Many people assume that large dog breeds need vast spaces, but surprisingly, some are good apartment dogs. With proper training, mental stimulation, daily walks, and consistent attention to their well-being, even big dogs can adapt to smaller spaces and thrive in an apartment setting.
Interestingly, research on urban dogs shows that animals can adapt to city life, including smaller spaces, when provided with sufficient exercise and mental stimulation. This suggests that giant dog breeds, despite their size, can also thrive in apartments with the right care.
However, not all large dogs are alike. While high-energy dogs may struggle indoors, many gentle giants are calm, affectionate, and enjoy lounging, making them surprisingly suitable for apartment life.
Providing a calm environment, attention to exercise needs, and opportunities for mental engagement ensures these large breeds stay happy, healthy, and well-adjusted.
Best Giant Dog Breeds Suitable For Apartment Life
1. Greyhound
Greyhounds are often seen as racing dogs, but many are surprisingly calm indoors. Despite their athletic build, they adapt well to apartment life when given adequate exercise and mental stimulation.
Their gentle and affectionate nature makes them excellent companions for people living in smaller spaces, according to the AKC.
Calm and Adaptable Nature
Greyhounds are known for their low energy indoors and enjoy lounging for hours on a comfortable couch. Their gentle temperament and restrained energy help maintain a serene atmosphere, even in smaller living areas.
Exercise and Mental Stimulation Needs
Though calm inside, Greyhounds enjoy short bursts of daily activity, such as walks or gentle play in a secure area. Providing regular physical activity and opportunities for mental engagement keeps them healthy, happy, and well-adjusted in apartment settings.
2. Great Dane
Majestic yet tender-hearted, the Great Dane—known as the ‘Apollo of Dogs’—proves that even the largest hearts can fit comfortably in small spaces. With their affectionate nature and composed spirit, these gentle companions bring calm and love into any home, no matter its size.
Calm and Gentle Companions
Great Danes are incredibly gentle with children and enjoy human company, making them ideal for families in apartments. Their friendly disposition and calm indoor behavior allow them to lounge comfortably on a larger couch without being disruptive, even in smaller living areas.
Exercise and Care Needs
Though seemingly sedate, Great Danes require daily exercise appropriate to their age. Short walks two to three times a day are usually enough, and activities like gentle jogs or play keep them healthy.
To protect growing joints, vigorous exercise should be avoided until they are fully grown. Proper care and attention ensure they remain happy, healthy, and well-adjusted in an apartment setting.
3. Mastiff
It’s easy to be awed by their size, but Mastiffs win hearts with their gentle patience and surprising adaptability to smaller spaces. Despite their impressive size, they enjoy spending time lounging indoors and forming close bonds with their families.
Family-Friendly and Affectionate
Mastiffs are loyal, dignified, and enjoy gentle interactions, thriving in homes where they receive attention and care. Their steady temperament and easygoing personality make them great companions for apartment dwellers seeking a large but low-maintenance pet.
Exercise and Care Needs
Although large, Mastiffs don’t require extensive activity. Regular exercise in the form of short daily walks and light play around the home or yard is usually sufficient.
According to WebMD, puppies need extra care to protect their growing joints, avoiding high-impact activities like running up stairs or long-distance exercise. Gentle engagement and occasional mental challenges keep them happy, healthy, and well-adjusted in an apartment setting.
With consistent care, these surprisingly low-energy large-breed dogs adapt well to smaller spaces while remaining loving, attentive, and relaxed members of the household.
4. Newfoundland
Newfoundlands, often called nanny dogs, are renowned for their protective instincts and devotion to family. Despite their impressive size, they can adapt to apartment living when given proper care, daily attention, and some space to move indoors.
Their strong bond with their owners makes them attentive and dependable furry friends, ideal for families in smaller homes.
Family-Oriented and Protective
Newfoundlands naturally watch over children and other family members, combining loyalty with gentleness. Their caring nature ensures they provide both protection and affection.
