If your living environment includes close neighbors, shared walls, and tight spaces, but the desire to have a furry companion overwhelms everyday, then a thoughtful selection of a dog breed is indispensable.
While many people assume only tiny dogs thrive in apartment life, temperament is the key factor to thriving in any lifestyle.
Some breeds are naturally quiet, calm, and emotionally balanced, making them ideal companions for compact spaces. These dogs do not feel the need to bark at every passing sound or footstep in the hallway. Instead, they blend effortlessly into apartment living, without turning daily living into a noise concern.
The list of canine breeds we are going to explore will prove that apartment living does not mean giving up on having a dog, but it means choosing a companion that values peace as much as you do.
Fun Fact: No breed on this planet claims to be a barkless dog. There are a few breeds that bark less, or communicate in an entirely different way, such as the Basenji, which is called the barkless dog, but actually, its way of communication is different, and its vocalization is called whining.
Best Small Dog Breeds for Apartments And Minimal Barking
1. Bichon Frise
Dating back to the 13th century, this tiny Bichon Frise was loved by European royalty as companion dogs. They are not only affectionate dogs but also packed with moderate energy and curious minds, making great family dogs for people of all ages, particularly first-time owners.
Having a Bichon Frise as a pet offers many advantages. Their hypoallergenic coats shed minimally, and these small white dogs are easily suited to those suffering from dog allergies. Moreover, with manageable physical and mental stimulation, the Bichon Frise thrives in apartment living.
They love going outside for some walks and swims with their owners. Bichons bond closely with loved ones, but if they sense anything unusual in their surroundings, they alert their families via barking. Therefore, they should be socialized and trained early with gentle guidance.
2. Pug
A wrinkled dog, which is one of the best furry companions for apartment dwellers, thanks to its loving and entertaining personality. These dogs also rank among the oldest breeds of canines, almost linked to China around 400 BC, and later became the favorite of European nobility.
The modern Pug is very famous on this planet due to its size, calm demeanor, and low energy. These dogs have short coats that often come in black and fawn colors with a bit of shedding. Pugs are friendly and low-maintenance dogs who are well-suited to people living in small apartments.
Being a brachycephalic breed, in hot weather, they should be kept indoors, otherwise develop some health problems. Pugs are quiet and calm dogs, but in the absence of mental stimulation, they develop undesirable behaviors such as excessive barking.
3. French Bulldog
The most popular canine companion in the USA, the French Bulldog is blessed with bat-like ears, high adaptability, and enough size to excel in city living. Though they emerged from England, their true development started in France, often observed in the work of French artists.
Overall, Frenchies are quite easy-going and happy dogs that can easily adapt to apartment life. They are low-energy dogs but still love to play and be quirky personalities. Unfortunately, these brachycephalic dogs do not have a much longer life span, ranging between 10 and 12 years only.
Under their smooth coats, there are muscular, sturdy bodies that need daily walks and occasional agility (at moderate temperatures) to keep themselves healthy. Frenchies do not bark excessively. With proper training and socialization, this small breed makes a perfect pet for your small home.
4. Shih Tzu
Expressive eyes, a top knot, and a laid-back temperament of the Shih Tzu make it rank among the most wanted small dogs for apartment living. These dogs were bred in Tibet, but loved by Chinese royalty the most, turning them from working dogs to canine companions.
This toy breed is known for its long, silky coats, affectionate and calm demeanor, with a desire to be cuddled and loved. Thus, their regular exercise needs only include daily walks along playtime with puzzle toys, just for half an hour, says PetMD.
Their friendly nature makes them a wonderful breed that gets along with other pets and children. Despite having a royal history, the Shih Tzu fits seamlessly in small spaces, where it prefers forming strong bonds instead of creating chaos. These smart dogs learn quickly with positive reinforcement methods.
5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
To keep the British royal family members warm and to feel comfortable with, an affectionate, calm dog breed was bred in the 17th century, named the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Interestingly enough, this small dog breed’s name reminds the love and fondness of King Charles I and Charles II towards the Cav.
Today, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, with its small size, low energy levels, and friendly demeanor, makes an exceptional breed to excel in any living environment. Their silky coats are of four colors; however, regular grooming is mandatory, no matter what color or hairstyle they have, says the AKC.
Cavs get along beautifully with kids and other dogs, reflecting their loving and flexible personalities. Either in living quarters or big homes, they crave human interactions and want to be in the laps of their beloved humans. Short bursts of daily walks and indoor playtime keep these pups healthy and happy.
6. Japanese Chin
Japanese Chin is a small dog that is considered a well-suited breed for novice pet parents and people living in small spaces for many reasons. Regardless of their small size and adaptability, these canine companions also boast silky coats that look appealing.
Chins were gifted by the Chinese to nobility and families of the high standard class. According to Purina, in Japan, these dogs were discovered as more dignified and refined pups, and for a very long time, Europe was unaware of this adorable gem, until the 17th century.
Japanese Chin demands an easy yet regular grooming session, just like other pets. But they have fairly high energy levels, which means physical and mental enrichment is mandatory to avoid destructive behaviors. Though smart but little independence makes their training sessions a bit more difficult than usual.
7. Maltese
A small dog that suits all people of any age, except the small kids, as it may be prone to accidental injury because of its size. Maltese dogs are playful, affectionate, and gentle dogs who easily adapt to any lifestyle with proper training, socialization, and care.
These white dogs are intelligent and eager to please, making training a breeze for dog owners. With daily brushing and regular baths, the Maltese retains its beauty and health. Since these hypoallergenic dogs shed less, they are recognized as another pet option for allergy sufferers.
With daily walks and indoor playtime, their regular exercise needs can easily be met in apartment living, as they are not high-energy dogs. Maltese are calm dogs and would not disturb your neighbors unless bored or left alone for a long time.
8. Boston Terrier
The gentleman of America is another name that the Boston Terrier has earned due to its amiable, calm, and kind presence. These dogs are small but have relatively high energy levels, enjoy off-leash running and other dog sports, but surprisingly can adapt to the lifestyle of an apartment.
But, due to short muzzles and flat faces, pet parents of Boston Terriers should be aware of their intolerance of extreme temperatures. While indoors, apartment dwellers should facilitate enough mental activities to keep boredom away.
Boston Terriers are very choosy when it comes to food, and are also prone to gas. If you are leaving them for more than eight hours, they develop excessive barking and other behaviors that may disturb their mental health and your neighbors, too.
9. Pekingese
An ancient breed of China, the Pekingese is endowed with a sturdy build, small size, and affectionate temperament. All of these attributes, combining their intelligence and desire to make close connections with their people, make them one of the best canine companions for apartment dwellers.
Typically, these tiny dogs get along well with other animals in the same house if introduced at an early age in their lives. Pekingese do not tolerate rough play, so interactions with small humans should be supervised, provided with consistent training, and more socialization.
Self-assured and stubborn Pekingese often reflect this side during training sessions, so reward-based systems should be introduced for good responses. Their silky coats need high maintenance to avoid tangles and mats; at least an hour a week is required for regular grooming.
Conclusion
Choosing the right dog for apartment living includes many factors, along with size; temperament, noise level, and emotional balance are some of them.
The mentioned dog breeds are known for minimal barking as well as bringing a rare kind of peace to compact houses and allowing apartment dwellers to enjoy their companionship without exhaustion.
Since they are not yappy dogs but naturally calm, affectionate, and gentle, making adaptation easier in apartment life.
