Best Dogs For Apartments
There are many dog breeds that do well living in apartments or condominiums. Apartment or condo living requires a dog that is relatively quiet, friendly with other animals and will enjoy exercising with walks around the complex or neighborhood every day.
Check with your landlord or apartment complex manager for approval and any restrictions, such as pet deposits or weight limits. The complex may also have specific rules or requirements that may be in writing or part of your lease agreement. Some complexes offer dog parks and are dog-friendly in general. But not all dogs are ideal. Here we’ll give you the top 10 best dogs for apartments along with their pros and cons but all of these tend to adjust well to small quarters.
Bischon Frise
The Bischon Frise is cute and compact and we already have this one on our Top 10 most affectionate breeds list. But they do have plenty of energy and need daily walks and exercise. In the 14th century, the Spanish sailors brought the Bischon along on their trips to new territories because the dog helped the sailors win over strangers in foreign countries. So the Bischon may help you do the same when meeting your apartment neighbors.
English Bulldog
Considered as a “couch potato”, this stocky guy does not require much exercise. In fact, they tend to overheat quickly so don’t plan to take him on any long jogs. But you need to exercise them some so they don’t become obese. They shed, but less than many other breeds and their fur is short. In 2014, the English Bulldog was the 4th ranked most popular dog.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Another one of our Top 10 Affectionate dog breeds is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This breed is small – only about 1 foot in height and in the range of 13 to 18 lbs. They have a beautiful coat but it requires some work to keep them well groomed. They may also take a little longer to house train than other breeds. They respond best to positive reinforcement training methods. This dog loves people so they will welcome visitors and house guests.
Italian Greyhound
This breed is a small version of the greyhound, weighing in at around 10 pounds. Even though they love to run and play, they still enjoy snoozing on the couch next to you. They are easy to groom and do not shed much. The are sensitive and affectionate toward family members. But if you travel or plan to be away from the apartment a lot, then this breed might not be for you – they do not like being left alone for long periods of time.
Pugs
Pugs make excellent apartment dwellers, weighing only 10-25 pounds. They enjoy brief walks and do not need significant grooming, since they have a short hair coat. They are small, compact and usually happy to spend the day sleeping. Another plus that your neighbors will appreciate, is that the do not tend to be yappie nor bark much.
Chinese Crested Chin
The Chinese Crested Chin is relaxed and easy going. For obvious reasons they do not require much grooming but to the surprise of many, they do shed. This breed does not require much exercise. They bond quickly and will crave your attention. If not socialized earlier and appropriately, they can be stand-offish with strangers.
Havanese
The happy and energetic Havanese will be great for families with active lifestyles. The dog would love an activity like dog agility or flyball. He is extremely social and loves attention. But they can be prone to separation anxiety if left home alone for long periods of time. They usually get along well with other dogs and cats. This breed does extremely well with children – he is gentle yet playful. Making him an ideal choice as one of the best dogs for apartments.
Similar to the English Bulldog, the Frenchie has a friendly and loyal personality but in a smaller with a bit more energy so some exercise and walks are required. The bat-eared dog is easy to train and learns fast with positive reinforcement making him a great companion dog. The breeds popularity is growing quickly – in 2014 they jumped to the 2nd spot as the most poplar dog breed.
First, the Yorkie does have a tendency to bark so they may not be the best dog for apartments with thin walls. The require minimal exercise, a brisk walk or play time should be sufficient. They are loving companion with a big attitude – to underestimate this little guys bravery and determination. Provided they have proper socialization and training they adapt well to apartment living.
The Maltese has a beautiful coat but does not shed excessively. They are a versatile breed – they excel at being therapy dogs and with canine sports like agility. They have plenty of energy so extra walks and playtime is a must. They are smart and easy to train. They are one of the smallest toy breeds – weighing about 7 lbs. They are affection and thrive on being around the family.
