Dogs are the perfect companion when living in an apartment. As exciting as it is to add a furry friend into your life, research is essential to find what breed fits into your lifestyle. We have created a list of the top ten dog breeds for apartment living. Our list includes all of small, medium, and large sizes, to help you find the best fit for your apartment life!
Best Small-Size Dog Breeds for Apartments
Dachshund
Commonly known as the “wiener dog” because of its long back, these dogs are adorable and easily fit into an apartment lifestyle. These dogs have peppy personalities and a mighty bark. This type of dog fits well into an active lifestyle because they need to maintain strength for their tiny legs and long bodies. Just don’t expect them to keep up on a run or jog with their short legs!
Yorkiepoo
These are some of the common breeds you may see as “purse dogs.” These peppy dogs need attention and a light amount of exercise. This is also a great breed for those with allergies. However, they are susceptible to multiple different health issues.
Boston Terrier
Not only does this breed have great social skills, but they also do not bark too much (your neighbors will greatly appreciate this). They are also fairly easy to train, have short and smooth coats, and big eyes. Their main health concern is their eyes, which will need to be checked every day.
French Bulldog
This is the perfect dog for those who want a low-maintenance fur baby. These dogs do not like the heat and do not like to exercise much because of their noses, which are more smushed into their faces than other breeds. However, these dogs can be stubborn and require training. They also have the potential for hip and eye issues down the road.
Best Medium-Size Dog Breeds for Apartment Living
Corgi
These are a great family dog with lots of fur to cuddle with. These dogs do need to be exercised to avoid obesity to avoid too much weight on their short legs, making them most compatible with active and outgoing owners. A little training would also be helpful, as they tend to be stubborn and possessive.
Shar-Pei
This dog is cool as a cucumber; it does not bark very much and tends to be calm. They also do not require much exercise. These dogs also have an adorable, wrinkly, rolled face with small eyes. These are not the best fit for a first-time dog owner and will require some training for social settings.
Cocker Spaniel
This is another social breed that will need attention. Grooming is important to keep up with because of their long coats and ears. This is also a social breed, requiring playtime and a social life. These dogs tend to be fairly healthy and live long lives.
Best Large-Size Dog Breeds for Apartments
Great Dane
With a lot of love comes a lot of drool and a big, lanky body. Great Danes are a great family dog with a calm temperament and do not need much exercise. However, these dogs are massive and can easily get over 100 pounds, so they need a decent space made for them in an apartment to be comfortable. They also tend to live shorter lives because of their size.
Golden Retriever
This is one of the most common dog breeds for many reasons, ranging from their size to their emotional intelligence. These dogs are the perfect cuddle buddy and require lots of attention, along with a decent amount of exercise. The furry coat comes with heavy attention to grooming. These dogs tend to shed a lot, some combing them every day will prevent the buildup of fur around your apartment.
Bernese Mountain Dog
These dogs can easily adapt to different environments and stimuli, making them fairly easy to train and great for those who tend to move apartments frequently. They are also social dogs with energy that needs attention. Their furry black, brown, and white coats need grooming attention to stay detangled and soft.
These are just ten of the dog breeds that would thrive in apartment living. Make sure you put in the research to see what breed works best with your lifestyle, space, and finances. Check out some tips for keeping your dog happy in your apartment!
