For many apartment dwellers, the idea of sharing a small apartment with a furry friend can feel tricky. Apartment living doesn’t always provide enough space for a dog to roam freely, and you may not have immediate access to a yard.
But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the joy of owning a loyal companion. There are plenty of dog breeds that are well-suited to small spaces, have lower energy needs, and can adapt perfectly to a cozy living space.
Did you know that 51% of US households own a dog, and many of those families live in an apartment? This shows that with the right dog and a little planning, apartment life can be just as rewarding for both the owner and the pet. Even in small spaces, a well-chosen pup can bring warmth, companionship, and a sense of comfort to your lifestyle.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best dog breeds for apartments, highlighting what makes them suited for apartment living.
Best Dog Breeds For Apartments
1. French Bulldog
Ideal size: Compact and under 28 pounds
Temperament: Cheerful and playful, yet loves to relax with you
Shedding & grooming: Moderate shedding, simple coat care, and easy to groom
Barking level: Average
Time alone: Doesn’t tolerate long periods of solitude
Exercise needs: Low, with just short daily walks to stay healthy
Stranger-friendly: Very sociable and welcoming to guests and neighbors
The French Bulldog is a small yet sturdy breed with a distinctive muscular build and iconic bat-like ears. Known for their lively yet easygoing personality, they’re naturally playful without having endless energy.
Despite their compact size, they have a big, affectionate heart and love being close to their owners. They’re curious, charming, and incredibly loyal, often forming strong bonds with their family and enjoying plenty of human interaction.
While they do have bursts of fun-loving behavior, they’re equally happy lounging by your side. Because of their calm and adaptable nature, they’re well-suited to small spaces and adjust easily to apartment life.
However, like many bulldogs, they can be prone to breathing issues due to their flat faces, so they need a comfortable indoor environment and moderate exercise rather than strenuous activity.
2. Bichon Frise
Ideal size: 12–18 pounds
Temperament: Cheerful, friendly, and confident with a happy-go-lucky nature
Shedding & grooming: Low shedding, but requires regular, specialized grooming to maintain the coat
Barking level: Low
Time alone: Strongly attached to owners and dislikes being left for long periods
Exercise needs: Daily walks and light activity to stay healthy
Stranger-friendly: Extremely social and welcoming to everyone
The Bichon Frise is a charming, resilient breed known for its plush, velvety white coat and adorable, rounded head that frames expressive dark eyes. AKC mentions that these pups are often called a “personality dog.”
The Bichon thrives on attention and brings joy wherever it goes. Highly adaptable and affectionate, this little dog is eager to please and forms strong bonds with its family.
Playful yet manageable in energy, the Bichon enjoys short bursts of activity and is easy to keep healthy with a couple of brief daily walks.
While they don’t shed much and are hypoallergenic, their fluffy double coat requires consistent grooming to stay clean and tangle-free. Naturally sociable, they love meeting strangers, getting along well with other dogs, children, and just about anyone they encounter.
3. Chihuahua
Ideal size: Extremely small, not exceeding 6 pounds
Temperament: Lively, confident, and deeply devoted to their owners
Shedding & grooming: Low shedding with simple coat care for both short- and long-haired varieties
Barking level: Moderate
Time alone: Strongly attached to their person and dislikes being left alone
Exercise needs: Minimal
Stranger-friendly: Often wary or unfriendly toward strangers
The Chihuahua is one of the tiniest dog breeds, standing under 10 inches tall and weighing no more than 6 pounds, yet it carries itself with a bold, larger-than-life personality.
With their rounded “apple” head, luminous eyes, and expressive ears, they have a striking look that’s instantly recognizable. Chihuahuas are affectionate, clever, and full of charm, often forming strong attachments to their owners.
While they enjoy brief moments of playful running and activity, these small dogs are mostly content indoors, making them easy to care for in small spaces. Despite their tiny frame, they have a protective streak and will bark to alert you of new strangers or unusual noise.
Because of their attachment to their favorite human, they can become anxious if left alone for long periods, preferring to stay close to their family.
4. Pug
Ideal size: 14–18 pounds
Temperament: Playful, affectionate, and full of charm
Shedding & grooming: Sheds seasonally but requires minimal grooming overall
Barking level: Low
Time alone: Strongly bonded to owners; dislikes being left for long periods
Exercise needs: Moderate
Stranger-friendly: Very sociable and welcoming to new people
The Pug is a small but solid dog breed with a big heart and an even bigger personality. Known for their expressive, human-like faces with sparkling eyes and signature wrinkled brows, they bring endless joy and laughter to their owners.
