Best 15 Dog Breeds for Apartment Dwellers and Room Renters
Considering adding a furry friend to your life but unsure how a dog would fit into your apartment lifestyle? Look no further. Here’s a list of the top 15 dog breeds that are well-suited for apartment and smaller space living due to their size, temperament, and lifestyle needs. These breeds are generally known for being adaptable, lower energy or manageable within smaller living spaces, and good-natured, making them ideal companions for apartment residents.
French Bulldog:
Compact and low-energy, French Bulldogs require minimal exercise and are known for their easy-going nature. The French Bulldog is affable and adaptable, making them not only a great apartment dog but also the most popular dog breed in the U.S. Their stout, compact build and calm demeanor mean they’re a great fit for small spaces. But make sure you’re ready to meet the Frenchie’s potential health issues.
Chihuahua:
Tiny and alert, Chihuahuas make great apartment pets due to their small size and devotion to their owners. They usually bond with only one person and become highly devoted, These little rascals are tenacious, proud, and very energetic. Chihuahuas can usually get all the exercise they need by running around indoors.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:
This breed is adaptable, friendly, and comfortable in smaller spaces as long as they get daily walks. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not bark frequently. They love walks but are quite content with plenty of indoor play, easily adjusting to the activity level of your family.
Dachshund:
These short-legged, long-bodied dogs are playful yet don’t require extensive outdoor exercise, ideal for indoor living. Dachshunds do however, need exercise a few times a day. They’ll enjoy a brisk walk, and their little legs can actually carry them for quite a distance if you’ve got time for a longer stroll.
Pug:
With their charming and sociable personalities, Pugs are content with short walks and lots of cuddles. They don’t require much space to be content, but they do prefer moderate temperatures. Because of their short snouts, extreme heat or cold can hinder their breathing. Pugs are lively dogs but do not require much exercise. A daily walk in the park will keep them healthy and happy!
Shih Tzu:
The Shih Tzu has all the traits you could wish for—sociable, friendly, lovable, loyal, cheerful, and intelligent. They are well-suited to be companion dogs and because of their size, make great lap dogs. While it’s tempting to carry around this toy-sized pup, they need short, daily walks and also occasionally exercised indoors, especially during hot weathe, as they do not adapt to hot weather very well.
Pomeranian:
Full of energy yet small enough to manage in tight spaces, Pomeranians are lively and bond well with their owners. Being this pretty doesn’t come easy. Pomeranians require some upkeep to maintain their good looks. Poms have a thick double coat that requires daily brushing. Pomeranians enjoy daily walks and lots of playtime with their families.
Boston Terrier:
Boston Terriers are the epitome of a family-friendly companion. They’re sweet, playful pups that can adapt to any lifestyle and get along with everyone they meet. These dogs don’t need much maintenance—just a whole lot of love and affection and are a good fit for small spaces. The Boston Terrier has moderate exercise needs. All they need is a good, long walk or playtime in a fenced yard (or a visit to a dog park) each day to stay happy and in shape.
English Bulldog:
Known for their laid-back attitude, they need minimal exercise and love to nap by their owner’s side. The Bulldog (commonly referred to as the English Bulldog) is a big dog with a small frame, weighing between 40 and 50 pounds but standing only about 15 inches tall. The breed makes one of the best apartment dogs because they are characteristically low-key. That being said, pet parents should still provide physical and mental stimulation for a Bulldog by means of a daily walk, interactive play, and consistent training. Because the breed is sensitive to hot weather, you might need to focus on active indoor games during periods of high heat and humidity.
Yorkshire Terrier:
Yorkies are well-suited to apartment life because of their diminutive stature. The Yorkshire Terrier can have most of their exercise needs met through indoor play, but they prefer a daily walk or romp in a fenced-in yard. They are highly intelligent and learn quickly but can be difficult to housebreak. Don’t let their stature fool you, they make excellent watchdogs and can sense danger.
Bichon Frise:
With their cheerful demeanor and need for moderate exercise, Bichons thrive in smaller living areas. The small size and intelligent nature of the Bichon Frise make this breed one of the best dogs for small apartments. However, they can be difficult to house-train, so make sure you have ample time to devote to training. A daily walk or a good game of indoor fetch is typically enough exercise to satisfy this breed. Plus, the breed’s dense white coat is low-shedding and considered “hypoallergenic,” so you don’t need to worry about cleaning up dog hair in your small space. However, daily brushing and regular groomer visits are a must, so be prepared for that upkeep.
Maltese:
Small and gentle, the Maltese enjoys companionship and indoor play, making it an excellent pet for apartment dwellers. They don’t bark at random things, but they do alert their owners to a potential threat. The Maltese does not require an abundance of activity, but they do love to play chase and enjoy occasional walks.
Miniature Schnauzer:
Miniature Schnauzers are bold, confident dogs that bond with family members and vow to keep them safe. Miniature Schnauzers need human companionship and a lot of attention. They need to be exercised multiple times a day to stay healthy and avoid getting into trouble.
Italian Greyhound:
Italian Greyhounds are social creatures who get along well with other dogs and cats. Because of their small size, they can make great apartment companions as long as you can get them outside for plenty of activity each day. The Italian Greyhound needs frequent opportunities to run freely in a large enclosed area. Because of their short coat, very little grooming is necessary. Just wipe them down after
Havanese:
The friendly, good-natured, and easy-to-train Havanese is a good fit for apartment life. They are content to be playful and active indoors, and while they do not require a yard to play, they do need to be taken on daily walks. It is necessary to maintain a pack leader relationship with your Havanese to prevent a case of Small Dog Syndrome.
When choosing a dog for an apartment or smaller living space, consider not only the size but also the energy level, grooming needs, ability to get along well with others, and the amount of barking. Ideally, you want a dog that can adapt easily to the space and is not prone to excessive barking. Regular exercise and mental stimulation are key to keeping any dog happy and healthy in an apartment or room rental setting. Keep in mind while these dog breeds tend to have lower exercise needs, they still require daily walks to stay healthy and happy–and connect with you!