Dogs have been bred through history to be man’s bestfriend, whether they are living in a castle,

suburban house or apartment; it doesn’t matter, as long as this adorable dweller greets you cheerfully
with its wagging tail and upbeat face, there is nothing quite like home. But dog’s natural characteristics
should be taken in consideration since these little buddies are also a part of the family. Finding the
appropriate dog for a designated environment can lessen the hurdles for both owner and dog, and can
make all the difference.

Though mini apartments in the middle of the city can really really nerve-racking for this
nonchalant little fellow but you just need the right breed that would best suit for this urbanized lifestyle.
There may be certain considerations taken into account when choosing the perfect pet especially if you
are living in a small apartment. Let us check out what qualities make for a good apartment dweller and
the top dog breeds that might suit the list.

What makes a good “apartment” dog?

Although there are tons of dog that are well-suited in an apartment; there are still few
conditions mulled over when looking for a suited apartment dweller since there are certain restrictions
and limitations to be considered. To help the dog live comfortably in an apartment, at least one
qualification below should be met:

 Size and weight

When it comes to apartments, sizes do matter. A large dog with long legs
doesn’t mix well with little spaces; it may lead to accident and even destruction. It is
reasonable to choose smaller dwellers for the apartment because they only require less
space. Larger breeds are also prone to joint and hip problems which can be more
difficult for them walk up and down the stairs. Nevertheless dog’s sizes also relate to
both temperament and energy level; though large dogs can consume more area but
they tend to be docile and quiet. So it is often advisable to have an apartment dog that
is less than 50 pounds; although there are some exception to this rule, but in general,
smaller is better for apartment living.

 Exercise needs
All breed needs daily dose of exercise but some dogs love to run and play and
require boatload of exercises to boost their physical and emotional needs, so they may
not be suited for smaller apartments. Ideally the best dog breeds for apartments are
those medium to lower energy dogs especially for most people with busy schedule. The
best apartment dog breeds are those that are already contented with 20 to 30 minutes
of stroll a day.
.
 Trainability
Preferably you want to adopt a dog that is able to learn quickly and is easy to
adapt to new situations; this will make chores such as potty and crate training less
stressful. The best apartment dog will follow routine of going outside on a leash with
 you every seven to eight hours to relieve themselves, or they will be small and trainable
enough able to go cleanly in or around the apartment.

 Noise level

Barking is definitely an issue when living in this close-quarters apartment. For

the sake of peace and composure of the apartment living; it is best to choose a dog that
is relatively quiet as you don’t want to disturb your naggy neighbors with that snarling
pup. Though with devotion and utter patience, training a “watchdog” to be less
aggressive is highly recommended still it may take time and effort. Some dogs will tend
to bark or howl when left alone, so a disciplined apartment sidekick should be necessary
to prevent neighbors suffering from the doggy’s separation anxiety.

With those important criteria of what makes a good apartment dogs in mind, below are the few
recommendations of the top 10 best dogs for apartments and other small spaces:

Top ten friendly Dog Breeds:

1. Bichon Frise

Breed Overview:
Height: 9-11 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight: 7-12 pounds
Grooming level required: Low. The Bichon breed is low-maintenance. Its coat rarely
sheds plus this breed is good for people with allergies. They do not need daily brushing
to keep their fur from matting. Also a monthly bath is required to keep its coat clean.
Noise level: Low. Bichon is not a yapper.
Kid friendliness: Medium. Adult Bichons are good with children but the puppies should
be supervised by an adult.
Exercise: High. Daily walks and exercise are required with this energetic doggos.

This little furballs of fun are perfect pals for apartment-dwellers. Bichon’s utterly
charming coats are hypoallergenic and they shed a little. Because of their intelligence
and willingness to please their owner, they can learn easily in no time. Bichon’s energy is
high; they are required for daily walks in the park. If left alone for long period of time, it
suffers from separation anxiety. So make sure to spend time with a Bichon Frise or you
will certainly break its fluffy little heart.

