What Are The Best Dog Breeds for Apartment-Dwellers?
by Victoria Knight

What Are The Best Dog Breeds for Apartment-Dwellers? Size isn’t the only factor to consider when determining what type of dog is the best choice if you live in an apartment. Let’s look first at one of the more obvious considerations for determining what type of dog to keep in your apartment. What does your lease say? If it allows pets, are there size limitations or breed restrictions? Many apartment complexes establish limits such as no more than one dog per household or only allowing dogs that weigh less than 20 pounds. Many apartment communities have instituted breed restrictions. Check with your landlord before getting a dog, and if you plan to move in the future to another apartment keep the major restrictions in mind. The most commonly restricted breeds include: American Pit Bull Terrier, Bullmastiff, Bull Terrier, Chow Chow, Doberman Pincher, English Mastiff, German Shepherd Dog, Rottweiler, and Saint Bernard.

So what dog breeds would make the best for apartments? What dogs do well in smaller spaces? Below is a list of some breeds, sorted by breed size, that should do well living in an apartment as long as they’re given proper attention and exercise by their owners.

Small Breeds
Even though the dogs in this list can make good apartment dogs, remember that some of these dogs are known to bark a lot and if you live in an apartment with thin walls, those breeds, such as terriers, dachshunds, and Chihuahuas, may not make you very popular with your neighbors.

Chihuahua Pomeranian Bichon Frise Lhasa Apso Yorkshire Terrier

Dachshund Shih Tzu Poodle Pekingese Cocker Spaniel

Boston Terrier Maltese English Bulldog Schnauzer Welsh Corgi

Cairn Terrier Pug French Bulldog Scottish Terrier

Medium Breeds

American Eskimo Boxer

Basenji Cocker Spaniel

Beagle Whippet

Basset Hound Italian Greyhound Medium

Like the warning above regarding small yappy dogs, keep in mind that beagles and hounds howl.

Large Breeds
If your personal taste is for a larger dog, don't fear. Apartment dogs come in all shapes and sizes. It's the energy level that you will probably be most concerned with when choosing a dog to fit your lifestyle. There are large breeds which are ideal for apartments as well!

Malamute English Sheepdog

Rottweiler Labrador Retriever

Mastiff Golden Retriever

Great Dane German Shepherd