As housing costs keep climbing, more people are turning to shared living spaces or small apartments to keep things affordable. City life in a tiny living space has its share of pros and cons, and you might be wondering if adopting a pet could actually make it more enjoyable.
Some dogs are built for leaping across rough terrain, exploring big farms, and romping around spacious yards. Others, the more adaptable, small breeds, are just as happy accompanying apartment dwellers through cozy indoor living and trotting alongside them on city sidewalks.
Whether you’re settled in the city or thinking about homesteading, it’s worth making sure your dog can actually thrive in your living conditions. Dogs that do well in small spaces tend to be compact, adaptable, friendly by nature, and okay with medium to minimal exercise.
If that sounds like the kind of pet you’re after, this guide will walk you through some great apartment dog breeds to help you find the right one for you.
Perfect Dog Breeds for Tiny Living Quarters
1. Pomeranian
Pomeranians are small dogs with a fox-like face and ears, and a gorgeous fuzzy coat. They’re believed to be related to hardy and resilient Arctic dogs and are also called “Zwergspitz”, according to Purina. They were brought to England from Italy by Queen Victoria in 1888 and became popular there quite soon.
Pomeranians or “Poms” are high-spirited dogs with a comical, yet loyal nature. They might just look like stuffed toys, but they’re ideal companions no matter where you live. They make one of the best apartment dogs; they’re smart and trainable, but also stay happy and healthy with some indoor play and short walks outdoors.
Whether you need a cuddle buddy for your apartment life, or a companion for your family, Pom won’t disappoint you. These pups live well with children, as long as the children are old enough not to mistreat this doggo.
Poms also do well in different canine activities like agility, obedience, and playing fetch, etc. However, these clever pooches have the brains and size to escape through small openings; make sure to watch out for this habit.
2. Toy Poodle
Poodles are the ultimate, fancy, urban dogs with their stylish, curly coats and a never-ending fondness for playing and socializing. If you want all the perks of a Standard Poodle in a smaller package, the Toy Poodle is a variety that makes one of the perfect apartment dogs for urban dwellers.
Poodles were originally developed as duck hunting dogs in Germany; their water-friendly coat exists in the Toy version as well. With a water-repellent coat, these pooches make good swimming partners, but for the smaller dogs, some watchfulness is important.
Your Toy Poodle will live amiably with you in any small space, as long as you’re taking it for outdoor adventures like dog parks and daily walks. These toy doggos have a huge personality, so life won’t be dull with them even in tiny quarters.
These pooches are hypoallergenic dogs, which means they’re a great fit for you if you have dog allergies. Their thick coat does need regular grooming; from combing and bathing them yourself to taking them to a professional groomer, these activities will help you bond with your pet.
3. Shih Tzu
Being the pet parent of a Shih Tzu will make your life feel luxurious, even in a tiny quarter; this dog’s joyful personality and lush, long, and silky coat make it one of the most desired apartment pets. These Tibetan toy dogs were intentionally bred to look like “little lions”, and have lived with Chinese Imperial rulers, as per PetMD.
One of the best dog breeds for apartment dwellers, Shih Tzus are sociable and adaptable pets that make the ultimate companions. Spending a lot of alone time isn’t for them; from cuddling with their humans to coexisting nicely with other pets, Shih Tzus are sweet little social butterflies.
Shih Tzus need proper training from when they’re puppies to grow to be obedient and balanced pets; otherwise, they might end up developing habits like digging and excessive barking.
Grooming these divas can itself feel like a privilege. These beautiful dogs have long coats that can feel amazing to brush and bathe, but you can also trim them short or tie them up in a topknot.
4. Pug
If you want some extra cuteness in your life, the Pug is the right dog breed for you. This breed is well-known for its sturdy body, wrinkled face, and lots of loose skin; all features that make it very huggable. Pugs are dogs with the most loving and calm nature and won’t cause you any trouble as long as they’re being taken care of.
Pugs are believed to be a Chinese dog breed that was brought to England by the end of the 17th century by Dutch traders, according to Britannica. Nowadays, they are loved as family pets that also make excellent apartment dogs with minimal exercise needs.
Pugs are brachycephalic dogs, likely to suffer from issues like snoring and breathing difficulties. Staying indoors is great for their health, especially in hot weather, as long as they are being kept cool. Give them some toys to play with, as they’ll be as excited as if they’ve won the lottery.
While cuddling with these pooches is strongly recommended for a happier living, if you decide to play fetch with them, don’t be shocked if they don’t return the balls. Water-based activities are not for these pups, but they will enjoy some brief walks outdoors (but make sure they don’t overheat).
5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
If you live in shared, close quarters, get a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as your loving furry companion. This dog can’t just stay calm indoors, but as a people-oriented dog, also can enchant everyone in their territory. Cavs have been popular with royals like King Charles I and his son, King Charles II, and still carry a regal and elegant vibe with them.
These dogs are considered the largest spaniels, yet their size is still great for compact homes and apartment settings. They need little exercise to stay in good health, but they’re not lazy dogs and will enjoy different activities with their human family members or solo owners.
Their sociable nature extends to animals as well; from getting along well with humans to other dogs, these pups aren’t even scared of the larger dogs, according to Orvis. They bond closely with their humans, which makes them wonderful companions to keep by your side during lazy afternoons and cozy evenings.
Cavs don’t appreciate harsh treatment, and can be trained well with positive reinforcement methods. Even when they’re playing with children, make sure the children have been taught to treat their doggo nicely.
6. Havanese
Havanese is another adaptable dog breed, too pretty to ignore, and a great apartment dog with its manageable size. They’re really popular with city dwellers in the U.S., according to AKC.
They have sturdy little bodies, which make them good companions to take out on short walks in parks or on the sidewalks, which will keep both you and your dog healthy.
Havanese are natives to Cuba and have also been called the Havana Silk Dogs; their silky coat is one of the traits that enchants their fanciers. Apart from regular grooming to keep their coat healthy, these intelligent doggos need mental stimulation, which can be achieved with puzzle toys and other games.
Despite their calm demeanor, Havanese need to be properly trained if they’re going to be kept in small spaces, as these doggos tend to bark. Separation anxiety can be a concern if you’re likely to leave them alone for long periods of time.
They love lounging close to their pet parents, which makes them great companions if you live alone. They’re well-behaved and friendly even with children and other dogs, but need to be watched when playing to avoid any injuries.
7. French Bulldog
French Bulldog is one of the most adaptable small dog breeds you can imagine as a companion for the apartment lifestyle. They have a very comical look (that matches their personality), with triangular ears, a big, square head, and a small, stocky body with loose skin.
From carrying them in your lap to letting them lounge next to you as you read your favorite book, Frenchies are the ideal companions for a cozy lifestyle.
French Bulldogs became popular in France during the Industrial Revolution and stole the hearts of visiting Americans during the 19th century. Nowadays, they’re one of the most loved and pampered pets in the U.S., cherished both by families and solo owners alike.
These ultimate lap dogs have a brachycephalic face; expect to hear a lot of wheezing and snoring if you bring this pup home. These dogs aren’t just the ultimate urban companions; they help you make quite the style statement when socializing, as these pooches are never out of style.
Taking care of a Frenchie’s coat is quite easy, as they shed very little; some quick brushing and occasional bathing is enough. Their faces need more care; keep them clean and dry so these pups don’t develop any infections in the facial folds.
Conclusion
Adaptable and sweet-tempered, these small indoor pets can make any type of lifestyle a little more luxurious with their regal presence. Make sure to adopt them from a reputable breeder or your local rescue center (which can make adoption more affordable as well).