While their size requires supervision around very young children, they rarely act aggressively, offering a calm yet watchful presence in the home, as per PetMD.
Exercise and Training Needs
Although they are not overly energetic indoors, Newfoundlands benefit from daily walks, gentle play, or occasional swimming for physical and mental stimulation. Obedience training and early socialization help manage their strength and confidence.
Cared for properly, these nanny dogs can thrive indoors, offering devoted companionship, protection, and a happy, well-adjusted presence in apartment homes.
5. Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain Dogs are large, sweet-natured, and family-oriented, making them surprisingly adaptable to apartment living when provided with care and attention. Despite their impressive size and striking appearance, they are gentle, loyal, and thrive when close to their human family.
Family-Friendly and Gentle
Berners are particularly patient with children and get along well with other pets. While they may form a stronger bond with one family member, their loving and calm demeanor makes them excellent companions in smaller homes.
Their majestic presence is impressive but rarely intimidating, creating a balanced mix of dignity and warmth.
Exercise and Engagement Needs
Although comfortable indoors, Bernese Mountain Dogs need at least a half-hour of moderate daily exercise to stay healthy. They enjoy outdoor activities such as walks, hikes, or gentle play, and can participate in dog sports like agility, obedience, and tracking.
With consistent attention and outlets for energy, Berners adapt to apartment life while maintaining their loving, steady, and loyal nature.
6. Saint Bernard
Saint Bernards are known for their impressive size and calm, family-oriented nature. Originally bred as rescue dogs in alpine regions, they can adjust to apartment living with proper care, soft bedding, and attention to indoor temperature.
Family-Oriented and Affectionate
These dogs are patient, devoted, and protective of family members, including children and other pets. Their methodical, relaxed behavior indoors makes them suitable for apartment dwellers, though supervision is recommended due to their large frame, as per Britannica.
Exercise and Care Needs
Saint Bernards, and similar low-energy breeds, can be perfect for less active owners, but still need daily walks and mental stimulation to prevent weight gain and behavioral issues.
With consistent attention and mental engagement, Saint Bernards thrive in apartments, offering loyalty, companionship, and a reassuring presence to their families.
7. Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound is an imposing yet gentle breed, known for its towering height and calm temperament.
Despite their size, these dogs can adapt to apartment living with proper care, plenty of soft bedding, and attention to daily routines. Their relaxed nature indoors makes them better suited for owners in smaller spaces.
Family-Oriented and Calm
Irish Wolfhounds are affectionate and patient, making them excellent companions for families with children or other pets. They form strong bonds with their owners and are known for their gentle interactions, offering both companionship and quiet presence in the home.
While their height and strength require supervision around small children, they are rarely aggressive and maintain a calm, composed demeanor.
Exercise and Care Needs
Though large, Irish Wolfhounds are low-energy indoors and need only moderate daily exercise, such as gentle walks or short play sessions. Avoid overexertion, especially for young dogs, to protect their growing joints.
Even in smaller spaces, these majestic dogs bring warmth, stability, and a gentle companionship that enriches daily life for their families.
Conclusion
Giant dog breeds are often thought to be unsuitable for apartment living, but with the right care, attention, and environment, many of these gentle, loyal, and family-oriented dogs thrive indoors.
Breeds like Great Danes, Mastiffs, Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Saint Bernards, Irish Wolfhounds, and others prove that size isn’t always a barrier to living comfortably in smaller spaces.
The key to success is understanding each breed’s temperament, exercise needs, and mental stimulation requirements. Daily walks, interactive play, proper training, and socialization ensure these large dogs remain healthy, happy, and well-behaved.
Apartment dwellers who are willing to provide consistency and care will find that these impressive companions bring immense love, loyalty, and calm presence to the home.
Ultimately, choosing a giant breed for apartment life is about balancing their size with patience, planning, and affection—creating a harmonious living environment for both dog and owner.
