Property prices are rising, and it’s no wonder that more and more people are renting apartments or buying compact homes. But the idea of adopting a pet never leaves our minds, even if our homes get smaller.
Cherry on top, some dogs do not mind home size until they are getting enough space in your heart. Yes, you have guessed it right, the small dog breeds that are not only adorable but also apartment-friendly.
These little dogs live longer than large dogs, and what else could a pet parent ask for? They are cute, loving, playful, active, and also lazy. Every dog differs from others in their personality traits, grooming, and exercise needs.
Here are the top 10 adjustable dog breeds that are happy in small spaces. Read to find a dog that you resonate with and can take care of.
Tiny Dog Breeds That Are Happy in Small Spaces
1. Chihuahua
Chihuahua is a high-energy dog with a loving, sassy, and affectionate nature. This small dog adapts to apartments due to their small size and moderate exercise requirements.
You can easily meet their daily exercise needs with indoor walking and fetching. Chis loves their favourite people and prefers to be around them. The tiny dog is perfect for families with kids if they are properly trained.
Honestly, sometimes they forget how small they are and try to become little Nepoleans. It’s easy to train with positive reinforcement, like rewards and treats, with every command they follow.
That being said, Chihuahua can have a short or long coat, so their grooming needs vary. However, they do shed moderately throughout the year and require daily brushing for long coats and weekly for short coats.
2. Pomeranian
Pomeranian is a lively little dog with short legs, a square body and a double fluffy coat. Poms have a history of downsizing in Pomerania, as per the AKC.
This is a one-man breed that has its favorites in a family and likes spending time with them. They are loving and affectionate dogs, which makes them perfect for families with children.
Pom is a lapdog that enjoys apartment life due to their small size and moderate exercise needs. A short walk around the block is more than enough. With that being said, their coat moderately sheds year-round and requires frequent grooming to keep it in shape.
You have to brush them 2 to 3 times a week or maybe daily when their seasonal blowing starts. But never shave their coat because it will not grow properly, and can cause damage to their skin too.
3. Maltese
Maltese is a gentle, active, and affectionate-natured dog that looks super adorable with a white coat and black button eyes. People often say it looks like a marshmallow and a walking cloud.
Malthese dogs are happy with indoor play and a short walk, which makes them perfect for compact homes. They are also known as “Ye Anciet Dogge of Malta” as they were bred in the Mediterranean island of Malta. You may be surprised, but they also have their tombs in Greece and statues in Egypt, as per Purina.
So yeah, they were quite popular back then and still among city dwellers. Mateses have long, silky coats that require frequent grooming and brushing to remove loose hairs. They are often called hypoallergenic, though no one is 100% allergic free, but they shed less.
4. Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier is an intelligent, loving, and bossy dog breed with a single long coat. They are relatively energetic and demand 15 to 30 minutes of daily walks for mental stimulation.
Yorkies were bred to chase rodents in textile mills, but soon became lapdogs due to their small size. And that’s the reason they adjust well to apartments.
That being said, they are quite easy to train but sometimes get stubborn. So use treats and positive reinforcement techniques to keep them engaged.
Yorkies bark a lot as they are watchdogs, but you can train them not to do so. Plus, they are prone to cold in winters and require sweaters so be ready to shop for them.
5. Toy Poodle
The Toy Poodle is a smart and intelligent dog breed with a curly coat. This small-sized pup requires little exercise to stay active, as it is a low-energy dog, and that’s what makes it perfect for small apartments.
This little doggy does not shed much, but is not 100% allergy-free, obviously. Pet parents often go for a continental cut, where the fur from the legs is removed, or a puppy cut to shorten the overall fur.
Toy Poodle requires frequent grooming every four to six weeks, so these hairstyles help maintain it over time. Plus, you have to brush their coat daily, especially if it’s not trimmed to remove tangles. With that being said, Poodles are actually easy to train due to their eager-to-please nature.
6. Japanese Chin
Japanese Chin has always been a topic of debate due to its complex history. Some people say their origin is China, while others say it’s in Korea, so their homeland is actually unknown. They have a super affectionate, fun-loving, and playful nature.
This calm dog breed loves being around their owners but may not be comfortable around strangers at first meeting. This has low to moderate energy, and it’s “cat-like,” which makes it perfect for apartment living.
Like many other pets, they also enjoy going for short walks and playing fetch indoors. That being said, the Japanese Chin has single long silky fur that requires frequent grooming sessions. You also have to brush them 2 to 3 times a week because they shed moderately.
7. Brussels Griffon
You might have seen Verdell in the hit movie “As Good as it Gets,” and that’s none other than a Brussels Griffon. This little puppy is full of personality with human-like expressions and fur all over its body.
They adjust well anywhere until they are getting the love and attention, as they are Velcro dogs. This apartment dog is active for short walks and playing indoors. This loyal pup doesn’t like to be left alone and is easy to train with positive reinforcement.
The Brussels Griffon has two types of coat: rough wiry and a short smooth coat. The rough coat requires handstripping for 4 to 8 weeks and weekly brushing. Whereas smooth coats shed relatively more than rough coats.
8. Biewer Terrier
Getting a Biewer Terrier is just like adopting a baby. They are always curious and eager to investigate their surroundings. They are “fun-loving and child-like,” as per PetMD.
This intelligent pup loves apartment life until their moderate exercise needs are met. They are energetic and always ready to solve problems that they might create themselves while running around the home.
You have to be patient when training Biewers because they are Terriers after all, and an independent nature is innate. Socialize them at a young age and train them creatively, plus don’t forget to treat them at the end.
With that being said, Terriers have long, low-shedding, silky coats but require frequent grooming sessions to maintain them. Plus, they require daily brushing if the hair is long and tri-weekly if short.
9. Affenpinscher
Affenpinscher is also known as Monkey dog, ape terrier, and mustached little devil. This tiny pup is entertaining, loyal, and affectionate toward their owners.
They have moderate exercise needs but once they are met, they like to be full-time couch potatoes. And that’s what makes them the best apartment dogs.
Affenpinscher is good to have if you are a first-time owner, as they bond well. That being said, they have a wiry and coarse coat that requires daily brushing and frequent professional grooming services.
10. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu was originally bred as a furry companion, and they still hold the same spot. These lapdogs are small, affectionate, and loving pups that adjust to compact homes.
They don’t ask for much, but just a short walk and you’ve just made their day. The Shih Tzu is a friendly dog with low energy levels, but it barks a lot, so make sure to train them well.
That being said, they have a long coat that can be styled as a puppy cut or a show coat. They require regular brushing and grooming every 4 to 6 weeks to maintain that soft coat.
Conclusion
The above-mentioned dog breeds don’t mind the space you live in until you give them a space in your heart. Yes, they are apartment dogs, but they do differ in grooming, exercise, and brushing needs.
So read the details to find a pet that meets your lifestyle, and you think you can take care of. Some of them are high maintenance in terms of grooming, while others shed year-round, so the choice is yours.
