Life in an apartment has its own pros and cons, and if you are the one who cannot live in an apartment without your canine friend, we’ve got you. If you have enough time to make up for your dog’s needs, any size of dog can be trained to live with you.
Fortunately, we have a list of dog breeds that can thrive in apartments without making any chaos. Small dogs are calm, quiet, and friendly, who share a deep bond with their favorite ones and entertain all. The owners shouldn’t neglect the mental stimulation of these tiny pooches; otherwise, they vocalize more to get attention.
The key thing to consider is the temperament of your dog, combining the pet parent’s routines. With a thoughtful decision, you can have a happy pal in your cozy spaces. You can opt for the breeds that we are going to describe if you are working from home, a busy professional, or suffer from dog allergies.
Fun Fact: Apartment dogs can have their naps through city noise like pros. Whether it’s traffic, neighbors, or distant horns, they often sleep right through it all.
Dog Breeds Suited to Compact Urban Homes
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
One of the most famous dog breeds, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are renowned for their affectionate nature and a history as royal dogs. Britain’s royalty has so much enjoyed this dog’s temperament that it got its name from the King’s son.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are friendly dogs with high adaptability, turning any environmental situations into their advantage. Their easy-going personalities, when fused with smartness, make them an ideal canine pooch for novice pet parents.
Being a small dog breed, Cavaliers do not need ample spaces or extensive exercise needs. These low-energy dogs can easily fit into apartment living if provided with short walks and play sessions with their favorite ones. Cavies get along beautifully with children and other pets, thriving as great companions.
2. Maltese
The Maltese is a small white breed that is not only considered a beautiful, charming furry friend but also a great lap dog. Maltese dogs were originally bred for companionship, and today, with a compact size and gentle nature, these dogs can easily live in an apartment, making them the right choice for city dwellers.
Maltese carry a playful yet calm persona, which is why their exercise needs are quite low. They crave constant human interaction and mental engagement. If these sensitive dogs are left alone for a long time, they develop separation anxiety, leading to excessive barking.
The hypoallergenic coats of these canine companions are a desirable attribute, as they do not shed much and are safe for those people who are suffering from dog allergies. Loving Maltese share deep bonds with their owners, but still, they need proper training and early socialization to behave well.
3. French Bulldog
The French Bulldog is a calm, easygoing breed and one of the top choices for apartment living. Their compact size, affectionate nature, and relaxed temperament make them well-suited to smaller, confined spaces.
With low energy needs and minimal space requirements, French Bulldogs are widely regarded as excellent apartment-friendly dogs—and they proudly earn their place on that list.
Although these dogs adapt well to urban living, they thrive when given opportunities to express their playful side and often enjoy competing in canine sports, according to the American Kennel Club. Therefore, mental and physical stimulation is vital for them to enjoy a healthy and happy companionship.
Frenchies are adorable pups with wrinkled skin and are prone to skin-related health problems if they are not kept hygienic and moisture-free. Do not be fooled by their tiny frames, as they are big personalities inside, and training Frenchies at a young age is necessary to make them well-mannered adult dogs.
4. Papillon
Have you ever heard of a butterfly dog? Papillon is a French word that means butterfly, and this dog got its name due to the shape of its ears, just like a butterfly. Papillon is a toy breed that is celebrated as a great family dog for apartment life, thanks to its lively and friendly demeanor.
Papillons generally get along with everyone but are loyal dogs towards their favorite humans. To nurture sociable behavior more, early introductions to people and different kinds of situations are important for a new pup, as mentioned by PDSA.
While they enjoy being the center of attention at every gathering, these spunky canine companions also thrive as athletic breeds, excelling in running and agility. Eager to please and highly trainable, Papillons are an excellent choice for first-time dog owners and those adjusting to city living, offering an adaptable nature that suits both new pet parents and urban environments.
5. Bichon Frise
You will find a rare cocktail of love, fluffiness, and entertainment in a Bichon Frise. They are one of the best dog breeds for city life because Bichon Frises are not overly demanding in terms of exercise needs and space requirements.
