Adopt-a-Pet.com Blog 20 Best Dog Breeds for Apartment Living

7. Chiweenie

The Chiweenie is a mix between the Chihuahua and the Dachshund (also good apartment dogs), and the result is a tiny, devoted dog with a big personality. Chiweenies grow strongly attached to their pet parents and endeavor to be the center of attention. Weighing up to 12 pounds and reaching 10 inches at shoulder height, this pint-sized pooch is a great apartment pet and makes a loving companion for seniors and families with older children. Chiweenies love snuggling and will love watching your favorite shows with you, but they still need walks and some indoor play. Because Chiweenies vary widely in coat color, length, and type (smooth or wiry), their fur care will depend on how long their fur is.

Pearl Lynn / Pexels

8. German Spitz

The German Spitz is an adaptable pup that thrives in all types of environments, which makes them a great pet for small-space living. This breed comes in three different sizes, including Toy (weighing up to 11 pounds), Medium (weighing up to 25 pounds), and Large (weighing up to 50 pounds). The German Spitz is an eager-to-please breed with a profuse fluffy coat that sheds little except during the two shedding seasons, where the pup will shed their entire undercoat. They aren’t overly affectionate and like to do their own thing. This pup needs a medium amount of exercise — they love a long walk, so dog parents should be prepared to get their steps in — and mentally stimulating activities to keep them happy.

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9. Rhodesian Ridgeback

The Rhodesian Ridgeback became famous in Africa for baying lions. These days they don’t tussle with apex predators, but they are known for being able to thrive in a variety of different living situations. The Rhodesian Ridgeback weigh up to 85 pounds and reach up to 27 inches in height, but living spaces on the smaller side don’t bother them. This breed needs a medium amount of exercise, including walks and playtime. They need to be socialized at an early age and trained with a firmer hand. Rhodesians have an independent streak and strong prey drive, so they should be kept on a leash while on walks or in a fenced space. This short-haired pup only needs to be brushed once a week to remove loose fur.

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10. Saint Bernard

When you think of a Saint Bernard, you might think of a breed that navigates snowdrifts to rescue lost hikers, but this pup feels just as much at home in an apartment as they do in the Alps. Despite reaching up to 180 pounds and 30 inches at shoulder height, Saint Bernards only require moderate exercise. They like to spend time with their parents and go on hikes or long walks, but they don’t need to be “run out” like other large dog breeds. Saint Bernards are highly affectionate and get along well with young children or other pets, though they can be sensitive to harsh criticism. This breed can be short- or long-haired, but all have coats that shed heavily twice a year and need to be maintained by a weekly brushing session.

Iza Ponchie / Pexels

11. Basenji

An African hunting dog, the Basenji is an independent pup who spends a lot of time keeping their coats clean. This pup has high energy levels, so they are best suited to living with pet parents who have active lifestyles. The Basenji might be considered “barkless,” but they are not noiseless; they chortle and yip occasionally but make less noise than your average dog breed. They weigh up to 24 pounds and reach up to 17 inches in shoulder height. To care for the Basenji’s coat, just rub a hound glove over them once a week, and this pup will do the rest.

Daniel Kondrashin / Pexels

12. Pekingese

The Pekingese is famous for their lion’s mane of fur around their face and their proximity to China’s aristocracy. This royal lap dog is happy to continue in the tradition of living in the lap of luxury. They bond closely with their parents and only require daily walks and the occasional play session, making them ideal apartment pups and companions to seniors. Pekingese only weigh up to 14 pounds and reach up to 9 inches at shoulder height, so they are not the best choice for parents with young children because they’re delicate. Although their exercise needs are low, the Pekingese’s grooming needs are not: Their thick double coat will require one hour per week plus regular baths.

Danil Nevsky / Stocksy

13. Great Dane

Great Danes may stand taller than their dog parents when they’re on their hind legs, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t happy in apartments. These large pups can weigh up to 175 pounds and reach up to 32 inches in height, and have moderate exercise needs; they need a substantial walk several times a day — otherwise, they’re happy to take up your entire couch while they lounge. This breed is incredibly devoted and prefers to spend time with their families than alone. Although their coat is on the short side, it still needs weekly brushing as they can accumulate more fur than most pet parents would guess.

ksuksa / Adobe Stock

14. Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu is a compact, muscular hunting dog who is the most popular pup in Japan. They can weigh up to 23 pounds and reach 17 inches in shoulder height. This fox-like dog is considered adaptable and is more than happy living in an apartment, though they need to get enough exercise to fulfill their moderate needs, which can be accomplished with a long walk and a trip to the dog park. They are very loyal companions, so much so that they can suffer from separation anxiety and grow destructive. This breed should be crate-trained early to learn to be comfortable while their parents are out of the house.

