Are you living in or do you intend moving to an apartment that is pet-friendly and you want to know what small dog breed would make a perfect apartment dog?
Well, look no further, as I have done my research and compiled a list of the best small dog breeds for apartment living.
See below the 31 best small dog breeds for apartment living.
- Affenpinscher
- American Hairless Terrier
- Australian Terrier
- Bedlington Terrier
- Biewer Terrier
- Bolognese
- Boston Terrier
- Brussels Griffon
- Cairn Terrier
- Cesky Terrier
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Chihuahua
- Chinese Crested
- Cocker Spaniel
- Coton De Tulear
- French Bulldog
- Havanese
- Italian Greyhound
- Japanese Chin
- Japanese Spitz
- Lhasa Apso
- Maltese
- Papillon
- Pug
- Russian Toy
- Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka
- Shih Tzu
- Toy Fox Terrier
- Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
- Whippet
- Yorkshire Terrier
The list above was compiled while taking into consideration the following factors:
- Barking Level: The small dog breed should bark only when it’s necessary and infrequently.
We don’t want dogs with loud and incessant barking that would upset the neighbours and create commotions, just those that could alert us to unwanted guests and not bark at the sight of every pizza delivery man or at the ringing of the doorbell.
- Activity Level: The breed should not necessarily require large spaces only and should do just fine with minimal indoor exercises to stay fit and healthy.
Playing games like fetch or a game of tug, for at least an hour at a time should be sufficient in maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle for the bred.
Check out other indoor games and activities you could do with your dog to keep them active and healthy here.
- Trainability: The breed should be easy to train, self-sufficient and independent enough to figure stuff like where to go potty and know what is out of bounds.
- Friendliness: The breed should be friendly and approachable. This is because you most likely would be having friends over in the apartment as well as bumping into your neighbours when you take your dog out for a walk.
How the dog was raised comes to play here; if it was properly socialized at a young age, it should be friendly and less aggressive. Nevertheless, some small dogs breeds are naturally aggressive and might be instinctively overprotective of its owners.
Now we have that aside, let’s dive into these small dog breeds with a little summary on each.
Affenpinscher
Affenpinschers are loyal and fearless toy dog breed. They have been referred to as monkey dogs due to their Ape-like facial appearance.
Their toy-sized nature makes them a perfect option for an apartment dog, as a daily short walk down the hallway, a quick game of fetch or playing with their favourite toys can go a long way in keeping them exercised and healthy.
American Hairless Terrier
The American Hairless Terrier is a hypoallergenic dog breed that requires just moderate exercising to keep it fit and healthy; playing indoors or outdoors for a brief period would be sufficient.
It is important to note the need to apply sunscreen or provide protective clothing if they are to play outside in the sun. This will prevent sunburn which can be harmful to them.
Australian Terrier
Originally bred in Australia, the Australian Terrier is an alert and smart small dog breed that loves the attention of its human companion and is ever ready to entertain and love.
The Australian Terrier is also an energetic breed and would really appreciate a play session indoors or outdoors. This should be sufficient to satisfy their exercise needs.
Bedlington Terrier
Originally bred in England for hunting, the Bedlington Terrier looks like a lamb and is known to be gentle as one too.
They have evolved from being amazing hunting dogs into a small dog breed that would appreciate some game of fetch and a cuddle in front of the t.v.
It is important to always keep a Bedlington Terrier on a leash when out on a walk because they still possess their hunting instinct and won’t resist the urge to chase after a small animal.
Biewer Terrier
The Biewer Terrier (pronounced Beaver Terrier) is an easy-going, playful and always smiling small dog breed that doesn’t mind accompanying you on those long walks or hikes, as well as curling up in front of a t.v and just chilling all day.
The Biewer Terriers are known to self-exercise and as such can keep themselves entertained in the apartment until you return home.
A short walk down the hallway and a play session can be sufficient for all their daily exercise needs.
Bolognese
Originally bred in Italy, the Bolognese is an easy-going and calm dog that is well suited for apartment living.
Short walks down the hallway or play session indoors can be sufficient in satisfying their daily exercise needs.
Boston Terrier
The Boston Terrier spots a tuxedo-like coat and is a people-oriented dog that is well suited for urban and apartment living.
They are ever ready to engage in some play session with their human owner and are also willing to go on a walk to the nearest coffee shop.
Brussels Griffon
Nicknamed the Bearded Dog because of their muzzle and whiskers, the Brussels Griffon is a loyal and Alert small dog breed with a big personality.
They love to chase after a ball and play fetch, as such they can get their required exercise from a play session.
Cairn Terrier
Originally bred to root-out foxes, the Cairn Terrier is a cheerful and fearless small dog breed that fit nicely into our apartment as a loving companion and family member.
Playing and training sessions can be great activities to get the Cairn Terrier exercised and in shape.
Cesky Terrier
Cesky Terriers are the national dog of the Czech Republic. They are family-oriented, smart and alert, as such, they make great watchdogs without being loud and obnoxious.
A Cesky Terrier can get all its daily exercise needs from going on walks or having a play session with its human owners.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Originally bred to be a lap dog in England, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a graceful, active dog that is capable of accompanying its owner on a walk as well laying on the couch in front of the t.v.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel should never be walked without a leash on as they have a strong ability to retain a scent and it would instinctively follow it.
Chihuahua
The chihuahua is a popular toy dog breed and it shouldn’t come as a surprise if you find one or two in an apartment as their sizes make them ideal for any space; big or small.
Chihuahua requires just short sessions of play and walk as they are not built for tasking activities. They love being cradled and snuggling.
Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested, like their name implies, were originally bred in China.
