Pigeons in apartments + pigeons with dogs?
So I want to begin by saying I do not have a pigeon. I really, REALLY want a pigeon and have my whole life though. I had birds as a kid, budgies and finches, but I don’t have them anymore and didn’t become especially close with either. Smaller birds just aren’t what I want, I suppose.
I’ve always asked for a pigeon but my mother doesn’t like pigeons so she refused. Well- now I’m 20, looking into finding my own apartment this next Summer, and I want a damn pigeon! I live in a city while attending uni and it’s just made me want a pigeon more.
However, I have two main concerns. One is that an apartment might be small, though I intend on allowing it to be fully free roaming and house trained so I’m hoping it’s less of an issue then. And my second concern is my dog.
My dog is a small Maltese/GSP mix, having taken most of his looks and behavior from his Maltese parent, but he does freak out over finches and squirrels. I can’t say if it’s in an aggressive way as he’s never actually caught a bird or squirrel, but he barks and lunges. He currently lives at home and has never seen a pigeon, so I have no idea how he’d react to a larger bird, but if I got an apartment him living with me is a non-negotiable. He’s lived with a number of cats throughout my life, including a kitten he’s living with now, and he’s fine with them- though he does enjoy chasing the kitten from time to time. I’m worried if I got a free roaming pigeon he’d make an enemy of it.
So I guess I’m wondering about your experiences keeping pigeons in apartments and alongside small dogs, and if you all think it’d be a good idea.