Best Dogs For Apartments | 8 Calm & Quiet Breeds

Living in an apartment doesn’t mean that you’re destined to go through life without a dog. While it’s true that many breeds aren’t well suited to apartment life, there are many that will thrive. The best dogs for apartments usually have a few traits in common.

Desired traits for apartment dogs

  • Minimal barking
  • Low to moderate energy level
  • Size is important

Any dog can live in an apartment, but some breeds will be much more difficult to care for, and fulfill in an apartment setting.

Some breeds may even get you into trouble with your neighbors and landlord if applicable.

Minimal Barking is an excellent trait when it comes to the best dogs for apartments

Many dog owners have been in the awkward position of having to deal with complaints about their dog’s excessive barking.

While all dogs will indeed bark, a breed that is barking for hours on end, is probably a poor choice for apartment life.

best dogs for apartments

The best dogs for apartments have a low to moderate energy level.

This is especially true if you don’t have access to a large green area for exercising your dog.

Dogs that don’t get enough exercise can become frustrated and destructive.

Dogs with pent-up energy are also more difficult to train.

Sometimes size matters!

Choose a dog breed that is the correct size for your apartment.

If you have a very small apartment, it makes sense to choose a small dog, while those with more spacious digs may be able to accommodate a large breed.

All in all, be sure to match the size of the dog you choose to the amount of space in your apartment.

What are the best dogs for apartments?

French bulldog best dogs for apartments

French Bulldog

French bulldogs, also known fondly as “Frenchies”, make excellent apartment dogs. This is one of the best low maintenance dogs for apartments.

This breeds small stature and quiet nature make it an ideal pet.

Frenchies rarely bark, and are fun, affectionate companions.

This dog doesn’t need much exercise and will be happy with a short walk most days.

best dogs for apartments

English Bulldog

The English Bulldog is another great choice for apartment living.

They do bark, but not very often.

The Bulldog is a calm, mellow breed, with a low energy level.

Bullies certainly don’t need much in the way of physical activity, as a result, a short walk daily will keep them happy.

They are content to chill with you on the sofa for movie night.

This breed is very loyal to their owner, and will often follow them around the home.

The only possible downsides to this breed is that they are stubborn and they have to be groomed regularly due to their wrinkles needing special care.

This breed also does well with children.

Related post: Best dogs for kids

English bulldog apartment dog
basenji best dogs for apartments

#3 on our list of best dogs for apartments is the Basenji

The Basenji isn’t a barker, in fact they have been referred to by many people as the “barkless dog”.

Although they may not bark in the traditional sense, they do make some funny noises.

They make a howl-like yodel sound at times, but typically this breed is a quiet one.

This small dog won’t take up much space in your home, so they can thrive in even tiny apartments.

The Basenji can get by with two 20 to 25 minute walks per day.

This lively little pup is alert and affectionate with their owners.

At a Glance

basenji best dogs for apartments
pug best dogs for apartments

The Pug

This happy-go lucky little dog is another fairly quiet breed.

The pug definitely barks, however, they normally bark for a reason.

They are not excessive barkers by any stretch.

The clownish pug can live in even a small apartment and excels at being a loyal companion.

This pint-sized pooch doesn’t need much exercise, and will do well with a short, daily walk.

the pug apartments

Shar-Pei

The Shar-Pei is also known as the “wrinkle dog” because of how wrinkled they are as pups.

A naturally protective breed, they will bark to alert their owner of a potential threat.

But as a general rule, these dogs do not bark unnecessarily.

Due to their guarding instincts they can be standoffish with strangers, but are lovable and loyal with their owners.

The Shar-Pei will have plenty of exercise with 1 or 2 daily walks.

Italian Greyhound

The peaceful Italian Greyhound is another quiet breed.

They do bark, but within reason.

These docile dogs are intelligent and sweet-natured.

The Italian Greyhound is a small dog, and as such, they don’t appreciate roughhousing with children.

This sensitive breed is good with strangers, usually preferring not to approach them.

This dog is a great choice for small apartments, and buildings where you will have frequent contact with neighbors.

Italian greyhound best dogs for apartments

The Japanese Chin

The Japanese Chin is a great option for apartment life.

This dainty dog was literally bred to be a companion to humans, and it does its job very well.

This dog does bark, but not excessively.

They are a small breed, so you need not have a large apartment to house them.

This breed is very happy with a daily walk and a warm lap for cuddles.

Looking for a large breed dog? If so, consider a Bullmastiff.

The Bullmastiff

If a large dog is what you seek, a Bullmastiff may fit the bill. This is one of the best big dogs for apartments.

This guardian breed barks very rarely, and normally as a warning of what they perceive as a potential threat.

This is a large breed, so a spacious apartment will be needed to keep this dog.

This dog is calm, and as a result doesn’t need tons of exercise.

A moderately long daily walk will be enough.

The Bullmastiff is a devoted companion, and with proper training, should do well in most apartment settings.

bullmastiff

Best Dogs for apartments | What breeds should I avoid?

Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers, Beagles, and Chihuahuas are all breeds that tend to be excessive barkers, and could make life in an apartment difficult.

Other breeds to avoid would be very high energy dogs.

For example, Dalmations or Vizslas. However, high energy breeds can be a good choice for runners that want a dog to accompany them on their adventures.

Related Post: Best dogs for runners

Other breeds that would make our list of best dogs for apartments

  • Tibetan Spaniel
  • American Hairless Terrier (may be a good choice for allergy sufferers.)
  • Borzoi (Low Energy)
  • Whippet

Things to consider

Dogs living in apartments will likely have daily exposure to strange people, animals, and new sounds.

Therefore, you will need to take training and socializing your dog very seriously.

A well trained and socialized dog will be much more confident, and a welcomed addition to most apartment buildings.

Tip

** Make sure to investigate any rules your apartment building may have regarding pets. Many have rules about how many dogs tenants may keep, as well as size or breed restrictions. Some apartments may prohibit pets altogether.**

What will I need for my dog?

  1. Your pampered pup will need their own space, and nothing says “home” to your dog like their very own bed! We like this personalized bagel style dog bed.
  2. Your dog will want a chew to keep them busy. Our dogs enjoy Tibetan Dog Chews.
  3. Unfortunately, there is the dirty job of picking up poop, but it’s not so bad with these Earth Rated Poop bags with a handy dispenser that you can clip to your dog leash.
  4. We keep our dogs occupied with the Kong extreme. This can be stuffed and even frozen for hours of play.

Final Thoughts

Take your lifestyle into consideration when choosing your new dog.

Ask yourself the following questions.

  1. How much exercise can I commit to giving a dog?
  2. Do I spend enough time at home to accommodate the needs of a dog?
  3. How much time can I devote to training a new puppy?

You are the only person that can answer these crucial questions.

If you take the time to think it through and prepare, having a dog in an apartment is no big deal.

It can also add a great deal of joy to your life.

Related post: Cute girl puppy names

We hope you enjoyed reading about the “Best dogs for apartments”.

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