Your apartment can be home to furry roommates, too.
It’s common for apartment dwellers to want a dog, but there’s a lot to consider when deciding what type of dog to get. Apartments come in all sizes and some are better suited for dogs than others. However, the way a dog behaves and how well it can adjust often depends on its breed and not necessarily the space is it in.
Each dog breed has its own qualities that may or may not make it a good choice for apartment living. Some are low energy and don’t need a yard to run around in, or they may have a naturally calm demeanor that makes them a good fit for smaller spaces.
No matter the size of your apartment, rest assured that there’s a dog breed that can live comfortably in it. Here are nine dog breeds that are generally well-suited for apartment living.
Can dogs do well living in apartments?
Dogs are known as “man’s best friend” for a reason — they’re generally fun and just want a good belly rub! Dogs, like humans, can do well in a number of environments, including apartments, as long as their environment accommodates their needs.
However, not all dog breeds are created equal. Some may thrive in certain living environments while others struggle. In general, most dogs can do just fine living in an apartment, but some may need more care and attention to have their needs met, which can be difficult with limited space.
For your dog to live happily in your apartment, make sure you do enough research to know what your dog’s needs are based on its breed and any additional information from a veterinarian. Over time, you’ll see how they react to different things in your apartment and can make adjustments here and there to meet their individual needs as they arise.
Poodles and Doodles
Poodles come in various sizes and are known for their intelligence. One of the benefits of their intelligence is that they are adaptable and able to learn new behaviors based on their environment. They don’t require a lot of exercise — going on walks is usually enough to get their energy out and keep them healthy. They are low-shedding, so they don’t make a mess with their fur, and typically don’t bark much.
Greyhounds
Greyhounds are known for their calm, gentle demeanor and can be good apartment dogs as long as they get enough exercise. They do have a lot of energy, so it’s important that they get outside on walks and have the chance to sprint a few times each week. They are fairly low-shedding and quiet, making them a good fit for apartments as they won’t bark a lot and bother neighbors.
Basset Hounds
Basset Hounds are often depicted in movies as lazy dogs that hang out on the porch all day, and it’s partially true! They are low-energy dogs that are content to lounge around the house all day without being entertained. With this, they are calm and gentle — the biggest downside is that they drool a bit, so you may need to keep a cloth handy to clean up their slobber. They may howl if they are distressed, but this doesn’t often occur, so you should be fine as long as they know you’re around to help them when needed.
Bichon Frises
Bichon Frises are small, fluffy dogs that are known to be very friendly and playful. They are low-maintenance and don’t require a lot of exercise, but they do require human attention and like to bond with those they live with. Bichon Frises are good family dogs and do well with kids, so if you’ve got a family in a small apartment, this dog will thrive and not get too irritated by constantly being around people in a smaller home.
French Bulldogs
French Bulldogs are small, energetic dogs that do require some exercise to curb their energy, but they’re fairly well-suited for apartment living. They are good with kids and are generally calm and well-behaved, making them a good choice for families living in an apartment.
Boston Terriers
Boston Terriers are small, but energetic, yet are good apartment dogs. They’ll need a little exercise or they tend to get irritated and may run around the apartment to spend some of their energy. They are intelligent, friendly and easy to train, making them a good choice for first-time dog owners and easy to live within an apartment.
Shih Tzus
Shih Tzus are small and very affectionate. While they are low-maintenance overall, they do require some attention and affection from their owners, which can work well for families with young children that like to cuddle and pet dogs all day long. They don’t need much exercise or space to run around, so they’re good for apartment dwellers.
Maltese
Maltese dogs are small, gentle and love affection. They do well being around people and other dogs. They’re easy to train, which is great for first-time dog owners, and they need medium to low amounts of exercise — walks throughout the week should be enough to keep them happy. They don’t take up a lot of room themselves and can do fine in small apartments.
Pomeranians
Pomeranians are small yet pack in lots of energy! Even with ample energy, they don’t need an excessive amount of exercise and they can do fine with walks each day. They’re smart and friendly, so you don’t need to worry about them hurting anyone or getting too worked up when meeting neighbors and strangers. Pomeranians train well and can be trained to live comfortably in an apartment of any size.
Each dog is unique
It’s important to note that every dog has its own needs and behaves differently — just like people do! The dog breeds mentioned above are a few that do well in apartments, but there are others that can do well.
The things we mentioned about each breed are general guidelines and every dog of these breeds may act slightly differently based on a number of factors. With that, we always suggest doing your research and consulting with a veterinarian or a professional dog trainer before bringing a new dog into your home.
Source: rent.com