They come in two different variants; smooth-coated and hairless. Their size, smarts and affectionate nature make them ideal for apartment living.
An outdoor, as well as an indoor play session, would be sufficient for their daily exercise needs.
It is important to note that sunscreen or protective clothing has to be used if the hairless Chinese Crested is to play outdoors.
Cocker Spaniel
Originally bred as a hunting dog, the Cocker Spaniel has evolved into a great and loving companion that is eager to play with other dogs and its human owners.
Daily play and training sessions with other dogs or human owners, as well as going for regular walks can be enough exercise to keep the Cocker Spaniel’s muscles well-toned and fit.
Coton De Tulear
Coton De Tulear, the royal national dog of Madagascar, are witty and amazing companions.
They are fairly active and as such requires minimum exercise to keep them fit and healthy. A short walk down the hallway or a game of fetch would suffice.
French Bulldog
Frenchie, as they are affectionately called, are amazing companion dogs, known for their bat-like ears and alert nature.
They do not require lots of outdoor activities src, and as such, they are great for apartment living.
Havanese
Originally bred in Cuba, hence their name, Havanese. They are ideal city dogs that are adapt well in most situations src.
The Havanese doesn’t require a lot of exercises and should never be overexercised. This, in turn, makes them a great option for an apartment dog.
Italian Greyhound
Due to their hound nature and ready to sprint physique, the Italian Greyhound might be disregarded and probably never considered as a viable candidate for an apartment dog.
You would be right to think the Italian Greyhound is fast but you would be wrong to think they won’t fit into an apartment living.
Generally regarded as a couch dog, they would rather be on your lap or the bed than the floor src.
An indoor or Outdoor play session with other dogs or its human owner is usually sufficient enough for an Italian Greyhound to get well exercised.
Japanese Chin
This generally quiet toy dog bred is great for apartment living, as they are considered as a tiny indoorsy dog that would rather spend time on your lap than run around in the park.
A slow walk down the hallway to take the trash out or a short play session would be sufficient for their daily exercise needs.
Japanese Spitz
They are ever ready to tag along with you on periodic hikes and a trip down to the countryside, as well as, snuggle next to you in front of a t.v.
The Japanese Spitz make for an amazing apartment companion as they are able to adapt in various conditions.
Lhasa Apso
This thousand-year-old breed has evolved over centuries, from times spent in monasteries, palaces and now in our apartments. The Lhasa Apso is great at adapting.
They are great at self exercising as they would run around the room and play to burn off some of their energy. This makes them a very self-sufficient dog.
Maltese
Maltese are intelligent, alert and hardy dogs that have spent centuries living with humans and being amazing companions and lapdogs.
Daily walks or play sessions are sufficient to keep a Maltese fit and well-toned.
Papillon
Papillons are an athletic toy dog breed that excels in various canine sports activities.
This should not discourage you as papillons are quite really an indoor dog and do not require a lot of exercises to stay fit and healthy.
Pug
The Pug is reported to have been around for over 2000 years, evolving over time as a companion to Chinese emperors to lounging indoors with us in our various apartments.
They have also been named by its owners as ‘a house dog’ src
Pugs would prefer to just lay down and eat, making them prone to obesity. This makes it necessary to keep it active with regular play sessions. Luckily Pugs do not require a lot of exercises to stay fit.
Russian Toy
Just like most toy breeds, the Russian Toy is well suited for apartment living.
Dating back to the Russian aristocratic era, the Russian Toy was the breed of choice as regards to go-to breed for lap dogs.
The Russian Toys are fairly energetic and would require some form of exercise; either going on a walk or having them dash through the hallway.
Luckily, because of their small size, a regular-sized hallway or lawn would be sufficient enough to give them room to let out some steam.
Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka
Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonki are the ultimate apartment dogs.
Their name translates to ‘Russian Colored Lapdog’ src and they are mainly coveted for their charming and friendly personality.
The Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka does not require a great deal of exercise to stay fit, as a play session (which they love) can suffice their exercise needs.
Shih Tzu
Unlike some dogs that would love to chase after cats and other smaller animals, the Shih Tzu would rather snuggle next to you while you watch your favourite Netflix show.
Bred originally to be a house companion, the Shih Tzu could get its daily exercise needs from going on short walks or having a play session with their human owner src
Toy Fox Terrier
The Toy Fox Terrier might seem out of place on this list because of their energetic nature.
If you love the outdoors, love to go hiking or on a run and live in an apartment, the Toy Fox Terrier might just what the doctor prescribe.
They are eager to please and easy to train, making them an ideal choice for an apartment dog.
Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
Like the Toy Fox Terrier, the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is an energetic small dog breed that would make a perfect choice for active owners as they adapt well in various situations and conditions.
They can let off steam by having some indoors, as well as, outdoor play session.
Whippet
This gentle small dog breed is wicked fast.
They rarely bark and would love to just stretch for long hours while keeping their human owner company.
Natural sprinters, the Whippet is ever ready to play fetch with its human owner while taking the same opportunity to let off some steam.
Yorkshire Terrier
The elegant Yorkshire Terrier was bred in the late Victorian times as fashionable lapdogs src
With their glossy, floor-length, silk coat, might make you see them as just cute, fashionable dogs, which they are, but, the Yorkshire Terrier has its origin as ratters in mines.
They have evolved to great companions that would turn heads during walks if elegantly groomed.
They require a fair amount of exercise to stay fit and healthy.
Conclusion
Living in small spaces or apartments with no yard can be discouraging when thinking of getting a dog.
This is where the above listed small dog breed shine, serving as amazing companions as well as great family members.
Did we miss any small dog breed? Please rich out and let us know.
