Did you know that some of the largest dog breeds can actually make surprisingly great apartment companions? While size often suggests high energy or constant movement, many big dogs are calm, gentle, and perfectly content with a cozy corner and regular walks.
These gentle giants often prefer lounging beside their humans over running laps around a yard. The key is not square footage—it’s lifestyle, routine, and temperament. From easygoing couch lovers to patient protectors, several large breeds adapt beautifully to smaller living spaces when their exercise and social needs are met.
Understanding which dogs have the right balance of calmness, trainability, and affection can make apartment living with a big dog both enjoyable and harmonious.
Here’s a look at the big dog breeds that thrive in apartment life, proving that “large” doesn’t have to mean “too much” when it comes to choosing your perfect companion.
Big Dog Breeds That Thrive In Apartment Life
1. Great Dane
The Great Dane is often called the “Apollo of dogs” for its impressive size and graceful build. Despite its height, this gentle giant is affectionate and social, making it a surprisingly good companion for apartment living when properly exercised.
Originating in Germany, the breed was first used to hunt large game such as boar. Over time, it evolved into a loyal household guardian with a calm, steady temperament that contrasts beautifully with its imposing stature.
Its sleek, short coat comes in several colors, including fawn, brindle, blue, black, and the well-known harlequin pattern. As per Britannica, regular brushing keeps its coat glossy and manageable.
While athletic, Great Danes prefer relaxed strolls and plenty of rest after activity. They enjoy companionship and are known to follow their owners from room to room.
They do require space to stretch and careful attention to nutrition, as their large frames make them prone to bloat and joint issues.
Fun Fact
A Great Dane named Zeus once held the world record for the tallest dog, standing 44 inches at the shoulder and towering over many people when on his hind legs.
2. Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, sturdy breed with roots in the Swiss Alps, where it worked as a herder and cart-puller. Known for its tri-colored coat and friendly face, it’s both strong and gentle at heart.
Despite their size, Berners are calm indoors and adapt surprisingly well to smaller living spaces when they receive enough daily walks and affection. Their mellow temperament makes them ideal for families and first-time big dog owners.
As per PetMD, this breed forms deep bonds with its people and thrives on companionship. They’re affectionate but sensitive, preferring gentle guidance and positive reinforcement during training.
Their thick double coat does shed, especially seasonally, so regular grooming is essential to keep them comfortable and clean. Their patient nature and love for people make grooming time a pleasant routine.
They appreciate outdoor adventures but are equally happy lounging near their family, watching the world go by with a peaceful gaze.
Fun Fact
In Switzerland, Bernese Mountain Dogs once hauled milk and cheese carts from farms to market, displaying both muscle and intelligence in equal measure.
3. Saint Bernard
The Saint Bernard is one of the most famous giant breeds, known for its history as a rescue dog in the Swiss Alps. Its calm demeanor and big heart make it a loving family companion as well as a powerful working dog.
Originally bred by monks to locate travelers lost in snow, the Saint Bernard has a remarkable sense of smell and an instinct to help. Its gentle nature earned it a reputation as one of the kindest giants in the dog world.
Though enormous, Saint Bernards are not overly energetic. They enjoy leisurely walks and plenty of naps, thriving in calm environments where they can stay close to their family.
Their dense coat provides insulation against cold weather, but regular grooming is needed to control shedding and keep their coat healthy. Despite their size, they adapt surprisingly well to indoor life with enough space to stretch.
Saint Bernards form deep emotional connections with their people and are known for patience around children and other pets.
Fun Fact
A legendary Saint Bernard named Barry reportedly saved over 40 lives while working as a rescue dog in the Alps—his story remains one of the most famous in canine history.
4. Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound is a tall, noble breed originally bred to hunt wolves and large game in Ireland. Despite its hunting roots, it’s known for being gentle, patient, and surprisingly quiet at home.
Its impressive height gives it a commanding presence, yet its calm personality makes it an ideal indoor companion. They are often described as “giants with grace.”
Though not highly active, this breed enjoys long daily walks and moderate exercise to maintain muscle and mobility, as noted by WebMD. Afterward, they are content to relax and enjoy quiet time beside their family.
Their wiry, rough coat requires regular brushing to reduce shedding and keep it tidy. The breed’s kind eyes and calm nature make it easy to see why it has long been admired as a noble friend.
Because of their large size, Irish Wolfhounds benefit from supportive bedding and careful attention to joint health throughout their lives.
