A small apartment doesn’t have to keep you from owning a dog. Plenty of breeds do just fine in tight quarters. Low maintenance dogs for apartments give you all the company without the demands of a big, high-energy working dog.
Big breeds usually struggle without room to move. Small and medium dogs handle close walls much better. Read on for the breeds worth a look when your square footage is limited.
The Best Low Maintenance Dogs for Apartments
Two things matter most when you size up an apartment dog: how big it gets, and how much energy it burns in a day. A lot of dogs are happy to claim a corner of the couch and stay put. Those are the ones you want.
Here are the breeds you can bring home even without a yard.
1. Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is a loyal little watchdog with a big opinion. Personality swings a lot from one dog to the next. Yours might be shy, bossy, clingy, or downright feisty.
Either way, the size works in a small space and the temperament suits close living. You’ve probably spotted one tucked under more than one celebrity’s arm.
These dogs tend to live a long time, cost little to keep, and need only short daily walks. The catch is how fragile they are. Watch them carefully around kids and larger pets, since a bad fall or a rough grab can do real damage.
They barely shed and rarely bark for no reason. A cornered Chihuahua will bite, though, so early training pays off.
2. Basset Hound
The Basset Hound is an easygoing, kid-friendly dog. Lazy as it looks, it still needs steady walks to hold a healthy weight, because the breed packs on pounds fast.
It responds well to calm, consistent training. Two things to expect: it sheds, and it will bark and bay, especially when it’s bored or left alone too long.
3. Dachshund
The Dachshund is a great apartment dog that loves to burrow under the covers and brings a goofy energy to a home. It does best with company, often another dog, which is why owners frequently keep them in pairs.
It enjoys a daily walk, but keep it leashed, because anything that scurries trips the chase instinct. This is an alert little watchdog, so expect plenty of barking. Shedding is moderate, and the breed often lives well into its teens.
4. Affenpinscher
This toy breed is an easy roommate. It rarely barks and sheds little, though socialization keeps it from getting pushy. The wiry coat needs regular brushing to stay neat.
Affenpinschers bond hard with their people and usually get on with other pets. They can be stubborn, so house training takes patience and a firm routine. They also take themselves seriously, which makes them a comedy act to watch.
5. Brussels Griffons
Small body, large personality. This dog is curious to a fault and will climb and explore the second your back is turned.
It isn’t built to please and keeps its own agenda, but it generally settles in fine with other pets.
Brussels Griffons need only moderate exercise and are easy to carry. The short coat is low effort, though it does shed a fair amount.
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
This gentle dog wants nothing more than a soft pillow or your lap. Sweet as it is, it’s a born chaser. On a walk, keep it leashed, because squirrels, birds, and even butterflies will set it off.
Daily exercise matters here, otherwise the weight creeps on. It hates being alone and leans on the company of its owner, the rest of the family, and other pets.
It barks in moderation and always aims to please. The silky coat sheds and needs regular combing and brushing.
7. Bichon Frise
Your Bichon Frise is a playful little companion that lives for couch and bed cuddles. It’s peaceful around kids and other pets, though some lean shy. Start socializing it early to build that confidence.
It sheds very little but barks plenty. House training tends to be slow going, and it gets anxious when left on its own for hours.
8. Cairn Terrier
The Cairn Terrier needs regular exercise, yet it adapts well and stays content in a small apartment with its family.
This is a playful dog that wants steady interaction. It can be bossy with other pets but coexists with them under a calm, patient owner.
Shedding is light. Barking is not. It has a stubborn streak, though praise and consistent rules win it over.
9. Lhasa Apso
People fall for the Lhasa Apso’s gentle, affectionate side. Underneath sits a proud, dignified dog with more willpower than most of its size.
It makes a fine house dog once you build a relationship on mutual respect, because pushing it around simply won’t work.
Socialize it early, since this breed can turn wary around strangers and may even bite when it feels threatened.
It needs a lot of brushing and combing, and the coat sheds moderately. Clipping it short makes upkeep far easier.
10. Bulldog
Bulldog puppies have plenty of go in them, but the adults settle into a slow, sofa-loving life.
The English Bulldog an excellent choice for apartment living because it’s friendly, biddable, and sweet-natured.
Your Bulldog won’t bark much and can be surprisingly sensitive. Hauling it around isn’t easy given that heavy, low-slung build. It sheds moderately and needs little exercise, which suits you if work, chores, or studies keep you busy.
11. Japanese Chin
This breed runs calmer than most, so it doesn’t need much exercise. It loves comfort and will curl up on the couch with a soft pillow for hours.
It’s a great match for older owners and homebodies.
The Japanese Chin has a sweet nature and gets along with other pets. It stays polite with strangers, and the coat needs regular brushing since it sheds heavily.
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12. Havanese
This people-oriented toy dog wants to be wherever you are. It loves lap time and can get a little too dependent. Give it some training time and it picks up tricks fast.
It fits well into a household, getting along with other pets, children, and everyone else under the roof. Exercise needs stay low, but house training takes real work.
The Havanese makes a solid watchdog without the aggression. Barking and shedding are both moderate.
