Small spaces don’t mean you can’t fill the hole in your house and heart with a new furry friend. While certain dog breeds wouldn’t be suitable for apartment living, like a Great Dane or a Siberian Husky, other breeds would love to live in an apartment with you! We’ve put together a list of what dogs are perfect for apartment life.
Also, we’ve gone into detail about what makes these breeds perfect for your apartment! We’ve even gone into detail about how some are considered hypoallergenic dogs. If you or someone you know is looking to share their apartment with a furry friend, keep reading to find out more.
So, what makes a dog perfect for apartment living? Is it just their size or the amount of noise they make? There are several different factors that go into making a dog perfect to share a small living space with. So we’ve gone into detail about all of them.
1. Greyhound
The well-known Greyhound is surprisingly the first dog on this list. Despite being one of the fastest dog breeds, they adapt well to small living spaces. You will have to make sure you take extra time out of your day to take your four-legged friend on a long walk to use up some of their energy. This is so that they don’t become too rambunctious in the home.
After a long game of fetch or run around at the park, your Greyhound will be ready to come back home and rest with you after a long day’s play.
2. French Bulldog
Another dog that is perfect for small spaces and big hearts is the French Bulldog. This breed has developed a big reputation as a couch potato for such a small dog. As for exercise, a long afternoon walk or a game of fetch should be enough for this small dog breed.
French Bulldogs are friendly and loyal. As they are another short-snouted dog, you should keep an eye on their breathing in order to make sure they are healthy. There are many breeds that are brachycephalic and all of them should be kept with the same knowledge that their short noses will cause them breathing problems.
3. Pug
This loving and well-known dog breed takes the next place on our list for the perfect dogs for apartment living. The Pug is a true homebody. They love spending time on the couch with you more than anything else. While they are great couch potatoes, their lack of energy and drive to run around like some other breeds make them prone to obesity.
Pugs are also brachycephalic which means that their short snout makes them prone to breathing problems all throughout their life. Make sure your dog is registered with a good vet and if you have any concerns that they are taken for a check-up.
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Another dog that is great for apartment living is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This elegant looking breed is small and perfect for your small home. This toy-sized dog breed sheds more than many of the dogs on our list. But with upkeep in grooming and vacuuming around the house, their shedding can be minimized.
Clocking in at about 13-18 pounds, the King Charles Spaniel can make themselves at home in any size apartment. This dog breed is also brachycephalic which means they can be prone to breathing problems which is something that you should keep an eye on.
5. Bichon Frise
The next breed is the Bichon Frise. This dog is low shedding which makes it one of the breeds that are considered to be hypoallergenic. They learn quickly which makes them easy to train and a great companion. This little teddy bear looking breed is a good family dog and they love almost everyone.
They are also a small dog breed which makes them perfect for small living spaces. They only grow to be around 15 pounds which means they’ll take up more space in your heart than on the couch.
6. Shih Tzu
Originally bred to live in palaces with royalty, the Shih Tzu may think it takes up the whole house but is small enough for any home space. These loving little dogs are great for families of all sizes and do great with other dogs and children.
Shih Tzu’s also make great neighbors as they are a relatively quiet dog breed. They are more concerned about being with you than where they live so small apartments are great for this breed. They are also lower energy dogs so one or two short walks a day is enough to keep them healthy and happy.
7. Bulldog
Although their muscled faces and frames may make them look somewhat intimidating, this big-hearted baby is the perfect partner for you or your family in your small home. A quick walk is enough to use up these furry friends’ energy for the day and make them ready to snuggle on the couch.
Due to their short snout and breathing issues, homes in places with a hotter climate won’t work well for them. Always make sure to do research on what type of climate your dog does well in before buying or adopting them.
8. Chihuahua
While size is not everything when it comes to choosing what dog to live in your small apartment, a smaller dog is easier to share a small space with. The next dog on our list is another small dog breed who doesn’t need much exercise or space in order to be happy.
If you live on the second story (or higher) of your apartment building or have neighbors who prefer for it to be quiet, the Chihuahua may not be a good choice for you. This dog is small but loud. They love to talk and bark lots to let you know exactly how they’re feeling.
9. Boston Terrier
If you’re in the market for a dog with a considerably shorter coat then the Boston Terrier may be the best dog for you. This small and loveable breed is great for families and those with an apartment. With the nickname ‘American Gentleman’ this dog is the perfect example of a great companion.
They are lively and great to live with. They love to spend time with you and spend time outside on walks or playing fetch. No matter what it is, where it is, or what you’re doing, the Boston Terrier is just happy to be spending time with you.
10. Havanese
Havanese are another dog breed that is small and ready to live in any kind of home. While playful, they are also low energy enough to live in a small apartment. Just a short walk or two or a game of fetch is enough to use up their energy for the day.
