When you live in a small space but really want a four-legged friend, it can be challenging finding the best dog breeds for apartment living. Your options will vary depending on whether you live in a Queens studio or a Manhattan loft. But what else do you need to consider when figuring out what dogs are good for apartments?
In this article, we’re going to dig into:
- What to consider when choosing the best dog breed to live in an apartment
- Best large dog breeds for apartments
- Best small dogs for apartment living
- Low-maintenance apartment dogs
- Hypoallergenic dogs for apartments
What must I consider when choosing the best dog breed for apartment living?
Consider the size of your apartment as well as the individual breed’s temperament and personality traits. How much time you’ll want to spend exercising your dog? How much dog fur you can cope with cleaning up each day?
The best dog breeds for apartment living tend to have low energy needs, so a yard isn’t so necessary, nor are hours of walks each day! When everyone lives so close to each other, you don’t want to be *that* noisy neighbor who has a yappy dog that loves to talk to the world.
Best Dog Breeds For Apartments: Large Dogs
Not all large breeds of dogs need a yard. Some are quite well adapted to living in apartments, provided you give them an appropriate amount of daily exercise. Some lower-energy large breeds are happy to live in an apartment, and we’d suggest taking a look at these options:
Greyhounds
Greyhounds need short bursts of activity, but other than that, they would love to curl up on your couch. They’re a good choice for a large breed of dog who lives well in an apartment. Ex-racers often come up in shelters, so you can be sure of giving them a warm and loving new home to retire to.
Great Danes
These gentle giants of the dog world are couch potatoes at home and suit large apartments well. Like many larger breeds, they don’t have high exercise needs so that they can live in an apartment happily; you might need to get a bigger couch.
Boxers
Boxers make good apartment dogs; while they are playful at home, they also like to snooze a lot, so they will be happy to curl up and watch Netflix beside you. They have a short coat that doesn’t need a lot of maintenance and are generally quiet so that they won’t annoy your neighbors.
Best Dog Breeds For Apartments: Small Dogs
If you have a small apartment, then a small dog breed is likely the best for you, as they won’t take up so much room! With some of the toy breeds being smaller than a cat, many of the best dog breeds for apartment living are highly adapted to the size of your space.
Dachshunds
Miniature Dachshunds do well in apartments, especially ones all on level, as you should be careful with their backs going up and down stairs. They can be noisy and do love to bark, so it’s worth doing some positive reinforcement-based training so they don’t bark at your neighbors or your intercom!
Bulldogs
British Bulldogs and French Bulldogs make fantastic apartment dogs and cuddle monsters! While they’ll appreciate a walk around the block, accompanying you to buy your morning coffee, or just relaxing in a park, both breeds tend to have low exercise needs, are generally quiet, and just want to hang out with you.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavaliers can be a great breed to choose for apartment living. These little clowns are loving, affectionate, easy to train, and have low exercise needs. They also don’t bark much, so they won’t stress your neighbors out.
Italian Greyhounds, aka Iggys
The Iggy is the smallest of the sighthound group and is perfect if you like the pointy-nosed slender look but are limited on space (though we’d argue greyhounds do fold up pretty small!) The so-called cats of the dog world will appreciate being wrapped up in a blanket indoors and stepping out in a snood and coat; perhaps you guys can get matching ones?
Best Dog Breeds For Apartments: Low-Maintenance Dogs
We all want an easy life, and a low-maintenance apartment dog that’s happy to go with us for strolls but also curl up for a cuddle while you watch this week’s Outlander together is the dream for many of us.
Here are some of our favorite low-maintenance apartment dogs
Whippets
Sized in between the Italian Greyhound and the full-size Greyhound, Whippets are less delicate than their Iggy counterparts but just as much fun. They do shed, but their fur is very short, so it’s easy to vacuum up. They’re quiet and affectionate, so they are a good choice for a low-maintenance apartment dog.
French Bulldogs
Generally smaller than their British Bulldog cousin, we think Frenchies are a great choice for a low-maintenance apartment dog. They tend to be healthier, too, with fewer folds to clean, and can often breathe easier, so less snoring!
Pugs
Pugs are loving, affectionate, and fun and have low exercise requirements. This makes them a good low-maintenance dog breed for an apartment, and they also fit in a carry bag for running errands around the city.
Best Dog Breeds For Apartments: Hypoallergenic Dogs
If you’re concerned about allergies, then you might be here looking for a hypoallergenic dog for your apartment. We often think that the doodle crosses are the best for allergies, but the dander or dust in a dog’s coat can make us sneeze, and non-shedding dogs can hold onto more of this.
If it’s the shedding fur your senses don’t like, we suggest hypoallergenic dog breeds for apartment living.
Maltipoo
A cross between a Maltese Terrier and a Toy Poodle, Maltipoos are little darlings who can make great apartment dogs due to their small size, lack of shedding, and loving nature. They have low exercise requirements but can be vocal, so practice some ‘be quiet’ training with a positive reinforcement trainer when you bring them home.
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkies tend to have fur, which is more like hair so can work well for people with allergies. They’re affectionate, compact, enjoy training, and adapt to the amount of exercise you want to give them. For another dog who likes the sound of their own voice, be sure to do that ‘be quiet’ training!
Havanese
The Havanese dog can be a great hypoallergenic dog and suit apartment living well. They are generally quiet and have a loving and playful personality. The Havanese is a great choice if you have a family and live in an apartment, as they really like kids.
We hope this has given you some ideas on the best dog breeds for apartment living.
Apartment Dog FAQs
What are the best indoor exercises for apartment dogs?
Most dogs love to play, so playing fetch, tugging, or filling up a puzzle toy with dry food like Unkibble will help keep your apartment dog busy and entertained. Trick training and canine conditioning are also fantastic ways to keep your apartment dog fit and healthy.
Do apartment dogs need lots of exercise?
The exercise needs of apartment dogs will vary depending on their breed requirements. Working and hunting breeds will generally require more exercise than toy and companion breeds. With enough mental stimulation, play, and training, you won’t need to walk your apartment dogs for hours.
Are Boston Terriers good apartment dogs?
Yes! How can we forget the lovable Boston Terrier? They are quite an active breed, so they’ll enjoy walking around the neighborhood with you but also fit well in a Tote for traveling or living in a small apartment.
Can I have a dog in an apartment if I have allergies?
Yes! These days, you can find products which will help with dog allergies, like Petal Cleanse. This product can be applied on a cloth and then wiped across your dog’s coat to remove the dander. Quality food like Spot and Tango will also help with general skin health, reduce flakiness, and keep your home dust-free. Lastly, air purifiers can also be used to filter out pet dander or their farts, ha!
How do I socialize my apartment dog?
Socialization is super important for all puppies; you can do it with apartment dogs, too. Invest in a bag to carry your puppy or a stroller if your apartment dog is a large breed, and stop out in style.
