Dog Breeds that Thrive in Apartments

Guest Blogger: Melody Cary

You may think living in an apartment prevents you from getting a dog.

The truth is you can enjoy a canine companion even in tight quarters. The key is choosing a breed that has a personality to match apartment living.

Fortunately, there are quite a few that fit the bill. We’re going to go over our top five favorite apartment dog breeds and include a few honorable mentions.

5. Toy and Miniature Poodles

Although the standard size (which gets up to 70 pounds) may be a bit to big for apartment life, the toy and miniature versions of this breed do well in apartments.

Poodles are highly intelligent, which makes them easy to train. They can be energetic, so you’ll need to commit to a daily walk rather than quick bathroom breaks. But, with their small size, they don’t need much indoor space to run off that extra energy.

4. Basenji

If you’re worried about your dog’s bark bothering the neighbors, get a Basenji. This dog breed is known for being unable to bark.

However, this is not a breed for a new dog owner since they require a lot of training and can become destructive if not given enough attention and exercise. Make sure you do some research before jumping into one of these apartment-friendly dogs.

3. Maltese

If you’re going to be home a lot, the Maltese makes a perfect apartment companion. These little dogs are easygoing and love to cuddle.

They’ll need some grooming because of the length of their coat, but they also don’t shed as much as other dogs, which is another bonus for apartment living. Because they’re low energy dogs, you can get away with a couple of short walks every day.

2. Bulldog

If you want a tough-looking sweetheart that thrives in apartments, the bulldog is your best bet. Both the larger American Bulldog and smaller French Bulldog do well in apartments.

These breeds are lazy and therefore have no problem hanging around your apartment all day. The only problem with this is that they have a tendency to become overweight, so you’ll need to make sure they have a good diet and are getting enough exercise regularly.

Honorable Mentions

Here are a few honorable mentions that didn’t quite make it onto our top five list:

• Shiba inu
• Pekinese
• Pug
• Yorkshire terrier
• Lhasa apso
• Dachshund
• Boston terrier
• Chihuahua
• Bichon frise

Now, without further ado, our top pick for the best apartment dog breed.

1. Greyhound

Our top pick for the best dog breed for apartments will probably surprise you. After all, greyhounds are big dogs. But, that’s exactly why we picked them.

Lots of people love big dogs but are stuck living in an apartment. The greyhound solves that problem. They’re quiet, low-energy, and friendly, making them perfect for someone that doesn’t have a lot of space. Just make sure they have somewhere comfy to sleep and they’ll be happy as clams.

Apartment Dog Traits

As you can see, there are plenty of dog breeds to choose from when looking for a dog to share an apartment with. If you’re looking to adopt a mixed breed, here are some traits to look for:

• Smaller size
• Low-energy
• Quiet
• Not protective or nervous (won’t bark at every noise in the hallway)
• Easy to housebreak

With these characteristics in mind, you’ll be on your way to finding the perfect dog for your living situation!

No matter if you live in an apartment or a house, PetFirst Pet Insurance is here to help provide coverage for your pet’s accidents and illnesses. Make sure that they are not left uncovered. Get a quote today!