People who live in countries or cities where living spaces are built very small are often confused when it comes to the subject of getting a dog.
Questions these people often ask include: what kind of dog breed is good for an apartment living?
I live in a condo; what kind of dog can cope in my small space? If you live in a condo or an apartment, you may have decided to give up on owning a dog till you can afford a bigger space.
However, the good news is that many dogs can thrive in condos and other small living spaces.
The first thing to consider if you live in a small space and want to adopt a dog is whether or not your lease or homeowners associations agree to allow dogs or other pets to live in the building.
Find out if there are fees that should be paid and if you can afford to pay them. Finally, find out if there are weight restrictions or breed exclusion before you take the next step to become a dog parent.
Another important thing to put into consideration is the environment you live in and also your lifestyle. Are you set to take on the responsibility of a dog parent who lives in a small space?
If yes, then you should know that your dog will need access to a potty and do it at least thrice daily, you need to find a place where you can walk your dog, and he can poop easily.
Please find a local park where you can play with your dog and allow him to have all the exercise needed. You should also make sure the environment is pedestrian-friendly.
Once you have made up your mind to get a dog, the next thing you want to do is determine what kind of dog you want to get that would be right for your size of living space.
What to consider?
To get the right dog for apartment living, put the following into consideration:
Size
The size of the dog is the first thing most people think about. Even though many people assume that only small dogs should live in apartments, the fact remains that dogs of almost any size can do well in small living spaces.
In fact, there are small dogs that are poorly suited to small living spaces for various reasons. Nevertheless, it may be weird to have a giant dog in a condo or apartment.
You will need to fit an appropriate-sized crate and dog bed into your living space. Your dog needs plenty of space to stroll around the house without creating the scene of a bull in a china shop.
Activity level
The dog’s activity level is another factor to consider. An extremely high-energy dog will be sad most of the time if it is confined to a small living space without a yard unless you can provide your dog with a lot of exercise and stimulation outside your apartment daily.
Active dogs may destroy your properties if you leave them with nothing to do all day long. However, that doesn’t mean that when you get a low-energy dog, you can easily walk away without trying to keep it engaged in any way.
All dogs, regardless of activity level, need training, a lot of exercise, and plenty of interaction with their owners to increase and maintain the bond you share with them.
Vocalization
The vocalization of dogs is one vital factor that people tend to overlook most of the time. Getting a dog the whines, howls, and barks a lot might get you into trouble with the building management, your neighbors, and even the police.
If you live in an apartment complex where many different faces come and go regularly, almost every dog bark instinctively.
Nevertheless, your dog must get used to the normal sounds of the building and learn not to respond to them.
You can accomplish that through training and behavior management.
The best thing to do is to avoid keeping an extremely social dog in an apartment, but that doesn’t change the fact that every dog is an individual, which means a particular dog might not take on some of the traits of its breed.
Speaking from a general perspective, the traits below are ideal for dogs living in an apartment.
- Generally quiet
- Small to medium size
- Low to a moderate energy level
You must understand that a dog breed as a primary factor cannot guarantee whether or not the dog you are adopting will do well in an apartment.
Nevertheless, the breed of a dog can be an excellent indicator of what you should expect.
There is also a chance that mixed breed dogs will be very well in a small apartment if they possess the right qualities.
Some particular traits are associated with some breeds of dogs that make them perfect for apartment life.
The list below is not certainly incomplete, as many other dog breeds will do well living in an apartment that didn’t make this list.
However, the dogs listed in this article are perfect for apartment living and are also popular.
Best Dogs for Apartment
1. Basset Hound
The medium size to large basset is typically a very easygoing dog.
Even though most hounds are popular for their howl and bay, most bassets are known to bay less than an average hound, and the only time they bay would be in response to another dag making a similar sound or even to a police siren.
Bassets are averagely energetic dogs, but they tend to become less active as they grow older. Most bassets will enjoy a daily dog walk but do not require so much exercise.
Your Basset will love to loaf around the house with you, especially as he grows older.
2. Bichon Frise
Bichon fries are one of the little yet most playful dogs that have gradually become favorite small dog lovers.
The Bichon is one happy and super loyal dog with a medium and sometimes low energy level.
Even though many tiny dogs are known to be yippy barkers, the bichon fries tend to find themselves on the lower end of that spectrum.
A daily play session would be almost just enough to meet your little dog’s exercise needs, and you should get ready to be all smiles as bichons are always eager to run all around you once you return home.