2. Greyhounds
Breed Overview:
Height: 9-11 inches
Weight: 50-85 pounds
 Grooming level required: Low. Greyhounds have a short, smooth coat that is easy to
care for. Greyhounds should have daily brushing to keep shedding at a manageable
level.
Noise level: Low. He will bark occasionally
Kid friendliness: Medium. Greyhounds can tolerate children.
Exercise: Medium. Daily walks and exercise are required

The classic European breed is adored by many canine-enthusiasts around the

world. Commonly known to be the fastest dog around but this intimidating tall, lanky
Greyhound is actually a couch potato by heart. The American Kennel Club even
considered them as “mellow house dogs” because they are calm creatures who can
handle even at smaller environment. Though they have a naturally placid personality,
but these athletic dogs requires regular sprint in the park to expend their energy.

3. Pug
Breed Overview
Height: 10-11 inches
Weight: 14-18 pounds
Grooming level required: High. Pugs need its facial wrinkles to be cleaned on a daily
basis to remove dirt and debris. These dogs do shed a lot, Pugs require daily brushing. If
considering this breed, start investing for a vacuum cleaner.
Noise level: Medium. Dogs aren’t going to bark without a valid reason.
Kid friendliness: High. Pugs are generally a loving breed.
Exercise: Low. Don’t overwork or overheat this little hotdog.

With its even-tempered nature, and compact size, Pug makes a perfect
companion for a small space living. This snorting, wrinkly-faced little jester with its
cinnamon-roll tail gets along easily with animals and children. Pugs only wish for their
favourite person’s company and of course, food. If you are looking for a dog who
doesn’t need much physical activities, this dog may suit you. It is already contented to
watch the day go by from the comfort of its own bed. Though daily walks are still
necessary but never exert a pug; this breed is prone to health conditions and can't
tolerate extreme temperature.

4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Breed Overview
Height: 10-11 inches
Weight: 14-18 pounds
Grooming level required: Medium-High. Brush their coat 3-4 times a week and bathe the
dog when necessary.
Noise level: Low. The Cavalier might probably bark when someone comes to the door.
Kid friendliness: High. She’ll sit on your daughter’s lap while watching television.
 Exercise: Medium. Take it for walks, but don’t let her off the leash. This poor little
princess might run in front of a car

Adores being around with people and is always up for a good cuddle; the small-
sized Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a beloved choice for apartment dwellers. Once
attached to their owners, these floppy-haired sweet things like to be spoiled and don’t
want to be left isolated for too long. They are relatively quiet dogs, which are favourable
to the neighbors close-by; but Cavaliers are too friendly for good guard dogs. Though
these small silky beauties prefer to remain indoors most of the time but daily exercise is
still important for them. Put her on a leash because her hunting instinct could be
aggressive.

5. English Bull Dog

Breed Overview
Height: 14-15 inches
Weight: 40-50 pounds
Grooming level required: Medium. Brush his coat once a week and clean the wrinkles of
his face with a damp cloth. He’s an average shedder; brushing more than once a week
will reduce the amount of hair
Noise level: Low. They are too lazy to bark. In fact, he’s probably asleep.
Kid friendliness: Very high. This tolerant sweetheart will let your toddler torment him.
Exercise: Low. He won’t want to go on a walk, but you need to take him anyway. Once a
day is fine. But keep him away from swimming pools and hot tubs. He can’t swim.

In spite of their muscle frame which makes them appear tough and tenacious;
but in reality, Bulldogs are jolly dogs that are more than happy to spend their days lazy
lounging on the couch. They even rarely bark and are very great with children in spite of
their stocky build. According to American Kennel Club, they are renowned for being
calm, courageous and protective to their human friends. Due to their branchycephalic
feature, they are prone to many respiratory problems; they cannot tolerate much
exercise and vigorous play dates. So don’t expect a lot of activities from this squashy-
faced beaut.

6. Shih Tzu
Breed Overview
Height: 8-11 inches
Weight: 9-16 pounds
Grooming level required: Medium-High. Brush their coat daily and bathe the dog every
3-4 weeks
Noise level: Low to medium. These cute little yappers can be an earful if not properly
trained
Kid friendliness: High. She’ll sit on your daughter’s lap while watching television.
 Exercise: Medium. Take it for walks, but don’t let her off the leash. This poor little
princess might run in front of a car

These classic lapdogs were bred as companions for Chinese royals, so they’re
accustomed to lavish lifestyle of doing absolutely nothing. With their friendly demeanor,
these affectionate little guys are great with kids and other dogs. Their long, lustrous
coats may be high-maintenance but Shih Tzus’ mild temperaments and affectionate
nature make them worth the effort. Those that are more reserved are likely to be
cautious around stranger, but fluffernutters love to cuddle with the people they adore.

