10 great dog breeds for apartment dwellers

For many people the idea of owning a dog is an absolute dream, but one which can be trickier for renters to achieve. Assuming you have a well established “OK” from your landlord (and/or property management board, building owner, etc) and believe that your life is ready to accommodate having a dog, then the question really just becomes which breed is going to work best for your lifestyle.
Ultimately, there isn’t usually one “best” breed. Everybody is attracted to different types of dogs and different canine qualities, such as having their pet be a lapdog or a guard dog. Renters everywhere should try to remember a few key points whenever they’re interested in a particular breed:

• Is the dog a reputed barker (or howler!)? If so there’s a good chance that you want to opt for another breed, as excessive or particularly loud barking is not likely to go over well with the neighbors. Beagles are notorious barkers, to the point where barking considered simply to be a breed trait. Certain other hounds and some types of terriers and larger working dogs are also known to be keen barkers.

• Does the breed require a lot of exercise? Every dog needs regular walks and to engage in playful activities, but while certain breeds are content with daily walks and playing fetch indoors (or at the local dog park), others such as herding and most working breeds require a great deal more activity and do best with a large yard, pasture or farm to spend their day running around in. Before selecting any breed, ensure that you and your family is able to devote enough time to walk your pet 2-4 times daily and provide it with regular play session.

• Does the breed have a temperament that is on par with your own? If you’re a very active person who is always on the go and loves the outdoors, than a breed such as a German Sheppard or Retrieve may work well for you, even if you live in an apartment. However if your lifestyle is particularly busy and finding time even for daily walks requires you to shuffle around meetings, than a low energy dog (and/or one which requires minimum grooming) is far more likely to be the right fit for your life.

• Will the breed get along well with young children or any other pets that you have? Adding a dog into your family circle should be a harmonious and very pleasant experience, not one that consists of constant confrontations between your new pup and any other pets that you may already have. Some dogs get along well with most animals, while others seem to better just with other dogs. Likewise, while most dogs that have been well brought up are friendly around children, bigger or particularly active breeds may have a tendency to unintentionally knock over or jump up on young children.

• Does size matter? While some people are surprised to learn that certain larger breeds can cope quite well as primarily indoor, apartment dogs, it is important to keep in mind that the smaller your space, the less room you’ll have for your new pet to run and play in. If you’re renting a bachelor or small studio loft, a Great Dane is not likely the best candidate for your home. Scale the size of your dog selection in accordance with the available room that you have in your apartment.

• Will you be able to see your pet in their natural environment before you bring them home? This tip applies equally to everyone who is hoping to add a dog into their home. It’s always wise to consult with reputable breeders, and if at all possible, visit the breeders that you’re interested in buying a new dog from ahead of bringing one home. If this isn’t possible however, ensure that you know as much about the person (breeder) that you’re buying from as possible and ask to see lots of photos of your potential new puppy (or adult dog).

• Can you afford your desired breed? This doesn’t simply mean being able to foot the cost of purchasing your pet in the first place, it also means being able to adequately provide for all of its needs, from vet bills to toys, food to obedience training classes. As well, if time is really of a premium to you, the idea of investing in a professional dog walker and/or pet groomer may be one worth considering (again, if your wallet is able to accommodate it). Likewise remember that – unless you live in an area where everything  your dog could possibly need is located within walking distance – you’ll have to ensure that you have a way to transport your pet to places such as the vet and the dog park (some public transit systems allow dog onboard with you, so long as you pay a fair for them; check with your local transit commission to see if this applied to your town) .

Many dogs are capable of making excellent, well-adjusted (primarily) indoor pets, and research is definitely the key to determining which breed would work well for your situation. To help you on your journey towards your new pet, here is a list of ten breeds that are well established as being good indoor, low to medium activity dogs.

