Woman cuddling with French Bulldog

20 Best Dogs For Small Apartments

Living in a small apartment has its challenges. For starters, there’s limited storage and less room to host get-togethers with friends and family. However, your small living quarters can still feel like it needs something a little extra — like a cute new pup to keep you company!

Before adding a dog to your pet-friendly apartment you must consider a variety of different factors such as size, energy level, grooming needs and most importantly whether or not they’ll fit your lifestyle.

Can dogs live in small apartments?

If you’re living in a small apartment, a small dog breed is often your best bet. Not only do many apartments have weight restrictions, but their size won’t make you or your pup feel cramped. In addition, many small breeds are laid back, low-shed and known for being less rowdy compared to the average large breed.

Owning a dog in a small apartment has its challenges, but that doesn’t mean raising a dog there is impossible. If you’re thinking of adding a new addition to your family, check out this list of American Kennel Club approved best dogs for small apartments.

1. Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Cardigan welsh corgi

  • Weight: 22-31 pounds
  • Shedding: High
  • Barking: High
  • Energy Level: Moderate

Affectionate, loyal and smart, Cardigan Welsh Corgis are a cherished companion and the perfect dog for those with kids. They are short and long and need a moderate amount of exercise to keep them satisfied throughout the day.

Originally bred as herding dogs, these sweet-faced pups would be a cherished companion even if it didn’t do a day’s worth of work.

2. French Bulldog

french bulldog

  • Weight: 20-28 pounds
  • Shedding: Moderate
  • Barking: Low
  • Energy Level: Moderate

Also known as a “Frenchie,” the French Bulldog is a charmer and has recently taken up popularity with urban millennials due to their adaptable temperament. They are playful, smart, require low to moderate outdoor exercise and rarely bark (a huge bonus for the neighbors). The Frenchie is playful, smart, alert and completely irresistible.

3. Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise

  • Weight: 6-11 pounds
  • Shedding: Low
  • Barking: Low
  • Energy Level: High

The Bichon Frise is a hypoallergenic and charming little pup that’s both smart and friendly. They are extremely adaptable making them the ideal city dog for urban dwellers or just those who live in cramped apartments.

Bichons are great with children and other dogs and known for their happy-go-lucky personality which attracts smiles and cuddles from those around them.

4. Havanese

Havanese

  • Weight: 9-16 pounds
  • Shedding: Low
  • Barking: Low
  • Energy Level: Moderate

This breed’s small size, adaptable nature and great social skills make the Havanese an ideal apartment dog. The Havanese is the only dog breed native to Cuba, but have become especially popular with American city dwellers.

They’re extremely smart and trainable with a comical personality that brings out the best in their human companions. They also make for great watchdogs, but keep the barking to a minimum.

5. Italian Greyhound

Italian Greyhound

  • Weight: 7-11 pounds
  • Shedding: Moderate
  • Barking: Moderate
  • Energy Level: Moderate

The Italian Greyhound is the miniature version of the classic Greyhound — known for their slender and elegant stature. These are the perfect little lap dogs as they are sweet, gentle and crave affection.

They’ve been bred for centuries to be doting companions, so Italian Greyhounds will always want to be by your side.

6. Affenpinscher

Affenpinscher

  • Weight: 6-13 pounds
  • Shedding: Very low
  • Barking: Moderate
  • Energy Level: High

Affenpinschers are known for their confidence, fearlessness and funny appearance that’s undoubtedly adorable. Since their small toy dog size doesn’t faze them, their apparent seriousness of purpose makes their antics all the more amusing.

They can be willful and domineering but are mostly loyal, affectionate and extremely entertaining making them a fun little addition to your small apartment.

7. Pug

Pug laying down

  • Weight: 14-18 pounds
  • Shedding: Very low
  • Barking: Low
  • Energy Level: Moderate

Whether you live in a big house or a small apartment, pugs are described to be the perfect house dog as they can adapt to most living environments. They have very charming and loving personalities with a little bit of added mischief, making them a fun little companion to have in your life.

With their large round heads, big eyes and wrinkled brows, Pugs have a range of human-like expressions which brings a lot of joy to their owners.

8. Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu

  • Weight: 8-16 pounds
  • Shedding: Moderate
  • Barking: Low
  • Energy Level: Low

Shih Tzus are affectionate breeds that are especially great with kids and other dogs. An ideal day for this kind of breed is to sit on your lap and act adorable rather than dig holes and chase neighborhood squirrels — making them the ideal dog for apartment dwellers, especially in big cities.

Given their long flowy coats, Shih Tzus are glamorous dogs, but actually have muscular bodies making them very agile as well!

9. Maltese

Maltese

  • Weight: 6-9 pounds
  • Shedding: Low
  • Barking: Low
  • Energy Level: Moderate

This gentle pup is an extremely affectionate toy breed weighing less than 10 pounds. They are low maintenance and very adaptable to any living environment which makes them a great option for those with laid-back lifestyles and small living quarters.

Maltese are low-shedding, long-lived and get along well with people of all ages.