7. Toy and Miniature Poodles

Breed Overview
Weight: 4-6 pounds for Toy and 10-15 pounds for Miniature
Height: no more than 10 inches Toy for and 10-15 inches for Miniature
Grooming level required: High. The coat needs lots of maintenance to stay beautiful and
healthy. Professional grooming can take three to six weeks
Noise level: Low. They are relatively quiet, don’t have large amount of energy and tend
to get along with dogs and human
Kid friendliness: High. Poodle loves kids.
Exercise: Medium. Take it for walks, and exercising their minds with thinking game and
proper training

Poodles are one of the best-behaved and even mannered breeds one can own.
As the second most intelligent dog breed, they are extremely skilful and are easy to
train. Their majestic hairdo is hypoallergenic which is ideal for those with allergies. The
Toy and Miniature variety of Poodles have the perfect size fitted for even smallest
apartments. They also tend to get along easily with other dogs and human. They are
relatively quiet and don’t need large amount of energy. Since Poodles were originally
bred as hunting dogs, don’t expect these little fancy pooches to be naturally prim; these
mischievous dwellers still require exercise and training. Toy and Miniature Poodles only
require occasional walk.

8. Boston Terrier
Breed Overview
Height: 12-15 inches
Weight: 10-25 pounds
Grooming level required: Medium. Brush their coat weekly and wash its face everyday
to check the eyes for any eye problems.
Noise level: Low. They are quite except when another male is on its turf.
Kid friendliness: High. Boston loves children.
Exercise: Medium. Take it for walks, but don’t let her off the leash. This poor little
princess might run in front of a car.
 An adorable gentleman in a black and white coat is an affectionate dog. Boston Terrier is
an adaptable and lovable breed that doesn’t require a lot of space to feel at home. They
are lively and entertaining; their funny antic will amuse your friends. They can be a
wonderful affectionate breed who will remain mostly inactive while indoors. They don’t
bark, which makes them ideal for condos and apartments. They will require a minimal
exercise because of their brachycephalic structure.

9. Chihuahuas
Breed Overview
Height: 6-9 inches
Weight: 3-6 pounds
Grooming level required: Low. Weekly brush is recommended
Noise level: Medium to high. She is talkative
Kid friendliness: Low. It’s too dangerous to have these tiny dogs around children under
the age of 8, because Chihuahua might get injured.
Exercise: High. Chihuahuas need 20-30 minutes of daily exercise

This tiny, sweet and more than a little sassy dog likes to give and receive
attention. Chihuahuas are ideal apartment pets because of their small stature. These
adorable little pooches crave for affections from the humans they love. But Chihuahuas
can be bigger divas than Mariah Carey if overindulged, so remind your pet who is the
boss. Their larger-than-life personality means she is loud and talkative; it is important
that they receive proper training to avoid that well-known yappy personality of hers.

10. Basenji
Breed Overview
Height: 16-17 inches
Weight: 22-24 pounds
Grooming level required: Low. They are clean dog with almost feline habits. They shed a
little.
Noise level: High. These dogs do not bark, but they can be very noisy, making sounds
that includes yodels and whines
Kid friendliness: High. She’ll sit on your daughter’s lap while watching television.
Exercise: High. They will require a daily walk to stay happy. A 30 minute walk or play
session is already enough.

When you add a Basenji to your home, you can have both a cat and a dog due to
their cat-like tendencies of grooming their selves a lot. These dogs will offer love and
affection to the people they adore which makes them a great choice for the family with
small children. They are however notoriously difficult to train and not suited for first
time dog owners. Though Basenjis don’t bark but they just yodel. Make sure it gets daily,
vigorous exercise to avoid boredom, or its exploratory instincts will kick in