I’m moving to Taipei soon by myself, and planning on buying a dog to keep me company. Is it okay with the local laws to keep a bigger dog like a German Shepherd in a (hopefully first floor with garden) apartment in Taipei. Or will I have to get a smaller dog? Can anyone recommend reliable dog breeders for quality pedigree dogs in Taiwan?
AFAIK, there are no laws to worry about, but your landlord might have some issues, assuming you are going to rent. A good friend of mine had quite a challenge to get his new landlord to even accept a chihuahua.
On the subject of breed and breeders, I can’t help you there, but would still like to share some thoughts. First, there is such a problem with homeless dogs in Taiwan that I strongly believe in adopting. Second, it’s so incredibly hot and humid here, large long-hair dogs suffer (IMO). A small to medium size, indigenous breed is much more suitable for the climate. Finally, I’ve never read anything about a reliable breeder in Taiwan, although they may exist. I encourage you to contact one of the pet adoption agencies who have profiles here on the forum.
The breeders in Taiwan all seem to be awful - they all seem to be puppy mills. It would be better to adopt a dog. The dog rescue organizations often have purebreds available.
If you are definitely going to get a German Shepherd or Belgium shepherd then I can put you in touch with a man in Taipei that both trains and breeds them for the security industry. Most of his dogs are just a few generations off the dogs that he imported himself from Europe. However, his dogs are working dogs and not show dogs, so to be honest I don’t think they would be suitable for a small apartment.
But if you are really serious about a good German shepherd then I can put you in contact with him.
There are many puppy peddlers in Taiwan however there are also some decent breeders of Taiwanese mountain dogs, American Pit Bull Terriers and German Shepherds. As well as that you could get a Taiwanese mountain dog puppy from a rescue center; they are good dogs that are highly intelligent and they also can make good watch dogs.
My neighbors have an elderly German Shephard, and they live on the first floor. He’s no problem -nor his other 5 assorted doggie companions- as they are quiet. But my small furries like to bark, so they are a big source of annoyment for neighbors and such. Which is why we have to find anotehr place to live. So, the rule of thumb is: get approval from landlord -most advertise if they agree with cooking/pets/smoking whatever. Then train your dog and exercise him enough so he won’t be a barking nuisance. Be nice to your neighbors, take them cakes/cookies from abroad on holidays, plants, whatever, and they will not mind much.
Please consider adopting, there are many large breed dogs looking for homes some are mixed some are pure breeds. Please PM me i can take you to either our organization Animals Taiwan for a tour or i can take you to Neihue government shelter where they have many pure breeds looking for homes of all sizes.
Please consider saving lives by adopting and not buying.