7 Ultimate Giant Dog Breeds Suitable for Apartment Living

So, you love the idea of having a big, fluffy roommate, but live in an apartment or condo? You’re not alone—plenty of dog lovers think large breeds are automatically off the table for small-space living. But here’s the surprising truth: many big dog breeds are actually calmer and quieter than their pint-sized counterparts once they grow out of the puppy stage.

The real key to apartment living with a dog isn’t about square footage—it’s about personality. Dogs that thrive in smaller spaces usually share a few important traits: lower energy needs, a generally quiet nature, and the ability to adapt well through training. In other words, the best apartment dogs are those that can stay relaxed, keep their cool, and roll with the rhythms of life in close quarters.

Of course, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind before bringing a gentle giant into your apartment. Building rules, breed restrictions, and your own lifestyle (hello, daily walks and play sessions!) all play a role.

But if you’ve got the time, love, and commitment, sharing your apartment with a big dog isn’t just possible—it can be downright rewarding. After all, who wouldn’t want a loyal, oversized cuddle buddy waiting at the door after a long day?

Key Takeaways

• Think big dogs can’t handle small spaces? You’ll discover why many gentle giants are calmer, quieter, and often better suited for apartments.

• Get the inside scoop on which giant breeds actually enjoy lounging indoors, need only moderate exercise, and make loving companions even without a backyard.

• Learn the must-know challenges of living with these oversized cuddle buddies, from drool and shedding to grooming and training tips that keep life smooth.

• Find out how to choose the right gentle giant for your lifestyle.

Ultimate Giant Dog Breeds Suitable for Apartment Living

1. Newfoundland

The Newfoundland is one of the largest dog breeds in the world, often weighing up to 150 pounds. Despite their massive size, these gentle giants are calm, sweet-natured, and famously good with children.

This is why they are known as “nanny dogs,” according to AKC. This large breed dog is also affectionate, patient, and protective, making them an excellent family pet.

Why They’re Good for Apartments

• Calm and laid-back indoors

• Adapt well to smaller spaces

• Careful and gentle around furniture and kids

Newfies are not overly active indoors and are even considered one of the “lazier” breeds. This makes them easier to manage in apartments, as long as you provide regular outdoor exercise to prevent obesity and keep them healthy.

Things to Keep in Mind

• Heavy shedding and drooling are common

• Require consistent grooming for their thick coat

• Do best in cooler climates

• Need daily walks despite being low-energy indoors

With proper care, grooming, and a little extra tolerance for drool, Newfoundlands can make surprisingly good apartment companions. Their loving personality, intelligence, and trainability make them not only easy to live with but also a joy to have around.

2. Great Dane

The Great Dane, often called the “gentle giant,” is one of the tallest dog breeds in the world. Despite their intimidating size, they are affectionate, loyal, and famously mellow. These dogs are patient with children, playful with family, and well-behaved indoors.

Why They’re Good for Apartments

• Naturally quiet and laid-back

• Require only moderate daily walks

• Easy-to-maintain short coat

• Adapt well to small spaces despite their size

Great Danes love lounging around the home and are generally inactive indoors. They’re easier to handle than their massive size suggests, but you’ll need a larger couch or bed to keep them comfortable.

Some daily exercise and mental stimulation usually satisfy their exercise needs, and they’ll happily spend the rest of the day snuggling.

Things to Keep in Mind

• Drooling and shedding are common

• Puppies should not be over-exercised to protect their joints

• Need more food and extra-large cleanup bags

• A powerful tail can easily knock over items at home

Gentle, trainable, and friendly, the Great Dane adapts surprisingly well to apartment life. As long as you can manage their size and basic needs, you’ll have one of the most loyal and affectionate companions by your side.

3. Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound is one of the tallest dog breeds in the world, often towering over other dogs. Despite their size, they are known as gentle giants, loved for their calm and friendly nature. They’re affectionate with family, patient with children, and usually polite with strangers and other pets.

Why They’re Good for Apartments

• Calm, quiet, and laid-back indoors

• Easygoing and affectionate with people

• Puppies house-train easily

• Adaptable if given daily walks

Although they take up plenty of physical space, Irish Wolfhounds are surprisingly inactive indoors. They enjoy stretching out at home and are usually content with leisurely walks.

Adult dogs don’t demand constant exercise and won’t fuss if you occasionally skip a walk, though daily outings are important for their health and to avoid unwanted behaviors.

Things to Keep in Mind

• Need early socialization and early training for easier handling

• Puppies should avoid jumping or climbing stairs to protect their joints

• Regular grooming is required to prevent coat matting

• Their large size means you’ll need to step around them in small spaces

With their sweet, gentle personality and easygoing temperament, Irish Wolfhounds can adapt to apartment life. They’re great companions that bring calmness and affection to any home, as long as their basic needs are met.

4. Mastiff

The Mastiff is one of the heaviest and most powerful dog breeds, often weighing well over 100 pounds. Their sheer size can be intimidating, but behind that massive frame is a calm, gentle, and affectionate companion.

Known for being loyal and protective, Mastiffs bond deeply with their families and are famously patient with children.

