There’s much to consider when it comes to choosing the best dog to bring into the family. Narrowing down the list of possible breeds that will do well living in an apartment is just an added layer in the research process – and it needs thorough deliberating.
Ultimately, you will choose to adopt based on the personality that is best fitting for your family and lifestyle. Don’t dive into despair; our infographic will help you determine the best dog breeds for your apartment by using a data-minded approach.
Apartments.com has ranked each breed on a 1-15 scale, with 1 being the least apartment-friendly and 15 being the most apartment-friendly.
The provided dog statistics and breed information came from American Kennel Club and Dog Time.
Best Small Dog Breeds for Apartments
The Pug
A pug’s small frame and friendly demeanor qualifies this breed as an exceptional apartment pet. With their infrequent barking and shedding, combined with their affection towards strangers, pugs rank #1 in the small dog category as well as our entire list.
Although lounging around the house is high on their list of priorities (they sleep a lot!), pugs do need regular exercise to keep them within the healthy 14-18 pound weight range. The breed prefers the steady company of its owner – so keep this in mind if you travel or are away from your apartment often.
The Shih Tzu
The shih tzu is another great breed for apartment dwellers. Their calm temperament and friendliness towards new people are ideal characteristics. On average the shih tzu can weigh between 9-16 pounds and requires little exercise. Even though it ranked favorably in two categories, the breed only scored average for its toleration of being alone as well as shedding. Renters concerned about noise may need to think twice about the breed due to its habitual barking.
The Bichon Frise
Daily walks around the neighborhood should help alleviate the bichon frise’s short bursts of energy. Its small build (12-18 pounds), friendliness towards strangers, and low bark rate makes this breed an excellent choice for those renting. Another additional benefit is that the breed is a light shedder – though, its fluffy double coat does require specialized care and grooming. Just like the pug, the bichon frise gets very attached to its owner.
The Chihuahua
Chihuahuas can be a bit feisty – but surprisingly only moderate barkers. As a full-grown adult, the breed tops on average 3-6 pounds. As much as Chihuahuas like running, their small build and weight makes them more suited as an indoor pet. Minimal exercise is required – they can easily meet this through running – and they have a low shedding rate.
When it comes to fondness of strangers, the breed comes up short, making things difficult for renters who enjoy hosting events at home. They latch onto their families and do not like to be left alone too long.
The Lhasa Apso
The Lhasa apso (12-18 pounds) is an independent breed that’s okay with being left alone for a couple of hours. But when you do come back, the Lhasa apso needs regular walking to accommodate for its built-up energy. The breed’s long hair requires more maintenance like daily brushing and frequent baths. Lhasa apsos tend to be standoffish towards strangers and bark more than others.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles spaniel can weigh anywhere from 10-18 pounds and is typically friendly towards strangers. Instead of being alone, the spaniel prefers the company of its owner. The breed is known to be difficult to housetrain – meaning, you may be cleaning more than you’d like to. The Cavalier King Charles spaniel is an average shedder, moderate barker, and needs daily walks.
Best Medium Breeds for Apartments
The French Bulldog
Weighing in slightly south of 28 pounds, the French bulldog is an excellent dog breed for an apartment because of its above average friendliness towards strangers. Aside from its average barking and shedding, the French bulldog is easy to groom and requires low exercise. The breed prefers to be right at your side – they don’t do well when their owners are gone for extended periods of time.
The Basenji
The basenji is a medium-sized dog breed that is very active and requires more exercise. If you live in a community that lacks space to run, this may not be a great fit. Owners that have or live close to a dog park would do well with a basenji. Other great characteristics of this breed include their quietness, ability to be on their own, and easy maintenance with little shedding. In addition to exercise, basenjis can act guarded when strangers are present.
The Whippet
The whippet is a 25-40 pound dog that’s usually calm, but does experience spurts of energy from time to time. This breed is friendly towards strangers, quiet, plus is low-shedding and easy to groom. To offset its active spurts, the whippet needs a lot of exercise and rarely enjoys being left alone.
The Basset Hound
The basset hound is a pretty laid-back breed that weighs between 40-65 pounds. It’s very friendly toward strangers and has a below average need for exercise. Basset hounds can somewhat tolerate being left alone, but keep in mind that they howl a lot. They’re frequent shedders and heavy droolers.
The Welsh Corgi
The Welsh corgi is a very active breed and tops off at 30 pounds. Because of their size, they do require more exercise and want to be entertained with a game of fetch. Guests in the apartment are typically treated warmly by Welsh corgis, which make very little noise. They’re okay with being left alone for a few hours and are above average shedders. However, they’re surprisingly low maintenance when it comes to grooming.
The Bulldog
Bulldogs tend to be a bit lazy and would rather sleep than go outside. At 40-55 pounds, the bulldog is friendly towards strangers, tolerates being left alone, and needs regular exercise (even if they don’t like it!). The bulldog is an above average barker, high rate shedder, and tends to drool.
The Dachshund
Because of their short legs, one or two short walks a day will suffice for regular exercise. These sweet dogs have a moderate energy level as well as an average tolerance for being alone. Weighing anywhere between 16-32 pounds, the dachshund is a moderate shedder that’s easy to groom. They’re very vocal and reserved around strangers.
Best Large Breeds for Apartments
The following large dog breeds were ranked best for apartment living. Before bringing a new pet home, check with your property manager or landlord for any breed or weight restrictions that might be in your lease agreement. The Standard Poodle
The standard poodle can weigh anywhere between 40 and 70 pounds, plus they’re extremely playful and make excellent pets in an apartment. Typically a quiet breed, standard poodles are comfortable around strangers. Allergy sufferers rejoice – these dogs are infrequent shedders and have a hypoallergenic coat. However, they do have an above average need for exercise and prefer to be with their human than left alone for long periods of time.
The Irish Wolfhound
As a large, athletic breed, the Irish wolfhound needs plenty of exercise throughout the day. If provided an active lifestyle, their mellow temperament pairs great with apartment living. The Irish wolfhound is warm towards strangers and they’re not loud. In addition to moderate shedding, this dog breed has a low tolerance for being left alone for extended periods of time.
The Mastiff
The mastiff may weigh in at 230 pounds, but these dogs are gentle creatures and would be fitting for the apartment life. As is standard with many large breeds, the mastiff requires ample activity and exercise. Their docility makes them a quiet breed, and they can withstand being alone. However, shedding and drooling are common – and they’re not as friendly towards strangers as some of the other aforementioned breeds.
The Greyhound
If properly exercised, a greyhound can be quite calm (often snoozing!). Nicknamed the “40 mph couch potato,” greyhounds are quite welcoming towards strangers and are very vocal. This breed prefers the company of their human over being alone. Even though they shed at high rates and drool, greyhounds are easy to groom.
The Great Dane
Topping 200 pounds, these dogs may be huge but they’re very easygoing. To keep them happy and healthy, 2-3 walks a day should do the trick! Great Danes are barkers and don’t want to be left alone for long periods of time. They shed regularly and drool at high rates, but are easy to groom. Their friendly attitudes make them great apartment pets – your neighbors will enjoy the attention they receive from these amazing and giant animals.
Finding a home that accepts you and your pet doesn’t have to be challenging. On Apartments.com we have thousands of pet-friendly rentals, so you and your dog can live happily together.
Published August 2, 2018
