Best Dog Breeds For Apartments - Top 20

Small, brave and simply lovely! Chihuahuas are one of the best small dog breeds for apartments. Did you know that Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breed in the world and have the longest lifespan? Yes! A Chihuahua can live to up to 20 years in age. They are, however, sensitive to the cold and carry genetic predispositions to various diseases, such as hydrocephalus, epilepsy or herniated discs.

Therefore, if you have a Chihuahua dog, make sure to offer it a lot of attention as well as veterinary check ups to maintain good health!

For more, read about these 10 things you didn’t know about Chihuahuas.

The next dog in our best dogs for apartment ranking is the Yorkshire Terrier, one of the most popular dog breeds in the United Kingdom. Yorkshire Terriers are known for their energetic and playful character, in addition to the fact that they don’t shed a lot of hair. This apartment dog breed does, however, require proper socialization from when it is young. If not socialized correctly, Yorkshire Terriers can become destructive, bark a lot and/or emit jealousy.

For more, we recommend reading our article where we discuss everything you need to know about caring for a Yorkshire terrier.

Another of the best apartment dog breeds is the Pomeranian. Pomeranian dogs are one of the smallest representatives of the Spitz dog family. Developed between Germany and Poland, these companion dogs are known for their docile and affectionate characters. They do, however, known to struggle from separation anxiety, and therefore cannot be left alone for extended amounts of time.

For more, we recommend taking a look at our article where we discuss how to take care of a Pomeranian - puppy and adult.

Regardless of whether large/standard, medium, dwarf or toy, Poodles are great dogs for apartments. These active and social dogs are also considered one of the smartest dog breeds in the world. Poodles require a lot of exercise as well as both mental and physical stimulation.

Do you love the Poodle dog breed? If so, take a look at our article where we list all types of Poodles.

The Daschund or teckel, is a great small dog breed for apartments. However, due to their morphology, they do struggle going up and down stairs. Although Dachshunds are very active and playful dogs, they are also able to control their activity levels if needed. These dogs are prone to suffering from separation anxiety and should not be left alone for extended amounts of time.

For more, read about the top 10 most popular German dog breeds.

The Shih Tzu is a dog breed native to Tibet, where it was originally used as a guard dog to protect Buddhist monasteries. These dogs are very sociable, active, playful and affectionate with their tutors, however, poor socialization can cause them to become shy or bark a lot.

Did you know that this dog breed is also hypoallergenic? Read our list of top 10 hypoallergenic dog breeds for allergic families.

The Maltese stands out among all apartment dog breeds for its undeniably sweet appearance and docile character. This toy sized dog breed are incredibly affectionate and require a lot of attention. If left alone for too long, these cute dogs can suffer from separation anxiety and depression.

For more about cute dogs for apartments, take a look at our article small white dog breeds.

The miniature Pinscher is a brave and adventurous little dog, who often seem unaware of their own size. These dogs are especially active, intelligent and distrustful, mainly of strangers. Miniature Pinschers are susceptible to developing various behavioral problems, so it is advisable to socialize them thoroughly from when they are puppies. Additionally, they require a lot of physical and mental stimulation.

Do you love small dogs? If so, read our extensive list of small dog breeds.

Jack Russels are known for their courageous, loyal and fun character. This active and energetic dog remains constantly alert. They have a strong personality and require a lot of physical activity.

Did you know that Jack Russel Terriers are also one of the longest-living dog breeds? For more, discover the top 15 longest living dog breeds.

The West Highland White Terrier, or simply "Westie," is known for being the most sociable of all the terrier dogs. In addition to being highly appreciated for their luxurious white coat, this dog breed also posseses a playful, intelligent and reliable temperament. Due to their small size, they stand out for adapting perfectly to apartments.

For more, check out our West Highland White Terrier breed file.

In addition to being the oldest dog breed in the world, the Basenji dog is also the quietest of all dogs. In fact, these dogs do not actually have the ability to emit the classic bark that we associate with most dogs. The Basenji’s main form of vocalization resembles that of a kind of "laughter".

In addition to being very calm, the Basenji is a medium-sized dog with a stable temperament that can live very well in an apartment, provided they are taken for walks and receive daily physical and mental stimulation.

Discover the 18 oldest dog breeds in the world here.

The French bulldog is an incredibly popular dog breed. Their unquestionable success is not only associated with their charming appearance, but also to their kind, funny and patient temperament. French bulldogs are especially sweet and caring. It is, however, important to note that these dogs belong to the group of brachycephalic dogs, which means they are susceptible to various breathing-related problems.

For more, read our article where we discuss all brachycephalic dog breeds.

Pugs are another great small dog for apartments. Originally from China, these dogs carry a charming, playful and affectionate temperament. They do not require much space and are not especially active, in addition, they are easy to socialize and tend to be very quiet.

For more, read about caring for a pug.

The Boston Terrier is very similar to French Bulldogs, however, it is smaller and more stylized visually. This breed, developed in the United States, has a very affectionate temperament. Boston Terriers are very easy to educate and socialize. Additionally, they love physical exercise, games and receiving attention from their tutors.

For more, check our our Boston Terrier breed file.

The Bichon Frise is another of the Bichon-type dogs. Unlike most small dogs, this dog stands out for being very quiet and calm, easy to socialize and capable of adapting wonderfully to small spaces. Additionally, they are know for being great with children.

For more, read our list of best small dogs for children.

The Shiba Inu, thanks to its small size, is a great dog for apartments. Of Japanese origin. the Shiba Inu apartment dog has gained popularity in recent years thanks to its lovely appearance and soft mantle. This dog breed has an active, independent and distrustful character with strangers.

For more, read how to train a Shiba Inu.

The Lhasa Apso dog breed is originally from the city of Lhassa, in Tibet. This apartment dog breed stands out for its long, silky and abundant mantle. Unlike other breeds on the list , the Lhasa Apso stands out as a somewhat independent dog, with a stable and confident nature.

Read about the top 10 long haired dogs.

The Shar Pei is characterized by the wrinkles that cover its entire body. This incredibly independent dog breed generally creates a very special bond with its guardians, but they can be slightly distrustful with strangers (especially if not socialized). They are considered one of the best medium sized dog breeds for apartment living, but do require extra care when it comes to their skin folds.

For more, read about the common skin conditions of Shar Pei dogs.

The Chow Chow is not only one of the most popular dog breeds in China, but considered one of the best medium sized dog breeds for apartment living. Chow Chow’s are calm, independent and stable dogs. However, they do have an innate tendency to be vigilant in their home, and can develop territorial behavior if they are not walked enough and socialized properly.

Golden Retrievers are not only one of the most popular dog breeds in the world, but they are also great large dog breeds for apartments. The noble and balanced character of this dog breed explains why they are one of the most loved therapy and companion dogs. This quintessential family dog requires a lot of physical exercise, mental stimulation, daily brushing and several doses of daily affection.

For more, read about the 10 things you should know about Golden Retrievers.

If you live in an apartment and are looking to adopt a dog breed, we always recommend opting for smaller dogs for apartments. If, however, you do prefer larger dog breeds, make sure you offer them enough exercise. Additionally, if your apartment is very small, be aware of what specific needs each dog breed requires. If a dog does not receive enough attention, physical stimulation or exercise they can suffer from stress, anxiety and behavioral problems.

With this in mind, here are some of the best large dog breeds for apartments:

• Greyhound
• Great Dane
• Afghan Hounds
• Mastiff
• Rhodesian Ridgeback

If you want to read similar articles to Best Dog Breeds For Apartments - Top 20, we recommend you visit our Ideal for category.