Best dog breeds for apartments: Large, medium, and small apartment dogs

Apartments and dogs can be a tricky partnership, but not an impossible one. Let's take a look at some of the best dog breeds for apartments, and dive into whether you should have one at all.

What is the perfect dog to have in an apartment?
What is the perfect dog to have in an apartment?  © Deborah Cortelazzi on Unsplash / Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash

Apartment dwellers typically have a nice life, often living in the center of the action and paying far less rent than they would for a house. There are a few drawbacks, though, not least of all being that having a darling doggo in an apartment can be difficult at times. Is it possible, though?

In this dog guide, TAG24 will take a look at some of the best dog breeds for apartments. Which dogs adhere well to apartment living? Let's take a look...

Can you have a dog in an apartment?

Many people will argue that having a dog in an apartment is a bad idea, but that's not exactly the case. Many people live in apartments, and those people should be allowed to have canine companions so long as they meet certain conditions.

If you have a relatively big apartment, live in a neighborhood with plenty of parks, can work from home or bring your dog to work, and have plenty of time, welcoming a dog into your apartment can be great!

What to think about when getting an apartment dog

There are many different things that you should think about before adopting a doggo to live in your apartment. Dogs require a lot of care, but that doesn't mean you should steer clear simply based on your living situation.

Not everyone can have a house with a yard, and if people can't have a dog in apartments, then many cities would be seemingly emptied of our canine companions. Can you imagine NYC without the doggos? There are a few things to consider, though, so let's take a look.

Thinking of getting an apartment dog? Here are some considerations:

  • How big is your apartment? It is very important to have a decently-sized apartment if you have a dog. Your pooch needs to be able to move around a bit and find comfy spots. You also need to be able to separate yourself from your doggo when necessary.
  • Are there plenty of parks nearby? If there aren't any parks, are there any big areas where you can take your new friend for walks every day? If you live somewhere unpleasant without green spaces or waterfront areas, embarking on daily walks may become a problem.
  • Is it loud? How is your neighborhood? Does your apartment building get rather loud, and is the area your dog calls home a little too confronting?
  • Is it OK with your landlord? If you're living in an apartment, it is quite likely that you are renting. Many apartments have a no-pets policy, so you need to check with your landlord before adopting.
  • Is your dog already potty-trained? You don't want a dog peeing all over things – especially in a small apartment. Is your dog already potty-trained, or will you have a few months of trouble?
  • What is your work situation? Is it possible to take your dog to work with you, or to work from home yourself? It can be troublesome to have a dog when you are working all day, and you should think about it.

This is a great tip! Talk to a veterinarian before adoption, and check whether it's going to be okay and what they would recommend. On top of that, go to the doctor and get yourself checked out for dog allergies. You don't want to suffer the sniffles for the next decade.

Make sure that you get a good apartment dog, as you don't want it to be unhappy.
Make sure that you get a good apartment dog, as you don't want it to be unhappy.  © Matthew Hamilton / Unsplash

Best apartment dogs: Top 5 breeds

There are a wide variety of different dogs that are suitable for apartment life, but we're purely going to focus on our five favorites. Do you want a cute and cuddly canine? Don't fret! There are many dogs out there that will be suitable, you just need to have a little patience and do some research.

Here are a few dog breeds that you can keep in an apartment!

Border Terrier is a good dog breed for apartments

Border Terriers are great for apartment living.
Border Terriers are great for apartment living.  © Jonathan Farber / Unsplash

Border Terriers are active little doggos that were born to dig and bred to hunt. These tiny dogs are insanely friendly and can be trained relatively easily as puppies. As a result, these pups are perfect for small apartments and city life.

They may be incredibly energetic, but they are also extremely loving and will greatly enjoy a good, proper cuddle. The most important thing to consider, though, is that aforementioned point about nearby parks. Border Terriers need to spend a lot of time outside, especially if you keep them in an apartment, so a good walking route is an absolute must!

Barbets are great big apartment dogs

Barbets are big, cuddly, friendly apartment dogs.
Barbets are big, cuddly, friendly apartment dogs.  © IMAGO / agefotostock

These playful pooches are some of the most loving and caring members of the animal kingdom. They don't shed all that much, which makes them pretty good for those with allergies, and are very calm and collected little mammals.

Barbets don't require too much walking, so if you are living in an area that's not particularly great for walks, it's not so bad (though, they will still need to be walked at least once a day). Docile and incredibly fun, these cuddly canines are perfect to curl up with on a Saturday night and watch a TV show.

Cocker Spaniel is the best medium-sized apartment dog

Cocker Spaniels are medium-sized delights, and perfect for apartment life.
Cocker Spaniels are medium-sized delights, and perfect for apartment life.  © Max Ducourneau / Unsplash

Cocker Spaniels are incredibly friendly doggos that absolutely love to be loved. They are medium-sized, easy to train, and incredibly fun to play dog puzzles with. On top of being so darn cute, these fluffy-eared pooches are reasonably active, but are also happy to calm down and chill.

To be honest, there are few dogs better suited for therapy than the Cocker Spaniel. The fact that they are quite small makes them great for children and apartment living, but you need to be ready to take them to the park regularly.

Boston Terrier is a fabulous small apartment doggo

Boston Terriers won't take up much space in a small apartment.
Boston Terriers won't take up much space in a small apartment.  © Kindred Hues Photography / Unsplash

Everyone loves a good Boston Terrier, generally because of their incredibly gentle nature, love, and level of cuteness. They are absolutely perfect to keep in apartments as they get along very well with anyone and will happily swap between active and docile lifestyles.

Feel free to take this little guy for some agility training, but make sure that it is well-trained as these little dudes can suffer pretty badly from separation anxiety if left home alone on a regular basis. Honestly, look at those eyes: doesn't your heart just melt?

Dachshunds are another good apartment dog

The humble little Dachshund is the perfect dog for an apartment.
The humble little Dachshund is the perfect dog for an apartment.  © Erda Estremera / Unsplash

These beautiful pooches are such wonderful little doggos that we wrote a Dachshund guide just to pay our respects! Did you know that they were originally bred for hunting? Well, you wouldn't imagine it if you had ever met one! These calm, friendly, loving little dogs are incredibly lovely and loyal.

Their personality traits make them perfect as apartment dogs, as long as they are given proper training. On top of that, they are affectionate and ready for anything. Do you want to chill and have a night in? They'll be down! You want to go out and play? They're here for it!

Is it worth having a dog in your apartment, or is it just too hard?

If you want to have a dog when living in an apartment, it's important to consider the difficulties you will face and the things your dog will need from before you can make an educated decision.

In the end, though, the most important thing is that your dog has space and a solid walking route! Keep those walks regular, get the right dog breed, and you'll be just fine!

Cover photo: Deborah Cortelazzi on Unsplash / Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash

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