Living in a condo doesn’t mean you have to own the same popular breeds as others. If you have a soft spot for a unique breed and your house lacks square footage, you’ve walked right in the door.
There is a world of exotic apartment dog breeds that are stylish, quiet, and low-maintenance. These breeds will thrive in close quarters without compromising companionship or charm. As they are not your average city pups.
We have chosen the ones who bring beauty and balance to apartment life. Regardless of whether you’re in a modern high rise or a cozy condo, the best dogs for apartments are those that fit your lifestyle and pique your curiosity.
In this blog, we’ll share 9 rare, apartment-friendly dogs that will turn heads at the local dog park.
9 Exotic Apartment Dog Breeds
1. Basset Hound
Breed Overview
Group: Hound (AKC)
Height: Up to 15 inches
Weight: 40 to 65 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Playful, stubborn, friendly
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Short coat; black, brown, tan, white, red, and lemon
Life Span: 12 to 13 years
With its long floppy ears, sad puppy eyes, and wrinkly forehead, the Basset Hound looks like an adorable, slow-moving clown, but this clown is full of unpretentious strength. Small and low to the ground, this dog has the heart and strength of a much larger fellow.
Basset hounds are Great for condo living; the Basset is an easygoing and gentle soul, happy with leisurely walks and long naps.
As per AKC, they can be stubborn, like a wise grandparent with hard-core habits, but their loyalty is as wide as the Mississippi. Their bark is infrequent but powerful, a far-off drum roll announcing their presence without disturbing the serenity of your home.
With a nose to rival a detective, they are happiest sniffing around for scents on quiet walks and make a sweet, steady friend.
2. Affenpinscher
Breed Overview
Group: Toy (AKC)
Height: Under 12 inches
Weight: Under 10 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Alert, intelligent, lively
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Rough, wiry coat; usually black or gray
Life Span: 12 to 15 years
Itty-bitty but big on personality, the Affenpinscher looks like a little lion but has a heart fit for a condo. At under 12 inches and less than 10 pounds, this pint-sized exotic pup packs intelligence and curiosity into a compact frame.
Affenpinschers are fast learners and are constantly on their feet, trying to make sense of things and keep you guessing.
They’re alert, bark at a strange sound, and could even serve as a pint-sized watchdog with a big presence. However, their small stature means they are manageable and even charming.
You can consider them a lively guardian for your cozy apartment, which is also where they should live, in a size that suits your life.
3. Bulldog
Breed Overview
Group: Non-sporting (AKC)
Height: 14 to 15 inches
Weight: 40 to 50 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Friendly, docile, willful
Energy Level: Low
Coat and Color: Short, smooth coat; colors include red, white, fawn, or combinations with markings like brindle or piebald
Life Span: 8 to 10 years
Imagine a gentle bodyguard with a heart as large as its signature wrinkled face—that’s the Bulldog. At 14 to 15 inches tall and weighing 40 to 50 pounds, they are a gentle giant in a compact body. Bulldogs are docile and not aggressive, making them condo dwellers’ best friends.
As they are low in energy, they are happy with short daily walks and play time and prefer relaxation to vigorous play. Be prepared; they snore a bit and are snotty/short-nosed breeds.
They are available in short, smooth coats in various colors, such as red, white, fawn, and combinations of those, and often have distinctive markings like brindle or piebald.
VCA mentions that Bulldogs have a life expectancy of 8 to 10 years. Despite their tortured appearance, they are known for their excellent temperament, demonstrating friendship, tremendous affection, and overwhelming confidence within a calm and dignified demeanor.
4. American Eskimo Dog
Breed Overview
Group: Non-sporting (AKC)
Height: Toy: ~9–12 inches; Miniature: ~12–15 inches
Weight: Toy: up to 10 lbs; Miniature: up to 20 lbs
Personality/Temperament: Alert, intelligent, loyal
Energy Level: High (requires daily mental and physical activity)
Coat and Color: Dense, fluffy double coat; always white or white with biscuit
Life Span: 12 to 15 years
The American Eskimo Dog, or awesomely “Eskie,” has a dazzling white coat and a spark of intelligence in its eyes. This breed offers beauty and brains in a city-sized pack.
The most condo-friendly varieties are toy and miniature varieties, which weigh just 10 to 20 pounds and are short in stature but tall in spirit.
Curious and always observing, Eskies are little professors in fur suits. But don’t be fooled by the fluff. They’re high-energy dogs that thrive on mental games and daily walks.
They might bark if bored or lonely, and they are best suited for owners who work from home or spend plenty of time indoors. In exchange, you get loyalty, love, and a gorgeous dog that turns heads at every park.
5. Yorkshire Terrier
Breed Overview
Group: Toy (AKC)
Height: 7–8 inches
Weight: Under 7 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Spirited, bold, affectionate
Energy Level: Very High
Coat and Color: Long, fine, silky coat; typically blue and tan
Shedding: Low
Barking: Moderate
Life Span: 11 to 15 years
Don’t be fooled by the diminutive size—the Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie, is a feisty, spirited creature in a trim package. Although this breed typically weighs under 7 pounds, don’t think for a second that you’ll be cuddling a stuffed animal.
