Best Apartment Dogs (Top 20 List)

It’s amazing to see a shift of perspectives that have been occurring, with Millenials dreaming of having an apartment dogs just as they move into an apartment.

Younger couples who’ve just moved in together often want to know about dogs who justifies the role of an apartment dog perfectly; a dog most suitable for apartment-sized living.

If one has to categorize breeds a collective list of best apartment dogs, size is not the only factor that must be taken into consideration.

There are different aspects that must be pondered about equally – such as energy levels, temperament, training needs, and barking tendencies.

If you think you need to know more about the existing dog breeds, you must go through our dog breeds section and learn more about them.

There are many great four-legged candidates, who can be your companion in the coming time and be a part of your family.

Top 20 Best Apartment Dogs:

1. Basenji:

Basenji is surely a dog breed that fits perfectly for being the best apartment dog with very calm and soothing characteristics.

Basenjis were originally found in Congo and have been known to strongly serve their purpose of controlling the population of rodents and other smaller animals.

They are great listeners and highly affectionate with their family members.

Easy to train and very low barking tendencies makes them a great choice for apartment-sized living.

They at times can be stubborn, but if you outplay them, they can be trained very efficiently.

Being about 18 inches in height and over 25 pounds in weight, they are great for apartments.

2. Bichon Frise:

A typical Bichon Frise breed doesn’t grow more than 11.5 inches tall and weigh 12 – 18 pounds which makes them the right size to accommodate more than comfortably in an apartment.

They’re also an amazing hypoallergenic dog breed, which means they shed very less and people allergic to pets are less likely to have any allergic reaction at all.

They’re known for their trainability and the adorable cloudy appearance in show businesses ever since early ages.

The quality of food you feed them matters, as they’re also very prone to health issues.

But having a great temperament and intelligence, they are one of the best apartment dogs to consider.

3. Boston Terrier:

Boston Terriers are known for their gentleness and tenderness in the canine world and are also famously named as ‘The American Gentleman’.

Even though they’re very dynamic in nature, they’re much compact for their energy to be sustained under the roof of an apartment.

In the 19th century England, a trend flooded the breeding world where terriers and bull-type dogs were bred in order to reinvent a breed that could be highly competent in pit fighting and ratting contest.

If you’re someone who leads an active lifestyle and wouldn’t mind training your dog, Boston Terriers are amazing as your new four-legged canine companion to get home.

4. Brussels Griffon:

You’ll have a sufficient supply of humor until you have a Brussels Griffon, they say – which is true.

With a compact size of not more than 11 inches and a maximum weight of 18 pounds, they make great pets for lifestyle encapsulated in the size of an apartment.

They are highly affectionate and are very curious characters.

With the size of their, the simplest of their activities are capable of making one laugh.

Their facial features give them a lot of human-like glimpse on them.

They were majorly ratters during the earlier ages – which makes them quite intelligent and trainable.

Having them as your new family member would be a blend of entertainment and a pet that can also be a top-notch watchdog.

5. Bulldog:

Bulldogs are well known for their brave and yet get calm characteristic.

Their uniqueness with the sour mug face has made them quite popular over time.

They are of a mediocre size, but can weigh a bit more than other dogs.

Their height reaches up to 14 – 15 inches and weight a maximum scale between 40 – 50 pounds.

Bulldogs in the early times were known for their ferociousness and blood sports, where they were trained to be blood-seeking gladiators.

But now they are also pretty well as family dogs, due to their temperament and the innate ability to adapt with conditions.

Bulldogs are without a doubt highly suitable for apartment-sized living and would be a gentleman of its own kind.

6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:

Even though they’re small in size, their energies are no match for their size.

They are sporty in nature due to the genes running in them from their spaniel ancestors.

They’ll be found either being on a lap or getting belly rub session most of the time and if not, they’ll be ecstatic throughout either being busy in chasing birds or involved in a playful activity.

They shed very less as compared to other breeds, and are great companions for apartment sized living.

7. Chihuahua:

They’re the tiniest breed in all of the breeds and equally adorable in their own way.

Chihuahuas don’t weigh more than 6 pounds.

They’re loyal and always carry a big-dog attitude, that can put them into danger at times.

It’s unsaid how well they would fit in an apartment-sized living, especially for couples who’re working – Chihuahuas would be amazing mates to have.

They have been originated from Mexico and have been a renowned breed for show business ever since.

8. Chinese Crested:

Chinese Crested is an amazing companion, lazy companions you can say, specializing in the ability to be the lazy majority of the times.

Chinese Cresteds are great for people who’re working or are not looking forward to indulging in a lot of dog training.

They grow as much as 11 – 13 inches and weigh maximum 12 – 16 pounds, making them a perfect fit for the best apartment dogs category.

These slim and partly haired creatures are a result of the breeding trend in China, where larger dogs were brought from Africa and reduced in size while breeding.

9. Coton De Tulear:

Coton De Tulear is a close cousin of the breed Maltese and Bichon Frise.

They are dogs with free spirit and love to be playful majority of times.

Be ready that’s not going to abandon your company, following you everywhere you go with everything you do; he won’t leave you even in the bathroom.

