Nearly 1 out of every eight people in the United States live in apartments. With such a high percentage of the population living in these small spaces, there are bound to be many of those who would like to have dogs as pets. While it’s true that dogs like to be active and get their exercise, that doesn’t mean that apartment-dwellers can’t have one.
There are countless dog breeds and countless ways that they interact with the world. Some dog breeds make for great hiking companions, and others like to laze around. Some breeds bark a lot, while others are mostly silent. Accordingly, some breeds do very well living in apartments, and some do not. If you live in a small space and want to have a dog, here are some of the best types to have in your cozy home.
Bulldog
Everyone loves a bulldog. They are small but solid and tend to do funny things to the delight of their families. Despite the name, bulldogs are not very high-energy and quick to anger. In fact, they are the most passive and lazy dogs you can get. While they need to be taken for walks just like any other dog, it can be short and sweet. Too long will tucker a bulldog right out, and you might have to carry them home. They love spending time with their pack, even if it’s just sitting on the couch, so they have no problem living in apartments where everyone might be tripping over each other.
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshires have very small bodies, but they make up for it in personality. They love running, playing, and having fun with family and other dogs. Sometimes having dogs in an apartment means the hair can quickly build up and require almost daily vacuuming. This is not an issue with a Yorkie in the house. It will barely shed at all, and they don’t even require grooming very often. While it’s true that they have a bundle of personality and energy, the small legs of a Yorkshire mean that it doesn’t take much to tire one out on a walk.
Shih-Tzu
As the name might suggest, Shih-Tzus are a Chinese breed. Originally, Shih-Tzus were owned by royals and lived in huge palaces. However, even though that was their roots, they can still live quite comfortably in an apartment. They get along very well with other pets, children, and large families. They can handle the heavy traffic of visitors as well. Barking can be an issue for some dog owners in apartments because they are in close proximity to neighbors. However, Shih-Tzus are quiet barkers, so they don’t usually bother anyone else. If you see Shih-Tzu puppies for sale and you want a dog in your apartment, they would be a great choice.
Greyhound
When you think of a greyhound, you probably think of their long and lean bodies and the fact that they are amazingly fast. These details would make you think that a greyhound would not be suited for living in a small space. However, you can make it work if you’ve fallen in love with one. The truth about greyhounds is that when they aren’t running or playing, they like to lie around and not do much of anything. While it’s true that you will need to take them out to exercise and give them a lot of work, they will still spend most of the day cuddling or lying on their favorite soft spot. As long as you are able to give them an hour a day or so of action, they will do just fine in your apartment.
Pug
The word sounds like something small, and it’s very true that pugs are just that. They don’t have long legs or bodies and can easily turn around in tight spaces. They have a very strong sense of smell, which means they love to be out on walks taking in the world around them. Like other small dogs, they can’t last long when exercising, so it won’t take much work to tucker them out. This is a good thing if getting outside of your apartment is a bit of a hassle. Pugs are so lazy that they are too tired to get excited about a crowded space or lots of traffic.
Maltese
If there’s a theme amongst most of these dogs, it’s that they are small. A Maltese embodies this, with some of them only making it up to 7 pounds. They are very loyal and love to follow members of their pack around the house and outside. They are never content to be too far away from their favorite people and friends. Don’t let their long fur fool you. They do not shed much, so your apartment will not get covered in fur too fast for you to keep up with.
Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is about twice as big as the Maltese, but they are still very small. They average about 15 pounds full-grown, so a Bichon won’t feel crowded in an apartment. Being in an apartment with a dog can be a nightmare for allergy sufferers. There is often nowhere to go to avoid hair and dander. However, Bichon Frises are hypoallergenic and shed very little. They also have a ton of personality and love to play and goof around with the pack.
It can be hard if you are a dog lover and live in a small space. You might question whether bringing a dog into such a home is fair to them. However, with so many dog breeds out there, some would inevitably be suited to apartment living. Choose from this list to find your next furry family member for your apartment.
