Living in an apartment does not mean you cannot have a dog.
But… it does mean you have to think about your neighbors. The people above you, the people below you, people next to you. The ones who share walks with you and probably don’t want to hear barking at 6 A.M. on a Saturday.
And that’s why you need one of the quiet dog breeds for apartment living and happy neighbors.
Because not all dogs are yappy. Some breeds are naturally quiet, calm indoors and perfectly content living in smaller spaces. They don’t need a massive backyard, or endless room to run. They will just need love, a cozy spot and maybe a cuddle session.
Today, we are introducing seven quiet dog breeds for apartment living. These pups are perfect match for apartment dwellers who want a furry companion without the noise complaints. The drama. The chaos.
Fun Fact!
Did you know?
The Basenji is called the “barkless dog”? Yep, instead of barking, they make a unique yodel-like sound called a “baroo”. They are one of the most naturally quiet dog breeds in the world. Total apartment friendly vibes.
Quiet Dog Breeds for Apartment Living and Happy Neighbors
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the small dog breeds and it feels like it was designed specifically for apartment life. They are calm, affectionate and rarely bark unless there is a real reason to.
These Spaniel dog breeds were bred to be companion animals for British nobility, so they are used to living indoors and being close to their people and just… existing peacefully. No excessive barking. No chaos. And it will be just pure and quiet companionship.
As per the American Kennel Club, Cavaliers have that sweet and melting expression about them, incredibly gentle and form strong bonds with their families.
They love being around people, other pets and even strangers. Plus, these dogs are friendly, adaptable and really low maintenance when it comes to noise tolerance.
They do need regular exercise but we are talking about short walks and a bit of playtime. Nothing too extreme. After that, they are happy to curl up on the couch and nap for hours.
Their luxurious coats does need regular grooming to keep it looking silky and tangle-free. But grooming side, they are one of the best dogs for apartment living.
2. Japanese Chin
The Japanese Chin is a dog breed that people don’t talk about enough. These little dogs are calm, quiet and have a personality that is almost… cat-like.
Yeah, you read that right. As per The Spruce Pets, they are a fastidious self-groomer dogs. They are independent but loving, playful but not hyper and they rarely bark. Like, they might give a single bark if someone is at the door. But, that’s about it. They will NEVER pose much drama, nor would they bring noise complaints from the shared buildings.
Japanese Chins were bred as companion dogs for Japanese royalty so they are used to living in close quarters and being well-mannered. This Asian dog breed is naturally quiet and have a calm temperament that makes them ideal for apartment dwellers.
They don’t need a lot of exercise. A daily walk and some indoor playtime are enough to keep them happy. After that, they will probably find a sunny spot to lounge in or curl up next to you on the couch.
Their silky coats do need regular grooming, but it would not be as intense as some other breeds. Plus, they are real low-maintenance dogs when it comes to grooming needs compared to other small dogs with long hair.
Japanese Chins are also great with other pets and adapt well to different living spaces. No matter if you are in a studio or a bigger apartment, they will fit.
3. Maltese
The Maltese is one of those small dogs that look like a little cloud with legs. But beneath all that fluff is a dog that is calm, affectionate and does not bark nearly as much as you would think.
Sure, they will alert you if someone is at the door, as noted by Orvis. But compared to many dog breeds, they are relatively quiet and easy to train with positive reinforcement.
These small white dogs are adaptable and thrive in apartment living. They don’t need too much space and they are perfectly content being indoor companions.
They love their people deeply and prefer to be close to them as much as possible.
They do need regular walks, but we are talking short bursts of activity. A couple of walks a day and some indoor playtime. That’s plenty.
They are low energy as opposed to some more energetic dogs, and this quality makes them great companions for apartment dwellers who want a more calm pet.
Plus, their white coat needs regular grooming to stay clean and tangle-free. But if you keep up with it, they are one of the most beautiful dog breeds.
4. Chinese Crested
Okay, so… the Chinese Crested is not for everyone. They have a very distinct look. Some are hairless (with tufts of hair on their head, feet and tail) and some have a full coat called “Powderpuff”.