Their motto, multum in parvo—“a lot in a little”—perfectly captures their lively yet loving nature.
Playful but not overly active, Pugs are just as happy enjoying a short walk as they are curling up beside you for hours. While they require some regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight, they’re mostly calm indoors, making them well-suited for small spaces.
They’re also known for being especially friendly with strangers, children, and even other dogs, which makes them easy companions for a variety of lifestyles.
5. Shih Tzu
Ideal size: 9–16 pounds
Temperament: Calm, affectionate, and people-oriented
Shedding & grooming: Moderate shedding with regular coat care needed
Barking level: High
Time alone: Average—can handle short periods alone, but prefers company
Exercise needs: Low
Stranger-friendly: Very friendly and welcoming to visitors
The Shih Tzu is a small dog breed that was born to be a loyal, furry companion. PetMD states that they date back centuries. These little “lion dogs,” as their name translates, were closely associated with Buddhism and bred to resemble lions.
Today, Shih Tzus are known as affectionate dogs with a calm demeanor, making them excellent companion dogs for an apartment lifestyle. Their compact size fits perfectly in a studio apartment, and because they have low exercise needs, a little indoor play is usually enough to keep them happy.
While they are friendly with strangers, these lively pups can also be vocal dogs, often alerting their owners to any new arrival or sound. They are not an overly active breed, but their affectionate nature makes them one of the best choices for anyone seeking a loving pet in a smaller space.
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Ideal size: 10–18 pounds
Temperament: Gentle, loving, and moderately active
Shedding & grooming: Average shedding, with some difficulty in housetraining
Barking level: Moderate
Time alone: Doesn’t tolerate being alone, highly attached to owners
Exercise needs: Needs a daily walk to stay happy and healthy
Stranger-friendly: Very friendly and enjoys meeting new people
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an excellent dog breed known for its affectionate nature and adaptability. Originally cherished by British royalty, these spaniels were bred to warm laps in drafty castles and accompany their owners everywhere. They have a calm and loving personality, which makes them ideal for apartment living.
This dog breed doesn’t need as much exercise as highly energetic breeds. A simple daily walk is enough to keep them satisfied, making them easy to fit into an active lifestyle or a quieter routine.
Dogs love companionship, and this spaniel bonds deeply with its family, preferring to stay close and watch over them. One thing to note is that while they are adaptable and friendly with strangers, they can be a bit challenging to housetrain and do not like being left alone for long periods.
7. Poodle
Ideal size: Toy (under 10 pounds) and Miniature (under 17 pounds)
Temperament: Intelligent, eager, and versatile
Shedding & grooming: Low-allergen coat but requires regular grooming
Barking level: Not overly yappy, generally quiet indoors
Time alone: Loyal and people-oriented, enjoys companionship
Exercise needs: Moderate to high
Stranger-friendly: Friendly and good with people, even kids
Purina says that among the many dog breeds, the Poodle stands out as one of the most versatile and smartest dogs. Whether Toy, Miniature, or Standard, they are elegant yet athletic, with a disciplined nature that makes them easy to adapt to different living situations.
An important factor in their care is providing enough mental stimulation and interactive activities since they are highly trainable and love learning new tricks.
While some Poodles have moderate needs, others may require high exercise to stay happy, especially in a smaller home.
Fortunately, they respond well to indoor enrichment and can even be litterbox trained, making apartment life more convenient. With their loyal temperament and easy adaptability, Poodles can thrive as graceful and obedient companions in any living space.
Conclusion
Choosing the right dog for your apartment is all about finding a companion that matches your lifestyle. With the right breed, your living space can be filled with joy, love, and the warmth of a furry friend. Whether you need a low-energy cuddle buddy or a playful pal who enjoys short walks, there’s a dog for every type of apartment life.
Apart from the ones mentioned above, there are other apartment-friendly dog breeds as well. These include the Yorkshire Terriers, Basset Hounds, Greyhounds, Havanese, Pekingese, and Affenpinscher.
Remember, while apartment living may come with some challenges, it’s also a great opportunity to bond deeply with a pet. By considering factors like exercise needs, temperament, and size, you can find the perfect pup to keep you company, no matter how small your space may be.