These little ones make up for their size in spunk and never-ending energy.
Yorkies make great apartment dogs because of their size.
However, they’re best for people who have had dogs before and who handle their enthusiasm and popular sass.
Early socialization is key. Done right, you’ll have a Yorkie who is the life of any party; done wrong, you could end up with a watchdog who takes his work more seriously than he should, barking at anything from new human faces to paws and tails.
Daily walks, fun toys, and dog training sessions can help them maintain an even keel. Though beautiful in their long, silky coats, be ready for a bit of a beauty regimen, as their thick fur is high maintenance. In exchange, you get an enthusiastic, adventurous roommate who always has your back
6. Basenji
Breed Overview
Group: Hound (AKC)
Height: 16–17 inches
Weight: 20–25 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Independent, intelligent, poised
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: Short, fine coat; colors include chestnut red, black, brindle, or tricolor with white
Barking: Very Low (barkless breed)
Special Trait: Self-grooming like a cat
Life Span: 13 to 14 years
Basenji, aka the “barkless dog,” is a quiet roommate with the heart of an athlete. Compact and elegant, the Basenji is a blend of cat-like cleanliness, silent composure, and untamed curiosity.
While they don’t bark often, Basenjis are hardly silent. They produce a peculiar sound, usually called a “yodel,” adding quirky charm to their quiet nature.
This speedy and athletic hound was developed to run and will thrive on at least an hour of daily activity; running, hiking, or vigorous play are all fair game.
At less than 25 pounds, they are apartment-sized, but their independent nature and high energy mean they need an active owner. Properly exercised and stimulated, Basenjis are dignified, neat, loyal housemates, good choices for active city slickers.
7. Bichon Frise
Breed Overview
Group: Non-sporting (AKC)
Height: 9.5 to 11.5 inches
Weight: 12 to 18 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Playful, affectionate, intelligent
Energy Level: Moderate
Coat and Color: Curly, white, low-shedding, hypoallergenic
Life Span: 14 to 15 years
The bichon frise is a lovable cloud of fluff that is just the right size for any cozy apartment. Small but large in personality, the Bichon frise is a joy to live with.
According to PetMD, the Bichon Frise makes a wonderful family companion, especially for households with young children. Thanks to their small size, they’re well-suited for apartment living and don’t require a backyard to burn off energy.
A brisk daily walk or an energetic indoor game of fetch will keep this delightful little dog satisfied and healthy. Their distinctive curly white coat is as cute as it is less likely to shed and hypoallergenic, so you don’t have to worry about it winding up all over your small home.
Just a quick reminder: Like any pet, this breed requires a little maintenance, so don’t forget to give it daily brushings and regular grooming to ensure it remains as gorgeous as ever.
8. Biewer Terrier
Breed Overview
Group: Toy (AKC)
Height: 7 to 11 inches
Weight: 4 to 8 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Alert, lively, affectionate
Energy Level: Moderate to high
Coat and Color: Long, silky tricolor coat
Life Span: 12 to 14 years
You can think of the Biewer Terrier as the Yorkshire Terrier’s colorful, spirited cousin. They are a tiny package of attitude and adventure in a small, cute, apartment-size frame.
At 4 to 8 pounds, they are like little pocket-sized pups, brightening every room they waddle into. Small though they may be, the Biewer Terrier’s mind and energy require consistent stimulation, daily walks, play, and mental challenges, which will help keep them happy and balanced.
Their long and silky tricolor coat dazzles them, but regular grooming is required to keep it tangle-free and shiny, so be prepared to pamper it.
9. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Breed Overview
Group: Toy (AKC)
Height: 12 to 13 inches
Weight: 13 to 18 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, gentle, playful
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Medium-length, silky coat; colors include black and tan, Blenheim (chestnut and white), ruby, and tricolor
Life Span: 12 to 15 years
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the ultimate cuddle buddy—happy, gentle, and always eager to snuggle up and make your heart melt.
With a moderate energy level, the dog wants playtime and short walks, but is most in its element by your side, making it a great apartment pal for those who wish to love and have tranquility.
With their silky, mid-length coat available in stunning color pairings such as black and tan or red and white, these small dogs bring an air of refinement to any comfy living room. Although they can be somewhat vocal, they generally prefer quiet snuggles on the couch after a day of play.
Final Recap
Just because you’re considering a dog for your apartment doesn’t mean you need to settle for the same old pack. It can be even without losing peace, practicality, or company.
These 9 exotic apartment dog breeds show that calm demeanor and rambunctious spirit can live together beautifully in small spaces.
However, it’s not just about how rare or cute a breed is, it’s about what’s the best fit for your lifestyle, energy level, and living space.
All these dogs come with their magical mix of loyalty, sweetness, and serenity, turning a flat into a cozy, happy world.
