What dog is best for apartment living? Size and personality analysis

Want to keep a dog in an apartment, but are worried about the small space, complaints from neighbors, or the dog not adapting? Don’t panic! Although apartment life has limitations, you can definitely find a suitable dog so that you and your furry child can live comfortably. This super detailed guide of more than 2,000 words uses plain language to analyze which dogs are suitable for apartments, from size to personality, to help you choose the most compatible “roommate”! Whether you are a novice or a veteran, this article can give you some inspiration!

The practical challenges of keeping dogs in apartments

First, let’s talk about why you have to choose carefully when keeping dogs in apartments:

1. Limited space: Apartments are usually dozens of square meters, dogs can’t run away, and dogs with a lot of activity are prone to being depressed.
2. Noise problem: Dogs like to bark, neighbors next door may knock on the door to complain, and the property management may also cause trouble.
3. Exercise needs: There is no yard in the apartment, so you have to go out every day to walk the dog, and you have to keep up with the time and energy.
4. Sanitary management: Small spaces are easily soiled by dogs, and hair loss and odors must be cleaned up frequently.
5. Neighborhood relations: Some dogs are sensitive to strangers and are prone to conflicts in elevators and corridors.

Therefore, dogs suitable for apartments must meet several conditions: moderate size, gentle personality, low exercise needs, low hair loss, and no barking. Next, from the perspectives of size and personality, we will give you an inventory of the most suitable dog breeds for apartments, and talk about how to choose and how to raise them!

Size analysis: Small size is the first choice, but medium-sized dogs also have a chance

The apartment space is small, and size is the first threshold for choosing a dog. Size directly affects the dog’s activity space requirements and daily management difficulty.

1. Small dogs (weight 2-10 kg)

Why suitable: Small dogs are the “chosen dogs” for apartments! They take up little space, eat less, poop less, and can be picked up and walked without effort. Representative breeds:

• Chihuahua (2-3 kg): Miniature, known as “pocket dog”. They are lively but not clingy, and they are satisfied with running around the apartment twice.
• Pomeranian (2-4 kg): Furry like a little fox, smart and alert, suitable for shit shovelers who like appearance.
• **Miniature Poodle (4-8 kg): Super high IQ, no hair loss (after curly hair care), worry-free training.
• Bichon (4-8 kg): White and soft like cotton candy, gentle personality, love to act coquettish, suitable for families with children.
• Maltese (3-4 kg): Elegant long-haired puppy, quiet and friendly, suitable for apartment dwellers who like quiet.

Maintenance Tips:

• Small dogs have small appetites, choose high-quality small dog food (such as Royal Canin small dog food, 200-300 yuan/month).
• Low exercise, 20-30 minutes of walking a day is enough, playing tossing balls indoors can also consume energy.
• Keep warm. Small dogs are afraid of cold, so they need to wear small clothes in winter (pet clothes cost 20-50 yuan).

Guide to avoid pitfalls:

• Small dogs may like to bark (like Chihuahua and Pomeranian), so they need to be trained with the “quiet” command.
• Some small dogs (like Bichon Frise) have long hair and need regular grooming (100-200 yuan each time).

2. Small and medium-sized dogs (10-20 kg)

Why are they suitable: Small and medium-sized dogs are stronger than small dogs, but they don’t take up too much space. They are usually more stable and suitable for apartment dwellers who have a certain amount of time to walk their dogs.

Representative breeds:

• Corgi (10-14 kg): short legs and small buttocks, great looks, lively but not noisy, can adapt to apartments.
• French Bulldog (10-13 kg): quiet and worry-free, low exercise needs, small muscles and short legs suitable for small spaces.
• Shih Tzu (4-8 kg, but larger): long and elegant hair, gentle personality, not barking, suitable for quiet apartments.
• Pug (6-8 kg): honest and cute, lazy “couch dog”, want to go home after a 10-minute walk.

Maintenance Tips:

• Small and medium-sized dogs eat more, budget 300-500 yuan per month (medium-sized dog food).
• Walk for 30-40 minutes every day, playing Frisbee or tug-of-war indoors can also supplement exercise.
• French bulldogs and pugs have short faces, pay attention to heat dissipation in summer, don’t get heatstroke.

Avoid pit guide:

• Corgis shed a lot of hair, so the apartment needs to be vacuumed frequently (Dyson vacuum cleaners are recommended, 2,000 yuan+).
• French bulldogs may snore, which is a bit noisy at night, so choose carefully if you mind.

3. Medium and large dogs (over 20 kg) – choose carefully

Why not recommended: Medium and large dogs like golden retrievers, Labradors, and Huskies have high exercise needs and need to run for 1-2 hours every day. They are not big enough in apartments and are prone to destroying the house. Exceptions:

• Greyhound (25-30 kg): Don’t be fooled by its large size. This guy is a “couch potato” and loves to lie down after running a lap. It can also be kept in an apartment.
• Old large dogs: Adopt golden retrievers or Labradors over 7 years old. They have low exercise needs and are very stable. They are suitable for experienced apartment dwellers.

Maintenance Tips:

• Greyhounds need short-term high-intensity exercise. Take them to the park for a 20-minute run every day.
• Old dogs may have health problems, so leave more budget (medical expenses are 1,000 yuan +/year).

Avoidance Guide:

• Don’t keep young large dogs in an apartment. The energy that can’t be held back will make you collapse.
• Neighbors may be prejudiced against big dogs, so pay more attention to social etiquette when going out.

Personality analysis: Gentle and quiet is the way to go

After the size is determined, personality is more important! Apartment life requires dogs to be gentle, not barking, not sensitive, and adapt to being alone. The following are several personality types and representative breeds suitable for apartments.

