Choosing a small dog breed for apartment living? Here are ideas for the best little apartment dogs for small spaces.
The beauty of having pets around you is priceless. In modern times, we can say that it can be quite challenging to have a pet especially now that people are staying in apartments. An apartment can be spacious or limited but the experience with your dog is still going to be the same.
If you are looking for a furry companion that can suit apartment living, here are a couple of breed that you can consider. These are small dog breeds that are suitable for that specific setup not only because of their size, but also by their temperament, maintenance, and characteristics.
Small Dog Breeds For Apartment Living – Best Apartment Dogs
There are so many factors to consider when buying a dog that can fit and suit your home. Take a look at each breed and determine which type is the most suitable for your current living situation and lifestyle.
What is considered a small dog for apartments?
Most apartments consider weight to be the main “factor” for small dogs. Generally speaking, most landlords and property managers suggest a weight maximum of 25-30lbs. Other landlords may consider dogs that follow airline suggestions (meaning that they can fit under an airline seat) in order to be considered “small”.
Small Dogs For Apartments – Little Dog Breeds For Small Homes
1. American Eskimo Dog
This is a breed that you can easily train. Have fun teaching them tricks as they age and excel better in terms of their brain activity. They are incredibly intelligent, obedient, and high energy. They do not require a life outside, so you can be comfortable knowing that they are enjoying apartment living. They are great with everyone, especially with children. Just make sure that you do not leave them in solitary for a long time.
2. Affenpinscher
This breed can stay in your apartment, however, they will need a play place of their own. It is ideal to have the option to let them play in the yard or parks. This is because they tend to be excited, active, sociable, and curious. It can be quite a challenge to housetrain this breed and may not be ideal for households with kids. But if you are living solo or with adults in the house, you can be sure that this is a great choice for you.
3. Barbet
Do you have a love for water? If your answer is yes, then you better check out the Barbet. This breed is a cute, responsive, and blissful type. They love having walks, games, and a lot of cuddling. They are great in the water too, so you can have a grand time swimming with them anytime, anywhere. This breed is not likely to shed a lot, but they will need grooming from time to time.
4. American Hairless Terrier
An ideal choice for those who want a watch dog in their homes, the American Hairless Terrier will do the watching and protecting for you. You can choose among hairless and coated types but you have to remember that they require a bit of maintenance in terms of grooming and exercise. It is recommended that you take them on a daily walk and have some extra time for play because they are very sociable and energetic. This breed has a sense of being protective so you can be sure that you are in good company.
5. Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Those who want to know whether a stranger or an entity is near your place will find great satisfaction by owning a Cardigan Welsh Corgi. This breed has a cute exterior but is paired with watchdog instincts. They do a lot of barking and have a fairly good of energy to spare. You may need to prepare a daily exercise and routine for this breed. Plus, since they are sociable, you will need to expose them to new faces or playmates from time to time. The same type of monitoring goes to the food they eat. Other than this maintenance level, they are perfect for apartment living.
6. Bedlington Terrier
The best furry buddy if you want to have an extra hand. They are easily trainable especially for household chores. This lamb-like dog breed needs some socialization with pets and other people so it is recommended that you take them on runs, walks, hikes, and playtimes. They also need mental stimulation and moderate exercise from time to time. Grooming is not too high-maintenance because they do not shed a lot. This is a great choice for those who want a cute and active companion in the house.
7. Basset Hound
Those who have kids in the house can consider this a good option. The Basset Hound blends excellently in settings with children. It is laid-back and requires very little maintenance. This breed loves comfort so a lot of owners attest that it can be quite a lazy dog. They have low energy so you do not have to take them out for regular walks or runs. Just make sure to spare a few minutes for activity or a bit of exercise in a day to keep them in good shape. The only drawback that you should look out for in this breed would be their likelihood to drool a lot.
8. Boston Terrier
This dog is small but mighty. It’s generally very friendly, if raised right. This dog breed tends to overheat so make sure it’s kept indoors in a moderate climate.
9. Bulldog
For the lazy apartment dweller, consider the low energy dog breed. Its height may rank it small to some property managers (but definitely not its weight!). They don’t need a lot of room to run so this is a great low maintenance dog for small spaces.
10. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
This is a very popular dog breed for families as it is friendly and love to greet people. It’s pretty athletic for a little dog, so you’re active, this dog will follow you everywhere.
11. French Bulldog
A cousin to the bull dog, this small dog is even smaller. It thrives on human contact and does require some training. But when it’s trained, these dogs make for great apartment roommates.
12. Mini Poodle
Great for allergy sufferers, these poodles are great for its hypoallergenic fur. Poodles are also considered very smart dogs and are relatively easy to train.
13. Shih Tzu
These dogs are known for being friendly and adaptable. It’s compact size is great for small places. It loves to cuddle so they make for great lap dogs.
14. Yorkshire Terrier
This popular dog is known for being adorable (and a little feisty). With proper socialization, these dogs can be friendly to strangers. These little dogs do need some attention but with regular cuddles and exercise, they would be great for apartment dwelling. They shed lower than other dogs but they do need regular grooming maintenance.
15. Dachshund
With some training, you can curtail this dog’s propensity to bark. It makes for a great little watch dog if that what’s you’re looking for. Its little legs can make for some health issues if you overfeed the dog. However the popular dachshund is overall a great apartment dog due to its small size.
Conclusion
Small dogs in apartment households are always fun to be with. These dogs can literally take away all your stress and turn a bad day into a good one. Though unique in their own respective ways, each dog breed has features that may or may not work for your setting. This is why it is important to know the specifics about each one so you can tell whether a specific breed can add to the beauty in your life or take it away.
Breeze through the dog breeds mentioned above and weigh in factors that are relevant to your current setup. Who knows? You may be looking at your next furry buddy’s breed in one of those included in the list!
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