What Dog Should You Get Based on Your Apartment?

Let’s face it: When it comes to introducing a dog into your life, you want everything to go your way. You want the dog breed you’ve always dreamed of, a loving companion with the best behavior, and to maintain your preferred lifestyle. But how do you find the right dog for you — and your apartment?

In order to fulfill all of those doggie dreams, you have to be intentional and thorough about the dog breed you choose. When adopting a dog, think about what breed would be happy and comfortable with your apartment living situation — taking into account everything from outside climate to square footage.  

After all, your apartment is about to become your dog’s apartment, too. “You’re involving another living being into your life,” says Dr. Brian Bourquin, co-founder and chief medical officer at Boston Veterinary Clinic. “Depending on where you live, that may dictate what kind of dog you get.” Bourquin is here to guide us in our search for the best apartment dogs.

Doing thorough research and being informed about your dog breed decision is very important, because the parameters aren’t quite as intuitive as you might think. For example, if you have a small apartment, you don’t have to opt for a small dog breed. “The Great Dane is one of the largest dogs that we see,” says Dr. Bourquin. “You have to have room for the dog to lay down, but these are laid-back dogs that don’t require a ton of exercise.”  

In fact, smaller, high-energy dogs like a Jack Russell Terrier or an Australian Shepherd might require even more space than a large dog two or four times their size. Your hundred-pound Bernese Mountain Dog who has lower energy levels might be happier cuddling and lounging on the carpet in your small space than your tiny Terrier who just wants to run around all day. So, don’t just jump at adopting the smallest dog breed you can find.

In your search for an apartment-friendly dog, Bourquin says your activity level is the most important thing to consider — perhaps even more important than the size of your apartment. If you want a high-energy dog (big or small) and you’re able to take your furry friend out for plenty of exercise and give them attention, they’ll likely be very happy.  If you have a small apartment but you live near a dog park, lead an active lifestyle with daily exercise, and work from home, you can afford to have a high-energy dog like a Terrier or a lab. “A tired dog is a good dog,” he says.  

If you have a small apartment but prefer a more sedentary lifestyle and work from home, you may be a good match for a low-energy breed (whether it’s a large or small size) for a companion dog: Bernese Mountain Dogs, Great Danes, Greyhounds, Bulldogs, Chihuahuas, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels all tend to be couch potatoes. If you work in the office every day or aren’t home for long periods of time, it may be better to look into low-maintenance toy breeds like a Maltese or an easy trainable non-sporting breeds that can adapt to a smaller space like the Bichon Frise (also considered to be low-shedding and relatively hypoallergenic!) and invest in doggie daycare. Be realistic about what you can handle and don’t neglect your dog’s playtime or regular exercise needs.

TIP for Choosing a Breed: Dr. Bourquin’s recommendation for almost any lifestyle and apartment size is... Boston Terriers. “They’re good apartment dogs,” he says. These natural-born apartment dwellers don’t need a yard or much exercise according to Dr. Bourquin — just a couple daily walks. As a bonus, they also tend to be quiet dogs. French Bulldogs, known for being lovable lap dogs, also tend to be one of the best dog breeds for apartment life, for similar reasons. Both breeds shed, but with regular grooming and care, should be manageable.

When you think about whether your dog is going to be happy and comfortable in your apartment, you might also start to think about temperature. If I live in San Diego, is a big fluffy dog going to be too hot? Or, if I live in the northwestern United States, is my small, short-haired dog going to be cold?  

“Where climate plays the biggest role is in extremes [temperatures],” says Dr. Bourquin. If you’re living in a city that experiences extreme heat or cold (or both) throughout the year, it’s worth considering whether you’ll be able to keep your dog happy with certain extra measures like clothing and grooming. For example, if you’re planning on living with your Italian Greyhound in Minneapolis throughout the winter, be prepared to buy sweaters, coats, and boots to keep them warm.  

It can be trickier, however, to live in places like Florida and Southern California that are hot year-round with dog breeds that are particularly sensitive to heat. “For dogs with a lot of wrinkles, like a Bulldog or a Sharpei, air doesn’t get in those skin folds,” says Dr. Bourquin. “If you’ve got a smush-face, which are anything from Pugs to Bulldogs, those are dogs who are not going to thrive in a hot, humid environment.”  Basset Hounds, who have long ears that limit airflow and trap heat, also wouldn’t fare as well outdoors in a hot environment. Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, and Airedale Terriers, on the other hand, can all adapt better to hot climates.

Nordic breeds like Huskies, Malamutes, Samoyeds do well in extreme weather, as long as it’s cold: “I don’t know if they’re going to love Miami.” In general, Dr. Bourquin says long-haired dogs will likely do better in cooler environments and short-haired dogs do better in warmer environments.  

TIP for Rescues: Dr. Bourquin says that when it comes to rescuing dogs, most mixed-breed dogs will have two predominant breeds that you can identify by looking at them. Do thorough research on those breeds and consider any behavioral history the kennel may offer to determine whether they might be a match for your climate. 

Since we can’t communicate directly with our dogs, it can be hard to tell if they’re loving apartment life. Dr. Bourquin says, first and foremost, be patient with your dog for the first few weeks. Whether they’re a small or large breed, it’ll likely take some time for them to settle in to their new living space. But any dog owner can still be on the lookout for some of these signals. 

Sleepy equals happy. “An anxious dog or a stressed dog will not sleep — they will be on high alert,” says Dr. Bourquin. If your dog is relaxed, giving you a snuggle, and taking plenty of naps around your apartment, you can be relatively confident that they’re in good spirits. 

They’re just like us. Dogs who smile, says Dr. Bourquin, are usually happy. Dogs who hide and act scared usually are scared. If they’re not eating, they’re likely anxious or feeling physically off. “Just like with us,” he says. “When we’re stressed, we don’t eat.” You may not have canine instincts, but you can trust your human ones. 

Make sure they’re compatible with your building. Some apartments have size limits for dogs, and your neighbors may be sensitive to things like barking and other sounds — so a watchdog or a dog that barks a lot when in need of mental stimulation may not be in your best interest if you live in a big building. Do your due diligence before bringing home your dog. You don’t want to end up in a situation where you’re forced to break your lease or rehome your dog. We also recommend that you are always upfront about owning a dog when you sign a lease. Bringing a dog into an apartment or building that doesn't allow pets can result in fees, or worse, eviction. Use our "dog-friendly" filter when searching for an apartment to make sure your new place is a match for you and your pup.

Treat them like a friend. Except for some cases of rescue dogs with trauma and behavioral obstacles, your dog’s mood is largely in your control. You can speak kindly to them, give them plenty of affection, always be gentle, and know that they’re appreciating it like a friend would.  A great apartment dog is a safe and happy apartment dog.

TIP for Training: Likewise, when it comes to training and controlling your dog, Dr. Bourquin is adamant that shock collars and pinch collars, or anything other than gentle training methods, will only harm your relationship with your dog. “Only use positive reinforcement training,” he says. “Those are all steps in a good direction.”