If you live in an apartment or a building with fewer green spaces or without a yard, selecting the right dog breed can be crucial. An indoor dog makes a perfect companion for individuals who love spending time in their apartments.
A good apartment dog loves to play indoors and nap by your side. Another consideration for the pooches that thrive in buildings is their bark level. A dog that is constantly yapping all day will cause inconvenience for your neighbors.
Also, indoor dogs have relatively lower energy levels and do not need vigorous exercise every day to stay healthy. Their sociable nature allows them to adjust well to apartment living. The cherry on top will be a house dog that is low-shedding.
Here are the top 10 dog breeds that thrive in buildings and indoor spaces.
10 Dog Breeds that Thrive Happily in Buildings
1. Chihuahua

Height: 5 to 8 inches
Weight: Under 6 pounds
Life Expectancy: 14 to 16 years
The Chihuahua is one of the best small dog breeds for small apartments due to its compact size. It does not require excessive exercise or a lot of space to roam. Short walks around the block and indoor playtime can provide adequate mental and physical stimulation.

These pint-sized pooches love spending time with their owners. They are highly adaptable and can adjust to various environments.
Exposing them to various people and situations in a controlled manner can help develop their social skills. These skills, in turn, can help interact with neighbors and other pets in the building.
2. French Bulldog

Height: 11 to 13 inches
Weight: Under 28 pounds
Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years
Standing 11 to 13 inches tall and weighing less than 28 pounds, French Bulldogs make excellent pets for individuals living in buildings and small spaces. They are affectionate towards their owners and constantly crave attention.

Frenchies are playful and smart dogs who do not require extensive exercise. These couch potatoes will be happy with a walk and don’t need much space to romp. Frenchies have easygoing personalities—they are friendly around people and other dogs.

Their quiet nature and calm temperament make them well-suited for apartment life, creating a peaceful environment that neighbors will appreciate.
3. Bichon Frise

Height: 9.5 to 11.5 inches
Weight: 12 to 18 pounds
Life Expectancy: 14 to 15 years
Standing no more than 11.5 inches tall, Bichon Frises are the little dogs with big personalities. Their small size makes them well-suited for smaller living spaces. These hypoallergenic dogs rarely shed, so your apartment will not be covered in hair, and you won’t need to vacuum often.

According to PetMD, Bichon Frises are the social dogs who love to play. Bichons love engaging in playful activities like tossing around their favorite toys and picking up new tricks. Once their energy is burned off, they’re more than happy to curl up on the couch and relax with their family.
They are intelligent and always eager to please their pet parents. So you can easily train them how to behave and navigate in an apartment setting.
4. Toy Poodle
Height: Under 10 inches
Weight: 4 to 6 pounds
Life Expectancy: 10 to 18 years
One of the popular small dog breeds, Toy Poodles are known for their intelligence and affectionate nature. They make delightful companions for apartment dwellers due to their high adaptability, small size, and playful demeanor.
Poodles’ unique curly coat grows continuously like human hair and is non-shedding. As a result, they produce less dander and fewer allergens, which makes them ideal for indoor spaces.
Poodles have a long lifespan, so they will stay by your side for many years to come.
5. Lhasa Apso
Height: Under 11 inches
Weight: 12 to 18 pounds
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
According to Royal Canin, the Lhasa Apso’s most striking feature is its flowing, long coat. Due to their small stature and moderate exercise needs, they thrive well in buildings. These playful pooches are highly adaptable and can fit into several lifestyles.
Lhasa Apsos have outgoing personalities, and they do well with children and other pets. They start barking when they sense a potential danger.
Training can help them differentiate between household sounds and noises that could signal trouble. Lhasa Apsos are known for having a stubborn streak, which makes training a bit challenging.
6. Brussels Griffon
Height: 7 to 10 inches
Weight: 8 to 10 pounds
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
Brussels Griffon is an intelligent and sensitive breed that does not like spending hours alone. They are quite active indoors and live happily in an apartment. However, you need to take them out for daily walks. Griffons make excellent watchdogs.
They own the reputation as “Velcro dogs”. Griffons love being the center of attention and don’t like kids stealing the spotlight. They want to be your only child!
As per AKC, they are devoted and comically self-important. They are prone to excessive barking if not exercised or trained properly.
7. Pug
Height: 10 to 13 inches
Weight: 14 to 18 pounds
Life Expectancy: 13 to 15 years
Pugs are social and affectionate companions who can adapt to various living environments. Their playful and calm demeanor makes them well-suited for apartment living. They are wrinkly dogs characterized by their distinctive face and charming personalities.
Pugs thrive on human companionship and get along well with children and other pets. They are not as high-energy as some other breeds. A few walks and indoor playtime provide adequate physical and mental stimulation.
However, Pugs tend to get vocal—they are the flat-faced dogs who can snore and grunt. According to the American Kennel Club, Pugs’ short coat sheds, and weekly grooming can help remove the loose hair.
8. Papillon
Height: 8 to 11 inches
Weight: 5 to 10 pounds
Life Expectancy: 14 to 16 years
Weighing around 5 to 10 pounds, the Papillon is a toy dog characterized by its butterfly-like ears and friendly nature. Papillons are small but quite energetic dogs, and their exercise needs can be easily met through short walks and play sessions inside the apartment.
Papillons make good apartment dogs due to their adaptable nature and openness towards strangers. They are intelligent and independent fellows who will keep themselves entertained while you are gone. Their beautiful and flowing coat requires regular brushing to prevent mats and tangles.
Papillons are generally well-suited for apartment living, but they can be quite vocal, often reacting to sounds or movement in hallways or outside windows. With consistent training and early socialization, this tendency to bark can be managed effectively, helping them become well-mannered neighbors.
9. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Height: 12 to 13 inches
Weight: 13 to 18 pounds
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are the bright dogs that can be trained easily. They are always eager to please their owners and have a friendly and adaptable temperament. Their gentle and sociable nature makes them fantastic apartment companions.
Their compact size and moderate exercise needs allow them to peacefully coexist with you in an apartment setting. They do not need intense exercise. A couple of short walks, along with indoor playtime, provide adequate stimulation.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are gentle, affectionate dogs that typically get along well with children and other pets. Their calm demeanor and quiet nature make them unlikely to bark excessively, making them a considerate choice for apartment living.
10. Havanese
Height: 8.5 to 11.5 inches
Weight: 7 to 13 pounds
Life Expectancy: 14 to 16 years
Another toy dog, the Havanese, is a smart and highly trainable. Due to their small size, they are a perfect fit for living in confined spaces. A well-trained Havanese does not bark excessively and gets vocal only if someone passes close by.
Their intelligent and sociable nature also makes them well-suited for apartment living, where they encounter a lot of new people and pets every day.
Havanese enjoy walks and play, but their exercise needs are easily met with indoor games like fetch and brief daily strolls—ideal for smaller living spaces.
They thrive on human companionship and love being near their families, making them perfect for apartment dwellers who spend a lot of time at home. Havanese can develop separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods.
Conclusion
Many dog breeds listed in this article are well-suited for living in apartments and buildings. These dogs have compact size, sociable personalities, and an adaptable nature. They are small, affectionate dogs that are easier to maintain in small spaces.
If you are planning to adopt an affectionate canine for your apartment life, one of the breeds mentioned in this article might be the right fit. Just make sure to exercise them properly!