While it’s ideal for dogs to live in a spacious place where they can roam around freely, certain dog breeds will do just fine in tiny apartments. Generally speaking, dogs that are small in size, easier to train, and require less exercise are the perfect companions for apartment dwellers. If you’re one of those who are looking for a furry housemate, below are nine dog breeds that are well-suited for apartment living, according to Rent.com.
What is the best dog to have in an apartment?
Poodle
Poodles come in three size varieties: standards, miniatures, and toys. Standards stand 15 inches tall at the shoulder; miniatures have a height of 15 inches or under; while toys stand no more than 10 inches. If your apartment is not that big, then miniature poodles are the best choice for you.
But regardless of size, poodles are generally great for apartment living, thanks to their high level of intelligence. Because they are smart dogs, poodles are able to adapt and learn new behaviors quickly based on their environment.
This dog breed doesn’t also require a great amount of exercise, so you don’t need to have a backyard where they can run freely to keep them healthy. Going on walks is usually enough to get their energy out and keep them fit.
Poodles have a single, dense coat of curled hair. Like human hair, it grows and some hairs do fall out. But when their hairs fall out, they often fall back into their coat. This explains why poodles are low-shedding and do not shed in the traditional sense of canine shedding.
It’s also worth noting that poodles don’t bark much, so they won’t bother neighbors with their noise and you can still have your quiet time in your apartment even though they are around.
Greyhound
Greyhounds are one of the fastest dog breeds, making them the perfect exercise buddies. However, despite their incredible speed, they actually have low endurance. So after you’ve taken them to the dog park for a good exercise session, you will find them lounging or napping most of the day.
Despite their usually tall stature, greyhounds are known for their calm and gentle demeanor. Exceptionally tolerant, they prefer to turn the other cheek than show their teeth if something bothers them.
This dog breed is also smart and easy to train. Their independent nature assures you that they will be fine for a couple of hours or so on their own.
Greyhounds are also fairly low-shedding and don’t bark a lot, making them one of the best apartment dogs.
Basset Hound
Basset hounds make some of the best apartment dogs because they have minimal exercise requirements. Described as low-energy dogs, basset hounds only require one good walk a day, and that’s more than enough to make them happy and healthy. When they’re at home, they are content to nap on a dog bed or engage in some light play in the living room.
Though known for their calm demeanor, basset hounds may also howl if they are distressed. This, however, doesn’t happen often, so everything should be alright as long as they know that there’s someone in the apartment to look out for them once in a while.
Overall, basset hounds are friendly, even-tempered dogs with small frames, making them perfect apartment dwellers. But one of the most concerning downsides of having them as pets is that they drool quite a lot, so you may need to keep a cloth handy to clean up their slobber.
Bichon Frise
Bichon Frises are small pups that don’t take up too much space, making them great apartment dogs. Though friendly and playful, their movements around the house aren’t going to bother your neighbors as they clock in at just around 15 pounds.
In addition to being petite and lightweight, a Bichon Frise also has a people-loving demeanor, so if you’re living with your family in a small apartment, this dog breed will not get too irritated by constantly being around people. As a matter of fact, this dog breed requires human attention and like to bond with people and other dogs around.
While Bichon Frises can make great agility competition dogs, they are actually low-maintenance and don’t require a lot of exercise sessions. In fact, they are more than happy to spend long stretches quietly on the couch for the most part of the day.
Although they require occasional brushing and grooming, Bichon Frises don’t shed much, which is great for keeping your apartment clean. They are also clever and adaptable, so house training them shouldn’t be hard.
French Bulldog
Though energetic, French bulldogs are prone to long, lazy naps, making them ideal apartment dogs. Beyond a short daily walk, they don’t need much exercise. These pups are more than happy to play the role of lap dog when they are not quietly playing on the living room rug.
Because of their calm and playful dispositions, French bulldogs tend to get along well with strangers and are good with children, making them a good choice for families living in an apartment.
Although bulldogs bark loudly, they hardly do. They are also low shedders and can be left alone. All of these make them ideal for apartment life.
But if you’re getting a French bulldog, make sure that you have an air-conditioning unit. Frenchies don’t fare well in extreme temperatures, especially heat, so an air conditioner is a must to keep them cool and comfortable through the summer.
Boston Terrier
Despite their small size, Boston terriers are full of energy. If they don’t get enough exercise, they tend to get irritated and may run around the apartment to spend some of their energy. But on the plus side, Boston terriers are universally friendly, smart, and easy to train, making them suitable for apartment living. Like most apartment dogs, a Boston Terrier also tends not to bark, so that’s an advantage if you don’t want to bother your neighbors.
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus’ long flowing coats may be high-maintenance, but their mild and affectionate nature makes them worth the extra effort and money when it comes to grooming. They get along with kids very well, making them perfect for families with young children who love to cuddle and pet their pups all day. Because of their compact size, Shih Tzus don’t need much exercise or space to run around, so they are really one of the best dog breeds for apartment dwellers to own.
Like most dog breeds, a Shih Tzu also loves fresh air. But they don’t have a problem hanging out indoors for the entire day.
Lastly, thanks to their short muzzles, Shih Tzus are not big chewers, so you don’t need to worry about any chewed-up carpet or furnishings.
Maltese
A candidate for the best apartment dog ever, Maltese pups only come in small packages so they don’t take up a lot of room themselves and can do fine in small apartments. Gentle and affectionate, they are good at being around people and fellow dogs. They’re easy to train and only need an average to a low amount of exercise. Walks throughout the week are usually enough to keep them happy and healthy. Despite their long coat, Maltese dogs actually shed infrequently, so that’s a plus for dog lovers who don’t have the time to clean their apartments daily.
Pomeranian
Despite being energetic, Pomeranians don’t need too much exercise to keep themselves happy and healthy. They can do fine with just walks to the dog park each day. Smart and adaptable, Pomeranians can be trained to live comfortably in an apartment of any size. They are also naturally friendly, so there’s no need to worry about them hurting anyone or getting irritated when meeting neighbors and strangers.