Apartment Dogs 101: Finding the Perfect Canine Companion for Your Small Space

What are the best apartment dogs? Good candidates adjust easily to smaller spaces, don’t bark much, and aren’t overly aggressive. One would assume that a smaller dog is best for apartment living, but in many cases, a large and slower breed of dog can also make a great choice, as they enjoy resting and don’t need a lot of exercise.

We consulted our dog experts and came up with this list of some of the best apartment dogs for your living situation.

Affenpinscher

• AKC Dog Personality Description for Affenpinscher: Confident, Famously Funny, Fearless 
• Average Height for Affenpinscher: 9 to 11.5 inches
• Average Weight for Affenpinscher: 7 to 10 pounds

Affenpinschers — aka “Affens,” “Monkey Dogs,” and “Ape Terriers” — are notoriously funny and confident. The French have an appropriate name for this feisty toy canine: diablotin moustachu — or “mustached little devil.” They’re the class clowns of the canine world, hypoallergenic, and widely considered one of the best dogs for apartment living.

Affenpinschers can be willful, but it’s almost always entertaining — with proper puppy training, they do well in small spaces. 

To keep Monkey Dogs happy, humans should brush their dense, shaggy coats two or three times a week with a brush and metal comb. Thankfully, their hair doesn’t grow quickly and they only shed seasonally, making cleanup easy in your small space.  

The breed got its start in Germany’s stables in the 1600s. They served as ratters by day and companions by night. As such, if you have a hamster, gerbil, or ferret, an Affenpinscher may not be an ideal fit — their rodent-hunting roots remain!

American Eskimo Dogs 

• AKC Dog Personality Description for American Eskimo Dog: Playful, Perky, Smart
• Average Height for American Eskimo Dog: 9 to 12 inches (toy), 12 to 15 inches (miniature), 15 to 19 inches (standard)
• Average Weight for American Eskimo Dog: 6 to 10 pounds (toy), 10 to 20 pounds (miniature), 25 to 35 pounds (standard)

American Eskimo Dogs are a solid choice for apartment dwellers looking for a medium-sized pooch. With their white fur and lion-like tuft around the shoulders and chest, American Eskimo Dogs are dignified beauties. 

Their name is deceptive. The name ‘American Eskimo Dog’ is misleading, as the breed was developed by German immigrants in the United States and is not directly related to indigenous peoples of North America. However, once WWII hit, the name was changed to “American Eskimo” to avoid any association with the Axis alliance. 

Brainy American Eskimo Dogs form strong bonds with family members and are great with kids, but can be reserved with strangers.

Basenji

• AKC Dog Personality Description for Basenji: Independent, Smart, Poised
• Average Height for Basenji: 16 to 17 inches
• Average Weight for Basenji: 22 to 24 pounds

Known as “Africa’s Barkless Dog,” Basenjis are graceful, regal, catlike canines. Bonafide “cult dogs,” Basenji owners are passionate about their babies. And the enthusiasm is warranted because the breed is truly unique. They stride like horses, groom like cats, and yodel like artisan Alpine shepherds! The cherry on top? They don’t emit a “doggie smell.”

Basenji coats are easy to maintain, which is a great quality to have in apartment dogs. A quick weekly brushing with a rubber grooming mitt, soft-bristle brush, or hound glove does the trick. They only shed occasionally and don’t need baths unless they get into a mess.

Be aware, though: Basenjis are very active. Both outside and indoor play times are musts. If you’re not prepared to hit up the doggie park daily, play fetch at home, or go for brisk walks with your four-legged pal, consider another breed.

Basset Fauve de Bretagne 

• AKC Dog Personality Description for Basset Fauve de Bretagne: Smart, Cheerful, Determined
• Average Height for Basset Fauve de Bretagne: 12.5 to 15.5 inches
• Average Weight for Basset Fauve de Bretagne: 27 to 35 pounds

They may have grand-sounding names, but these little bullets are fast, friendly, and eager to please their masters. With their big floppy ears and golden-tan fur, Basset Fauve de Bretagnes are also adorable.

What’s the downside? Breeders engineered Basset Fauve de Bretagnes to scent-hunt rabbits — an instinct that still guides their doggie souls. If they sense a rodent nearby, they will bolt after it! That’s why these sprinters need to be leashed when out for walks.

Basset Fauve de Bretagnes aren’t nuisance barkers and they love learning tricks, which can easily be done in an apartment. Keep in mind that these French beauties are also highly intelligent and need mental stimulation as much as physical fun.