Marek Perička / Pexels

15. Basset Hound

The Basset Hound’s chill personality perfectly complements their sweet appearance and droopy face. These people-oriented pups are more than happy to lie next to you on the couch during movie marathons or a reading session so long as you give them a couple of good walks.

Guille Faingold / Stocksy

16. Labrador Retriever

One of the most popular dogs in America, this medium-to-large athletic pup weighs up to 80 pounds. But despite their size, Labrador Retrievers make great apartment dogs when given the physical and mental exercise that they need.

RDNE Stock project / Pexels

17. American Cocker Spaniel

The American Cocker Spaniel is a beautiful small-sized dog with an affectionate nature, long soft ears, and an adorable face. These dogs need mental stimulation to keep from getting bored, but moderate exercise is generally sufficient. And their eager-to-please attitude makes them a breeze to train.

Eva / AdobeStock

18. American Pit Bull Terrier

Similar to other medium to large breed dogs on this list, American Pit Bull Terriers can be excellent apartment dogs as long as they receive adequate exercise and mental stimulation. Due to their high energy level, Pit Bulls require regular walks, jogging sessions, or playtime to release their excess energy. These pups are known as “Velcro Dogs” because they form strong bonds with their families.

Leeloo Thefirst / Pexels

19. Whippet

Despite their speed, Whippets also love lounging and relaxing (as long as they’ve had a daily walk or chance to run freely and fulfill their exercise needs). They have gentle temperaments and make wonderful companions. They have a strong prey drive but are very amiable and open to training.

Evelyn / Pexels

20. Shar-Pei

Another great apartment dog is the Shar-Pei. These pups love their people but be sure to provide them with regular mental stimulation to prevent boredom. Shar-Peis weigh up to 60 pounds and are generally a healthy breed, but be aware of potential skin problems, including allergies and infections due to their wrinkles. Proper grooming includes regular cleaning and drying of the skin folds. Get in there.

Tips for Renting with Dogs

Parents give away their pets all too often when they move because of a landlord’s restrictions, so before you get a dog, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared to take extra steps to find a pet-friendly living arrangement. Search specifically for dog-friendly rental units so you know that your landlord is open-minded to having people with pets apply. You can even make a resume for your pet (seriously!) with references from previous landlords. And be sure to check with your landlord about potential size and breed restrictions before you adopt a dog. It’s important to keep you, your landlord, and, most importantly, your pet happy in your rented space.

Insurance

Pet parents should get renters’ insurance, which is also a smart idea even if you don’t have a pet. Renters’ insurance covers a lot of different situations, including break-ins, natural disasters, and pet damages. If your pup chews up the carpet or jumps up on a neighbor in the hallway and accidentally injures them, your insurance might cover that. This all depends on your policy, of course, so make sure to read through your insurance policy thoroughly.

Training

A well-trained pup will make living in a rented space much easier for everyone involved. A dog who knows their boundaries will be more likely to stay within them. Different breeds require different types of training, and a trainer can help you navigate your dog’s needs.

Exercise

All pups require some level of exercise, even if it is just a walk along the block. Before you get your pup, research their breed or get information from the shelter about their exercise needs. If your dog does not get enough exercise, they can grow destructive while you’re not in the apartment, which could involve barking or damaging furniture.

Breeds to Avoid

Be thoughtful about the dog you choose. Any moderate to high-energy working breed —  including those on this list — should be avoided unless you live a very active lifestyle. Dogs who don’t thrive in apartments include breeds such as Belgian Malinois, German Shepherds, and Border Collies. These breeds are used to having jobs and need a lot of mental and physical stimulation that they are unlikely to get in a rented space.

Some parents might also want to avoid breeds that shed heavily because an apartment is likely a smaller space than a house, so more of that space will be covered in a layer of fur. German Shepherds are another culprit in that area, along with Huskies and Great Pyrenees.

Alicia Kort is a writer and editor living in Brooklyn. She’s currently the senior commerce editor at Apartment Therapy. She’s been published in StyleCaster, Electric Literature, Newsweek, Interview, Brooklyn magazine and more. In her free time, she runs, reads, and spends time with her dog-nieces, Maya and Lady, and her cat-niece, Pepper.

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