While most pet lovers love dogs of all breeds, looks, and sizes, sometimes it’s just not possible to have a certain breed of dog in a small living space. If you live in an apartment that allows pets and want a dog, you should first know which breeds thrive in apartment living. Not every dog is going to be suitable or happy for living in the small space most apartments give you. We’ll give you our top picks for the 15 best dogs for apartment life in this list. We’re sure you can find the right breed for you and be a happy pet parent for many years to come.
Top 15 Best Dogs for Apartment Living:
- Bulldog Image Credit: Piqsels
Height 14 to 16 inches
Weight 40 to 50 pounds
Life Expectancy 8 to 10 years
This breed is a medium-sized bulldog that has a moderate level of energy. He can live in any size house or apartment, and while exercise is necessary for him to be healthy, he can only stand a little activity. Full of personality, this is a dog that will have no problem laying on the couch and watching TV with its owner. However, bulldogs are prone to health problems, so make sure to keep an eye on your canine pal. Pros
Full of personality
Can live in any size house or apartment
Cons
Prone to health problems
- Chihuahua Image Credit: HG-Fotografie, Pixabay
Height 5 to 8 inches
Weight Up to 6 pounds
Life Expectancy 12 to 20 years
Anyone who has ever owned a Chihuahua can tell you that they are highly intelligent dogs. These are tiny dogs with a whole lot of personality packed into their tiny bodies. They are easy to transport, which is why celebrities love them, and they’ve gotten the nickname purse dogs. Chihuahuas love to cuddle, but it’s essential to note that they don’t do well in colder climates. Living in an apartment is fine for this breed, as long as they can be walked every day. Pros
Intelligent
Loves to cuddle
Easy to transport
Cons
Doesn’t do well in the cold
- Maltese Image Credit: lunamarina, Shutterstock
Height 7 to 9 inches
Weight Up to 7 pounds
Life Expectancy 12 to 15 years
The Maltese is an extremely affectionate breed that makes a great lap dog. They only need to be walked daily and given some interactive playtime to be happy. This dog sheds very little, but they do require constant grooming, so keep that in mind. This breed doesn’t do well in cold weather and can be stubborn and defensive at times, so it needs to be socialized and trained early in life so it can be the sweet, loving animal they’re meant to be. Pros
Extremely affectionate
Makes a good lap dog
Sheds very little
Cons
Doesn’t tolerate cold weather
Requires constant grooming
Stubborn/Defensive
- Shih Tzu Image Credit: Angel Sallade, Shutterstock
Height 9 to 11 inches
Weight 9 to 16 pounds
Life Expectancy 10 to 16 years
The Shih Tzu is a loyal, affectionate pet that does great with children, making it an excellent choice for a family pet. While this breed does develop very close bonds with their families, they will also be fine when left alone for a while if you have to work or go somewhere. The Shih Tzu makes an excellent lap dog. However, be warned that they can be extremely hard to housebreak, so make sure you start their training as a puppy. In addition, some of the Shih Tzu breed has breathing issues, so make sure to keep an eye on your pet. Pros
Loyal/Affectionate
Does great with children
Makes an excellent lap dog
Cons
Hard to housebreak
Some have breathing issues
- Boston Terrier Image Credit: Eve Photography, Shutterstock
Height 15 to 17 inches
Weight 15 to 25 pounds
Life Expectancy 12 to 14 years
Not only are Boston Terriers super adorable, but they also don’t have very high exercise requirements, and they require very little grooming. This is a great dog for someone who’s never owned a dog before since he’s easy to get along with and good with other pets and children. However, this breed does easily become obese, so keep an eye on how much you feed them. They can be a little hard to train and tend to suffer from separation anxiety. Apartment and city living is perfectly fine for this perky breed as well. Pros
A great dog for beginners
Good with children and other pets
Requires little grooming
Cons
Can easily become obese
It can be hard to train
- Poodle Image Credit: -Andretti, Pixabay
Height Over 15 inches for standard,
Weight 40 to 70 pounds for standard
Life Expectancy 10 to 18 years
