Choosing a dog breed that meshes well with your apartment living situation is extremely important. You are well aware of this fact or you probably wouldn’t be reading this blog. If you live on several acres with a giant yard, you may want a dog that is likely to run and play in that huge yard. If you live in an apartment with limited space and neighbors that are likely to be sensitive to barking, you may want to go an entirely different direction. Choosing a dog breed that is suitable for an apartment isn’t tough. In fact, many common breeds get along just fine in apartments.
- Pug
- Yorkshire Terrier
- English Bulldog
- Shih Tzu
- Chihuahua
- Greyhound
- French Bulldog
- Great Dane
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Dachshund
You may think that you should only be looking at very small dogs for your apartment but you can broaden your spectrum a bit if your apartment doesn’t have a weight restriction. Number 8 on our list is actually the Great Dane, one of the largest breeds. While the Dane may take up more space than the smaller dogs, she will likely have less energy and be easier to train.
The Pug is known as one of the best apartment dogs due to their small size and comparatively quiet bark. They don’t need large spaces because they are small in stature and have a generally lazy demeanor. Pugs are also great family dogs and love to be cuddled and petted. Due to their short nose they can be prone to breathing problems and don’t handle heat very well so make sure to take Mr. Pugglesworth on an early morning walk during the summer time.
Other pups like the Greyhound have a reputation for being energetic due to their racing roots but they are one of the laziest breeds. If you take your Greyhound out for a trip to the dog park or a nap, he is very likely to lounge around the apartment for the rest of the day. Some of the breeds on this list may be prone to barking so make sure that you offset any separation anxiety with some stimulating socialization, brain games and a quick morning and evening walk to help them stretch their legs.
Consider crate training your puppy from a young age. Have a space of their very own is calming to many dogs and allows you to put them in a safe place when you have guests over to your apartment. There are many benefits of crate training but starting crate training young is essential so it will feel safe and natural as they grow up into adolescence and adulthood. The crate should be places somewhere that they can see their humans. Placing the crate away from the front door or window will prevent unnecessary barking and anxiety about the exciting things going on outside. Many adult dogs can safely stay in crates for 6 to 8 hours at a time and younger pups 17 weeks and older can stay in crates for 4 to 5 hours at a time. Dogs crated for longer can develop what is known as caged dog syndrome which consists of behavioral issues including heightened levels of barking, whining and anxiety.
If space in your apartment permits, consider an indoor treadmill for your pup. You can train your dog to run on a human treadmill that you can both share. They also make dog specific treadmills with better low speed modulation and a safety cord so the treadmill will stop when your pup hops off the treadmill. A certified dog trainer can assist with treadmill training or you can get some great tips from YouTube. Every dog will be different but dogs within these breeds will most frequently have traits that are well suited for apartment life. Every dog is different so their breed may not completely define their characteristics.