10. German Spitz

German Spitz

  • Weight: 23-25 pounds
  • Shedding: Moderate
  • Barking: High
  • Energy Level: Moderate

This cheeky breed is well known for its liveliness, intelligence and is easily trainable. The German Spitz is always attentive, exceptionally devoted to their owner and a great apartment dog for any type of household. Their indifference to weather, robustness and durability are some of the German Spitz’s best attributes.

11. Bulldog

English bulldog

  • Weight: 40-55 pounds
  • Shedding: Moderate
  • Barking: High
  • Energy Level: Low

Kind yet courageous, friendly but solemn, this breed is a thick-set, well-muscled canine with a famous “sourmug” face that’s a universal symbol of courage and grit. These dogs are sweet and loyal companions that can adapt well to most living environments.

Bulldogs have deep wrinkles that must be regularly checked to make sure the skin is clean and dry to avoid irritation or infection.

12. Chinese Crested

Chinese Crested

  • Weight: 5-12 pounds
  • Shedding: Low
  • Barking: Moderate
  • Energy Level: Low

The unmistakable Chinese Crested was named after its spiky “crested” hairdo that’s accompanied by their furry paws and feathery tail. In fact, that’s the only hair they have as the rest is spotted pink skin making them extremely low shedders.

This playful and affectionate companion is a great addition to your small living space.

13. Japanese Spitz

Japanese Spitz

  • Weight: 11-20 pounds
  • Shedding: Moderate
  • Barking: Moderate
  • Energy Level: High

The Japanese Spitz is perfect for lively owners who are game to take their pooch on adventures like hiking or a trip to the beach or lake. They are undoubtedly loyal, smart and very playful and would love nothing more than go on adventures with you and then come home to your cozy little apartment. They have distinctive features such as their pure white coats and iconic spitz tails that curl over their back in a beautiful fur plume.

14. Cairn Terrier

Cairn Terrier

  • Weight: 13-18 pounds
  • Shedding: Moderate
  • Barking: High
  • Energy Level: High

Alert, cheerful and busy, Cairn Terriers are happy little dogs who are small enough for snuggles in your lap and sturdy enough for some fun in a small backyard. They do best with a lot of close family contact and work best for those who love the qualities of a terrier — independent, loyal and courageous.

15. Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniel

  • Weight: 26-35 pounds
  • Shedding: Moderate
  • Barking: High
  • Energy Level: High

The Cocker Spaniel is one of the world’s best-loved breeds, with its gentle, smart and happy temperament. They are eager playmates for kids, are easily trained and love to be taken out on long brisk walks with their owners.

They were originally bred as hunting dogs, but have gained wide popularity as all-around loyal companions.

16. Basset Fauve de Bretagne

Basset Fauve de Bretagne

  • Weight: 36-40 pounds
  • Shedding: Low
  • Barking: Low
  • Energy Level: High

Smart, cheerful and determined, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne (also known as the Fawn Colored Brittany Basset), is an energetic and friendly pooch who gets along well with children and other pets. They will be just as happy running through the dog park as they would be curled up next to you on the couch.

17. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

  • Weight: 13-18 pounds
  • Shedding: Moderate
  • Barking: Moderate
  • Energy Level: Moderate

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the best of both worlds, combining the gentle nature of a toy breed with the energy and enthusiasm of a sporting spaniel.

They adapt well with whatever their owners’ lifestyle is, whether active adventurers or laidback homebodies. This makes them a great breed for just about anyone!

18. Russian Toy

Russian Toy

  • Weight: 4-6 pounds
  • Shedding: Low
  • Barking: Moderate
  • Energy Level: Moderate

This breed is small, elegant and lively, yet loves to snuggle up close to their human companions. They have a desire to please and possess very sharp intelligence, making them easy to train and a great candidate for small apartment living.

They come in two different varieties: long-haired and smooth, but both share great amounts of personality.

19. Bedlington Terrier

Bedlington Terrier

  • Weight: 17-23 pounds
  • Shedding: Low
  • Barking: Moderate
  • Energy Level: High

The Bedlington is a frolicking, charming breed that is full of fun. They love to be the center of attention and are very protective of their loved ones.

These dogs are perfect for active households who are also looking for a no-shedding, loyal dog to fit their lifestyle. Although active, they make for great cuddly TV-time companions.

20. American Hairless Terrier

American hairless terrier

  • Weight: 12-16 pounds
  • Shedding: Very low
  • Barking: Low
  • Energy Level: Moderate

The American Hairless Terrier is as hypoallergenic as a dog could get with its total lack of fur — so you can limit those trips to the pet washes. They are smart, curious and playful companions that move with that terrier pep in their step.

These dogs make great additions to those who live in smaller spaces and suffer from severe allergies.

Get the best dog that fits your apartment lifestyle and living space

From laidback fluffy pooches to playful hairless terriers, there are plenty of dog breeds that would happily accompany you in your small apartment. Small breeds help save space in your small apartment, but no matter which kind of breed you decide to get, make sure they are the right fit for you and your current living situation.

Your lifestyle is the most important factor to consider, so make sure you can give your new best friend the quality of life he or she deserves.

Moving?

Get connected with the best moving company!

like a boss!

Sign up to keep up with all the best…

Rent like a boss!

Sign up to keep up with all the best…