Planning on getting a dog for your family but unsure what breeds to get? Read more about some dog breeds you could consider getting for your home.
Contrary to what you may think, these are not just toy breeds; while small dogs are on the list, some larger breeds may also be surprisingly well suited for condominium living! There are several dogs that absolutely thrive indoors and make for great pets for small living spaces.
For most people, having a dog means giving them enough space to play. Although that might be true, it doesn’t mean you have to have a large garden. You could bring your dog for daily walks and play time in neighbourhood parks!
Things to Consider
If you’ve decided you want to adopt a dog in spite of your small living space, here are a few important things you need to consider. Keeping these factors in mind will help you make an informed decision, and will ensure that a well-deserving fur child finds a forever home!
Size and Weight
Dogs that are well-suited for small living spaces range from toy to large breeds. However, according to your apartment and your preferences, you may want to decide on the weight of the dog you would like to adopt.
For instance, if you can’t dedicate space to a large bed, or are not comfortable letting a large, 60-pound dog on your furniture, you may want to stick to lower weights and smaller sizes.
Energy Levels
This is perhaps the most important factor to keep in mind. Do your research and don’t fall for common misconceptions! For example, many people tend to adopt Labradors believing they are docile and calm, whereas the truth is that Labs are one of the breeds that need the most amount of exercise.
Unless you can commit to multiple walks and regular playtime, adopting a Labrador could mean destruction around the house and canine obesity. What you’re looking for are breeds that like to lounge around and are not hyperactive.
Shedding
While there are several effective shedding products available to conveniently clean up dog hair off of your furniture and around the house, some people simply don’t want to have to manage a lot of cleaning in their small apartment.
In such cases, you must do your research on how much a specific dog breed tends to shed, and make sure you know what you are signing up for.
Neighbourhood
You must not forget this very important factor that can indeed determine whether or not you can commit to a dog while living in a small space.
Familiarize yourself with housing regulations relating to keeping specific breed of dogs. Most private housing allows large dog breeds, while HDBs only allows smaller breeds. To find out more, check out our earlier post on Approved HDB Dog Breeds.
Top 11 Breeds for Small Living Spaces
We love any and all dogs, but here are our picks for small living spaces, along with reasons why they will thrive in your apartment!
1. Bichon Frise
These fluffballs are the perfect friends for those who live in small apartments. The Bichon Frise weighs only 3-5 kilograms and does not shed a lot, which is very convenient if you have a small indoor space that you can’t have littered with dog hair. However, keep in mind that these dogs require daily walks in order to stay at the optimal energy levels for living indoors only.
2. Yorkshire Terrier
These weigh 3 kilograms only, and are small enough to comfortably live in apartments. Like the Bichon Frise, Yorkshire Terriers also barely shed and are great if you or a housemate tend to experience allergies with dog hair flying around.
While these terriers are small enough to get their daily dose of exercise by playing indoors, they do have a very yappy personality! Some say they’re among the most problematic dog breeds, but that’s nothing that cannot be fixed with regular training and adequate socializing from a young age.
3. Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are rather similar to the Yorkshire Terrier in terms of personality. If not adequately trained, they can turn into extremely stubborn dogs who bark a lot and tend to fight with other pets.
With proper training, positive reinforcement and the right behavioural strategies – they can be great for apartments because they weigh barely 1 kilogram!
Use training aids like clickers to make sure they make for easygoing companions. They are also easy to carry around for people who travel a lot, and require minimal physical activity.
4. Greyhound
Who would have thought the fastest dog around would make it to the list? Greyhounds are normally thought of as high-maintenance dogs but they are actually great for apartments and other small indoor spaces.
Their high energy levels can be easily satisfied with daily walks and runs. They are also extremely calm. While they are known to be great sprinters, they prefer to lounge most of the day. Just take them to a park every day or for a walk around the block, and they will spend the rest of the day snoozing on the carpet!
5. Dachshund
The Sausage Dog is a very friendly breed that gets along with other dogs and small children. You will definitely have to spend some time training these little buddies, but the good part is that they require very little exercise – owing to their very little legs!
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Spaniel loves to make friends is always up for cuddling sessions. The breed weighs up to maximum of 8 kilograms and are very happy to spend all their time indoors. They do need quick walks, but will be happy to lounge on the couch or on your lap otherwise. Even small studio apartments work great for these silky doggos!
7. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are very easy going and weigh up to 7 kilograms. They can be bratty dogs, especially if they are the only pet around a new pet or a child. However, just like with other slightly difficult breeds, there is nothing that cannot be fixed by training. Shih Tzus barely shed, so they are great for living in small houses.
8. Basenji
The Basenji has made it to this list because of one unusual quality that often becomes a problem when keeping dogs in apartments; they don’t bark!
While they are not exactly silent, we all know that barking dogs tend to annoy neighbours – and that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about with a Basenji.
On top of this, they also don’t shed much and have medium energy levels. Just take them out for walks and keep them occupied with puzzle dog toys, since they are really smart dogs and need mental stimulation.
9. Maltese
Who doesn’t like the long, royal coat of a Maltese? The good news is that these beautiful, glamorous dogs are perfect for the apartment life. Maltese dogs require constant attention and love being pampered, they do not like be left alone unattended for prolonged periods of time. We advise making sure they have a constant companion, whether a human or another dog.
10. Bulldog
Bulldogs are muscular, but they are quite the lazy loungers. All they need to get rid of the minimal energy they have is a brisk walk every day. They are also extremely friendly, despite their grumpy faces, and are among the most loyal dog breeds. While they are great for apartments, Bulldogs don’t do very well in hot climates so ensure that your home has adequate air-conditioning..
11. Great Dane
The gentle giant in an apartment? Absolutely! The Great Dane is one of the largest dog breed. While many assume they are outdoor dogs, they actually thrive indoors because of their calm personalities. They are also extremely loyal, friendly and affectionate, and very patient and gently playful when it comes to children and puppies.
On top of that, they rarely bark. They are also very smart and thus one of the easiest dog breeds to train. While they do require a walk every day, make sure you don’t make them run a lot or put them through tough exercise, since this can cause them problems like arthritis.
When it comes to choosing a canine buddy who would do well with the apartment life, remember to take more than just size into account. While all dogs are lovely, high-energy dogs may not be the happiest if they have to live in small apartments. Choose wisely; low-energy dogs are great for small spaces.
Shop for comfortable dog beds for your lazy loungers here and keep them pampered and taken care of!