3. Bulldog
You may not have expected to see the bulldog on this list, but we can’t deny the fact that bulldogs are great for apartment living.
The bulldog is a medium-sized canine with a moderate energy level and is generally a quiet guy.
Your bulldog is sure to prove its loyalty and show that it is a jovial companion who most probably will be trying to share your bed.
If you would love to allow your bulldog to share your bed, make sure you can deal with a snoring partner.
However, your bulldog’s snore will not be loud enough to disturb your neighbors. If you are a light sleeper like I am, please do not allow your bulldog to sleep share your bed.
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
This affectionate, cute, and faithful breed of dog is an excellent feline for apartment living.
The Cavalier is one calm and gentle dog, but it can be jovial and upbeat as well. This small to medium breed of dog is generally happy but super quiet.
The Cavalier is a dog that doesn’t require too much exercise; simple daily playtime with you and your companionship is enough to keep it stimulated.
The Cavalier is one moderately energetic dog, so you don’t have to worry much.
One of the reasons why people love cavalier is that they remain a little like a puppy forever.
You and your little canine buddy will develop a very close bond, and you sure will enjoy returning home to snuggle with your doggie.
5. Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is easily one of the most popular little dogs in the world. This breed of dog has a medium to high energy level and also has a really great personality.
The little size of this dog makes a small living space perfect enough to keep it. To keep your little fellow happy, engage it in games and daily walks.
You must bear in mind that some Chihuahuas can be a little on the barky side when they feel like a potential intruder is approaching.
Training a Chihuahua can help them control the barking, as well as control the quintessential Chihuahua attitude.
Nevertheless, once you can bond with your canine buddy, it will be loyal to you for as long as you own it.
6. Chinese Crested
Though the Chinese crested is famous as a contender for the world’s ugliest dog competition, this canine is a beautiful one.
This breed of dog is a vigilant one that also enjoys spending time with its human family.
Its medium energy level, small size, and quiet demeanor make this little dog one of the best choices for a small apartment.
You are sure to enjoy the attention your rare-looking dog will attract when you take a walk with it around the apartment.
7. Greyhound
This dog might be the most surprising to make this list, especially because people know it as a dog bred for racing. However, this special dog is a couch potato, and it shows that part to those it loves.
Although the greyhound enjoys running most of the time, the greyhound doesn’t require more than a daily walk from you.
Never adopt a greyhound straight off the racing life to live in a small space. However, if you end up getting one straight off the racing life, there definitely has to be a readjustment period.
Race dogs are not really comfortable living in a home because it is not the life they are used to. That explains why some of them are scared of stairs and might even walk through windows thinking they were left open.
If you get a greyhound from a foster program, it should be most likely ready for life in the apartment, but the bottom line is getting your greyhound to trust and get to know you so that your friends can work.
8. Maltese
Like the Bichon, Maltese is another breed of dog that will definitely thrive in an apartment.
The Maltese are a gentle yet playful canine that requires only a basic daily exercise and has a medium energy level.
Another great quality this dog possesses is that it is less likely to make noise than many other little dogs.
Malteses love to be petted and treated like a lap dogs. You most definitely will enjoy the affection and loyalty this fellow will provide you with.
9. Poodle
When it comes to stuffed animals, one of my favorites is the poodle. Most miniature and stuffed toy poodles make a perfect addition to an apartment, but the larger-sized poodle is also a wonderful apartment dog if you give it a try.
There isn’t so much a poodle can’t do regardless of its size. These dogs are highly noble, intelligent, and loyal. Though many of them tend towards the more active side, poodles are a moderate energy canine species.
Fortunately for us poodles lovers, these dogs are obedient and disciplined if given the right training.
You, however, need to provide a little amount of exercise for your poodle to keep it happy and active.
Once you get a poodle, you will discover in no time that this species is adaptable and also steadfast.
They learn routine really quickly and do not hesitate to follow the step of their owners.
10. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is easily the winner when it comes to the best apartment dog competition. One of the reasons for this is that it is one of the easiest to find small dogs around.
The Shih Tzu is perfect for apartment living because of its affectionate, playful, and happy nature.
However, this dog needs no more than basic general training and daily exercise.
You and your pet Shih Tzu might become inseparable buddies, and you might find out you want to take them everywhere you go.
Nevertheless, if you cant take your little fellow out with you for some reason, he is most likely to stay back home and relax as it awaits your return.
Shih Tzu is entertaining to watch as they run to greet their owners and quickly curl up on their owner’s lap to say acute welcome home.
