Living in an apartment does not mean you can not enjoy the company of a dog. Some dog breeds are perfectly suited for an apartment setting due to their size, temperament, and relatively low exercise needs.
Choosing the right dog breed is key to a happy home for both you and your dog. Some small dog breeds thrive in cozy spaces and adapt easily to a quieter, indoor style.
You need to keep your personal preferences in mind, too. Most apartment dwellers look for a dog that is suited for their apartment size, compact, does not bark much, sheds minimally, is happy with a couple of walks per day, and does not mind being left alone for some time.
While you may not be able to check all the boxes on your list, as all individual dogs are different, we can surely help you in finding your perfect match!
Here’s a list of 9 small apartment-friendly dog breeds that are best suited for apartment living. Let’s find a perfect pup for you!
Small Apartment-Friendly Dog Breeds
1. Bichon Frise
Size: 12-18 lbs
Temperament: Cheerful, playful, affectionate
Why They’re Great
The Bichon Frise is one of the most endearing dog breeds with a charming personality. They are sociable and get along well with children and other pets.
They are generally quiet dogs, which is an important trait for apartment dogs. While they love bonding play sessions with their families and daily walks, they don’t need a ton of exercise to stay happy.
Maintenance: Their all white coat is hypoallergenic but needs constant attention and regular grooming to prevent matting. But their low-shedding nature is well worth the effort.
2. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Size: 13-18 lbs
Temperament: Gentle, affectionate, adaptable
Why They’re Great
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are the epitome of a lap dog. As per the AKC, being aggressive is against the breed standard. They are loving, calm, and always eager to be near their humans. They are well-suited for apartment life due to their small size and easygoing nature. As they are extremely affectionate, they are happy anywhere as long as they are in their owner’s lap.
They are also well known for getting along well with children, other pets, and even strangers, which makes them ideal for social settings or busy apartment buildings.
Maintenance: Their silky coat needs regular brushing to stay healthy. They love active lifestyles too and perform well in dog sports and agility. Regular exercise and walks keep them healthy. Just don’t leave them off-leash, or they may go after small animals or unique scents.
3. Coton de Tulear
Size: 8-13 lbs
Temperament: Happy, stable, very sociable
Why They’re Great
The Coton de Tulear is often called the ‘Royal Dog of Madagascar’. They are small dogs with big hearts. Their cotton-like coat and endearing temperament are what set them apart, as confirmed by the FCI.
They make one of the best apartment dogs due to their adaptability to any environment, friendliness, and ability to form close bonds with their owners.
They rarely bark but do not like being left alone for long periods. They are also known to be highly empathetic and do well as emotional support dogs.
Maintenance: Their soft cotton-like coat needs regular maintenance. Brushing and combing sessions can get a bit long, so keep them engaged; treats may work well. They are a high-energy breed, so ample physical exercise, including outdoor activities, is recommended.
4. French Bulldog
Size: under 28 lbs
Temperament: Alert, affectionate, loyal
Why They’re Great
French bulldogs, or the adorable ‘Frenchies’, are America’s most popular small dog breeds that make great apartment dogs. They are compact, low-energy, and generally quiet- that is, as long as they don’t assume a ruffling leaf on the balcony to be their greatest enemy. Then they may resort to barking and hopping on their tiny legs.
Frenchies are known for their affectionate nature and love to be near their people, often content to just lounge by your side or nap the day away.
Maintenance: They do not have a lot of exercise needs due to their brachycephalic nature. They are prone to overheating and not suitable for warmer climates. Providing them with lots of water and indoor activities is essential.
Given that, exercise in the form of short walks and mentally stimulating games is essential to their wellbeing.
5. Pug
Size: 14-18 lbs
Temperament: Charming, funny, stable
Why They’re Great
Pugs are classic apartment dogs with a whole lot of personality packed into a tiny frame. Known for their adorably expressive faces and playful nature, they thrive in small spaces, studio apartments, as well as country homes. They are happiest around their people.
