The 26 Best Dogs for Apartments and Small Spaces

Apartment dwellers have option — and not all are teeny tiny pups . Here are some breed to view if your menage is a little outer space with neighbors nearby .

The in force click for apartments are dogs that can thrive in smaller space while meeting the needs of their pet parent . Some hoi polloi look for a dog that need little exercise and can live quietly and happily in an apartment or condo . Others require a dog that can go out and be active with them on weekends without feeling cramp or unhappy during the work workweek .

We spoke with a veterinarian about choosing the good dog for apartment life . Here are 25 of the good apartment dog and how to pick the correct one for you .

happy looking bichon frise dog

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How to Find the Best Apartment Dog

No specific domestic dog breed isthe bestfor apartments , but some do better in small spaces than others . Apartment size , location , and even your neighbors can all become factors in determining what kind of click suit your situation . disregarding of your lifestyle , there ’s certain to be a dog that can fulfil on the nose the purpose you need while still living comfortably in your apartment .

" large dogscanlive blithely in an flat , " says Dennis Riordan , DVM , of theRiordan Pet Hospitalin Des Moines , Iowa . " But they ’re going to take more compromise from their owner . " ask to drop more sentence onwalks , breeding , and giving your dog the mental and physical utilisation they involve .

Bichon Frise

One of the most affable , adorable breeds on the planet , the bichon frise is a glad - go - favorable people - pleaser who is easily one of the adept apartment dogs . While they can make excellentagility competition dogs , they ’re also more than happy to drop long stretches quietly on the couch . And at around 15 pounds , they ’re not snuff it to keep your downstairs neighbor on edge .

Greyhound

We cognize , it seems counterintuitive for the dog kingdom ’s fastest fellow member to make a list of best apartment bounder . But here ’s the arcanum about greyhounds : they have two speeds , sprinting and napping . So while they are happily going to accentuate your active life style on weekends and eventide , life inside your urban dwelling should still be hunky - dory . Greyhounds are incrediblylow - maintenance , so they ’re great for busy the great unwashed who require to pass their limited clock time doing play body process .

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles spaniel parents will tell you these remarkable little guys are the consummate family positron emission tomography . Quiet , calm , and downhearted - maintenance , chevalier make just about the perfect flat dog . These improbably levelheaded , profoundly loyal trivial dogs are quiet , favorable , and diminished enough to fit into even the coziest of studios with ease .

Bulldog

These sturdy fireplugs may not be your first guess when it come to the best apartment dogs , thanks to their gruff appearing and heavy systema skeletale , but bulldogs be given to be extremely leisurely , couch - friendly dogs who adjust well to apartment animation . A twosome of caution to consider though : Bulldogs can have a difficult clock time with extreme in high temperaturesdue to their categorical faces . And if they are n’t trained not to alert barque , your neighbors will in spades be intimate they ’re there .

Boston Terrier

This dapper boyfriend makes one of the good apartment dogs because of his ideal combining of sizing and disposition and low - maintenance needs . Almostuniversally friendly , loving dogs , Boston terrier are also minuscule enough to be able to get almost all of their exercise demand indoorsandnot nark your downstairs neighbors while they do it .

Italian Greyhound

Coming in at about 20 pct the size of their racing first cousin , the Italian greyhound brings most of the thing hoi polloi love about the greyhound breed — in a pocket-size , light , and even quieter software program . While they do n’t tend to be quite as groundless as the racing greyhound , at around 10 pounds , the Italian greyhound build the " best flat dogs " lean because they ’re low - maintenance and quiet enough not to be a nuisance .

Basset Hound

Steadfast and firm companions , basset hounds make some of the best flat cad strictly thanks to their exercise requirements . One good walk a mean solar day should be plenty to keep your basset hound feel healthy and happy , and the rest of the meter he ’ll be utterly content to nap on a dog bottom or mesh in some light dramatic play on the aliveness room rug . Potential considerations are theirpropensity to drooland their BIG spokesperson .

Chihuahua

A no - brainer when it come to size , the Chihuahua is definitely the secure flat dog for fitting into even the smallest downtown studio apartment . Thanks to their small sizing , their workout need are low-pitched ( they ’re pretty low - sustenance in universal ) . They can be yippy if not train againstalert barking , so do n’t forget the training before bringing one into your apartment .

Coton de Tulear

A fellow traveler frankfurter through and through , the coton is one of the best flat dogs forretirees , people with mobility issues , and folks who work from home . Barking is never a problem for these tranquil , glad lick dogs , they be given to be very low shedders , and they travel well if you determine to get out of town for a while .

Basenji

Looking for a quiet flat comrade ? It ’s arduous to regain a better apartment dog than the one that does n’t bark . wayward to democratic belief , thebasenjiis not acompletelysilent dog . Instead of barking , they vocalize through an odd kind of grunt that has been describe as somewhere between a chortle and a yodel .

basenji are on the small side ( under 25 pounds ) , very light shedders , and have been described as having " catlike " personality . However , be mindful that they can be somewhat difficult to train and have ahighmotor , which means they ’ll be best accommodate for patient people with access to a nearbydog parkor run lead .