Owing to its adaptable nature, this small breed can seamlessly fit into small apartments if provided with moderate daily exercise, including a short stroll around the neighborhood. This adorable package of cuteness does not make a mess on your furniture with its fur, another reason to call it an apartment-friendly breed.
Bichon Frise dogs do bark when they interact with some unusual surroundings. This behavior can easily be taught if you start their training early, kudos to their strong desire to please owners. These intelligent dogs should be kept busy with mental stimulation via different toys and learning something new.
6. Havanese
An ancient breed with a rich and appealing history, the Havanese proudly holds the title of Cuba’s national dog today. This small breed is believed to have originated on the island of Tenerife in the early 16th century, arriving in Cuba with Spanish or Italian sea captains. Over time, the Havanese became a cherished companion of Cuba’s aristocracy, admired for both its charm and elegance.
Today, these dogs are still cherished with the same enthusiasm and care as they used to have in the past. Despite having a history of living in big houses, these dogs also thrive in urban life, where most of us share limited spaces. They are highly compatible in homes with other pets and younger children.
Havanese has laid back temperament, so its energy levels can easily be met by any apartment dweller. However, they require regular grooming due to long, silky coats that develop tangles and mats if not brushed on a daily basis, as highlighted by PetMD.
7. Pug
Pugs are brachycephalic dogs, meaning they do not tolerate excessive heat and face difficulty in breathing if exercised in a hot environment. Adding more to their attributes, Pugs are sweet and amiable dogs who are perfectly content in the coziness of small spaces as well.
This indoor dog breed depends on responsible pet ownership who should be aware of their health conditions. When it comes to their exercise needs, remember to keep them healthy mentally, bring some interactive toys and entertaining play sessions instead of outdoor walks, if the climate is too hot.
Like some other dogs, Pugs are not a yappy breed. They are easy to train, but sometimes appear independent during training time. However, with positive reinforcement methods, they respond well.
8. Shih Tzu
Little lions who were discovered to watch over the Buddhists’ homes and then favored by Chinese royalty, and todayare enjoying a sedentary lifestyle where they enjoy snuggling and lounging. Shih Tzu is an irresistible small canine for any dog lover, and yes, they adaptto apartment living happily.
Shih Tzus form strong bonds with loved ones and also stay alert even if going to take a dose of sleep. They are tiny, mighty, and the best dog breed, making a wonderful option for people of all ages. Long living, playful Shih Tzu is adored by many of us, and also is low maintenance except for its coat.
Their coat that does not shed excessively needs a bit of attention from dog owners, as daily brushing and visits to a professional groomer are mandatory. Since Shih Tzus were used as watchdogs who alert their owners by their barks, socialize and train them at puppyhood to keep them quiet and well-mannered.
9. Dachshund
Big couch potatoes, petite and fun-loving Dachshund is a better choice for apartment living. Nevertheless, this toy breed has one attribute which sometimes makes dog owners’ decision questionable, that is its loud and deep bark.
A Dachshund can be trained for vocalization, but if you want to abolish this behavior altogether, it is not possible. Since these canines were bred for badger hunting, they can chase after the rats in your house happily. Make sure Dachshunds do not jump, as they quickly develop back injuries.
Avoid high-energy related tasks, and introduce them with other sports that involve the brain. Regular exercise, such as daily walks in short intervals, is also vital for keeping their muscles strong and healthy. Dachshunds have a strong prey drive and are not suitable for multi-pet households.
Conclusion
All dog breeds for apartment living need a certain type of training to learn things and manners that will ultimately pay off the dog owners in the long run. Other than this, dogs also thrive when they are aware of their structured routine, including feed, walk, and play time.
All the measures that you would take for your furry friend will reward you with love and devotion of a calm canine and nurturing a better neighborhood. The breeds we have mentioned are perfect as apartment dogs, but choosing the right breed definitely depends on your lifestyle.