But, they are one of the quietest dog breeds you will find. They rarely bark. They are calm indoors. And they are perfect for small apartments.
Chinese Crested are gentle, affectionate and devoted dogs. They are not high energy and don’t need a lot of exercise. A short walk and some playtime indoors, and they are done.
They are also low maintenance in terms of grooming needs (mostly the hairless variety). They don’t have shedding, dense double coat to brush. Just some skincare is needed for the hairless ones and regular grooming for Powderpuff.
As noted by Chewy, these dogs can be sensitive, and without proper introductions, they can be nippy and nervous with strangers. But, they form strong bonds with the family so they do best in homes where someone is around most of the times.
Separation anxiety can be a thing with this breed, but early socialization and a consistent daily routine can help.
Best dogs for people who want a quiet dog who won’t disturb the neighbors.
5. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is one of those dog breeds that is just… happy. Like, genuinely happy all the time. They are playful, love being around people and affectionate dogs.
But, the surprising part is, they are also relatively quiet for small dogs. They don’t bark excessively and with a bit of training, they are super well-behaved in apartment settings.
Bichons are very social dog and thrive on social interaction. They love people, other pets and even stranger. They are friendly, adaptable and fit beautifully into apartment life as long as they get regular exercise and mental stimulation.
They do need moderate exercise. Daily routine, daily walks, playtime, maybe some puzzle toys to keep their brain engaged. They are not couch potatoes but they are also not high energy dogs that need hours of activity.
As per American Kennel Club, their fluffy coat needs regular grooming and they need a bath once every month. Plus, some professional grooming every 6-8 weeks. If you are willing to keep up with grooming needs, they are one of the best dogs for apartment dwellers.
6. Pug
Everyone recognized Pugs. They are those dog breeds.
The wrinkly face, the curly tail, the snorting sounds. They are iconic.
But what people don’t always realize is, that Pugs are actually pretty quiet. This dog barks rarely, they have a calm nature indoors, and they are basically professional couch potatoes.
Pugs were bred to be companion dogs for Chinese royalty so they are used to living in close quarters and being well-mannered.
They don’t need a lot of exercise. A couple of short walks a day and some playtime. Perfect. After that, this dog is happy to nap, snuggle and just exist peacefully.
They are one of the brachycephalic dog breeds, and flat faces are their breed characteristics. Because of this, they have breathing issues. Keep them cool, avoid over-activity in hot weather and make sure they have a calm and comfortable living space.
Pugs do have a short coat so regular grooming helps keep the shedding under control.
These dogs are the ideal dog at handling apartment life. They are calm in smaller spaces, and they are just… easy.
7. French Bulldog
The French Bulldog has been the most popular quiet dog breeds in apartment living. #1 in America as far as the popularity goes, because they are apartment friendly dogs.
They are small, they are calm, they rarely bark and they are perfectly content living in small apartments. They are not the type to run around barking at every sound in the hallway, like certain breeds with excess energy.
This wrinkly dog is affectionate, loyal and love being around their people. They are social, friendly and adapt well. Plus, they are great with other pets and good at handling closed quarters in a shared building.
They don’t need too much exercise. Moderate activity is fine. A couple of short walks and some playtime and maybe a trip to the dog park. That’s it. They are low energy dogs and happy to lounge around the house.
French Bulldogs do have a sleek coat that needs minimal grooming. A quick brush here and there and they are good to go. They are surprisingly low maintenance small dog breeds who enjoy their quiet time.
Like Pugs, they are a brachycephalic breed, so they can have breathing issues. Keep them cool and don’t let them get too much activity.
Conclusion
These seven quiet dog breeds for apartment living and happy neighbors check all the boxes.
These pups are perfect for apartment dwellers who want great companions without white noise. Most dogs like the Shih Tzu, Shiba Inu, and even larger breeds can also work well in apartment space with the right routine and training to become the right dog.
Regular walks, mental stimulation, socialization and a daily routine that works for both you and your dog can help make apartment life the absolute right match.
And your neighbors… they will probably never even know you have a dog.
