One of the biggest decisions a potential pet owner or a beginner pet breeder will have to make is what dog breed to choose. After all, the breed can have a great bearing on a pet’s personality and needs. This choice can be even more complicated if you live in an apartment, as not all breeds are suited for small living spaces. To help you decide which breed would be best for your own unique living situation, here is a list of some of the best dog breeds for apartment owners.
6 Best Dog Breeds for Apartment Owners
Shih Tzu
The first on our list is the Shih Tzu. This cute little lapdog is perfect for those who don’t have too much room to spare, as its size makes it ideal for tight living quarters. The breed is also very low-maintenance and requires minimal grooming, making them great pets for busy owners or those who just don’t have the time or energy to keep up with a high-maintenance breed. Plus, they are full of personality and will always provide you with lots of entertainment. Shih Tzus aren’t known for being excessively noisy and are easy to train as they’re gentle and eager to please.
French Bulldog
Another great option for apartment owners is the French Bulldog. These little bat-eared charmers are ideal for apartments because of their small size and even temperament. They don’t require a lot of exercise – just a few short walks each day will do the trick – and they generally stay calm indoors. The breed is also known for being highly affectionate and very loyal, making them great companions. French Bulldogs shed only moderately, making them a good option for chic, well-designed apartments, and aren’t known for barking excessively, so they won’t disturb your neighbors too much either!
Greyhound
Next on our list is the Greyhound. Despite being a larger dog breed, Greyhounds adapt well to apartment living if given enough exercise and mental stimulation. In fact, many experts believe that these graceful dogs actually prefer smaller spaces due to their history as racing dogs, since they’re used to cramped conditions. Plus, since they are one of only a few sighthound breeds originally bred by royalty, you can expect these pups to be well-behaved and gentle companions. The only caveat is that once a week they’ll need someplace to cut loose and run all-out, but this isn’t too difficult if you have an off-leash dog park nearby.
Toy Poodle
Toy Poodles are among the most popular small-breed dogs out there, and they make great apartment pets. This breed is extremely smart and playful, so they’ll keep themselves entertained while you’re away at work or out running errands. Toy Poodles also don’t shed much and hardly ever bark, so they won’t bother your neighbors either. Since their coats are hypoallergenic, they’re ideal if you suffer from allergies.
Bichon Frise
This little puffball has the look of a teddy bear, which pretty accurately sums up its gentle nature. Bichons Frises are smart little creatures who enjoy playing fetch or learning new tricks from their humans, but they mostly love just cuddling up on the couch with their favorite person. These dogs don’t need much exercise either; just two 15-minute walks per day should be more than enough. Since they rarely bark, your neighbors won’t be disturbed by them either. Their grooming needs are significant, but your reward is a beautiful, calm dog that will shower you with love and affection.
Finally, we have the Pug, the ultimate lap dog. If you’re looking for an affectionate companion who loves nothing more than snuggling up next to you on your couch then this breed might be right up your alley. Pugs typically get along well with other pets in the house (and strangers, too) and don’t require too much exercise either. They’re perfect if you live in an area where walking isn’t always possible due to weather conditions or limited outdoor space within your building complex. Pugs also generally do not bark excessively (unless excited) so you’ll be able to avoid bothering people in other apartments.
Final Thoughts
No matter what type of dog breed you choose in the end, it’s important that it fits both your lifestyle and living space perfectly, otherwise, both you and your pup may end up feeling frustrated and unhappy. We hope this list has helped narrow down some options that might work best for apartment dwellers like yourself. Even if you live in a compact living space, there’s bound to be a pup out there that’s perfect for you!
