| In short : Living in an apartment with a dog is quite possible, provided you choose a breed whose temperament, level of energy and morphology accommodate a restricted space. Contrary to popular belief, size is not the only criterion: some large quiet dogs are more suitable for an apartment than small hyperactive burrows. Here are the key points of choice: – Energy level before pruning: An ideal apartment dog is an animal with a good “OFF” button inside, capable of calmly landing after its outings. – Barking management: Living in co-ownership requires ensuring the calm of the neighborhood. Some races are naturally less inclined to give voice. – The importance of quality outings: Whatever the dog chosen, apartment life requires at least 3 real daily outings (i.e. 1h30 to 2h of activity per day) for its mental and physical balance. |
The choice of a dog when living in an urban and apartment environment often raises many questions. Is it cruel? Is my space enough? Will he destroy the furniture or cry in my absence?
A dog doesn’t necessarily need a $500 ext{ m}^2 garden to be happy; Above all, he needs presence, intellectual stimuli and regular physical expenses. A dog who lives in an apartment and goes out 4 times a day with his master will often be more balanced than a neglected dog at the bottom of an enclosed garden. To guide you, here is the ranking of the 10 dog breeds most suitable for indoor living.
The top 10 breeds for apartment life
1. The French Bulldog
She is the undisputed star of cities. The French Bulldog Has a morphology and a character that match perfectly with indoor life.
- why it is suitable: It has a need for moderate exercise due to its brachycephalic morphology (flattened face), which quickly makes it tolerant of exertion. He loves spending long hours napping on the couch and barks very little.
2. the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
This little spaniel is the quintessential companion dog. A soft, cheerful and extremely adaptable natural, he traces his rhythm of life on that of his master.
- why it is suitable: It is naturally discreet and does not tend to bark at the slightest noise in the hallway. Very affectionate, its small size (5 to 8 kg) makes it easy to accommodate and transport.
3. The Pug
Just like the Bulldog, the Pug is a great follower of idleness. His balanced temperament and kindness make it an excellent choice for city dwellers.
- why it is suitable: It is a sedentary dog who appreciates the comfort of a cozy cushion. His exercise needs are low, and he will prefer a quiet walk to the park to a frantic race.
4. The Maltese Bichon (or Bichon Frize)
Small, lively and very intelligent, the Bichon is an ideal living companion in an apartment.
- why it is suitable: In addition to its small size, the Bichon Maltese Has the particularity of not losing your hair (he has no undercoat), a major advantage for the hygiene of a restricted space. However, he asks for a firm education so as not to become an alert barker.
5. The Greyhound (or Whippet) Greyhound
This is the surprise of this ranking for many. Although it is a medium to large size dog, the greyhound is a great apartment dog.
- why it is suitable: Nicknamed the “leg sofa”, the greyhound is a sprinter, not a long-distance runner. Once his daily dose of fast running outside, he spends the rest of his day indoors like a cat: quiet, silent, clean and with absolute discretion.
6. The Chihuahua
The smallest dog in the world naturally finds its place in the smallest spaces, including studios.
- why it is suitable: Its small size allows you to offer it a sufficient play space even indoors. However, pay attention to his education: the chihuahua Maybe an excellent warden and barking if you don’t teach neutrality from an early age.
7. The Boston Terrier
Often confused with the French Bulldog, the Boston Terrier is an elegant little dog, nicknamed “the American gentleman” because of his tuxedo dress and excellent manners.
- why it is suitable: He is very clean, barks rarely and is extremely friendly with humans and neighbors. He needs a little more exercise than the Bulldog, but remains very quiet indoors.
8. The Shih Tzu
Originally from Tibet, this small, long-haired companion dog was raised to live in imperial palaces.
- why it is suitable: He is independent but very attached to his home. It is an accomplished indoor dog that requires little complex physical exercise, preferring interactive intelligence games in the living room.
9. Dachshund (short hair, long or hard)
The Dachshund is a compact dog with a strong character, but which adapts perfectly to city life if its olfactory expenditure needs are met.
- why it is suitable: Its small size facilitates movement in the elevator or on the stairs (be careful to preserve its spine by avoiding making it go down too many steps). He is a brave and calm dog once spent.
10. The Poodle (Toy or Dwarf)
The Poodle is ranked among the most intelligent dog breeds in the world. His ability to adapt is phenomenal.
- why it is suitable: Easy to educate, he quickly understands the rules of community life. Just like the Bichon, it does not lose its hair and does not molt, which avoids repeated allergies and drudgeries in apartments.
Comparative table of apartment dogs
| Race | Medium size | Exercise level required | Indoor character |
| French Bulldog | 8 – 14 kg | weak to moderate | Calm, sleeper, very affectionate. |
| Cavalier King Charles | 5 – 8 kg | Moderate | Discreet, soft, adapts to the rhythm of the master. |
| Pug | 6 – 9 kg | Low | Peaceful, playful at times, clownish. |
| Bichon Maltese | 3 – 5 kg | Moderate | Lively, intelligent, does not lose its hair. |
| Whippet / Greyhound | 12 – 30 kg | intense but short | Real “cat”, silent, very clean. |
| chihuahua | 1 – 3 kg | Low | Dynamic, adapts to small spaces. |
| Boston Terrier | 5 – 11 kg | Moderate | Friendly, clean, barks very little. |
| Shih Tzu | 4 – 8 kg | Low | Independent, calm, proud. |
| Dachshund | 4 – 9 kg | Moderate | Hunter (need to sniff), faithful. |
| Poodle (Dwarf/Toy) | $2 – 6 ext{kg}$ | Moderate to high | Ultra-intelligent, joyful, hypoallergenic. |
The 3 gold rules to have a dog in an apartment
Succeeding in cohabitation with your dog between four walls is based on a few major educational principles:
- The quality of the outputs takes precedence over the quantity: Getting the dog out for 5 minutes on the sidewalk for his needs is not enough. The dog needs Olfactory stimulation. Let him sniff his environment: this is what tires his brain healthily and guarantees his calm at home.
- Work on learning from loneliness: In an apartment, the proximity to the neighbors makes separation anxiety difficult to manage. Teach your puppy to stay alone from the first days in a progressive way (see our dedicated method).
- propose mental occupation: When you are away, leave him toys of occupation (excavation mats, frozen toys) to prevent him from getting bored and developing destruction behaviors on your furniture or door stockings.
FAQ: Your Frequently Asked Questions
Can a large dog live badly in an apartment?
Not necessarily. It is a classic mistake to think that a large dog is unhappy in an apartment. Large dogs like the Great Dane, the Mastiff or the Newfoundland are real “quiet forces” who spend most of their time lying and calm indoors, provided they have long daily walks. Conversely, a small Jack Russell Terrier, brimming with hunting energy, will often be much more difficult to channel into a small space.
How to manage barking to avoid neighborhood problems?
The dog uses LaBoie to communicate. In an apartment, he often barks out of boredom, frustration or responsiveness to the noises of the hallway (step noises, elevator). To remedy this, teach him from the start not to stagnate behind the entrance door. Congratulate calm and ignore alert behaviors. If the problem persists, the help of a canine educator in a positive method will make it possible to desensitize the dog to the sounds of the building.
Is it mandatory to have an elevator for a dog in an apartment?
It depends on the race. For small dogs or breeds prone to back and joint problems (such as dachshund or bulldog), descend and climb several floors each day on foot can be harmful to their skeleton. It will then be necessary to take the habit of carrying them in the arms. For dogs of medium or large size, the absence of an elevator can pose a major problem in the event of illness, injury or old age, when the animal can no longer move alone.