Apartment life isn’t demanding; it just has its own norms that every apartment resident has to follow. It is necessary for everyone’s peace and to maintain the decorum of living in a building or apartment.
There would be many people who would enjoy seeing your breed, but there is a possibility that many others would freak out. This is where having a calm-tempered breed is reliable: you enjoy living with the pet, and nobody is bothered.
However, choosing a gentle-demeanor dog isn’t enough alone; there are some other factors that are mandatory in this regard, such as spending plenty of time, making sure there’s a spacious area for the dog to stretch its legs, going for walks, training, and toilet setup, etc.
If all of these checks are on point, then there’s nothing that can stop you from enjoying life with your dog. So, let’s explore seven dog breeds that remain calm indoors and can be your ideal dog.
Calm Dog Breeds for Peaceful Apartment Living
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
When we talk about a gentle, affectionate, and loving dog, this breed pops into our minds immediately. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small companion dog that weighs 13-18 pounds, and because of its sweet and graceful nature, it chooses to bond closely with its owner.
Back in the day, it was bred to warm laps, whereas today it also qualifies for apartment living because of its adaptable nature. This small dog thrives on human interaction, which can be provided through spending time with it, grooming its smooth and long coat, training, and daily exercise of about half an hour.
Socialization is important for this breed to stay comfortable in new situations, and it also helps it to act nicely with other dogs and cats.
2. Greyhound
Considering the size of the Greyhound, it might not be a good fit for apartment living, but because of its lower exercise needs, adaptability, and choosing to remain calm indoors brings it here. It is a large breed that weighs about 60-70 pounds and is known for its sweet personality at home.
Earlier, it was bred for hunting, but today its adaptability makes it a good choice for active pet parents as well. Moreover, to keep it happy, it demands mental stimulation that can be provided with an hour of exercise, followed by consistent training to have a well-behaved dog and prevent boredom.
PetMD writes, Greyhound gets excited to see new people and environments, so socialization is important and creating a space where it could run freely.
3. Clumber Spaniel
The Clumber Spaniel is a long and low-slung, large and heavy-bodied breed that is known for its gentle, loyal, dignified, and great-hearted temperament. It weighs 55–85 pounds and thrives in a calm household because of its relaxed personality. Also, it does not have an excessive barking habit, which contributes, too.
Although it has a laid-back personality, it enjoys outdoor activities. It needs an hour of exercise daily, followed by walks and play sessions. Some of the fun activities it enjoys are: hiking, swimming, and obedience games, etc. It also has an interest in hunting, which is why consistent training based on positive reinforcement methods is encouraged.
But owners will have to keep a check on its grooming, as its flat and dense coat sheds a lot; it requires regular brushing to prevent matting and keep the house clean.
4. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is a small, cute, and affectionate companion dog that weighs 9-16 pounds and is known for its big personality. It is called a little lion dog because the history describes it as bred to look like lions. However, today this toy dog, because of its easygoing temperament and small size, makes a great dog for apartment life.
Orvis says that the Shih Tzu enjoys meeting new people, especially when they give it extra attention and love. In this regard, owners must focus on early socialisation and consistent training to have a well-mannered dog. Also, daily half an hour of exercise is important to keep it in good shape, as it is prone to obesity.
While it is a small and enjoyable breed, the owner will have to give extra time to its coat and face grooming because its long hair grows quickly.
5. Whippet
The Whippet is a gentle, quiet, sweet-tempered, and calm dog that weighs 25-40 pounds. It enjoys the balance of both: exercise and time to relax. Despite being a high-energy breed, it still qualifies as an apartment dog. As an athletic dog, it enjoys outdoor activities too, but you will find it calm indoors.
Also, it is among the popular breeds that are suitable for first-time owners too because of its sweet temperament and relaxing habit. It requires an hour of exercise daily, followed by fun activities like nose work, barn hunting, and dock diving, says PDSA. So, just as exercising is important, likewise, training based on positive reinforcement methods is also necessary.
Whippet is a dog that is popular for racing and actively participating in other sporting activities, which is why owners must ensure it gets to stretch and exercise in an open space or big room.
6. Pekingese
The Pekingese is a little dog with a lively personality; it is known for its intelligent, affectionate, good-natured, and loyal nature. It was bred to live in palaces, which clearly explains that it remained calm indoors, and even today, it is in its blood. It weighs up to 14 pounds and will keep the owner loaded with lots of love and licks.
Although it is a small breed, it is quite independent, which can make training a bit challenging. So, patience is the key, and a daily consistent routine with interactive sessions is encouraged. Also, daily exercise is needed to keep this fluffy dog healthy.
Whether it’s training or exercising, the owner must keep a check that the Pekingese is not overheating. And it is called a one-man dog, so make sure you socialize it properly to avoid behavioral issues.
7. Basset Hound
The Basset Hound is one of the cutest dogs and is known for its sweet and loving nature. It is a short and sturdy dog that weighs 40–65 pounds, and was bred to hunt rabbits and hares. But today, because of its adaptable nature and its habit of remaining relaxed indoors make it a good apartment companion.
Having this breed around ensures a smooth and fun living experience because it enjoys interacting with other dogs, pets, and children. For this reason, it is also called “The Clown of the canine world”. However, it still needs daily exercise, followed by scent walks, agility training, etc.
As it is a breed that welcomes everyone excitedly, it is important to focus on its early socialization. And it could get vocal, so this habit needs to be controlled.
Conclusion
Just as a living space matters to mankind, likewise it is important for a dog. To relax, to eat, and to make an owner comfortable with its presence, the space it gets to live in matters. However, to initiate calm behavior in a dog, proper training, regular exercise, and proper care are important.
Also, whether you live in a small apartment or in a separate home, if you form strong bonds and train the breed properly, it will live smoothly.
Secondly, the list of dog breeds of different sizes enables us to understand that any size of dog, regardless of its energy level, can suit apartment life; only taking care of its necessities is what counts.