Poodles, no matter the size, do great living in an apartment. Most of this breed is great with children, and they do have a long lifespan of between 10 to 18 years. Poodles are also hypoallergenic, which means they could be okay to have around people that have certain allergies. However, poodles do tend to develop bad habits easily, so they need to be socialized and trained as puppies. They also need to be groomed regularly to keep their fur from matting and becoming full of knots. Pros
Great with children
Has a long lifespan
Hypoallergenic
Cons
Develops bad habits easily
Requires constant grooming
- Greyhound Image Credit: David Mark, Pixabay
Height 27 to 30 inches
Weight 60 to 70 pounds
Life Expectancy 10 to 13 years
For most people, when they think of the Greyhound breed, they think of racetracks. While that’s true, these dogs make great pets as well. In reality, these dogs are couch potatoes of the highest form, so while they enjoy running, they don’t need much more than a daily walk to be happy and healthy. They don’t require a whole lot of grooming and are quite docile creatures as well. It is essential to note that Greyhounds are fast runners, so keep a tight grip on their leash during walks. This breed isn’t bred to be a watchdog, so if that’s what you’re after, this isn’t the right choice for your needs. Pros
Doesn’t require a lot of grooming
Docile
Doesn’t need a lot of exercise
Cons
Fast runners
Do not make good watchdogs
- Basset Hound Image Credit: Ewa Studio, Shutterstock
Height Up to 15 inches
Weight 40 to 65 pounds
Life Expectancy 12 to 13 years
The Basset Hound is an absolutely adorable pet. This breed is mild-tempered, great with family, and loyal and devoted to its family. Most Basset Hounds like to take a daily walk but are happy just being laid-back pets as well. They do tend to be much less active as they age also. The breed can be quite stubborn and hard to train, so socialize and train your pup as a puppy for the best results. Pros
Mild tempered
Great for families
Loyal/Devoted
Cons
Can be stubborn and hard to train
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Image Credit: BJkenel, Shutterstock
Height 12 to 13 inches
Weight 13 to 18 pounds
Life Expectancy 12 to 14 years
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed is a very friendly breed of dogs. They are usually upbeat, happy, and eager to please their families. This breed is also easy to train and is happy to just curl up on the couch with her family for companionship. However, it is best to watch what you feed this breed, as they are prone to obesity. A daily walk and some games with you are perfectly fine for exercise with this perky little dog as well. Pros
Very friendly
Eager to please
Easy to train
Cons
Prone to obesity
- Havanese Image Credit: Sandra Huber, Shutterstock
Height 8.5 to 11.5 inches
Weight 7 to 13 pounds
Life Expectancy 14 to 16 years
If you’re looking for a dog that doesn’t shed a whole lot, then the cheerful Havanese breed is what you’re looking for. This breed is happy in a small apartment or a huge house, and though they do need to be walked daily, they’re happy indoors laying on the couch as well. This breed gets along well with children and other dogs but does suffer from separation anxiety if left too long by the family it has bonded with. Pros
Low shedder
Cheerful
Gets on well with children and other dogs
Cons
Suffers from separation anxiety
- Pug Image Credit: maniablack18, Pixabay
Height 10 to 13 inches
Weight 14 to 18 pounds
Life Expectancy 13 to 15 years
A Pug is a joy to have around. These little dogs are great for apartment life, rare bark, and do really well with children. This breed is fun, adorable, and small, yet really sturdy as well. Content to just stay at home and cuddle with the family they love, this little dog has a big personality in a compact body. Pugs do tend to snort, and you’ll need to give extra attention to the folds in his face when you’re giving him a bath. Make sure not to work your Pug too hard as this breed does tend to overheat easily. Pros
Rarely barks
Family-friendly/Good with children
Sturdy, yet small
Cons
Snorts
Needs extra cleaning in the folds of his face
Overheats easily
- French Bulldog Image Credit: Christel SAGNIEZ, Pixabay
Height 11 to 13 inches
Weight 19 to 28 pounds
Life Expectancy 10 to 12 years
The French Bulldog is a great family pet, loving to a fault, and doesn’t bark very often. It’s a well-loved breed in America but loved even more in France. All it takes is a brisk walk once a day to keep this breed healthy and happy. However, be careful when taking this dog out in the heat, as they tend to overheat very easily. Also, while they can run, they aren’t capable of a whole lot of exercise and physical activity. Pros
