always want to be at your side.
That being said, they do need a lot of attention when it comes to cleaning, though, so make sure you’ve got a vacuum cleaner ready!
Best Dog Breeds for College Students – Conclusion
If you have a friend or family member who has a dog, then you already know how important it is to get a good dog that fits into your life. The best dog breeds for college students are those which suit your lifestyle.
If you live alone or in shared accommodation, then a smaller dog will be better suited to you. If you live with others, and have a bigger space available to you, then a larger dog might be better.
Always remember that any breed of dog requires work and commitment though – and will be with you for a long time – so make sure that you can commit to having a dog in your life for years to come.
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