They don’t need nearly as much exercise as other dog breeds but do love to play a game with you or the family. They are also a relatively quiet dog breed so they are a great neighbor. However, out of the dogs on this list, the Havanese is one of the highest maintenance in terms of grooming.
11. Basenji
This medium-sized dog breed is another dog that does well with apartment living. They weigh in at about 24 pounds when fully grown and are low shedders. Due to this, they are easy to groom and clean up after! They also aren’t very vocal which makes them great neighbors!
The Basenji has a higher exercise need than most dogs on this list but if you are an active person then they would be a perfect companion for you! They don’t do great with strangers but with socialization and a slow introduction, they’ll love anyone.
12. Italian Greyhound
A smaller alternative to the other Greyhound on this list, this 10-pound dog has all the traits of its bigger Greyhound cousin while being a smaller alternative. This makes them perfect for Greyhound lovers who live in a smaller home. The Italian Greyhound loves to cozy up with you on the sofa but is still down for a great game of fetch.
Don’t mistake this dog’s small size for a lack of energy. The Italian Greyhound still needs to be taken outdoors for a walk or play in order to use up their energy and keep healthy.
13. Lhasa Apso
For apartment livers, the Lhasa Apso is a great option. This breeds stands at just under a foot tall and weighs about 13 pounds. They are naturally affectionate and love to travel. The Lhasa Apso loves to spend time with you no matter what it is you’re doing.
This breed has a long coat and sheds an average amount. This can be minimized by having your dog clipped regularly. If you choose not to have your dog’s hair clipped then you should make sure to brush your dog daily to avoid their fur matting.
14. Beagle
Beagles are the perfect size for apartments and need little to no grooming. They are family dogs and love being around their people. Beagles are family dogs and have moderate energy levels so they don’t need much exercise but a good walk or game of tug of war is great for them.
If you are looking for a quiet dog then the Beagle may not be the best choice for you. They have a tendency to be vocal so unless you are ready to put in a lot of training, they won’t make a quiet neighbor.
15. Maltese
The Maltese is a relatively low energy dog and so they won’t need as much outdoor time as other breeds. They enjoy a walk a day or some time outdoors but long hikes arent necessary. They get along well with other dogs which makes them good for growing families.
Maltese grow to be about 4-6 pounds which makes them perfect for living in a small home. They don’t require lots of space and will love to curl up on the couch with you and spend time right by your side.
There are several breeds of dogs that we have featured on this list that are quiet and don’t bark often. These include; the Bulldog, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Greyhounds, and Pugs! All of these furry friends have a tendency to be less vocal than other dog breeds who bark up a storm at all hours of the night.
Out of this list, the one we consider to be the quietest or bark the least is the Pug. This little breed was originally a companion for Chinese emperors! They make the ideal house dog in modern times due to their loving demeanor and quiet nature!
We listed several dogs that we think are great for people who live in small homes or apartments. Which dog is best comes down to what you are looking for in a furry friend. If you are looking for someone more active then the Pug and King Charles Spaniel may not be the best breed for you.
This being said, all dogs on this list are great for apartment life so long as they have the requirements they need. If you don’t have much time in the day to take your dog out for walks and things then you may want to avoid bringing a Greyhound into your family.
While several of the dogs on our list would be okay to leave alone for certain periods of time, the best dog for this would be the Beagle. The Beagle is okay with spending several hours alone and resuming the cuddles you left them as soon as you return.
Certain breeds of dogs are more prone to separation anxiety than others so if you or your family is away from home for several hours during the day then you should avoid these breeds.
There are a lot of dog breeds that are considered quiet and calm. On our list we have several breeds who have a softer demeanor and are all-around calmer. Out of the dogs we have on our list, we believe the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Greyhound take the cake.
These loving dog breeds are perfect for families and apartment dwellers. They have gentle demeanors and prefer spending time with you to anything else. Greyhounds have even been likened to cats thanks to their independent and calm nature.
The Chihuahua takes the crown for the most low maintenance dog breed on our list. This calm and small puppy is a great addition to any family or living space. They love to spend time with you and will remain loyal to a fault.
They have different coat types and one is short hair. A short hair Chihuahua means that they don’t produce as much shed and are easy to clean up after. Even if you have a long hair Chihuahua they are so small that grooming is a breeze and is easy to manage.
So there you have it, our top picks for dogs that don’t bark or shed! Which breed is your favorite?
One comment on “15 Dogs That Don’t Bark or Shed – Perfect for Apartment Life!”
Thanks for sharing your knowledge. This is a question popped by various pet lovers throughout the world. Your information is just so perfect.