26 Best Dogs for Apartments



The best dogs for apartments are dogs that can thrive in smaller spaces while meeting the needs of their pet parents. Some people look for a dog that needs little exercise and can live quietly and happily in an apartment or condo. Others want a dog that can go out and be active with them on weekends without feeling cramped or unhappy during the work week.

We spoke with a veterinarian about choosing the right dog for apartment living. Here are 25 of the best apartment dogs and how to pick the right one for you.

How to Find the Best Apartment Dog

No specific dog breed is the best for 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 dog suits your situation. Regardless of your lifestyle, there’s sure to be a dog that can fill exactly the role you want while still living comfortably in your apartment.

“Larger dogs can live happily in an apartment,” says Dennis Riordan, DVM, of the Riordan Pet Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. “But they’re going to require more compromise from their owner.” Expect to spend more time on walks, training, and giving your dog the mental and physical exercise they need.

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One of the most affable, adorable breeds on the planet, the bichon frise is a happy-go-lucky people-pleaser who is easily one of the best apartment dogs. While they can make excellent agility competition dogs, they’re also more than happy to spend long stretches quietly on the couch. And at around 15 pounds, they’re not going to keep your downstairs neighbors on edge.

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We know, it seems counterintuitive for the dog kingdom’s fastest member to make a list of best apartment dogs. But here’s the secret about greyhounds: they have two speeds, sprinting and napping. So while they are happily going to accentuate your active lifestyle on weekends and evenings, life inside your urban dwelling should still be hunky-dory. Greyhounds are incredibly low-maintenance, so they’re great for busy people who want to spend their limited time doing fun activities.

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Cavalier King Charles spaniel parents will tell you these remarkable little guys are the perfect family pet. Quiet, calm, and low-maintenance, Cavaliers make just about the perfect apartment dog. These incredibly intelligent, deeply loyal little dogs are quiet, friendly, and small enough to fit into even the coziest of studios with ease.

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These sturdy fireplugs may not be your first guess when it comes to the best apartment dogs, thanks to their gruff appearance and heavy frame, but bulldogs tend to be extremely easygoing, couch-friendly dogs who adjust well to apartment life. A couple of caveats to consider though: Bulldogs can have a difficult time with extremes in higher temperatures due to their flat faces. And if they aren’t trained not to alert bark, your neighbors will definitely know they’re there.

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This dapper fellow makes one of the best apartment dogs because of his ideal combination of size and temperament and low-maintenance needs. Almost universally friendly, loving dogs, Boston terriers are also small enough to be able to get almost all of their exercise needs indoors and not annoy your downstairs neighbors while they do it.

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Coming in at about 20 percent the size of their racing cousins, the Italian greyhound brings most of the things people love about the greyhound breed—in a smaller, lighter, and even quieter package. While they don’t tend to be quite as idle as the racing greyhound, at around 10 pounds, the Italian greyhound makes the “best apartment dogs” list because they’re low-maintenance and quiet enough not to be a nuisance.

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Steadfast and loyal companions, basset hounds make some of the best apartment dogs purely thanks to their exercise requirements. One good walk a day should be plenty to keep your basset hound feeling healthy and happy, and the rest of the time he’ll be perfectly content to nap on a dog bed or engage in some light play on the living room rug. Potential considerations are their propensity to drool and their BIG voices.

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A no-brainer when it comes to size, the Chihuahua is definitely the best apartment dog for fitting into even the smallest downtown studio. Thanks to their small size, their exercise needs are lower (they’re pretty low-maintenance in general). They can be yippy if not trained against alert barking, so don’t forget the training before bringing one into your apartment.

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A companion dog through and through, the coton is one of the best apartment dogs for retirees, people with mobility issues, and folks who work from home. Barking is never a problem for these calm, happy lap dogs, they tend to be very low shedders, and they travel well if you decide to get out of town for a while.

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Looking for a quiet apartment companion? It’s hard to find a better apartment dog than the one that doesn’t bark. Contrary to popular belief, the basenji is not a completely silent dog. Instead of barking, they vocalize through an odd kind of grunt that has been described as somewhere between a chortle and a yodel.

Basenjis are on the smaller side (under 25 pounds), very light shedders, and have been described as having “catlike” personalities. However, be aware that they can be somewhat difficult to train and have a high motor, which means they’ll be best suited for patient people with access to a nearby dog park or running trail.

