When looking for a new furry addition to your family, you need to make sure your four-legged friend is the right breed and has the right personality to fit into your lifestyle. You need to think about things like your activity level, where you live and, most importantly, the size of your home...
What to Consider in Good Apartment Dogs
- Size - Apartments are generally smaller than houses, so if you have one, choosing a pet at the smaller end of the spectrum will give you and your little buddy more space to live together. A bigger hound will likely get under your feet and have less room to play, so he won't be quite as happy as his smaller friends.
- Exercise - Once you've started looking for a smaller dog, the next thing to consider is the amount of exercise they require. A high-energy pup could go a little stir-crazy in a small space, and that can lead to destructive behaviour. If you want your furniture to remain intact, a more relaxed breed of dog would be perfect in a smaller home.
- Shedding - A small space can quickly fill up with dog hair, so look out for low-maintenance puppies for apartments that don't shed regularly and are easy to groom and clean up after.
What Are the Top 5 Apartment Dog Breeds?
To help you find the perfect apartment dog option for your home, here are a few low-maintenance breeds that make the best dogs for apartments:
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Chihuahua
- Bichon Frise
- Miniature Poodle
- Bedlington Terrier
But what makes these perfect pups the best dog breeds for apartments? Let's break down each one in more detail to understand the reasoning behind our selections.
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are some of the smaller types of Spaniel family, and they're all about the cuddles. Known for their sociable, playful, and easy-going nature, they're the king of lapdogs and are very attached to their owners, thriving in the company of their human family members.
A small home is the perfect way for them to keep an eye on you, or cash in a belly rub. However, they may be susceptible to separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods.
As long as they have plenty of time outdoors and are well trained, they'll make excellent apartment dogs. These dogs are well-suited for first-time owners, individuals living alone, families with children and even elderly owners.
2. Chihuahua
A Chihuahua is one of the best apartment pets due to their teeny tiny size. They don't require a lot of exercise and love spending quality time with their owner. They make great pets for city living, but may not be the best fit for households with young children. A smaller flat would work perfectly for this pint-sized breed.
Chihuahuas are assertive and may take charge at home if not properly trained. They can feel isolated if left alone for long periods, so make sure you spend as much time with them as possible. Otherwise, they might benefit from having another dog around, preferably a sibling, for companionship and socialisation.
3. Bichon Frise
A really good small dog breed for an apartment, a Bichon Frise won't grow larger than a foot tall, so they're the perfect size for a small apartment in the city.
They can have high energy levels, but with a couple of short walks every day, you can tire them out and easily make sure they get enough exercise.
A Bichon Frise rarely sheds compared to many breeds, so your flat won't be covered in hair, and you won't need to get the vacuum out too often. This is also handy if you suffer from allergies. However, their dense, curly coat does need a lot of regular grooming and trimming to keep it in good condition.
4. Miniature Poodle
The Mini Poodle maxes out at around 38 cm/15 inches tall, so they're the perfect dog breed if you live in a small apartment. You'll need to enjoy an active lifestyle, though, as they're very intelligent and sociable. They love playing with other dogs and spending time with their owners.
Luckily, a Mini Poodle's intelligence makes them one of the best dogs to train, so if you put in the time, they'll give you 100% back. Their coat doesn't shed much either, making them the perfect candidate for living in a smaller space.
5. Bedlington Terrier
This breed, with its distinctive long head, is another small breed that would suit living in an apartment. They can be playful, but generally have a quiet nature, and are known for being very loyal to their owners. They're affectionate and love nothing more than a cuddle on the sofa after playtime.
What Are Some Other Ideal Apartment Dogs?
The Bedlington Terrier rounded out our top five. But that isn't all she wrote when it comes to choosing the ideal pooch for your space. Here are some other breeds you might like to consider.
Biewer Terrier
Small and elegant, this toy terrier breed loves to be fussed over! Their size makes them the perfect choice for apartment life.
The downside is that they're long-haired, so if you choose this breed, you'll need to either spend a lot of time grooming them or have them professionally trimmed. Spending time on their grooming, even if they're trimmed, will prevent hair from ending up all over your apartment.
Australian Terrier
The Australian Terrier is one of the smaller terrier breeds, making them ideal for apartment life. They may be small, but they have large personalities. They're lively and cheeky, so there'll never be a dull moment living with an Aussie! This breed does need plenty of exercise, though.
So, if you pick an Aussie, you'll need to be prepared for regular exercise out on walks and playtime indoors and outdoors.
Yorkshire Terrier
While Yorkshire Terriers are small in size, they have big personalities and enjoy spending quality time with their owners. They are naturally brave and inquisitive, often seeking the company of larger dogs or alerting their owners with their loud barks. If you're looking for an affectionate companion with a courageous spirit, the Yorkshire Terrier, a toy breed, might be the ideal choice for you.
Due to their small size, they are not typically recommended for households with small children. However, they can adapt well to any environment, including small city apartments.
Italian Greyhound
If you're wondering, "Are Italian Greyhounds good apartment dogs?" the answer is, yes! This toy breed weighs in at around 4.5 kilos, making them very small and lightweight. An ideal breed for apartment living. This sweet and gentle breed is very affectionate and needs plenty of attention.
Italian Greyhounds can be a bit needy, but if you're at home a lot, they'll be in their element. If you want a lap dog, this is the apartment dog for you!
When you find your new furry friend from our list of best apartment dogs, look out for their future with dog insurance from Everypaw.
Everypaw Dog Insurance
Everypaw's Dog Insurance comes with 24/7 unlimited access to vets and vet nurses that can help with your pet's health, care, nutrition and behaviour. So you can rest assured your pup will be well looked after.