Why They’re Good for Apartments

• Low energy and inactive indoors

• Not known for excessive barking, making them quiet neighbors

• Loyal, affectionate, and easygoing nature

• Short coat that is easy to maintain

These large apartment dogs are often called “giant couch potatoes.” They have low exercise needs and prefer short daily walks rather than long walks.

As puppies, they can be energetic and even a little destructive without enough exercise, but they mellow out as they mature. Once grown, they become well-suited to smaller living spaces, provided they get light daily exercise.

Things to Keep in Mind

• Drooling is heavy—keep towels handy

• Need early socialization and consistent training

• Puppies should avoid over-exercise to protect their joints

• Their size requires space for a comfy bed or couch

With the right guidance and care, Mastiffs make surprisingly good apartment dogs. They thrive in a loving, calm environment and return that love with loyalty, gentleness, and plenty of quiet companionship.

5. Saint Bernard

The Saint Bernard is one of the world’s most recognizable giant breeds, famous for its history as a rescue dog in the Swiss Alps.

PetMD mentions that these dogs were once trained by monks to find travelers lost in snow, but today they are mostly known as affectionate family companions. Despite their massive size, they are gentle, patient, and loving, especially with children.

Why They’re Good for Apartments

• Calm and relaxed indoors

• Naturally gentle and family-friendly

• Moderate exercise needs

• Intelligent and easy to train

Saint Bernards are protective by nature, so early training and socialization are important to keep their guarding instincts in check. They enjoy short daily walks and time with their family, but are not overly energetic. With their laid-back personality, they are often content to lounge around the home.

Things to Keep in Mind

• Heavy drool is common—keep towels nearby

• A thick double coat requires regular grooming

• Do best in cooler climates

• Need moderate exercise but should avoid over-exertion due to joint risks

With the right balance of love, grooming, and daily activity, Saint Bernards can become one of the best large apartment dogs. They thrive on companionship and bring calm, protective affection to any household.

6. Bernese Mountain Dog

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, strikingly beautiful breed from Switzerland, known for its tri-colored coat and gentle, affectionate nature.

Originally bred as farm dogs, they are strong and hardworking, but at home, they’re patient, friendly, and especially good with children. Berners are known for maturing slowly, often acting playful and puppy-like longer than other breeds.

Why They’re Good for Apartments

• Calm and well-behaved indoors

• Patient, affectionate, and family-friendly

• Intelligent and eager to please

• Enjoy relaxing with their people after exercise

Berners enjoy daily activity but don’t have endless stamina. They thrive with regular walks and mental stimulation, but are just as content to relax at home afterward. While their size can feel a little clumsy in tight spaces, their calm temperament makes them suitable for apartments when their needs are met.

Things to Keep in Mind

• A thick coat that requires frequent grooming, especially in warm climates

• Tend to bark loudly if not trained early

• Need gentle but firm training and socialization

• Prefer cooler weather and outdoor play when possible

With their affectionate nature and balanced energy, Bernese Mountain Dogs are ideal large dog breeds for apartments as long as they receive exercise, grooming, and family time. Their gentle personality makes them loyal and loving companions.

7. Cane Corso

The Cane Corso is a powerful Italian breed with roots tracing back to ancient Roman war dogs. Bred as guardians and farm helpers, their name translates to “bodyguard dog,” as per Britannica.

Known for their loyalty and protective nature, these pups are deeply devoted to their families and make excellent watchdogs. Despite their size and strength, they are calm, quiet, and affectionate companions at home.

Why They’re Good for Apartments

• Calm and relaxed indoors when exercised

• Naturally quiet and not prone to barking

• Loyal and protective with family

• Short coat that is easy to maintain

Cane Corsos can adapt to apartment living as long as their physical and mental needs are met. They require daily walks, play, and plenty of stimulation to prevent boredom. With consistent training and socialization, they are well-mannered indoors and can be surprisingly gentle.

Things to Keep in Mind

• Need an experienced and confident owner

• Strong guarding instincts require early training

• Require plenty of exercise and enrichment

• Large size makes them better suited to bigger apartments

With the right balance of leadership, exercise, and affection, the Cane Corso becomes a loyal and protective companion. For experienced apartment dwellers, they can thrive even in an apartment setting.

Conclusion

Choosing the best large dog breeds for apartment living isn’t just about size—it’s about temperament, energy levels, and lifestyle fit. While small dogs are often the first choice for smaller spaces, most dogs, big or small, can thrive as long as their physical and mental needs are met.

A calm, gentle furry friend who gets regular walks and attention can adapt just as well, if not better, than a tiny pup. After all, giving your dog an outlet for exercise and play helps avoid pent-up energy, and that means a happier, healthier pet and home.

Remember, large breeds may take up more space, but they often need less activity indoors and bring unmatched loyalty and love. Regular exercise helps prevent health problems, and proper training ensures they’re a good match for apartment life.

So, if you’ve been hesitating, there’s a good reason to consider one of these gentle giants. With the right care and attention, your dog will be more than a pet—they’ll be your best friend for life.