Great family pet
Doesn’t bark often
Loving
Cons
Overheats easily
Can run or exercise a lot
- Italian Greyhound Image Credit: Alexandra Morrison Photo, Shutterstock
Height 13 to 15 inches
Weight 7 to 14 pounds
Life Expectancy 14 to 15 years
The Italian Greyhound is an adorable, affectionate mini version of the Greyhound that is also on our list. They weigh around 12 to 18 pounds instead of 60 and have the same characteristics as their larger counterparts. They are affectionate and great for families, but they tend to shed quite a bit and can be hard to train. Socialization and training early in their lives are key to this being a great family pet and loyal companion. Pros
Affectionate
Great for families
Cons
Sheds a lot
It can be hard to train
- Bichon Frise Image Credit: Ieva Tvaronavicute, Shutterstock
Height 10 to 12 inches
Weight 12 to 18 pounds
Life Expectancy 14 to 15 years
The Bichon Frise is a hypoallergenic breed, which means this dog is suitable for some people who suffer from allergies. They are adorable, loyal, and happy most of the time. This is an active breed who doesn’t bark very often. However, they do need constant grooming to keep their fur free of tangles and mats. You also need to make sure someone will be with your pet most of the time, as this breed suffers from separation anxiety if left alone. Pros
Active
Hypoallergenic
Not an avid barker
Cons
Suffers from separation anxiety
Needs constant grooming
- Chinese Crested Image Credit: Veronika Andrews, Pixabay
Height 11 to 13 inches
Weight 8 to 12 pounds
Life Expectancy 13 to 18 years
The Chinese Crested breed is an athletic, easy-to-train dog with a unique look. This is an intelligent, alert breed that does require quite a bit of exercise to be healthy and happy. They aren’t suited for families with young children, so it’s best that they are around older children instead. This breed does require special grooming, so you might want to take your pet to a professional groomer to ensure he’s groomed properly. Pros
Athletic
Easy to train/Intelligent
Unique look
Cons
Needs special grooming
Not for families with young children
Final Thoughts This concludes the list of our picks for the 15 best dogs suited for apartment life. However, it’s important to note that no matter what size your dog is, it is easy for them to get bored in a small space. Avoid this by making sure they are exercised regularly and have plenty of games and toys to keep them happy and healthy for the best results.
You may also want to read: Maltichon (Maltese and Bichon Frise Mix)
Featured Image Credit: zEdward_Indy, Shutterstock
While most pet lovers love dogs of all breeds, looks, and sizes, sometimes it’s just not possible to have a certain breed of dog in a small living space. If you live in an apartment that allows pets and want a dog, you should first know which breeds thrive in apartment living. Not every dog is going to be suitable or happy for living in the small space most apartments give you.
We’ll give you our top picks for the 15 best dogs for apartment life in this list. We’re sure you can find the right breed for you and be a happy pet parent for many years to come.
Top 15 Best Dogs for Apartment Living:
1. Bulldog
Height 14 to 16 inches
Weight 40 to 50 pounds
Life Expectancy 8 to 10 years
This breed is a medium-sized bulldog that has a moderate level of energy. He can live in any size house or apartment, and while exercise is necessary for him to be healthy, he can only stand a little activity. Full of personality, this is a dog that will have no problem laying on the couch and watching TV with its owner. However, bulldogs are prone to health problems, so make sure to keep an eye on your canine pal.
Pros
Full of personality
Can live in any size house or apartment
Cons
Prone to health problems
2. Chihuahua
Height 5 to 8 inches
Weight Up to 6 pounds
Life Expectancy 12 to 20 years
Anyone who has ever owned a Chihuahua can tell you that they are highly intelligent dogs. These are tiny dogs with a whole lot of personality packed into their tiny bodies. They are easy to transport, which is why celebrities love them, and they’ve gotten the nickname purse dogs. Chihuahuas love to cuddle, but it’s essential to note that they don’t do well in colder climates. Living in an apartment is fine for this breed, as long as they can be walked every day.