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Seemingly created for apartments, French bulldogs have long been favorites among urban dwellers. They’re small, they don’t tend to bark a lot, and they’re very low shedders, all of which help make these guys ideal for apartment life. As an added bonus, a brisk walk should be all they need in the way of exercise. When not quietly playing on the living room rug, these little cuties are more than happy to play the role of lap dog, or snooze in a warm patch on the floor.

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Shih tzus were made for apartment living. After all, they were bred to essentially be lap dogs, living with ancient Chinese royalty for thousands of years. At 9–16 pounds, they are a great size for any apartment and will require a leisurely walk each day.

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Pugs are true companion dogs who enjoy snuggling up on the couch. Perhaps the only thing they love more is food. They’re low-maintenance dogs who thrive in smaller spaces due to their minimal exercise needs, but they’ll still need some exercise to keep them from becoming overweight. While the breed is unlikely to become a problem-barker, you will need to get used to the snorting and snoring sounds caused by their short airways (similar to bulldogs).

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Easily recognized by their short legs and long bodies, it’s no surprise that dachshunds are nicknamed sausage or wiener dogs. They thrive in apartments and small spaces, especially those without steps. You may need to provide ramps to enable them to reach beds and couches and prevent injuries from jumping down. Though they’re loving companions, dachshunds have a fiery side that can be managed through positive reinforcement training.

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These fluffy little dogs are sweet, playful, and outgoing companions who don’t require much space to be happy and healthy. While they’re typically content snuggling on your lap or gently playing in your home, Havanese will often bark to alert you to anything happening outside.

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Yorkies are popular toy dogs known for their silky coats and dedication to their humans. When not lounging in their apartments, they’re often seen being toted around in purses and bags. These tiny pups thrive in small spaces but also love adventure. They’ll need regular exercise to expel excess energy (which stems from their rat-hunting history).

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Their name basically means “monkey-dog” in German, and it’s easy to see why. These little guys are courageous, animated, and uniquely adorable. They don’t need a lot of space at home, but they do need regular exercise to work out their energy and prevent boredom.

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The Maltese is a little white dog with a soft, flowing coat (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 plenty of energy and need routine exercise. Barking may become problematic if not dealt with through training.

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Poodles actually come in three sizes. The smaller toy and miniature variations are ideal for apartment living, but even the larger standard poodles can thrive in small spaces when allowed to exercise outdoors daily. These are highly intelligent dogs that need activities to occupy their minds and love to spend time with their human companions. Their curly coats can be trimmed short, grown out to be fluffier, or sculpted by a professional to create a unique look.

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The Bedlington terrier is a small to medium dog breed that looks an awful lot like a little lamb. They’re friendly and affectionate dogs that can get along well with just about anyone. Apartments and small spaces are not a problem, but the breed has plenty of exercise and tends to bark, so be sure to provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

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The Biewer terrier is a newer dog breed that was discovered using DNA testing after unique-looking puppies were born to a Yorkie mom. They’re similar to to their relatives except for their colors. Biewers may bark if not trained to control this and will need regular exercise to keep them happy and healthy. These pups may be hard to find because they’re so new—you might end up on a breeder’s waiting list before you can get one.

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Though often seen competing for the title of World’s Ugliest Dog, these little pups have an unusual cuteness that captures hearts. Chinese crested may be hairless (though they still have some tufts of hair on their heads and tails) or powderpuff, with long, soft hair all over. They’re calm, quiet dogs that don’t need a lot of exercise. Since they’re light on their feet and not considered big barkers, your neighbors will thank you.

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The Pembroke Welsh corgi is a medium-sized herding breed known for short, stubby legs and a cute little booty. These are relatively active dogs, but they can do well in apartments and smaller spaces if you provide adequate daily exercise to release their energy and engage their minds. They’re known to be vocal, so work on training to prevent disruptive barking.

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The Cardigan Welsh corgi is closely related to the Pembroke but has distinct features that set the breed apart. Cardigans are generally considered more easygoing than Pembrokes and can thrive in apartments. However, like their cousins, they’re still herding dogs who need exercise and training.

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The American Eskimo is a descendant of the German spitz known for a downy white coat. Though small enough to handle apartments and small homes, they need plenty of daily exercise to release their abundant energy. These dogs shed quite a bit and should be brushed daily to maintain their thick, shiny double coats. Eskies thrive in active households and love to spend time with their humans.

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Australian terriers are the dogs for apartment-dwelling weekend warriors who want a small pooch with a ton of energy. They tend to bark and need plenty of exercise, but they’ll be happy to cuddle after a good walk or play session. Their medium-length, wiry coats need little grooming, so use the extra time to focus on training and engaging activities like walks and interactive toys.


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