They are typically quiet and not big barkers, which makes them great neighbors. The only thing they may love more than their owners is food. They love being spoiled by treats, making them prone to being overweight, which, added to their already muscular and stocky build, is harmful to their health.
Maintenance: They need regular but short walks to keep their weight in check. They are prone to heat sensitivity and not suitable for hot climates. Their coat sheds heavily in shedding seasons and may need regular care.
6. Poodle (toy and miniature)
Size: Toy: 4-6 lbs, Miniature poodle: 10-15 lbs
Temperament: Friendly, outgoing, intelligent, self-assured
Why They’re Great
According to PetMD, a miniature poodle’s friendly temperament, intelligence, and trainability, added with its small size, make it suitable for apartment living. Both toy and miniature breeds pick up routines easily and love to please their owners.
They are low-shedding and hypoallergenic, which is ideal for smaller living spaces. They have a history as water retrievers and hunters, so they love it when given a task to do. Be it indoor games, puzzle toys, or brisk walks, they love mental stimulation and fun time with family.
Maintenance: Their curly coat needs regular maintenance to look good. The good thing is that you can style it in various ways to suit your liking.
7. Affenpinscher
Size: 6-13 lbs
Temperament: Bold, curious, comical
Why They’re Great
Often called the ‘monkey dog’ for their expressive faces and playful behavior, Affenpinschers are small in size and big in personality. Independent yet affectionate, this small breed is perfect for apartments.
These dogs are alert by nature, as is their expression, but not overly yappy, which is a bonus for keeping things quiet.
Maintenance: Affenpinschers do not need lots of exercise, but daily play and short walks usually do the trick. They are low-shedding and their wiry coat only needs occasional grooming.
Their spunky attitude, sense of humor, and loyalty to their family are sure to bring a lot of character to your place!
8. Maltese
Size: Under 7 lbs
Temperament: Gentle, affectionate, lively
Why They’re Great
The Maltese is a classic lap dog, small, elegant, and full of charm. Their tiny size makes them ideal for apartment living, and they thrive on human companionship.
Despite their dainty appearance, the Maltese are playful and alert, their kind energy can be felt all around the house. They can be a bit stubborn, though, but it can be managed with treat-based positive reinforcement methods.
Maintenance: Maltese need some form of daily exercise, like short walks. Their long, silky coat, however, needs regular grooming. Many owners opt for a short puppy cut to keep combing and bathing easier.
9. Havanese
Size: 7-13 lbs
Temperament: Friendly, cheerful, adaptable
Why They’re Great
The Havanese is a small, highly affectionate dog that is perfect for city living. They are adaptable to all sorts of lifestyles. Whether you have small kids or the elderly in the house, a Havanese gets along well with everyone.
These little dogs are sensitive souls. Being intelligent dogs, they can tell the difference in tone and may stop trusting you if you use a harsh tone. Positive training methods work really well for these people-pleasers. Socialization from an early age is important to train them to be well-balanced dogs.
They are not barkers, making them one of the best dogs for city dwellers!
Maintenance: Their long coat needs regular trims to keep manageable, but it doesn’t shed much, making it a great hypoallergenic option. Daily grooming is required to keep the coat free of mats and tangles.
Conclusion
Sometimes, dog lovers who live in small spaces and apartments may struggle with making the decision to bring a dog home. They may worry about the noise, the neighbors, fur on the furniture, or maybe just for the general well-being of the pup.
But there’s nothing to worry actually. Some small dogs do not need too much room to thrive. In addition to the breeds mentioned above, many dog breeds like the Italian Greyhound, Boston Terrier, and Shih Tzu are well-loved by apartment dwellers.
Dog owners may want to keep some other dogs like the American Eskimo dog, Chinese Crested, and Basset Hound, in small apartments. But it is to be noted that they would need a lot of outdoor time as well to physically engage in daily exercise. Not meeting their physical exercise needs may lead them to adapt destructive behaviors.
All dogs, whether small or big, need some sort of exercise, grooming, and mental stimulation daily in order to stay happy and healthy. Rest assured, these small dogs are sure to fill your homes with love, laughter, and sunshine!
