Best Dog Breeds for Apartments

In Los Angeles, apartment living has become more popular than ever before. All dog breeds can’t fit in small apartments. But if you live in a small-sized apartment, it doesn’t mean that you can’t own a pup. Luckily, there are lots of dog breeds that would be happy in apartments. Now the question is, what’s the difference between apartment-friendly pets and other pets.

Are you interested in knowing the best dog breeds for apartments? If yes, then this article is for you. Here we’ll discuss different dog breeds that are ideal for small apartments.

Important Things to Consider When Looking for Apartment-Friendly Dogs

Regardless of the dog breed, you need to consider the following factors when searching dog breeds for apartments:

• Size (It should be small)
• Polite and quiet
• Low shed

More importantly, choose a breed that suits your lifestyle.

17 Best Dog Breeds for Apartments

As mentioned earlier, you can’t choose a dog breed just based on living space. You need to consider all the factors mentioned above when choosing dogs for apartments in Los Angeles. So, let’s discuss apartment-friendly dog breeds.

1. French Bulldog

It’s a popular dog breed for apartments. If you have young kids at home, this breed should be your first choice. They love to nap in their owner's lap. Moreover, a brisk walk can help them keep their body in good shape. The French Bulldog is a neighbor-friendly dog because they don’t bark much.
The only thing you need to do is to keep an eye on their food intake because they can easily become overweight. They have a low energy level that makes them ideal for apartments.

2. Bichon Frise

If you’re looking for an attractive and apartment-friendly dog breed, you could choose a Bichon Frise. These dogs love everyone, and you can easily train them because they have excellent learning abilities. This dog doesn’t take much space on the couch because it only weighs around 15 lbs. More importantly, it doesn’t shed much. Therefore, it is a hypoallergenic dog breed.
The only issue with this dog is you can’t leave them alone. If you have time for indoor games, walks, and family activities, then bring this dog. Otherwise, you can skip this dog breed.

3. American Hairless Terrier

This dog comes in both coated and hairless varieties. This small dog breed can serve as a watchdog. Moreover, they don’t need much grooming because this dog breed rarely sheds. You only need to brush them once. Their exercise needs are not too high. Daily walks and indoor games are enough to keep an American Hairless Terrier in good shape. Like French bulldogs, they don’t bark much that makes them ideal for apartments.

4. Pug

Due to their homebody nature, they’re good apartment dogs. If you want to prevent them from obesity, keep an eye on their food intake. Pugs have the potential to serve as a watchdog. Moreover, they have an excellent sense of humor. They love to be the center of attention. They don’t shed and bark much.

5. Poodle

These dogs are intelligent and have a proud nature. They’re active and clever, so they’re ideal for active owners. Like the dogs mentioned above, they don’t shed and bark much. But Poodles have more energy; therefore, you need to have time to play with them and take them for exercise.

6. Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier's nickname is American Gentleman. As they have much shorter coats it means that you’ll not have to spend much time on their grooming. This small dog breed is lively, but still, they’re good for compact places.
It’s a family dog breed because of its gentle and affectionate nature. They’re equally good dogs for both children and the elderly. They’re temperature-sensitive, so ensure that you keep them indoors, especially during extreme temperatures. Like the poodle, they have high energy, but they don’t bark and shed much.

7. Biewer Terrier

It’s a younger cousin of Yorkie. Due to its quieter demeanor and milder temperament, it has already established a strong reputation. It only weighs 4-8 lbs; therefore, they’re great apartment dogs. They’re not afraid of strangers. But ensure that you socialize them in puppy-hood. Due to their moderate barking and low shedding, they’re good apartment dogs.

8. Maltese

These dogs are fearless and gentle. They’re devoted to people; therefore, they require human attention. Maltese are not only good companions; they’re also therapy dogs. When you reward them for their efforts, they’ll learn new skills quickly.
It’s not recommended for dog owners who don’t have time to take them for a walk. Finally, they’re ideal for families with small children and toddlers. Like most of the dogs mentioned above, they don’t bark and shed much.

9. Manchester Terrier

It’s a terrific watchdog, but they love long walks. They’re eager to learn, but you’ll have to make some efforts to avoid separation anxiety. You can prevent separation anxiety by taking them for a long walk and exercise. They’re not good for families with children. Moreover, they’re not neighbor-friendly because they bark a lot.

10. Yorkshire Terrier

It is the best dog breed for apartments in Los Angeles for many reasons. They’re toy-sized and don’t take much space in an apartment. They’re intelligent, and therefore you can easily train them. More importantly, they don’t require a lot of exercises. Only a 15 to 20 minutes walk is enough to keep them in good shape. Finally, this breed is hypoallergenic.

11. Havanese

They’re small in stature and only weigh less than 7 kg. Havanese are easier to train, but positive reinforcement is the key. For example, you can potty, leash, and crate train them easily. They’re highly energetic, but luckily you don’t have to provide them with plenty of exercises. Only a few minutes' walk is enough to maintain them in good shape.
This dog can easily suffer from separation anxiety, so if you can’t spend time with them, then this dog breed isn’t for you.

12. Shih Tzu

It’s considered a toy breed and best for small living spaces. Their grooming needs are high, but their affectionate nature and mild temperament make them a good choice for dog owners. They’re not good with strangers. They love to mark their own territory, and they only love to cuddle in the laps of people they love. But the good news is if you have kids and pets at home, you can bring this pet home.

13. Greyhound

It’s different from all the dogs mentioned above because they love to sleep. This dog is friendly towards other dogs and people. If you’re looking for jogging partners, greyhounds should be your first priority. When they’re socialized, you’ll get the best of them. If you don’t want to see lots of hair and pet dander on your couch, then this dog breed isn’t for you. But they’re neighbor-friendly because they rarely bark.

14. Basenji

If your apartment has thin walls and close neighbors, you should bring this barkless dog home. It’s the ideal dog breed for devoted owners. You can own this pet if:

• You don’t own any other pet
• You appreciate the good deeds performed by your pet
• You have lots of time for taming this breed

You need to provide them with plenty of exercises. Otherwise, they can be destructive. When you bring this dog home, ensure that your passions are away from his reach. Otherwise, they’ll chew everything that comes in their way. You can’t leave them unattended for a long time. If you do so, they can become a mischievous companion.

15. Chihuahua

Due to their small size, they’re on our list of best dog breeds for apartments. They love to be close to their owners. Thankfully, their exercise requirements are not too demanding. They don’t trust strangers, so you’ll have to monitor them when you take them to the park.
Experts recommend them as watchdogs. More importantly, they’re curious explorers, so that they can be an excellent travel companion. Like most of the other dog breeds, you can’t leave them unattended for a long time.

16. Japanese Chin

It is a highly agile dog breed. It is a great indoor dog companion. The best thing about Japanese Chin is they can adapt to any living situation quickly. They have beautiful-looking coats, but they’re not easy to maintain. Many factors make them apartment-friendly dogs, such as low exercise needs, friendliness, and small size.

17. Pekinese

Due to their affectionate nature and small size, they’re good apartment dogs. The only issue with these dogs is they require lots of attention and affection. You need to train them early if you don’t want them to bark at strangers. They’re not good with other pets, but early socialization can help them accept other pets.

Final Words

People living in apartments have lots of options when it comes to selecting a dog breed. But if they’re not sure about the traits of those dog breeds, they can’t choose the right one. Therefore, we have discussed these best dog breeds for apartments in detail so that you can make the best decision.