Find the best apartment dog
Did you know that almost half of all Australians own a dog?
With more people downsizing, apartment living doesn’t mean having to give up your beloved pet. Many dog breeds are well suited to smaller spaces and can be kept very healthy & content. Check out this long list of best apartment dogs. Topping the list is the adorable Bichon Frise. Surprisingly, the Great Dane also gets a mention!
Think living in an apartment prevents you from becoming a dog owner? Think again.
Whether you’re in a spacious duplex or a huge high rise, there are plenty of dog breeds that are well suited to apartment living. Some dogs are totally fine cohabitating in a compact space without a garden, others are quiet and unlikely to bother those you share walls with, and others still will be well-behaved in your building’s communal areas.
If you’re considering welcoming a pooch into your home, here are 10 of the best apartment dogs.
1. Bichon Frise
The fluffy bichon frise is obviously a great size for small spaces (these dogs tend to weigh 4-7 kilograms and measure 30 centimetres-tall) but it’s also an ideal apartment dog for a few other reasons: it doesn’t shed much, it has low exercise requirements, and it’s very content hanging out on your lap, if internal space is a bit lacking.
2. Yorkshire Terrier
Like the Bichon Frise, the Yorkshire terrier – affectionately known as the ‘Yorkie’ – is a low-shedding dog. It’s also a very small breed, weighing a mere 2-3 kilograms and standing only 20 centimetres-tall, so it’s particularly good if you’re in a one-bedder. Yorkies are smart dogs so can usually be left at home to entertain themselves if you need to go out. That being said, you’ll need to train them from a young age to not bark – this breed can be a bit yappy.
3. English bulldog
English Bulldogs don’t need a whole lot to stay happy: a moderate amount of exercise, a nice spot to snooze away the day and plenty of belly rubs from their favourite humans. They’re great in units because they’re quite slow-moving, they don’t bark much and they don’t need a lot of space, plus they’re one of the better breeds when it comes to being alone for the day.
4. Greyhound
Despite their athletic pedigree, greyhounds are actually fantastic apartment dogs. They’re easygoing, independent and able to handle being the only dog in the family – ideal when you’ve only got space for one dog. Plus, their exercise needs are surprisingly low. You can easily get away with taking them for a walk or a run around the dog park once per day.
5. Pug
Being a toy dog breed, it’s little surprise the pug is so well-suited to living in a small space. Add to that the fact they don’t bark much, they’re content snoozing most of the day and they don’t have very high exercise needs, and you’ve got yourself one of the best apartment dogs. It’s worth noting that pugs are true people dogs and are prone to separation anxiety, so they’re not great at spending the day alone.
6. Chihuahua
The chihuahua is another toy breed that’s perfect for apartment living. On top of its miniature size (the chihuahua can weigh as little as 1.8 kilograms and measure 15-30 centimetres-tall), it doesn’t require a whole lot of exercise, so the lack of yard space certainly won’t be an issue. But, chihuahuas are known for being quite… talkative. Their regular barking and yapping may not make your neighbours too pleased, so good training while they’re young is key.
7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier king Charles spaniels are top apartment dogs for lots of different reasons: they barely shed, they’re good-natured and well-behaved, and because they’re small, they won’t take up a lot of space. They’re also quite low maintenance when it comes to exercise and are happy to spend a good deal of time indoors.
8. Shih Tzu
The shih tzu is very much an indoor breed, so if your outdoor space consists of a tiny balcony and a couple of plants, your pooch definitely won’t find this an issue. This silky-haired dog is also mild-mannered and small, and doesn’t bark very much. When it does make noise, it’s more of a deep bark than a yappy one, meaning your neighbours are unlikely to get peeved off when your dog goes off at night.
9. Dachshund
Dachshunds are short in stature, measuring only 13-18 centimetres-tall, so they take up very little space. Given how short their legs are, they really don’t need much exercise – a decent 30-60-minute walk will usually do the trick. But, because they’re quite smart dogs, they need a bit more stimulation than the average pooch. This means you’ll need to leave a good selection of toys, treats and puzzles to keep them occupied all day.
10. French Bulldog
Much like its English counterpart, the trendy French bulldog is another great apartment dog – which is probably why there are countless numbers of them in every trendy inner-city neighbourhood. They’re low maintenance when it comes to exercise and they’re very quiet, so your neighbours will barely notice them. They’re not great at climbing up stairs though, so make sure your building has an elevator or be prepared to lug your Frenchie up several flights.
Credit: Realestate.com.au - Gemma Kaczerepa, Property Journalist