Full of personality
Can live in any size house or apartment
- Full of personality
- Can live in any size house or apartment
Prone to health problems
- Prone to health problems
Pros
Intelligent
Loves to cuddle
Easy to transport
Cons
Doesn’t do well in the cold
3. Maltese
Height 7 to 9 inches
Weight Up to 7 pounds
Life Expectancy 12 to 15 years
The Maltese is an extremely affectionate breed that makes a great lap dog. They only need to be walked daily and given some interactive playtime to be happy. This dog sheds very little, but they do require constant grooming, so keep that in mind. This breed doesn’t do well in cold weather and can be stubborn and defensive at times, so it needs to be socialized and trained early in life so it can be the sweet, loving animal they’re meant to be.
Intelligent
Loves to cuddle
Easy to transport
- Intelligent
- Loves to cuddle
- Easy to transport
Doesn’t do well in the cold
- Doesn’t do well in the cold
Pros
Extremely affectionate
Makes a good lap dog
Sheds very little
Cons
Doesn’t tolerate cold weather
Requires constant grooming
Stubborn/Defensive
4. Shih Tzu
Height 9 to 11 inches
Weight 9 to 16 pounds
Life Expectancy 10 to 16 years
The Shih Tzu is a loyal, affectionate pet that does great with children, making it an excellent choice for a family pet. While this breed does develop very close bonds with their families, they will also be fine when left alone for a while if you have to work or go somewhere. The Shih Tzu makes an excellent lap dog. However, be warned that they can be extremely hard to housebreak, so make sure you start their training as a puppy. In addition, some of the Shih Tzu breed has breathing issues, so make sure to keep an eye on your pet.
Extremely affectionate
Makes a good lap dog
Sheds very little
- Extremely affectionate
- Makes a good lap dog
- Sheds very little
Doesn’t tolerate cold weather
Requires constant grooming
Stubborn/Defensive
- Doesn’t tolerate cold weather
- Requires constant grooming
- Stubborn/Defensive
Pros
Loyal/Affectionate
Does great with children
Makes an excellent lap dog
Cons
Hard to housebreak
Some have breathing issues
Loyal/Affectionate
Does great with children
Makes an excellent lap dog
- Loyal/Affectionate
- Does great with children
- Makes an excellent lap dog
Hard to housebreak
Some have breathing issues
- Hard to housebreak
- Some have breathing issues
5. Boston Terrier
Height 15 to 17 inches
Weight 15 to 25 pounds
Life Expectancy 12 to 14 years
Not only are Boston Terriers super adorable, but they also don’t have very high exercise requirements, and they require very little grooming. This is a great dog for someone who’s never owned a dog before since he’s easy to get along with and good with other pets and children. However, this breed does easily become obese, so keep an eye on how much you feed them. They can be a little hard to train and tend to suffer from separation anxiety. Apartment and city living is perfectly fine for this perky breed as well.
Pros
A great dog for beginners
Good with children and other pets
Requires little grooming
Cons
Can easily become obese
It can be hard to train
6. Poodle
Height Over 15 inches for standard,
Weight 40 to 70 pounds for standard
Life Expectancy 10 to 18 years
Poodles, no matter the size, do great living in an apartment. Most of this breed is great with children, and they do have a long lifespan of between 10 to 18 years. Poodles are also hypoallergenic, which means they could be okay to have around people that have certain allergies. However, poodles do tend to develop bad habits easily, so they need to be socialized and trained as puppies. They also need to be groomed regularly to keep their fur from matting and becoming full of knots.