13. Bolognese
The Bolognese is hard to find, but it’s a standout family pet that craves company. It suits anyone who stays home a lot or keeps short work hours.
It sheds lightly and can work for some allergy sufferers. It barks a fair amount and needs regular combing to keep that white coat in shape.
14. Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers come in two flavors. Some are shy and mellow, others are wired and full of spark. Either type is a playful, loving dog that will chase a ball and stick close to the family.
It suits older owners and usually picks one person to bond with most. The short coat is easy to care for and barely sheds.
The Boston terrier is a great choice for apartment life and a smart pick for a first-time owner.
15. Australian Terrier
The Australian Terrier suits a stay-at-home parent or anyone around the house often, since it thrives on company.
It’s an active dog that needs daily walks and regular play to stay settled.
It’s a good fit for apartment living because it sheds little. It’s also one of the hardier breeds and coexists happily with other pets. It barks a lot and sulks when you’re gone too much.
16. Maltese
The Maltese is a bright, sweet toy dog, best kept away from larger pets for its own safety. It’s gentle by nature and won’t pick fights with people or animals, so keep an eye on it outdoors.
It’s sensitive and trains well, enough to hold its own in obedience and agility rings. Shedding stays light, which helps allergy-prone owners.
It struggles with separation anxiety over long hours alone, and it isn’t the best choice for homes with small children who might handle it too roughly.
17. Greyhound
The Greyhound is well suited to apartment living because it stays calm and independent indoors. It will burrow under a warm blanket and doze in your bed while you watch TV. Open the door to a field, though, and it can outrun a horse over a short sprint.
The Greyhound is a natural hunter and racer. Past its racing years, it settles into an affectionate, mellow housemate.
It’s a sensitive dog that doesn’t take well to loud voices. It barks little but sheds more than you’d guess from that thin coat.
18. Basenji
People assume the Basenji is suitable for apartment living because it barely sheds. The truth is it only works if you can give it the time and energy it demands.
It’s easy to housebreak and makes a sharp watchdog. Skimp on exercise or attention, though, and it turns anxious and high-strung.
19. Chinese Crested
This is a people-oriented dog that wants to stay glued to its person. Separation anxiety runs common in Chinese Cresteds, and a lonely one will chew through your things.
It’s a poor match for busy owners or anyone gone most of the day, since it lives for human company.
It sheds little, but house training can drag. Energy runs high, so daily walks and play are non-negotiable. It barks and howls, mostly when left alone too long.
20. English Cocker Spaniel
This dog lives to please and is gentle and affectionate by default. Some turn clingy and need near-constant attention.
It does well in an apartment and gets along with other pets, children, and older folks.
The English Cocker Spaniel makes a fine therapy dog but needs regular walks and exercise. Shedding and barking are both moderate, and it helps to teach it some independence early. Leave it alone for long stretches and separation anxiety can set in.
21. Coton de Tulear
The Coton de Tulear is about as adaptable as dogs get. It travels well, aims to please, and enjoys both playtime and a regular walk.
It’s a great fit for retired couples and people who work from home, because long stretches alone bring on separation anxiety.
It sheds little and works for many allergy sufferers. It’s friendly with people and pets but bonds tightly to its family, so it may hold back with strangers. The coat needs frequent brushing, though a short clip keeps things simple.
22. Pekingese
This confident, independent dog is happy to spend a whole day snuggled on the sofa with its person. It still keeps a playful side, with sudden bursts of activity that get the whole family laughing.
The Pekingese is sensitive and hates being scolded. It has big, expressive eyes and gets on well with people and other pets.
It tends to snore in its sleep and barks loudly. The long coat needs regular brushing and sheds heavily.
23. American Eskimo Dog
Eskies are smart, lively dogs that need steady exercise for body and mind. If you want a devoted dog that gives back unconditional affection, this one is a strong candidate. It’s good with kids but can get jealous of other dogs in the house.
Socialize it early so it doesn’t grow suspicious or anxious around strangers. It learns tricks quickly and barks a lot.
One more thing to plan for: the American Eskimo dog sheds year-round.
Final Thoughts
Plenty of good dogs can live a full, happy life inside an apartment.
The best apartment dogs stay low maintenance, keep their shedding down, and won’t rile the neighbors with nonstop barking. They don’t need a yard or a garden to tear around in, so they’re content lounging with you indoors.
Most of the dogs here want time with their people, and several get anxious when left alone for hours. Factor that into your schedule before you pick one.
Even a low-energy dog still needs regular walks and play to stay in good shape. None of them run on autopilot.
Resources
- General Dog Care by ASPCA
- 4 steps to a happy, healthy “low maintenance” dog by Animal Wellness
Frequently asked questions
Can big dogs really live in an apartment?
Yes. Energy level matters far more than size. A calm Great Dane settles into a flat better than a wound-up terrier, as long as it gets a proper walk twice a day.
Which dog breeds bark the least in apartments?
Greyhounds, Basenjis, Bulldogs and Cavaliers are among the quietest. Any dog can learn to be calm, but these simply start at a lower volume.
How much exercise does an apartment dog need?
Most do well on 30 to 60 minutes a day split into two walks, plus a little indoor play. Cut that short and the barking and chewing usually start.