1. Gentle and friendly type

Features: Love to be with people, insensitive to strangers, and have strong adaptability. Representative breeds:

• Bichon: Super clingy, likes to watch dramas with you, quiet and loves to laugh (that little expression is so healing).
• Pug: Lazy little fat boy, friendly but not clingy, and doesn’t make trouble when neighbors come.
• Mini Poodle: Smart and gentle, learns commands quickly, suitable for busy apartment people.

Maintenance Tips:

• Play more with them, gentle dogs need attention, otherwise they will be emo.
• Use educational toys (like KONG, 80-150 yuan) to prevent boredom.

2. Independent and quiet type

Features: not barking, can play by themselves, not anxious when alone. Representative breeds:

• Shih Tzu: elegant and low-key, quiet like a little noble, suitable for office workers.
• Maltese: gentle and quiet, likes to lie in the nest and watch you busy.
• French Bulldog: silence is golden, basically does not bark, “invisible dog” in the apartment.

Maintenance Tips:

• Independent dogs also need daily interaction, don’t ignore them.
• Prepare a comfortable doghouse (100-200 yuan) to make them feel safe.

3. Lively but controllable type

Features: full of energy but not out of control, can be quiet after playing indoors for a while. Representative breeds:

• Corgi: lively and playful, but obedient and easy to train, satisfied with running two laps in the apartment.
• Pomeranian: Like a small fireball, but can control its barking and excitement after training.

Maintenance Tips:

• Must walk for 30 minutes every day, play ball throwing or roping indoors.
• Train the “quiet” command to prevent barking from disturbing others.

Avoidance Guide:

• Avoid breeds with too active personalities, such as Jack Russell Terrier, which are easy to “explode” in apartments.
• Sensitive dogs (such as Shiba Inu) react strongly to sounds, and elevators and doorbells may cause barking.

Recommended Top 5 Apartment Dogs

Combined with size and personality, here are 5 dogs that are super suitable for apartments, with advantages, disadvantages and maintenance costs:

1. Bichon

• Advantages: Gentle and clingy, less hair loss, not barking, suitable for families with children.
• Disadvantages: Long hair requires regular grooming (100-200 yuan per month).
• Cost: Dog food 200-300 yuan/month, grooming + vaccines 1000-2000 yuan/year.

2. French Bulldog

• Advantages: Quiet and worry-free, low exercise requirements, short hair and easy to take care of.
• Disadvantages: May snore, afraid of heat in summer, slightly higher medical expenses.
• Cost: Dog food 300-400 yuan/month, medical care 1000-3000 yuan/year.

3. Mini Poodle

• Advantages: High IQ, easy to train, no hair loss, gentle personality.
• Disadvantages: Need to trim hair regularly, timid and need more socialization.
• Cost: Dog food 200-300 yuan/month, grooming + vaccines 1000-2000 yuan/year.

4. Corgi

• Advantages: Lively and cute, obedient in training, and good-looking.
• Disadvantages: Shedding a lot, need to clean frequently, slightly more energy.
• Cost: Dog food 300-500 yuan/month, vaccine + cleaning 1000-2000 yuan/year.

5. Pug

• Advantages: Lazy and quiet, easy to get along with family, low exercise needs.
• Disadvantages: Short face and easy breathing problems, need air conditioning in summer.
• Cost: Dog food 200-400 yuan/month, medical care 1000-3000 yuan/year.

Practical suggestions for raising dogs in apartments

Choosing a good dog is also very important:

1. Training to urinate and defecate at a fixed point: The apartment space is small, and it is a taboo to urinate and defecate randomly. Buy a urine pad (30-60 yuan for 50 pieces) and teach the dog to urinate at a fixed point (refer to the training guide in the previous article).
2. Control the barking: Teach the “quiet” command and reward with snacks (chicken jerky 50 yuan/bag).
3. Regular dog walking: 1-2 times a day, 20-40 minutes, tired dogs will not make a fuss.
4. Sanitary management: Vacuum 2-3 times a week (vacuum cleaner 1000 yuan +), use deodorant spray (30-50 yuan).
5. Neighborhood communication: Say hello to neighbors before moving into the apartment, indicating that the dog is quiet and reducing misunderstandings.
6. Health check: Annual physical examination + vaccination (500-1000 yuan), small dogs pay special attention to teeth and joints.

Adopt or buy?

Buy: Purebred dogs have predictable personalities and are suitable for novices. The price at a pet store or regular kennel is 2000-10000 yuan. Adopt: Dogs in rescue stations are usually sterilized and vaccinated, with stable personalities and low costs (100-500 yuan donation). Mixed dogs may be healthier, and it is recommended to visit local rescue stations.

Tips: Get in touch with the dog more before adopting it, and observe its personality; when buying it, choose a regular kennel to avoid “week dogs”.

Choose the right dog, and you can have endless fun in the apartment

Size and personality are the key to raising a dog in an apartment. Small dogs like Bichon Frise, French Bulldog, and Miniature Poodle are the first choice, and small and medium-sized dogs like Corgi and Pug are also good, as long as you can meet their exercise and emotional needs. When choosing a dog, combine it with your lifestyle: choose Shih Tzu if you like quiet, choose Corgi if you like lively, and choose Pug if you want to save trouble. Raising a dog is not only a responsibility, but also a pleasure – when you go home every day and there is a furry little guy to greet you, the happiness is overwhelming!

If you have any specific questions, such as how big your apartment is and what kind of dog you like, feel free to ask me and I will help you choose! I wish you and your future furry children a wonderful life in the apartment!