By Justyn Harrison
June 20th Hey Apartment Dwellers, are you looking for the perfect apartment dog? look no further.
When looking for the perfect pup you will find an endless list of dog breeds…. and an even bigger list of opinions. Make sure you don’t succumb to the excitement and high energy of picking out your first apartment-friendly dog. Trust us, research is key and picking a great apartment dog is no walk in the dog park – well, until now.
Read on to find our ranking for the best dog breeds for apartment living.
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Before we help you pick the right dog, you need to know the questions we are basing our ranking off. We want to ensure that our chosen dog breed is suitable for larger apartments or smaller spaces. This way you know we’re making a choice suited for your living space or apartment life.
- What are the dog’s exercise needs?
- What is the size of the dog (small dog breeds preferred)
- Is the dog low-maintenance (energy levels, regular grooming, regular exercise, etc!)
- Cuddle factors! (& Cuteness, duh!)
We’ve put in the work to help you find the best dog breed for apartment living. Now get puppy-pickin’.
7. French Bulldog
Aka frenchies. A quintessential ‘toy dog’ and most people’s top pick of pooch for 2023.
The French Bulldog breed is aesthetically gorgeous and a naturally quiet dog, perfect for apartment living. They typically have low energy and are low shedding. Minimal exercise is needed, however, that doesn’t make them an independent dog breed!
Frenchies suffer from severe separation anxiety and, as a man-made breed, require lots of assistance to regulate their body temperature and know when to stop themselves from eating. If you’re into the hustle and bustle of busy city life, a Frenchie may not be for you!
6. Dachshund
Dachshund? We’re renaming them dashing-hund, ‘cause oh aren’t they gorgeous! …We mean they weren’t put on a popular pair of PJs for nothing.
Not only are they an aesthetic breed, but they are low maintenance! Dachshunds have basic exercise requirements (5 minutes of daily exercise per month of age), meaning they don’t require a lot of exercise.
In juxtaposition to their virtuous beauty, dachshunds are feisty! Whilst, they are loving and loyal this dog breed is known to be stubborn and prone to aggression. Maybe pat them when they’re napping? Oh well, we still love them! This pretty pooch is every small apartment’s best friend.
5. Greyhounds
Greyhounds, specifically the Italian Greyhound are incredible apartment pets!
This dog breed requires moderate exercise, is gentle and affectionate and is a pretty quiet breed. Similar to the French Bulldog they get severe separation anxiety and require lots of attention and cuddles!
Greyhounds have a prey drive so are not well suited to share spaces with smaller animals and can grow quite large. Some breeds can grow as large as 50kgs and stand as tall as 32 inches at the shoulder. As much as we personally love them these factors have landed them at number 5.
4. Bichon Frise
Hairless? Heck no. Cuddly? Heck yes.
These little fuzz balls of fun are one of the best dog breeds for a small space and can blend perfectly into any family’s lifestyle. They are known to be energetic, playful, and affectionate – the perfect cuddle companion or lapdog.
Unfortunately, they are not hyperallergic and do require very regular grooming. We aren’t fans of hair all over the couch, therefore the Bichon Frise is not 1st place material (sorrryyyy).
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
This Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is as royal as its name! Whilst historically they may have dined in Buckingham Palace they are just as comfortable in small apartments.
This dog breed is highly intelligent and easy to train. They are social and comfortable with strangers, children, and dogs of other breeds. Unfortunately, they are not hypoallergenic but we can look past that for such a cute face!
2. English Poodle
This dog breed screams ‘rich 90s movie apartment’, how can we not rank that high?
Jokes aside, Poodles are hypoallergenic and come in a range of sizes to suit any apartment. They have friendly and outgoing personalities, with high energy and influencing their temperament. They do prefer an active lifestyle and require lots of exercise.
The Poodle is a staple of every ‘it girls’ loft. Think you’re up for the challenge? Snag yourself an English Poodle.
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1. Basenji
The Basenji is the best apartment dog! (We know that’s a bold claim, but hear us out!)
They are the perfect small size for a small apartment and are hypoallergenic with a laid-back personality. They are known to be quite a clever breed so may require additional mental stimulation. As long as they get enough exercise to keep their tendency to chew at bay (don’t say we didn’t warn you). They are the perfect addition to any small space.
Worried about the chewing? Short walks and daily walks are a great way to stimulate your dog, puppy training classes are a life saviour with this breed as they love to learn and grow with their dog owners. If you are going to be out of the house for long periods, consider getting this pup a friend!
Honourable Mentions
Special mentions include the Shih Tzu, Pug, Chihuahua, Havanese, Maltese, Affenpinscher, Yorkshire Terrier, Basset Hound, Boston Terrier, Australian terrier and Yorkies – all perfect lapdogs, made for loungingSpecial mentions include the Shih Tzu, Pug, Chihuahua, Havanese, Maltese, Affenpinscher, Yorkshire Terrier, Basset Hound, Boston Terrier, Australian terrier and Yorkies – all perfect lapdogs, made for lounging
Joshua Chadwick 