Fun Fact
Despite being one of the tallest dogs in the world, the Irish Wolfhound is famously gentle—it’s often said they have “the body of a warrior and the heart of a poet.”
5. Cane Corso
The Cane Corso is a powerful Italian mastiff breed that combines athletic strength with remarkable loyalty. Originally bred as a farm guardian and protector, it has a calm yet confident personality that makes it both dependable and devoted.
Despite its large frame, the Cane Corso can adapt to apartment living when provided with consistent training and daily walks. It values structure and thrives on routine, forming strong bonds with its family members.
This breed is intelligent and highly trainable, responding best to firm but kind leadership. Its alert nature and protective instincts make it an excellent watchdog, always aware of its surroundings.
Physically, the Cane Corso’s short, sleek coat and muscular build exude elegance and power. Regular exercise helps maintain its strength and calm temperament indoors.
Because of its strong-willed personality, early socialization is key. With proper guidance, the Cane Corso becomes a loyal, affectionate companion that guards without aggression.
Fun Fact
The name “Cane Corso” translates to “guardian dog” in Latin, reflecting its long history of protecting farms, livestock, and families across Italy.
6. Newfoundland
The Newfoundland is often described as a “gentle giant of the sea,” known for its strength, sweet disposition, and love of water. Originally bred in Canada to assist fishermen, it’s famous for its swimming ability and life-saving instincts.
This large, fluffy breed is calm and patient indoors, making it a surprisingly good fit for apartments with ample daily exercise. Its quiet nature and even temperament make it a wonderful family companion, especially around children.
With its thick, water-resistant coat and powerful frame, the Newfoundland was built for hard work. However, it is equally happy lounging beside its humans, showing affection through quiet companionship.
Because of its size, it benefits from regular grooming and moderate daily walks to stay fit and clean. Despite its mass, the Newfoundland’s gentle heart is what wins people over most.
It’s a breed that thrives on closeness and purpose, showing remarkable empathy and sensitivity toward the emotions of its family.
Fun Fact
Newfoundlands have webbed feet and are strong swimmers, a trait that has made them famous for rescuing drowning sailors and swimmers throughout history.
7. Greyhound
The Greyhound is best known for its sleek build and unmatched speed, yet few realize how relaxed it can be off the track. Nicknamed the “45-mile-per-hour couch potato,” it enjoys comfort and rest as much as a good sprint.
With a slim frame and gentle personality, the Greyhound adapts beautifully to apartment life. It doesn’t need endless exercise—just daily walks and short bursts of play are enough to keep it happy and healthy.
Despite its racing heritage, the breed is calm, affectionate, and loves being part of family life. Its quiet nature and minimal barking make it ideal for city living.
The Greyhound’s coat is short and easy to maintain, requiring little more than regular brushing to keep it smooth and shiny. Its elegant posture and soulful eyes add to its graceful charm.
Social and friendly, the Greyhound gets along well with other dogs and enjoys peaceful companionship with its human family.
Fun Fact
A Greyhound’s vision is among the best in the dog world; it can spot moving objects from up to half a mile away, making it a master of both speed and sight.
FAQs
Which big dog breeds are surprisingly low-maintenance for small spaces?
Breeds like the Great Dane, Greyhound, and Newfoundland are surprisingly good apartment dogs despite their size. These calm, low-maintenance companions stay inactive indoors and adapt well to an apartment setting with enough exercise and occasional brushing.
Are there big dogs that don’t need a lot of daily exercise?
Yes, the Saint Bernard, Bernese Mountain Dog, and Cane Corso are large breed dogs that prefer short walks and mental stimulation over constant activity. Their low energy and affectionate nature make them great companions for many apartments.
How do I prevent my big apartment dog from feeling cramped or restless?
Create a daily routine with long walks, playing fetch, and mental exercise like hide and seek. Dogs love consistency, and keeping your furry friend entertained helps them adjust happily to a small space or a larger couch.
Conclusion
When choosing the best large dog breeds for apartment life, temperament matters more than size. Calm, affectionate dogs are excellent companions for any apartment setting. These surprisingly good apartment dogs stay relaxed, enjoy a daily routine of short walks, and appreciate mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy.
With proper socialization, training tips, and a healthy diet, they adapt beautifully to smaller homes and many apartments without becoming overly active indoors. Big dogs love companionship, sleep deeply, and bring endless joy to dedicated owners.
Other dog breeds such as Basset Hounds, Boston Terriers, and French Bulldogs also make good apartment dogs, thriving on attention, low maintenance care, and affection—proving that a gentle giant or small friend can live a happy life in any space.