1. Boston Terrier: Gentle, playful and loving dogs, this well known and very popular dog has a good sized life expectancy (10 to 14 years) and does not require a great deal of grooming, due to it’s naturally short hair. Bostons are bright dogs who can at times be rambunctious, yet they are also known for being calm, sweet and sensitive – as well as for being a breed that requires a lot of human interaction, making them well suited to people who spend a fair amount of time indoors. Their small stature and playful nature make them popular family pets.
2. Clumber Spaniel: This sweet faced English breed has a lovely creamy hued coat and fairly short legs when compared to most other retrieving breeds. While retrievers (and large spaniels) in general can be very active dogs who often get by best when they have a yard or field to roam in, Clumbers generally take on a more relaxed attitude to life and could be considered as the couch potatoes of the retriever world. Being a longhaired dog, Clumbers do shed, though their coat care can be kept on top of with regular brushing. A gentle, good natured and bright dog, Clumber Spaniels have been described as the “big dog that thinks it’s a lapdog”, and they are especially fond of attention and love.
3. Havanese: An adorable little dog with a somewhat dishevelled appearance due to their scruffy fur, these small dogs make excellent companions and have been utilized in fields such as detection and therapy work. Playful toy sized dogs, they’re are both intelligent and highly attached to their families. Havanese are reported to get on excellently with other pets, as well as being highly sociable and quick to learn. They make reliable watchdogs, though the breed is not prone to excessive barking at all.
4. English Cocker Spaniel: Dignified, gentle and intelligent, English Cocker Spaniels make terrific household pets and get along swimmingly with children. These medium sized dogs have been a favorite with families for generations now, and makes for a fantastic companion pet. Described as being moderate barkers and lively, playful dogs, English Cockers make ideal pets for those with some time to devote to excising and can get along quite well in an apartment setting.
5. Lhasa Apso: Bright, alert and somewhat energetic, these non-sporting toy dogs originated from Tibet as guard animals and therefore (as result of their guard dog heritage) often posse a bit of a dominate or stubborn trait, though they are also very loyal. Somewhat diminutive in size at around 14-18 pounds, these silky, long haired dogs require daily brushing, but not a great deal of exercise and can be quite content to spend most of their time indoors as a family pet who will be at the ready as a guard dog.
6. Greyhound: While the first thought that springs to many peoples’ mind when they hear the word “Greyhound” is a that it’s a breed who loves to run and is constantly active, the reality is that only a small percentage of the world’s Greyhounds are actually race dogs, and that as a breed, they are not overly active on the whole. Calm, gentle and devoted, Greyhounds typically get along well with other animals and children, and are not habitual barkers in the least.
7. Boxer: Alert, affectionate and jolly, the boxer is a relatively large sized, shorthaired dog with a fair bit of energy and plenty of love to give. Despite the misconception that Boxers are vicious or aggressive dogs, they are in fact gentle natured and usually get along well with children. This image likely steams from the Boxer’s bulldog origins and traditional use as a hunter’s assistant who that was employed to help track down large game. Today’s Boxers love to play and greatly enjoy a bit of daily activity. They need more space than, say, a Pomeranian, but can adequately live in a good-sized apartment or condo, assuming they receive proper walks and exercise.
8. Scottish Terrier (Scottie): An iconic breed with pointed ears, a shaggy coat and headstrong temperament. Scotties are not big shedders; like most terriers, they delight in taking walks and getting daily exercise, but Scotties are not generally overly hyperactive. Though a small dog, the Scottie fancies itself as a guard dog and is sometimes standoffish with strangers, though they tend to be affectionate and devoted to their owners. Due to its compact size, Scotties are well suited to families with small living quarters, but plenty of time to train and play with their pet.
9. Samoyed: A medium to large sized breed with gorgeous white, fluffy fur and a tail that curves upwards, the Samoyed originally hails from Siberia where it was employed as a sled dog and reindeer herder’s aid. Energetic, attentive, and very friendly, these dogs are not known for being aggressive, though some do have a penchant for barking, which could potentially be a downside if you live in a shared building. Samoyeds, despite their lovely coats, do not require an excessive amount of grooming, though they do shed a fair bit. Sammies like to play and take walks (especially in the snow!), but so long as they get the opportunity to “burn off steam” on a regular basis, they can get along quite well in an indoor environment.
10. English Bulldog: Perhaps the most easily recognized and well known of all “couch potato” breeds; the English bulldog is a compact, stocky dog that’s popular the world over. Though English bulldogs can be prone to certain health problems (such as breathing issues and the need for cesarean births due to the large size of the pups’ heads) and are a rather expensive breed ($2,500 US is a fairly common price, though some breeders may charge a bit less or more, depending on numerous factors), they make for loving, loyal and friendly pets (albeit ones who may be a bit stubborn at times) and are well worth considering. Bulldogs do not require a great deal of activity, but as with all breeds, it’s important to walk and play with your “bullie” every day. As a shorthaired dog they are not particularly big shedders and the majority of their maintenance comes from the fact that owners need to properly clean their bulldog’s facial wrinkles (skin folds) to prevent infections.

In the above list we’ve highlighted ten dogs which can make for good apartment dwelling pets, but it’s important to remember that there are many other breeds out there which may also suit your house and lifestyle. Rescue dogs and mixed breeds can also be well suited to apartments, assuming their size and breed(s) are known to be appropriate for indoor living. Assuming your dog lives a healthy life, you can expect to have them with you for anywhere from 8-15+ years, depending on the breed, and it’s important to pick a type of dog that will continue to suit your lifestyle not only today, but in the future as well.