Do you live in an apartment? Has this fact made you cross the idea of dog ownership off your dream board? Well, get ready to re-do said dream board because we’ve put together the ultimate list of the best apartment dogs so you can still enjoy life with a fur friend!
We recommend steering clear of larger dogs if you live in an apartment, as certain breeds need outdoor room to roam. However, there are plenty of smaller dog breeds that are perfectly suited to apartment living. Read on for the 15 best small apartment dogs to learn the breed of your new best friend!
What Makes an Apartment-Friendly Dog
Small breeds that are laid back with low shedding are often best for apartments. Your neighbours will also appreciate the smaller breed as this means a smaller bark! Many of the breeds we discuss below are suited to city living, making them the perfect apartment dwellers.
Below you’ll find our list of the best apartment dogs based on things like temperament, bark levels and energy (along with size). Read on to see which breeds are more inclined to love a tiny home.
English Bulldogs
It may surprise you that the English Bulldog is one of our low-maintenance apartment dogs, but these little ones aren’t very energetic! They love napping on the couch, refrain from barking too much, and are great with kids. While they are stocky and can often weigh over 20kgs, they will enjoy big-city apartment living as much as you.
Bichon Frise
Don’t worry; this white ball of fluff won’t shed! The Bichon Frise is perfect for an apartment-dweller as they only get up to about 5kgs. They can be a touch energetic (especially when they are younger), but daily walks will solve this.
Pugs
Pugs are playful, loyal and love plenty of human interaction. They are also very small and more than happy to chill in bed all day. They do shed all year round, leaving a bit of a mess to clean up, but a slightly messy housemate seems fine when they are this cute.
Yorkshire Terriers
Some ‘Yorkies’ can be a little yappy, but if you train and socialise them early, this should curb their talkative side. These small dogs can get enough exercise indoors and only hit an average weight of around 3kg, and there is barely any shedding.
Greyhounds
We know we said apartment dogs need to be small dogs, but the greyhound is an exception. Many people mistakenly think that greyhounds are high-energy because of how fast they can run, but they are actually very chilled out, making them one of the best apartment dogs if you want a larger breed. A daily walk will keep them happy, and they’ll spend the rest of the time watching Netflix on the couch.
Chihuahuas
Chihuahuas are obviously very small dogs, but they also only require minimal exercise. Of course, proper training is vital to avoid a yappy housemate, but with an average weight of around 1kg, they are built for small, compact city living.
Dachshunds
Everyone loves a ‘sausage dog’, and apartment-dwellers can as well, thanks to this friendly breed only needing a small amount of exercise. They also make great housemates as they love children and other pets!
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
One of the more social breeds is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a breed that loves two things; friends and cuddles. Weighing up to a maximum of around 8kg, they are happy to remain indoors for most of the day.
Boston Terriers
The small Boston Terrier is another great apartment breed that will only require a daily walk to tick the exercise box and keep them content. This affectionate breed can be pretty lazy when indoors despite the fact they don’t mind a run and play when visiting the park.
Maltese
You may be surprised to learn that the Maltese’s glamorous coat does not shed! That’s right! A super hairy dog with no hair left around the home? That sounds like the perfect apartment dog! The only possible downside is how much this breed craves attention, so best suited to apartment folk who also work from home.
Coton de Tulear
These happy-go-lucky dogs are small and very easy to care for. They are furry but easy to manage, excited to have a run and play fetch when outdoors, but also very excited to chill out and sleep on the couch all day. Perfect!
Toy or Miniature Poodles
The Toy or Miniature Poodle varieties are perfect apartment dogs as they stay small (as opposed to the larger, standard poodles). These dogs are very smart and therefore easy to train, with an occasional walk all that is needed to keep them fit. The rest of the time, it’s snuggles and naps!
Toy Fox Terriers
The very clever Toy Fox Terrier is also easy to train and very, very small. This breed is very loyal and protective, so some training may be required to help them understand that the noises from neighbours in close proximity are nothing to worry about.
Shih Tzu
The most famous lapdog of the bunch is the Shih Tzu. These friendly little pups have an excellent coat and are some of the best apartment dogs as they are quite content to sit on your lap and sleep all day.
Basenji
The very quiet and calm Basenji is perfect in any setting that involves lots of close neighbours. It is important to understand that they can be difficult to train and somewhat stubborn, but these dogs are full of love and affection and are happy to chill with their family at home.
Staying Active When Living That City Lifestyle
While most of the breeds mentioned above love to stay indoors and nappy, they do still require a certain level of fitness in their routine to live happy, healthy lives. Luckily for you, our apartments are nearby several great parks including Merri Park, Ceres Village, Phillips Reserve and Balfe park (plus many more). There’s also plenty of dog-friendly venues in the area that we recommend checking out, including our local cafe, Bellboy – who have their very own custom-made kennel.
We are very supportive of dog-friendly apartment living at East Brunswick Village, and we regularly hold and encourage dog events! From our doggy-day markets to the soon-to-feature eco-dog wash, apartment living with a dog is made even easier at EBV.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best apartment dogs for full-time workers?
Greyhounds are somewhat surprisingly a great choice for apartment dwellers who are not home a lot. Despite being quite big, greyhounds are content napping inside all day. They can certainly keep up with an active lifestyle but don’t mind being left inside for long periods making them the perfect all-rounder breed.
How do you toilet-train a dog in an apartment?
Toilet training can be a little harder for dogs in an apartment as you can’t quickly pop outside, especially if you are a few levels up. However, you can use a patch of apartment grass, perhaps out on a balcony or in a bathroom, for training. The goal is to help your dog develop a sense of routine and comfort, which involves reinforcing positive behaviour with a treat when they only go to the toilet in this spot. Learn more toilet training tips for a new puppy here.
Are beagles good apartment dogs?
As beagles are highly adaptable with an easy-going temperament, they can be suited to living in apartments or small enclosures. They will, however, shed a lot and require regular exercise. In addition, beagles are very clever and will require training and socialisation early on to understand how best to live in a smaller home.
Are corgis good apartment dogs?
Corgis love to keep a watchful eye on the neighbourhood, so if they are going to live in an apartment, it would be best if it had windows so they can watch the street. They can be quite energetic, so they will require regular long walks or trips to the dog park, but due to their small size and cuddly temperament can be well-suited to apartments.