Just because you have a compact living space does not mean you need to give up all hope of owning a furry friend. While some large breeds do well in homes with big yards, small dog breeds thrive in confined living spaces such as apartments.
Their compact size, adaptable nature, and moderate exercise needs make them highly suitable for urban living. These canines can get adequate physical and mental stimulation through a few short walks and indoor play sessions.
The best dog breeds for apartment living are usually gentle and calm. They are generally easy to transport and have low food and medication costs compared to large breeds. Many of them make loving and loyal lap dogs.
Have a look at some top dog breeds ideal for compact urban homes.
Top Dog Breeds Ideal for Compact Urban Homes
1. Chihuahua
One of the smallest dog breeds, Chihuahuas bond closely to their owners. Their portable size makes them the best dog breed for apartment living. Easily fitting into carriers and laps, Chihuahuas are ideal companions for a city lifestyle and living situation.
Chihuahuas have an adaptable nature. They can thrive in a variety of homes, according to the American Kennel Club. Their smartness and eagerness to please make them easy to train. Chihuahuas are fragile dogs, not suitable for homes with rambunctious children.
Chihuahuas are high-energy dogs, but need only half an hour of exercise every day. Short daily walks around the block and indoor play sessions would suffice for them. Despite their small size, Chis excel at a variety of canine sports, including agility and obedience.
2. Pomeranian
Pomeranian is a small dog breed having big personality. Their compact size means they can be sufficiently exercised with indoor play sessions and short walks. These social dogs thrive on human companionship.
Thanks to their minimal exercise needs and adaptable nature, Pomeranians make the best apartment dogs. Confident, alert, and proud, Poms are ideal for living in urban environments. These gentle canines also have an independent streak.
So they will prefer to walk on the ground sometimes, instead of being carried. Their fluffy coats need regular grooming to stay free from mats and tangles, according to PetMD. The smallest of all Spitz dogs, Pomeranians need proper training and socialization to behave well.
3. Yorkshire Terrier
One of the primary reasons why Yorkshire Terriers make great apartment dogs is their compact size. These feisty and affectionate animals love getting attention from their humans and make wonderful lap dogs.
When left alone for too long, they become prone to separation anxiety and exhibit destructive behaviors like excessive barking and chewing. Having the heart of a typical terrier, Yorkies are energetic dogs. However, they need minimal exercise to stay healthy and content.
With proper training and socialization, Yorkies show excellent indoor manners. Yorkshire Terriers instantly grab attention due to their flowing long fur. Luckily, they have hypoallergenic coats and make ideal pets for urban dwellers who are prone to allergies.
4. Shih Tzu
These super cute little doggos are valued by dog lovers due to their small size and moderate exercise needs. Shih Tzus make loyal pets for individuals who prefer city life and are looking for an apartment-friendly dog breed.
Shih Tzus are quite adaptable. They thrive on human attention and form strong bonds with their owners. They can happily spend hours resting in their human’s lap. Shih Tzus are smart dogs who can learn new commands easily.
However, they also have a stubborn streak. Shih Tzus respond best to positive reinforcement-based training methods. Remember, they are brachycephalic, so you must not over-exercise them or take them out in hot and humid weather.
5. Maltese
Maltese is a toy dog breed, best-known for its luxurious floor-length coat and playful energy. They are loved for their sweet and gentle nature. These small white dogs thrive in apartments and small spaces due to their size and low exercise needs.
Maltese are hypoallergenic dogs with minimally shedding coats. It makes them an excellent choice for allergy sufferers. Regular bathing and frequent brushing are required to keep their coats free from mats and tangles.
Maltese dogs are quite lively and enjoy learning new tricks. One of the oldest dog breeds, they can be a bit stubborn when it comes to training. Having an alert and affectionate nature, Maltese make good watchdogs and loving companions.
6. Bichon Frise
Bichon Frise dogs are adaptable companions who get along nicely with other pets and children. With a curious yet loving nature, Bichons make good snuggle companions. Bichons are small and confident dogs, who make one of the best dog breeds for apartment living.
Their petite stature enables them to adjust well in small spaces. Bichon Frises are well-suited for indoor life and make good city pets, according to WebMD. These playful, active, and moderately energetic dogs love pleasing their owners.
These sociable canines make ideal pets for people of all ages, including children and seniors. Like some other breeds in our list, Bichons are also hypoallergenic. Their low-shedding coats need plenty of grooming to keep looking good.
7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Having a friendly and laid-back nature, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were originally bred as companions. They excel at this role to date and make loving lap dogs. Cavaliers are very adaptable. They do well with active owners as well as homebodies.
They are moderately energetic and need regular exercise to stay physically and mentally stimulated. Cavaliers are well-suited for apartment life due to their small size, history as lap dogs, and highly adaptable nature.
Having high brain power, Cavaliers are highly trainable. You can teach them new tricks and commands easily. However, these canines cannot tolerate roughhousing and can easily get hurt. It makes them unsuitable for homes with little children.
8. Havanese
Another hypoallergenic dog breed, the Havanese is well-suited for apartment living due to their tiny body and moderate exercise needs. Havanese are social dogs who get along nicely with everyone, including kids and other dogs.
They do well in big houses as well as small homes, but do not like being left alone. Havanese form strong bonds with their humans and become prone to separation anxiety when neglected for too long. It makes them an unsuitable pet for busy owners.
Havanese possess sturdy bodies and an adaptable nature. Their soft and silky coat needs regular grooming from time to time. Havanese are highly intelligent and eager to please dogs, who respond best to positive reinforcement-based training.
9. Pug
Instantly recognizable due to its expressive eyes and smooshed face, Pug is a laid-back canine. These cute pooches are ideal for apartment life due to their minimal exercise needs and small size. They are not overly energetic, but love entertaining their humans with playful antics.
Pugs have a short and smooth coat. These wrinkly dogs have minimal grooming needs. Pugs are also very adaptable; they do well in a variety of households, from big houses to condos. However, they are brachycephalic.
Their flat faces make them prone to several respiratory issues. Therefore, they should not be over-exercised or taken out in hot weather. Pugs can spend hours napping, but they love their people and develop separation anxiety when left alone for extended periods.
10. French Bulldog
French Bulldogs can also be recognized by their wrinkly faces. Their erect ears, expressive eyes, and compact size make them look irresistibly cute. Frenchies are also brachycephalic, so they do not need extensive exercise to stay fit.
Only indoor play sessions can provide them with adequate mental and physical stimulation. They are also very adaptable and can do well in new environments. These traits, combined with their minimal grooming needs, make them ideal for city life.
Frenchies love to snooze and eat. They also like spending time with their humans and do not like being alone for too long. Otherwise, they can develop separation anxiety. Their affectionate and loving nature makes them great family dogs.
Conclusion
Several dog breeds are a better choice for apartment dwellers due to certain reasons. The first and foremost being their small bodies. Due to their tiny size, they need little food and minimal exercise to stay fit.
These pooches do well with short daily walks and indoor play sessions. Many small dogs are hypoallergenic, making them ideal pets for allergy sufferers. Despite their adaptable nature, these canines make loving and loyal companions.