A great dog for beginners
Good with children and other pets
Requires little grooming
- A great dog for beginners
- Good with children and other pets
- Requires little grooming
Can easily become obese
It can be hard to train
- Can easily become obese
- It can be hard to train
Pros
Great with children
Has a long lifespan
Hypoallergenic
Cons
Develops bad habits easily
Requires constant grooming
7. Greyhound
Height 27 to 30 inches
Weight 60 to 70 pounds
Life Expectancy 10 to 13 years
For most people, when they think of the Greyhound breed, they think of racetracks. While that’s true, these dogs make great pets as well. In reality, these dogs are couch potatoes of the highest form, so while they enjoy running, they don’t need much more than a daily walk to be happy and healthy. They don’t require a whole lot of grooming and are quite docile creatures as well. It is essential to note that Greyhounds are fast runners, so keep a tight grip on their leash during walks. This breed isn’t bred to be a watchdog, so if that’s what you’re after, this isn’t the right choice for your needs.
Great with children
Has a long lifespan
Hypoallergenic
- Great with children
- Has a long lifespan
- Hypoallergenic
Develops bad habits easily
Requires constant grooming
- Develops bad habits easily
- Requires constant grooming
Pros
Doesn’t require a lot of grooming
Docile
Doesn’t need a lot of exercise
Cons
Fast runners
Do not make good watchdogs
8. Basset Hound
Height Up to 15 inches
Weight 40 to 65 pounds
Life Expectancy 12 to 13 years
The Basset Hound is an absolutely adorable pet. This breed is mild-tempered, great with family, and loyal and devoted to its family. Most Basset Hounds like to take a daily walk but are happy just being laid-back pets as well. They do tend to be much less active as they age also. The breed can be quite stubborn and hard to train, so socialize and train your pup as a puppy for the best results.
Doesn’t require a lot of grooming
Docile
Doesn’t need a lot of exercise
- Doesn’t require a lot of grooming
- Docile
- Doesn’t need a lot of exercise
Fast runners
Do not make good watchdogs
- Fast runners
- Do not make good watchdogs
Pros
Mild tempered
Great for families
Loyal/Devoted
Cons
Can be stubborn and hard to train
9. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Height 12 to 13 inches
Weight 13 to 18 pounds
Life Expectancy 12 to 14 years
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed is a very friendly breed of dogs. They are usually upbeat, happy, and eager to please their families. This breed is also easy to train and is happy to just curl up on the couch with her family for companionship. However, it is best to watch what you feed this breed, as they are prone to obesity. A daily walk and some games with you are perfectly fine for exercise with this perky little dog as well.
Mild tempered
Great for families
Loyal/Devoted
- Mild tempered
- Great for families
- Loyal/Devoted
Can be stubborn and hard to train
- Can be stubborn and hard to train
Pros
Very friendly
Eager to please
Easy to train
Cons
Prone to obesity
10. Havanese
Height 8.5 to 11.5 inches
Weight 7 to 13 pounds
Life Expectancy 14 to 16 years
If you’re looking for a dog that doesn’t shed a whole lot, then the cheerful Havanese breed is what you’re looking for. This breed is happy in a small apartment or a huge house, and though they do need to be walked daily, they’re happy indoors laying on the couch as well. This breed gets along well with children and other dogs but does suffer from separation anxiety if left too long by the family it has bonded with.
Very friendly
Eager to please
Easy to train
- Very friendly
- Eager to please
- Easy to train
Prone to obesity
- Prone to obesity
Pros
Low shedder
Cheerful
Gets on well with children and other dogs
Cons
Suffers from separation anxiety
11. Pug
Height 10 to 13 inches
Weight 14 to 18 pounds
Life Expectancy 13 to 15 years
A Pug is a joy to have around. These little dogs are great for apartment life, rare bark, and do really well with children. This breed is fun, adorable, and small, yet really sturdy as well. Content to just stay at home and cuddle with the family they love, this little dog has a big personality in a compact body. Pugs do tend to snort, and you’ll need to give extra attention to the folds in his face when you’re giving him a bath. Make sure not to work your Pug too hard as this breed does tend to overheat easily.