Coton De Tulear originates from the island called as Madagascar adjacent to the Indian Ocean, which is home to many creatures.

But Coton De Tulear is the new star that seems to be rising from there.

They hardly grow more than 11 inches and make amazing companion dogs for the apartment lifestyle.

10. Dachshund:

Originated from Germany, Dachshunds are the smallest of all hound-dogs.

They’re known for their hilariousness and agility as being ratters, genetically.

They easily fit for an apartment-sized living and are a bit difficult to train.

They are stubborn at times, but if you be patient with them – they are equally competent.

They also have chances of getting overweight, which increases risks of diseases targeting the spinal cord.

Hence, Dachshunds need to be trained frequently and fed very proportionately if you’re planning to bring a Dachshunds home.

Apart from that, they’re amazing show stealers with their comical behaviors and their loyalty and affection towards their pack members.

11. French Bulldog:

French Bulldogs served the purpose of hunting rodents and badgers in the earlier ages.

But now, they’re a great companion and family dogs.

It might be difficult to leave them alone, but they can become the best friends kids could ever have.

As they’re hardly 11 inches tall, they are suitable for a standard apartment lifestyle.

They don’t require much training and are always up for games.

12. Havanese:

These compact sized energy balls are the national dogs of Cuba.

Havanese is an adorable pocket-friendly companion to have.

A typical Havanese is heavily coated and requires a good amount of grooming.

Even though it’s good news for people allergic to dogs – they are one of the best hypoallergenic dogs despite being furry in nature.

They’re also nicknamed as ‘velcro dogs’ as they often stay stuck beside their owners, not budging to leave their sides.

Havanese definitely is a compact mate, who is highly affectionate and would definitely be the one to consider for apartments.

13. Greyhound:

Greyhound may surprise you as an apartment-friendly breed, as they are well known for their dynamic and agile characteristic.

But, at the same time they are equally calm and affectionate, that makes it very easy for people to have them as apartment dogs.

They are pleasing to the eyes, with their elegant hound shape and innocent little eyes, that makes them a strong contestant for the list of best apartment dogs.

14. Japanese Chin:

With big eyes and an angry look, they’re unique in their own way being charming, noble and loving.

They grow maximum up to 11 inches and weigh no more than 7 – 11 pounds making them a splendid choice compact living spaces like flats and apartments.

Being heavily coated they would need proper grooming and maintenance.

They’re easily trained, so it wouldn’t be a hassle in that area with them.

15. Lhasa Apso:

Lhasa originated in Tibet, especially for the purpose of alerting the monks in case of any intruding activities is spotted.

They’re in general, very non-sporty breed and are well appreciated for their ability to show loving and friendly behavior with family members and children.

Socialization plays an important role – to make them grow into extroverted friendly dogs and grooming must be taken care of frequently.

In their heads, they are beastly but in real they grow less than a foot tall and are one of the best choices for couples and people living in apartments.

16. Lowchen:

Lowchen is another adorable toy breed, that does really well at apartment lifestyles – as they are great companion dogs.

They are also well regarded as being agile and smart and perform really well at contests like obedience and loyalty.

Although, being highly affectionate they tend to find it difficult to stay alone at home.

Being easily trainable, they’ll be they mark a soft corner in everyone’s heart and prove to be superb apartment dogs.

17. Maltese:

After Chihuahuas, they can be said as the smallest breed of dogs with a bearded face and human-like expressions, they are as charming and lovable as they can be.

Their average height ranges between 7 – 9 inches and they weigh not more than 7 pounds.

They are well-regarded as one of the best companion dogs over 2000 years and are highly affectionate, which makes them vulnerable to separation anxiety which requires someone to be the present majority of the times.

18. Manchester Terrier:

Manchester Terriers are the sporty creatures in the kingdom.

They are high spirited, sharp and very curious to explore.

They are miniature in size, which is 15 – 16 inches in height and are easily trainable, making them excellent apartment dogs.

They were bred in the city they are named after and are also superb hunters as they carry inherited terrier genes.

19. Miniature Pinscher:

Miniature Pinschers are smaller versions of the Doberman Pinscher and are equally confident and energetic in behavior.

They require effective socialization in their earlier stages, in order to blend well with children and other animals.

They are a good consideration for apartment living, as they can be amazing watchdogs being suspicious of strangers.

But at the same time, they’re highly intelligent and require very less maintenance apart from bathing once a week.

20. Pekingese:

Pekingese are dogs with a crazy level of furr and very small distinctive face which makes even the simplest of their activities hilarious.

Pekingese are elegant and royal breed, who were bred especially for the wealthy people in China.

They have sophistication within them with high loyalty and tenderness, which makes them highly recommendable for an apartment lifestyle.

Conclusion:

These were the top 20 contenders in the best apartment dogs list, and all are equally well suited for a space at apartments.

You must keep in mind the flat space, their trainability, and temperament that matches best for your lifestyle and choose one to bring at your apartment.

Having a four-legged companion waiting for you at home would definitely be one of the greatest delights of life.

Do you have any more breeds in mind, that would suit for apartment living?

If yes, share it in the comments section below.

Share the link with people who’re looking forward to getting a pooch for their apartment.

Happy petting guys, keep engaging, thank you!