French Bulldog

Seemingly create for apartments , French bulldogs have long been favorites among urban dwellers . They ’re small , they do n’t tend to skin a lot , and they ’re very low spiller , all of which help make these guys idealistic for flat life . As an bring fillip , a tonic walk should be all they take in the way of exercise . When not quiet playing on the living way carpet , theselittle cutiesare more than well-chosen to play the role of lap covering dog , or cat sleep in a strong patch on the floor .

Shih Tzu

Shih tzus were made for flat livelihood . After all , they were breed to essentially be lap covering dog , living with ancientChinese royaltyfor thousands of eld . At 9–16 pounds , they are a expectant sizing for any apartment and will ask a easygoing base on balls each day .

Pug

Pugs are true companion dog who enjoy snuggling up on the sofa . Perhaps the only thing they love more is nutrient . They ’re low - sustenance dogs who thrive in pocket-size spaces due to their minimal exercise needs , but they ’ll still needsomeexercise to keep them from becoming heavy . While the breed is unconvincing to become a problem - barker , you will need to get used to the huffing and saw logs sounds triggered by their brusk air lane ( like to bulldogs ) .

Dachshund

Easily recognized by their short ramification and long bodies , it ’s no surprise that dachshunds are nicknamed sausage or wiener frankfurter . They thrive in apartments and small spaces , particularly those without steps . You may demand to provide wild leek to enable them to reach beds and couches and prevent injuries from jumping down . Though they ’re love companions , dachshund have a fiery side that can be manage throughpositive support training .

Havanese

Thesefluffylittle dogs are seraphic , playful , and outgoing fellow who do n’t require much quad to be happy and salubrious . While they ’re typically content snuggling on your overlap or gently play in your abode , Havanese will often bark to alarm you to anything happening out of doors .

Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkies are popular toy hotdog known for their silken coats and dedication to their mankind . When not lounging in their apartment , they ’re often seen being toted around in purses and suitcase . These diminutive whelp thrive in small spaces but also jazz escapade . They ’ll need even practice to throw out extra vigour ( which stems from their git - hunting history ) .

Affenpinscher

Their name essentially means " scamp - dog " in German , and it ’s easy to see why . These little guy wire are brave , animated , and unambiguously adorable . They do n’t require a slew of blank at menage , but they do need regular exercise to work out their energy and prevent boredom .

Maltese

The Maltese is a little snowy dog with a soft , flux pelage ( though many pet parents keep it trimmed to be short and fluffy ) . The were essentially bred to be lap dogs and prefer to spend time with their humans , but they still have pile of energy and need routine utilisation . Barking may become problematic if not deal with through training .

Poodle

Poodles actually derive inthree sizes . The smallertoyand miniature variation are ideal for apartment living , but even the largerstandard poodlescan thrive in small spaces when allowed to practice alfresco daily . These arehighly intelligent dogsthat take activities to engross their minds and love to pass time with their human companions . Their curly coats can be trimmed short , grown out to be fluffier , or sculpted by a professional to make a unique look .

Bedlington Terrier

The Bedlington terrier is a small to average dog stock that looks an horrific bunch like a little lamb . They ’re friendly andaffectionate dogsthat can get along well with just about anyone . Apartments and small spaces are not a problem , but the breed has mountain of usage and tends to bark , so be sure to provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulus .

Biewer Terrier

The Biewer terrier is a new Canis familiaris breed that was key using deoxyribonucleic acid examination after unique - take care puppies were born to a Yorkie mom . They ’re like to to their relatives except for their colors . Biewers may skin if not trained to control this and will need regular exercising to keep them happy and healthy . These pups may be hard to find because they ’re so unexampled — you might stop up on a breeder ’s waiting tilt before you’re able to get one .

Chinese Crested

Though often see to it compete for the title ofWorld ’s Ugliest Dog , these small whelp have an unusual cuteness that appropriate hearts . Chinese cap may be hairless ( though they still have some tufts of hair’s-breadth on their heads and tails ) or powderpuff , with long , flaccid hair all over . They ’re calm , unruffled bounder that do n’t need a tidy sum of exercise . Since they ’re light on their foot and not considered big doggy , your neighbors will thank you .

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The Pembroke Welsh corgi is a medium - sized herding breed known for shortsighted , stubby pegleg and a cute little booty . These are relatively active frank , but they can do well in apartment and littler space if you provide enough day-by-day exercise to release their muscularity and engage their thinker . They ’re known to be outspoken , so work on on training to forestall disruptive barking .

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

The Cardigan Welsh corgi isclosely relatedto the Pembroke but has distinct features that set up the breed aside . Cardigans are generally consider more easygoing than Pembrokes and can flourish in apartments . However , like their cousins , they ’re still herd dogs who need utilisation and education .

American Eskimo Dog

Christmas w / a K / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY - SA 2.0

The American Eskimo is a descendent of theGerman spitzknown for a downy snowy coat . Though small-scale enough to plow apartments and modest plate , they need pot of day-by-day exercise to put out their abundant muscularity . These weenie throw away quite a bit and should be brush daily to assert their thick , shiny double coats . Eskies fly high in dynamic households and love to spend metre with their human race .

Australian Terrier

Australian terriers are the hound for apartment - dwell weekend warriors who want a small bow-wow with a gross ton of energy . They tend to bark and need plenty of physical exercise , but they ’ll be happy to nest after a good pass or play session . Their average - length , wiry coats need picayune preparation , so use the extra time to focus on breeding and enlist bodily function like walks and synergistic toys .

brindle and white greyhound against greenery