Low shedder
Cheerful
Gets on well with children and other dogs
- Low shedder
- Cheerful
- Gets on well with children and other dogs
Suffers from separation anxiety
- Suffers from separation anxiety
Pros
Rarely barks
Family-friendly/Good with children
Sturdy, yet small
Cons
Snorts
Needs extra cleaning in the folds of his face
Overheats easily
12. French Bulldog
Height 11 to 13 inches
Weight 19 to 28 pounds
Life Expectancy 10 to 12 years
The French Bulldog is a great family pet, loving to a fault, and doesn’t bark very often. It’s a well-loved breed in America but loved even more in France. All it takes is a brisk walk once a day to keep this breed healthy and happy. However, be careful when taking this dog out in the heat, as they tend to overheat very easily. Also, while they can run, they aren’t capable of a whole lot of exercise and physical activity.
Rarely barks
Family-friendly/Good with children
Sturdy, yet small
- Rarely barks
- Family-friendly/Good with children
- Sturdy, yet small
Snorts
Needs extra cleaning in the folds of his face
Overheats easily
- Snorts
- Needs extra cleaning in the folds of his face
- Overheats easily
Pros
Great family pet
Doesn’t bark often
Loving
Cons
Overheats easily
Can run or exercise a lot
13. Italian Greyhound
Height 13 to 15 inches
Weight 7 to 14 pounds
Life Expectancy 14 to 15 years
The Italian Greyhound is an adorable, affectionate mini version of the Greyhound that is also on our list. They weigh around 12 to 18 pounds instead of 60 and have the same characteristics as their larger counterparts. They are affectionate and great for families, but they tend to shed quite a bit and can be hard to train. Socialization and training early in their lives are key to this being a great family pet and loyal companion.
Great family pet
Doesn’t bark often
Loving
- Great family pet
- Doesn’t bark often
- Loving
Overheats easily
Can run or exercise a lot
- Overheats easily
- Can run or exercise a lot
Pros
Affectionate
Great for families
Cons
Sheds a lot
It can be hard to train
14. Bichon Frise
Height 10 to 12 inches
Weight 12 to 18 pounds
Life Expectancy 14 to 15 years
The Bichon Frise is a hypoallergenic breed, which means this dog is suitable for some people who suffer from allergies. They are adorable, loyal, and happy most of the time. This is an active breed who doesn’t bark very often. However, they do need constant grooming to keep their fur free of tangles and mats. You also need to make sure someone will be with your pet most of the time, as this breed suffers from separation anxiety if left alone.
Affectionate
Great for families
- Affectionate
- Great for families
Sheds a lot
It can be hard to train
- Sheds a lot
- It can be hard to train
Pros
Active
Hypoallergenic
Not an avid barker
Cons
Suffers from separation anxiety
Needs constant grooming
15. Chinese Crested
Height 11 to 13 inches
Weight 8 to 12 pounds
Life Expectancy 13 to 18 years
The Chinese Crested breed is an athletic, easy-to-train dog with a unique look. This is an intelligent, alert breed that does require quite a bit of exercise to be healthy and happy. They aren’t suited for families with young children, so it’s best that they are around older children instead. This breed does require special grooming, so you might want to take your pet to a professional groomer to ensure he’s groomed properly.
Active
Hypoallergenic
Not an avid barker
- Active
- Hypoallergenic
- Not an avid barker
Suffers from separation anxiety
Needs constant grooming
- Suffers from separation anxiety
- Needs constant grooming
Pros
Athletic
Easy to train/Intelligent
Unique look
Cons
Needs special grooming
Not for families with young children
Athletic
Easy to train/Intelligent
Unique look
- Athletic
- Easy to train/Intelligent
- Unique look
Needs special grooming
Not for families with young children
- Needs special grooming
- Not for families with young children
Final Thoughts
This concludes the list of our picks for the 15 best dogs suited for apartment life. However, it’s important to note that no matter what size your dog is, it is easy for them to get bored in a small space. Avoid this by making sure they are exercised regularly and have plenty of games and toys to keep them happy and healthy for the best results.
- You may also want to read: Maltichon (Maltese and Bichon Frise Mix)
Featured Image Credit: zEdward_Indy, Shutterstock
