There are many things you should consider before getting a dog, and one of them is choosing the right breed. Every dog breed is different and since we are talking about living in a small space, you should focus on smaller dogs.
You should also focus on dogs that are less active, low-shed, and polite and quiet.
On top of that, you need to pay attention to your dog’s requirements such as daily exercise needs, food, activities, and etc.
Fortunately, there are plenty of small dogs that will be more than happy to live in an apartment.
In the end, the most important thing when choosing the right breed for your lifestyle.
Let’s find some of the most popular choices for small apartments.
1. Bichon Frise
This is a popular choice for small apartment owners and for a couple of reasons. First of all, the dog looks adorable and charming. Additionally, it is a hypoallergenic dog that learns things quickly.
This is a small dog that averages around 15 pounds and it can be your perfect playful companion that doesn’t take too much space from your apartment.
One of the drawbacks that many Bichon owners report, is that they like to be vocal, which can lead to a few neighbor’s complaints.
2. French Bulldog
This is one of the most popular dog breeds at the moment, and its popularity skyrocketed over the last couple of years. We are talking about Frenchies that were very popular in Paris back in the 18th century.
This cutie is perfect for apartment owners for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it is a quiet dog that you’ll rarely hear barking. Additionally, the French Bulldog breed is known for its laziness so hard-core physical activity is not recommended since they can have difficulty breathing from their nose.
With that said, a small walk every day is good enough to keep them in shape. There is one drawback that comes with French Bulldog, and that is shedding! Even though they have short hair, they do tend to shed a lot.
3. Greyhound
Greyhound is the fastest dog in the world, and most people think that they need a large house with a backyard to keep this beast in shape. However, Greyhound is a great dog for a small living space. Most of the day they like to lounge and they are quiet enough and rarely bark.
You do need to take them for an exercise, so make sure you have a park or big enough area near your apartment where they can blow off steam.
4. Pug
Most people that owned a Pug will agree that this is the perfect dog breed for an apartment. They are a bit mischievous but totally loving. Note that Pugs have trouble living in areas where there are extreme temperatures since they have trouble breathing.
Another thing to consider is that you should develop a meal plan that will give them just enough calories for the day. Pugs love food and they will eat until there is food in their bowl, which is why they are prone to obesity.
You should increase or decrease their calorie limit depending on their activity. However, since they have a medical issue with their breathing, they aren’t dogs that will run around all day.
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5. Bulldog
Despite their muscled build, bulldogs have developed a reputation for lazy dogs. They are quite loyal dogs and friendly with children. Just like Pugs and French Bulldogs they cannot stand hot climates, so make sure you keep your apartment cool in the summer.
When it comes to daily exercises, a walk once a day is just enough to keep them in shape. You should also pay attention to their diet and avoid giving them unhealthy snacks since they are also prone to obesity.
Another thing to consider is that they snore a lot. Apart from that, they are fairly quiet and you can barely hear them bark.
6. Havanese
This 10-pound fluff ball is the perfect dog for urban living. Its origins come from Cuba with a very soft and shiny double coat (beware of shedding) and a lifetime of 13-15 years. This breed comes in many different colors such as black, white, tobacco, and etc.
They are very fun dogs that love to play. They are also intelligent meaning that you can teach them good habits without facing any stubbornness.
Another important thing to know is that Havenese cannot stand being alone, so if you are a busy person, you should choose a different breed.
Havenese is also hypoallergenic so you don’t have to worry about allergies.
7. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu is an Asian dog breed from Tibet. This is a very popular breed for their short snout and large round eyes. Due to their long fur, they too cannot stand high temperatures, and surprisingly they don’t shade too much compared to other dog breeds.
When it comes to daily activities, they are dogs that don’t prefer to run and play with you most of the time. They have low energy levels, which is good if you are living in an apartment. On the other hand, they may be a bit stubborn which makes training a bit difficult.
This is also a great dog breed for novice pet owners since they don’t have any special requirements. The best thing about Shih Tzu is that they are great with kids and other dogs, so you don’t have to worry about causing chaos when there are a lot of people under the same roof.
Final Words
As you can see from the list, there are plenty of dogs that are great for an apartment. There are few things to consider before getting a dog if you live in a small apartment, such as shedding, physical activity requirements, size, if they are good with other people and children, and their vocal capabilities.