They’re super with children, other dogs, and cats. Plus, they find nothing more satisfying than curling up with their humans after a long day.

Bichon Frise

• AKC Dog Personality Description for Bichon Frise: Playful, Curious, Peppy
• Average Height for Bichon Frise: 9.5 to11.5 inches
• Average Weight for Bichon Frise: 12 to 18 pounds

Bichon Frises are hypoallergenic, speedy, gregarious, and look like bags of cotton balls! Happy-go-lucky and plucky, these small canines have never met a stranger. They’re so friendly they don’t like to be left alone for long periods.

Though Bichon Frises don’t shed much, they’re a bit high maintenance. Not only do they need daily brushings, but they require two baths a month and trips to the groomers every four to six weeks.

Bichon Frises are somewhat active and typically do well with three walks a day. Indoor play sessions also fulfill their needs.

But beware: Bichon Frise can be challenging to housebreak. They have tiny bladders that fill up quickly — plus independent streaks. This combination can lead to some unfortunate incidents early on, especially if this is your first dog. However, puppy training usually corrects the problem.

Biewer Terrier 

• AKC Dog Personality Description for Biewer Terrier: Intelligent, Devoted, Amusing
• Average Height for Biewer Terrier: 7 to 11 inches
• Average Weight for Biewer Terrier: 4 to 8 pounds

Biewer — pronounced “beaver” — Terriers are all about giving and receiving love. Yes, their long, silky coats need daily brushing, and you may even need to style their hair in barrettes to keep the fringe under control — but all the effort is worth it!

Biewers are dainty, sociable, calm, and surprisingly athletic. However, they’re more likely to enjoy leisurely play dates in the park with their bestie instead of intense hikes. Even a walk through apartment halls is good enough for Biewers on a lazy day. These babies also have sensitive tummies and must eat quality food. They do best on lamb- and fish-based foods. 

What makes them one of the best apartment dogs is their aversion to barking. They only do it in rare circumstances as an alert, which may appeal to those of you with shared walls.

Bolognese

• AKC Dog Personality Description for Bolognese: Playful, Easy-Going, Devoted
• Average Height for Bolognese: 10 to12 inches
• Average Weight for Bolognese: 5.5 to 9 pounds

An easy-going, Italian breed, Bolognese are serene, devoted, and very friendly. They love to be around people so much they often suffer from extreme separation anxiety. In fact, being away every weekday from 9 to 5 is no good. Bolognese need humans who work from home or take them to the office daily.

These gorgeous pups have white, wavy fur that needs brushing two to three times per week, but only occasional baths. Another positive is that they hardly ever shed.

Bulldog 

• AKC Dog Personality Description for Bulldog: Friendly, Courageous, Calm 
• Average Height for Bulldog: 14 to 15 inches
• Average Weight for Bulldog: 40 to 50 Pounds

Is there any dog breed more recognizable than the Bulldog? With their wrinkly bruiser physiques, smooth glossy coats, and smooshy noses, Bulldogs are synonymous with courage and tenacity. Plus, they do very well living in apartments. 

To keep their short coats looking good, they’ll need a soft-brush combing two or three times a week. Additionally, it’s essential to check under their wrinkles and nails often. Moreover, they shed regularly, so it’s best to use a rubber curry brush for daily grooming during those times.

What makes Bulldogs one of the best dogs for apartments is their mellow attitudes. Plus, they’re not big barkers.

They enjoy walks and playing at home. Bulldogs love to chew on things, so make sure to stock up on toys. However, if you live somewhere warm, Bulldogs probably aren’t the best breed for you because it’s difficult for them to breathe in hot, humid weather.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen 

• AKC Dog Personality Description for Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen: Alert, Happy, Vivacious 
• Average Height for Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen: 13 to 15 inches
• Average Weight for Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen: 25 to 40 pounds

The last pick on our best dogs for apartments list is the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen. That’s a mouthful! Let’s break it down: Petit means small, Basset means low, Griffon means rough-coated, and Vendéen references the region of France where they originated.

These small, happy hunting hounds love to be around other animals and their humans. As a hunting breed, they aim to please and can adjust to just about any environment. And, while they have a loud hound bark, they keep it under tight control when adequately trained. However, Petit Bassets can be stubborn; training may be slow going with the energetic breed.

A great companion for hikers, runners, or bikers who live in apartments but get out often, Petit Bassets need lots of exercise to thrive. Also, a complete brushing-out and ear check are weekly musts. But don’t worry if they never look neat; Petit Bassets are supposed to appear tousled. Plus, they don’t shed all that much.