By Alicia Kort
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Far too many apartment dwellers think they can’t have a dog just because they rent or live in relatively small spaces. While some landlords may have rules against pets, living in an apartment shouldn’t dissuade you from welcoming a dog into your life in and of itself. In reality, certain dog breeds thrive in smaller spaces, and we rounded up several dog breeds who do.
These breeds share some important qualities. Adaptability is one — renters often move more often than homeowners, so it’s best if their dogs are flexible to new situations.
Another important factor is exercise requirements. Dogs with very high exercise demands might struggle in an apartment, so we prioritized breeds with low to medium exercise requirements on this list. Often, apartments do not come with fenced-in backyards, and multiple trips to the dog park a day might not be feasible, so most of these dogs are satisfied with long walks, playtime, and maybe one trip to the dog park.
We also considered shed-level. Small spaces are more likely to be covered in multiple layers of fur if you live with a profusely shedding dog. Not every dog on this list is low-shed, but most shed moderately. If you’re considering adopting a dog, read on to see our list of apartment-friendly dog breeds. Not finding the breed you’re looking for? Check out these small dogs instead.
Apartment-friendly dog breeds
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1. Mixed-Breed dog
Mixed-breed pups can make ideal apartment roommates. Ask a shelter or rescue about their current residents who are flexible to new environments and have low to moderate exercise needs. Those pups won’t just feel right at home in your apartment but will be thrilled to have a home of their own — no matter if it’s a studio or multiple bedrooms.
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2. Beagle
The Beagle, who weighs up to 30 pounds and reaches up to 15 inches at shoulder height, can be a great roommate. These small dogs don’t take up much room, are highly adaptable, and shed a moderate amount (their double-coat sheds primarily in spring). These high-energy pups require an hour of exercise a day, but a long walk and a trip to the local dog park should satisfy them. Beagles are affectionate and love to be around people and other dogs, thanks to their history as pack-hunting dogs. These pups can grow destructive and howl if left alone for too long, though, so they are best for homebodies.
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3. Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are another great apartment dog. These pint-sized pups love snuggling and will love watching your favorite shows with you, but they still need walks and some indoor play. Because Chihuahuas vary widely in coat color, length, and type (smooth or wiry), their fur care will depend on how long their fur is.
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4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small breed — they can weigh up to 18 pounds and reach 13 inches at shoulder height. They adapt quickly to new surroundings, so they can handle frequent moves and shed moderately, which is great for apartment dwellers (although their coat needs to be brushed weekly and groomed regularly to avoid matting). They are affectionate and friendly toward other people, children, and other pets, although because they’re on the smaller and more delicate side, young children should be supervised when interacting with them.
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5. Maltese
The Maltese may have an ancient aristocratic history, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t down for small-space living. This easygoing pup quickly adjusts to new situations and surroundings, and their diminutive size (they only reach 9 inches at shoulder height and weigh around seven pounds) also makes them the perfect pick for a furry roommate. Maltese are highly affectionate, though they can be stubborn when it comes to training. This toy breed only requires daily walks or some indoor or outdoor play. The Maltese’s white fur coat is surprisingly low-shed (the Maltipoo (Maltese / Poodle mix) sheds even less), though it needs to be brushed daily to prevent matting.
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6. Cockapoo
The Cockapoo, a mix between an American Cocker Spaniel and Poodle, can be either Mini or Maxi in size depending on their Poodle parent’s size, and weigh anywhere from 12 to 65 pounds and reach up to more than 16 inches at shoulder height, but both make good apartment companions. Flexible yet devoted, the Cockapoo is happy to go anywhere as long as they’re with their parents. They require less than half an hour of exercise per day, and their curly coat is low-shedding, which is perfect for small, high-traffic spaces, although it needs to be brushed frequently to keep it free of debris.
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7. Chiweenie
The Chiweenie is a mix between the Chihuahua and the Dachshund (also good apartment dogs), and the result is a tiny, devoted dog with a big personality. Chiweenies grow strongly attached to their pet parents and endeavor to be the center of attention. Weighing up to 12 pounds and reaching 10 inches at shoulder height, this pint-sized pooch is a great apartment pet and makes a loving companion for seniors and families with older children. Chiweenies love snuggling and will love watching your favorite shows with you, but they still need walks and some indoor play. Because Chiweenies vary widely in coat color, length, and type (smooth or wiry), their fur care will depend on how long their fur is.
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8. German Spitz
The German Spitz is an adaptable pup that thrives in all types of environments, which makes them a great pet for small-space living. This breed comes in three different sizes, including Toy (weighing up to 11 pounds), Medium (weighing up to 25 pounds), and Large (weighing up to 50 pounds). The German Spitz is an eager-to-please breed with a profuse fluffy coat that sheds little except during the two shedding seasons, where the pup will shed their entire undercoat. They aren’t overly affectionate and like to do their own thing. This pup needs a medium amount of exercise — they love a long walk, so dog parents should be prepared to get their steps in — and mentally stimulating activities to keep them happy.
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9. Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback became famous in Africa for baying lions. These days they don’t tussle with apex predators, but they are known for being able to thrive in a variety of different living situations. The Rhodesian Ridgeback weigh up to 85 pounds and reach up to 27 inches in height, but living spaces on the smaller side don’t bother them. This breed needs a medium amount of exercise, including walks and playtime. They need to be socialized at an early age and trained with a firmer hand. Rhodesians have an independent streak and strong prey drive, so they should be kept on a leash while on walks or in a fenced space. This short-haired pup only needs to be brushed once a week to remove loose fur.
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10. Saint Bernard
When you think of a Saint Bernard, you might think of a breed that navigates snowdrifts to rescue lost hikers, but this pup feels just as much at home in an apartment as they do in the Alps. Despite reaching up to 180 pounds and 30 inches at shoulder height, Saint Bernards only require moderate exercise. They like to spend time with their parents and go on hikes or long walks, but they don’t need to be “run out” like other large dog breeds. Saint Bernards are highly affectionate and get along well with young children or other pets, though they can be sensitive to harsh criticism. This breed can be short- or long-haired, but all have coats that sh