The Best and Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living

Getting a dog has the potential to make any house feel like a warm, loving home. Unfortunately, having a dog in an apartment can also be demanding, especially if it’s located in a busy part of town. That’s why it’s so important to ensure that any dog you do decide to get as a renter is compatible with your lifestyle and surrounding environment.

When it comes to apartment living, certain breeds of dogs are a lot better suited than others. Consider the following before bringing home your new best friend:

Best Dog Breeds for Apartments

Dachshund

Dachshunds top the list of the best dog breeds to have in an apartment. Not only are these dogs adorable, but they’re also perfect for apartment living. For starters, they have short legs, which means they only ever need short walks (making them ideal for less active apartment dwellers). They’re also quite fond of children and can make the perfect apartment playmate for your kids.

Bulldog

Whether French or American, Bulldogs are typically low-energy snugglers. They tend to have smooth bodies, too, which means they won’t shed lots of hair like a lot of bigger breeds do. There’s even variety in their sizes, with American Bulldogs being mostly medium-sized and French Bulldogs slightly more miniature. If you’re unsure of which to pick, leave it up to the amount of available space in your apartment.

Greyhound

These dogs are famously huge. Even though their size might be disadvantageous, especially for those in small apartments, they’re surprisingly cuddly and lazy. This means you can pretty much just take them on one short walk per day. These dogs are also ideal if you want to keep your house clean and organized, as they shed very little and are generally quiet. That’s why as much as it may seem counterintuitive, you should definitely consider getting a Greyhound if you live in small space.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

While their name might make them seem like they only live in mansions, these cute little dogs can be excellent for apartments. Unlike many small dog breeds, these don’t bark regularly and are decidedly more friendly and subdued. They’ll stick close to you when you’re at home, but that doesn’t mean they’re clingy. No, these friendly pups are also great at giving you some space to do your activities. In fact, this breed of dog is among the few ones that prefer spending time indoors to roaming outside. If you’re an apartment dweller in a big city, you’ll be hard-pressed to to find a more amenable breed than this!

Pugs

This is another excellent dog breed for renters. Pugs are known for their low energy and sweet dispositions. They’re adorable dogs that tend to puff and huff around your home, but that doesn’t mean you need to take them on long runs throughout the park daily. It’s also important to note that dogs of this breed can get very attached to their owners, so only consider one if you spend a lot of time in your house or are able bring them into your work!

Worst Dog Breeds for Apartments

German Shepherds

The fact that German Shepherds are enormous makes them unsuitable for apartment living in itself. Besides that, they’re also high-energy and demand lots of attention and activity. If all that hasn’t convinced you that this breed of dog isn’t ideal for apartment living, you should know that German Shepherds are also generally very territorial. They won’t understand that the entire building isn’t their territory. This means that they can bark at anyone who happens to be passing by, causing unnecessary distractions and even altercations down the road.

Beagles

Even though Beagles have gorgeous eyes, they’re usually very loud and annoying for neighbors who prefer silence. Perhaps the fact that they were initially bred for hunting explains why they’re naturally very loud. They also tend to sniff out any foods in the house, which means they can get destructive in an apartment fast. In reality, these dogs are only ideal for homes with fenced-in yards, not rented apartments.

Labradors

Just like German Shepherds, Labradors are very energetic and big. They also require constant attention and activity. To make matters worse, these dogs are clumsy. They will knock over almost everything, from dishes to lamps. This means they can be very harmful, especially for small apartment dwellers. It’s also important to note that Labradors are very curious, jumping up and down virtually every time someone passes.

Yorkshire Terriers and Chihuahua

Even though Yorkshire Terriers and Chihuahuas are small in size and look ideal for apartment living, they’re both overly energetic and loud. This makes them suitable only for homes without next-door neighbors. Chihuahuas in particular tend to bark all hours of the day, making it difficult for anyone to concentrate on their activities. They’re also very active and demand a lot of attention.