Backyard optional: City pets need love, exercise

What she didn't question, others did, and walking Rudy drew attention. "I got involved in so many conversations where people would ask, 'How can you live with a dog that big?'" Cole said.

Cole so loved sharing her urban life with Rudy that after she died, she adopted a second Irish setter and raised her in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

Now that Cole has moved back to Kansas and Lucy can chase opossums and squirrels, "she couldn't care less," Cole said. "She wants to be inside, 5 feet from me."

Having a good city pet experience like Cole's requires an honest assessment of your lifestyle, experts say, as well as some homework to find the right animal and a commitment to invest the necessary time.

Jonathan Klein, a Culver City, Calif., dog trainer, generally advises against herding, sporting and working dog breeds for city owners because they require so much exercise.

But Klein himself shared an apartment with a border collie, a corgi and a German shepherd — all herding dogs — for several years. That's because he considers himself a dog enthusiast who was willing to put significant time into training and exercising his canines.

"Just because I lived in an apartment with three dogs, I'm not recommending other people do it," he said.

If you're a more sedate person, he said, choose a more mellow breed; surprisingly, a big dog like a great Dane or a greyhound might be a fit.

Regardless of breed or size, Klein emphasized that every dog needs exercise and time spent with its owner. Not having a big backyard isn't detrimental to a dog's well being, he said. More important is connecting with the owner through regular walks or practicing tricks.