One of the considerations in selecting a rental place is if pet lovers can bring their furry babies. Moving into a tiny apartment often means cutting down your belongings. And when it comes to pets–particularly dogs–size does matter. Although undeniably adorable, those long legs and large paws, just don’t fit in small living spaces. Additionally, dog owners should also consider the dog’s socialization skills, temperament, noisiness, and energy levels. With neighbours living in close quarters, you wouldn’t want to get in trouble for your pooch’s ‘misbehaviour’.
Here are some recommendations for dog breeds that will be content in almost any space.
What You Need to Know Before Bringing a Pet to Your Apartment
According to Happy House Sitters, the term ‘apartment’ can cover a few various styles of homes and is reasonably vague, but the most common is your close proximity to others. As such you should prefer a dog breed that is clean and does not create too much noise (preferably zero barks).
Before bringing home a pet to your own small resting place, Apartment Guide greatly suggests that you need to: figure out which room or area is theirs, set up everything your new pup needs (food and water bowls, fresh dog beds, collar, etc.) along with pet-proofing the area to not only avoid damages to the rental place but also to prevent the apartment from harming your pooch.
Compared to regular homes, apartments are usually smaller. However, if your preferred dog mostly requires getting enough exercise outside of the home, this is not a good factor. Though, several apartment dwellers have reported excellent success with keeping Great Danes! Some apartments may have a shared garden space, but if Fido is constantly using that as his toilet (regardless if you pick it all up) you may find yourself on the negative agenda of a general tenants meeting.
Having a dog in an apartment means that you have to be fully committed to clean-up duties and providing exercise. Fortunately, most dogs are happy with poop schedules and regular walks! If you’re busy with work and you are not home for a part of the day, it is highly recommended to get ‘puppy pads’ that serve as an indoor toilet for your dog, a specially designed ‘pet loo’, or are like a nappy that goes on the floor. This can help solve any issues with a pooch that ‘needs to go’ and stops him from scratching or barking at the door.
Consider how much time you have to exercise your pet. Do not overestimate, though, as finding a dog that suits in with how much exercise you do is more significant than getting a particular breed. Remember that you are going to have this companion for 10 to 15 years! Most canines will require to walk outside at least once per day, and their preferred distance can vary greatly based on the breed. Not only is walking great for exercise but it can also stop your dog from creating unwanted antics by tiring him out. This can mean he will sleep at night or while you are not at home–which is perfect for not annoying your neighbours.
Depending on how close you live with your neighbours, it may be a wise idea to discuss your plan of getting a pet with them. While a lot of people will not often have a problem, other than ‘barking issues’; if you’re unlucky to live next to a person that is adamant about not having pets around, they may cause trouble. Various apartment complexes have rules for keeping pets. Thus, even if your neighbours are not that happy given you to abide by the rules everything will work out.
What are the Perfect Dog Breeds to Have in an Apartment?
If you want a certain dog breed, then going directly to a reputable dog breeder is your best choice. A good breeder will think about where you live and decide if that is a good environment for their pups. Provided that you have done your homework on your desired breed, you will often have an easy time getting the puppy you want. Here are some of the best dog breeds for small apartment living. To learn more about dog breeds–whether purebreds or mixed breeds–check out and visit Well Pet Coach.
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
This breed may have royal roots, but they do not need to live in palatial luxury to thrive. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel loves being close to their owners, is always up for a good cuddle, and likes to make friends with everyone, so the tiny place the better as far as they are concerned. Generally weighing between 5 and 8 kg, they are a great apartment breed that doesn’t require much room to roam and are happy to remain indoors most of the time. Trainable and intelligent, you can work with this dog to avoid chewing, accidents, and scratching. Plus, they only need 20 minutes of exercise each day to make them healthy and happy.
- Bichon Frise
Even at their largest, the Bichon Frise will not grow taller than afoot. These little cotton-like dogs are energetic, which means they love to play but still require regular exercise. Bichons’ temperament is also friendly and sociable. They surely enjoy socializing and being the centre of attraction. This friendly and sociable temperament means that this breed will generally get along well with other pets and people. It is definitely something essential to consider when you have guests over. Known as one of the best lap dogs, they love nothing better than curling up on your lap as you read or watch TV. On top of that, they are also hypoallergenic, which means they shed less than similar breeds and make them perfect for people with allergies or to live within close quarters.
- Pug
Known for their squished faces, Pugs are loyal and playful dogs. Though, they do not do well alone and need to be close to their humans as much as possible. A pug is not generally a “yappy” breed, which means they do not bark much, and no special training is required to keep your neighbours happy. They also need only fairly small amounts of exercise. A combination of a short walk or two and indoor playtime is enough to meet their exercise requirements. Due to their small stature, quietness, and inactivity, Pugs make a good pet for apartments of any size.
- Yorkshire Terrier
Commonly known as the Yorkie, Yorkshire Terriers are among the most popular toy dog breeds. They can be exercised easily indoors and are small. Perhaps the biggest challenge for their owners is their distrust of strangers and inherent high energy. One of the many traits of this dog is that they can be aggressive Yorkies, they hunt down vermin like rats. Although they are renowned for their miniature sizes, they still show great boldness and are excellent guard dogs. Despite having a long coat, this breed is easy to maintain if the texture is silky, as it should be in most healthy Yorkies. They only need a monthly bath and daily brushing.
- Great Dane
According to the Dogster website, as cited by DailyPuppy, Great Danes are one of the top 10 best dog breeds for apartment living despite their size. Easily trained, quiet, and calm, this breed shouldn’t be a nuisance to nearby neighbours and isn’t likely to destroy the apartment because of their pent-up energy, frustration, and boredom. Talk to any owner, and they will agree with Great Danes being like giant lap dogs. They are more like talkers than barkers and will need more exercise than smaller dogs.
- Italian Greyhound
Commonly thought of as a high-maintenance, high-energy pet, the Greyhound can be in fact one of the best apartment breeds. Their surprisingly placid and calm nature along with a high-stepping gait and light-footed grace movement ensure they can handle a smaller environment. Greyhounds also do not bark much, and their energy needs only require a daily walk.
- Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are one dog breed many people love to have at their apartments. They are entertaining, loyal, and affectionate. They are also fast learners and very intelligent. This pint-sized pet fears nothing and is a curious explorer, which makes them good watchdogs. Chihuahuas can be fiercely loyal and considered as one of the smallest toy breeds. However, they can be noisy and overprotective to their humans when other pets or people are around, thus the need for early socialization and training is required.
Final Note
This list is regarded more as a teaser for information. Before deciding on any dog breed, it is vital to do thorough research into the pup you are leaning towards. Only by determining the attributes of any dog breed will you find a suitable companion for you. Most breeds will need to attend a puppy school, will benefit from correct training, and then regular training.
In addition to breeders, you can also opt to choose a dog from a shelter and rescue organization. There are several rescues that specialize in certain breeds, and many shelters still have mixed breeds available, but some of those will inherit the traits of their parent breeds. When you choose to adopt a rescue animal, you may need to do some extra work, but the love returned is commonly the same. As a bonus to a rescued pet, you can usually skip toilet training!
Ref number: THSI-2268 – THSI-2579 / ZD.23178
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