So, you live in an apartment and want to add a furry friend to your family?
Luckily there are plenty of breeds that are well suited to living in smaller spaces.
However, when choosing the perfect pooch for your apartment, there’s more to consider than just their size.
As always, the most important thing to do before getting a dog is to select a breed that is right for your lifestyle and that you can give the best care to.
However, things like how vocal they are, how much exercise they need, their friendliness with strangers and whether they have a coat that sheds a lot can all be important factors when it comes to deciding which breed is best for your home.
To help you make a decision, we’ve rounded up the top 10 breeds for apartment living…
1. Bichon Frise
These dogs are hypo-allergenic and rarely shed, so ideal for anyone with allergies. Fully grown, these dogs don’t take up much room on the sofa, weighing no more than 6kg and growing to around 30cm. They’re friendly little bundles of energy that love a good pay session but still require plenty of daily exercise.
2. French bulldog
Frenchies rarely bark which makes them ideal for thin-walled apartments. Plus they have low exercise needs – a brisk walk a day will keep them happy.
3. Greyhound
That’s right, greyhounds! Despite their size, Greyhounds are huge couch potatoes who love nothing more than snoozing the day away and only require short walks. They are smart, easy to train and their solitary nature means they’re also happy being left alone for periods of time.
4. Italian Greyhound
A miniature version of the Greyhound, these guys only weigh up to 5kgs so perfect for smaller spaces. They love a cuddle and getting cosy in bed but like their larger cousins, still need a chance to have a sprint to burn off their energy.
5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
These dogs love to cuddle up on your lap any chance they get as they become very attached to their humans. They can be a bit tricky
6. Shih Tzu
Originally bred to live in Chinese palaces, Shih Tzus will happily settle for your small apartment. They’re especially friendly with other people, strangers and dogs which means you don’t have to worry about bumping in to neighbours on your way out for walkies.
7. Maltese
These are born and bred companion dogs and their small size and low-shedding nature means they’re well suited to apartment living. They are known for suffering from separation anxiety though so might be better suited to homebodies.
8. Basenji
Famous for being a dog that doesn’t bark, the Basenji is the perfect breed for apartments with thin walls and close neighbours. Basenjis on average also weight around 11kg and grow up to 45cm so the perfect size for smaller spaces.
9. Dachshund
The smallest of all the hound dogs, these cute and friendly dogs are well suited to small home living. They are very intelligent so if you do plan on leaving them home alone for longer periods of time, make sure they have something to do to keep them occupied.
10. Chihuahua
Small, sweet and sassy, the Chihuahua is one of the best breeds for apartment living due to their tiny size and low maintenance lifestyle.
Do you live in a small space with a dog? Share your top tips with the Pawfit community by getting in touch on social media or by emailing support@pawfit.com
