Not all dogs are meant to roam around outdoors. Some of them are more comfortable living indoors, feeling the warmth of companionship. They are apartment-friendly dogs who can easily adjust to small living spaces. Their special characteristics make them suitable for apartments, including their small sizes, quiet nature, and low to moderate levels of energy.
These dogs are super calm and have a gentle temperament. They are easy to train and can manage well in small spaces without creating chaos. Some of them also don’t shed a lot, which keeps the apartment neat and tidy. In this article, we shall talk about some of the best apartment-friendly dog breeds you can own.
Apartment-Friendly Dog Breeds
1. Bulldog
One of the most popular pet dogs amongst apartment living families is the Bulldog.
This dog, unlike many dog breeds, is calm, composed, and good with kids. Its adequate size makes it a perfect companion for family members living in a small, confined place. This small dog breed with its short and smooth coat would not shed excessively. This means you can have a neat and tidy apartment, even during the peak shedding weather.
The French bulldog is particularly known for its friendliness and social behavior. It gets along with the guests quite effectively. As per AKC, the bulldog has every possible quality that can make it a perfect apartment dog!
These small dogs are polite and quiet! They easily adapt to the city living style, managing the urban lifestyle without a sweat.
Metropolitan millennials love having this dog as a companion in their busy lives!
2. Bedlington Terrier
The Bedlington Terrier is a small dog. Its smart size makes it adaptable to a compact living space.
This is an excellent dog breed for families with kids. Compared to other dogs, this breed’s characteristics make it suitable for urban living styles.
Despite the fact that one can’t call this dog super-energetic, it still has sufficient energy that requires pet owners to take it for regular walks and moderate exercise. This is necessary for its proper physical and mental stimulation.
This active breed is a great choice for a family with an active lifestyle.
Though this dog doesn’t bark incessantly, you may hear it speaking up when it is left alone for a considerable amount of time. It doesn’t like being alone, and hence would react.
These affectionate dogs require less space to adjust and are surely a wonderful option for apartment dwellers.
3. Bichon Frise
Are you a lazy pet owner who lives in a small apartment and wants an adorable pet?
Well, the Bichon Frise is your best bet!
This is a little dog with minimal exercise needs.
Just like many other dogs of this size, they are also highly adaptable. Even if you move them from a massive mansion to a small apartment, they will happily go through this transition.
This is not a very high-energy breed. Hence, you don’t need to worry about its extensive exercise needs and physical requirements. Playing inside with kids will provide them with enough physical stimulation.
However, you’ll need to put some effort into grooming them as they wear a gorgeous curly coat that needs daily brushing. Once in a while, take it to a professional groomer to give its coat a tidy appearance.
As they are small, they are prone to separation anxiety. Make sure not to leave them alone for long!
4. Biewer Terrier
AKC claims the small-sized Biewer Terrier is highly affectionate with its family members and loves its human companions dearly!
This tri-colored toy terrier is surely the right dog for you if you are looking for a dedicated pet for the house.
Originally a hunter of vermin, this dog is still quite active and athletic.
These dogs are low shedders! This means if you are a fussy homeowner who always wants their living room to appear neat, this dog will make a good family member. It won’t litter around and would help you keep your apartment clean.
These are active dogs! This is why you’ll have to provide them with regular walks and playtime. It would ensure their excess energy is drained, and they don’t turn destructive.
5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a phenomenal dog that will adapt to the lifestyle of the homeowner!
This small dog is an active breed that would definitely be a part of all your activities around the house and even outside! However, if you are living a lazy life, this dog would also turn into a couch potato and chill on the couch.
They are really sociable! Hence, even if you have game nights with your friends every day, this dog will happily be a part of them without showcasing a grumpy attitude.
Cavaliers are intelligent! Hence, it’s quite stress-free to train them. With positive reinforcement methods, you can surely guide them on how to behave according to the apartment lifestyle. Eventually, it will turn into a wonderful, loyal companion for you!
6. Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested dogs are playful dogs that are small in size but enjoy being a part of all the activities that the homeowners are involved in.
This toy breed is extremely easy to manage in a small space. When compared to other pets that are big in size, it adjusts to the urban lifestyle seamlessly.
As long as they are getting the attention and care they need, they will be affectionate and playful with all the family members, especially kids.
However, they tend to get anxious when left alone for long periods.
Oh, but here’s a warning. These Chinese dogs are really delicate. Teenagers and kids need to handle them with utmost care, as ruthless management can impact their bodies.
Also, when you go out in the sun during hot weather, give some extra protection to your pet as its skin is quite sensitive.
7. German Spitz
This dog thrives on human interaction! It is small and playful, and would love to be close to its human family members at all times!
German Spitz is great for studio apartments. They are so small that they would easily adjust to a space without extra rooms.
Though a lot of people claim they are vocal dogs, it’s not really true! They only bark excessively when they have to alert you to something or when there is a problem troubling them.
As far as the physical grooming of the Splitz is concerned, its double coat does require regular brushing. Otherwise, its hair would matt and shed.
These little guys shed twice per year, and this is when you have to be careful with regular vacuuming and mopping!
Conclusion
If you live in an apartment and are waiting to move to a mansion before adopting a pet dog, you have got it all wrong! The apartment-friendly dog breeds are super adjustable to small spaces and add a lot of joy to the lives of owners.
Small dogs like the Miniature poodle, Shih tzu, Shiba Inu, Boston terrier, and Basset hound also make excellent apartment dogs. Apart from them, large dogs like the Bernese Mountain Dog, American Eskimo Dog, Italian Greyhound, and Great Dane are also suitable for apartment life.
