Do you love living in the city? Many people come to love the hustle and bustle of living in a big city. One thing they may not get in a big city is a big home. Often real estate is in demand and expensive.
If you are living in a small space but are still a dog lover, we’ve got some news for you. You can still find a loving dog that can (literally) fit into your lifestyle.
If you’ve asked yourself, “What are the best breeds for small spaces?” our list of apartment appropriate breeds may help you decide.
Best Dog Breeds for Apartment Living
There are a few traits that the best dog breeds for apartment living share. These traits are as follows:
- Small size
- Less active
- Social
- Willingness to lounge
A dog doesn’t have to have all these attributes to qualify as the “best breed” for apartment dwellers, but there are tradeoffs. You can get a larger dog, but they better be less active otherwise they may end up putting holes in your walls. Even a small breed may fit the space correctly, but if they bark incessantly your neighbors are not going to be pleased.
Take a look at our list of great apartment dog breeds and see if one matches up with your expectations.
Small Dog Breeds
Small dogs are obviously a great choice for small spaces. They can usually get enough exercise by throwing the ball down your hallway, or the walk around the block for a potty break. You can also pick them up while in your building which is extremely useful if you run into any unfriendly four-legged neighbors. As useful as that is, remember that your dog needs to match your lifestyle as well. Take a look at some great breeds for apartment dwellers and their unique personalities.
Bichon Frise
If you or a family member has allergies to dogs, the Bichon Frise is a great choice for apartment life. No dog is 100% hypoallergenic, but this breed gets you about as close as can be. They are also very sweet and kind but do bark a bit so early training is a must.
French Bulldog
The French Bulldog is the dog for a homebody. They are very happy to laze about, but they also have a silly side. They’ll be sure to make you laugh with their antics then cuddle up and give big snuggles.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a beautiful and kind dog that is friendly to most people they meet. They want love and chin rubs, and they’ll looking for whoever is going to give it to them! Their coat is very soft, but it’s long as well so be sure to give their grooming a little extra attention.
Medium Dog Breeds
A medium size breed is a good choice if you’re looking for a kind of trade off. They may take up a little more room than the smaller breeds, but they are usually a better choice if you have young children around as the kids are much less likely to harm the dog. They’ll probably need a little more exercise than smaller breeds, but they should still be very manageable.
Chow Chow
The Chow Chow is a breed that is usually very quiet, so they are great in an apartment. They are also not known for being very active so some indoor play or quick walks should do the trick. Their coats are also big and puffy which makes them great cuddle partners, but they’ll also need some extra grooming for that as well.
Poodle
The Poodle comes in three official sizes. The Toy and Mini could fit into the small dog breed category while the regular Poodle is a medium sized dog that can grow to be 45-70 pounds. At any size they make a great apartment dog. They are sociable and are happy to get along with pretty much anyone whether it be children or other pets. They’ll need regular walk or indoor play but are also happy to chill out afterward.
Keeshond
The Keeshond is one of the more active dogs on this list. They will need more exercise than most apartment dogs, but they can very easily adapt to your home. The Keeshond is eager to learn too, so they can be kept busy with mental games as well. They’re a great choice for someone who lives in the city, but still gets out to enjoy the outdoors.
Large Dog Breeds
Large breeds can be just as happy in an apartment as any breed. Their larger size will likely mean they will have to get out more though. They’ll also need more room for toys and more room to store food; over all they’ll simply take up more room.
These breeds can make a great choice as an apartment dog.
Mastiff
The Mastiff is kind and loving. That are also gentle giants, so they are a great choice if you like larger breeds. Their loyalty will also make sure they keep an eye on the kids, so you may be able to rest a little easier.
Great Dane
A Great Dane’s easy-going attitude make it a great choice if you’re going to be in close proximity with others. They are going to want a bit of exercise, but otherwise they are happy to lie about.
Greyhound
The great thing about the Greyhound is that they don’t care for extended exercise. They are bred sprinters, so they get their exercise out fast. Then, once they’re done getting their energy out, they’re ready for some couch time.
The best dog breed for apartment living is the one that fits into your lifestyle. Not all dogs will do well in a small living space, but this list should point you in the right direction if you’re considering a dog for apartment life.