"My rott is a bit of a couch potato by nature, but I still couldn't picture her living in my apartment up in Boston (too many stairs, for one--we were a 4th floor walk up with no elevator). Too much concrete, distractions on the street, aggressive dogs and no space for her to stretch out and enjoy."
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Thanks for the honest assessment.
Although, it is a misconception that until the "yuppies" move in the city is a gang infested run down place. I think you will find in most urban areas there are some great "blue collar" areas that are not rundown. The pitbull problem is worth noting. It is not uncommon for dogs to be stolen so pit owners can use them to train their dog.
Fair enough, but I can't think of any really good, lower-income neighborhoods in Boston anymore. Even the last few Irish holdouts in Dorchester seem to have fallen to gangs and crime. A lot of the blue collar have moved into the suburbs, and the inner city is mostly affluent hipsters (not the technical demographic name...), government housing, and students.
Speaking of dogs being stolen, that's one reason why my girl is an indoor dog (and she only goes outside on a leash). I met a woman recently who's German Shephard was stolen from her yard and she suspects dog fighting as the reason.
The very idea of my "little princess" being used as training fills me with dread. She's an incredibly sweet dog, not a fighter by nature (but she is a bossy policeman, though.) She wouldn't last one round with a pit.