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Quick answer
Medium breeds are frequently the better apartment bet, because plenty of small dogs run hot and bark at every footstep in the hallway. The nineteen that do well indoors include the Basset Hound, English Bulldog, Chow Chow, Chinese Shar-Pei, Keeshond, Norwegian Elkhound, Portuguese Water Dog and the sighthounds, Ibizan and Pharaoh. Size predicts almost nothing about how a dog behaves inside four walls; noise and energy predict everything.
Size says little about how a dog behaves indoors, and the American Kennel Club does not publish an apartment rating. What each AKC breed page does give is size, life expectancy, a temperament description and an exercise section, and those are what this list is built from. The breeds are the 19 already on this page, most of them listed by the AKC between about 30 and 70 pounds. Where the AKC says something specific about apartments or city life, we quote it. Where it does not, we report the exercise needs and leave the judgment to you.
Our own take, labeled as such: a dog that needs hours of daily exercise can live in an apartment only if you supply that exercise every day. For a smaller option, see best small dog breeds for apartments.
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1. Australian Shepherd
Size and lifespan (AKC breed page): 20-23 in (male), 18-21 in (female); 50-65 lb (male), 40-55 lb (female); 12-15 years.
The AKC calls the Aussie a medium-sized worker and says its strong work drive “can make Aussies too much dog for a sedentary pet owner.” It lists a great deal of daily exercise, at minimum a large fenced yard for an hour or two, and recommends giving the dog a job such as herding, obedience or agility. That is a lot to ask of a small home, so read our Australian Shepherd apartment guide before deciding.
2. Azawakh
Size and lifespan (AKC breed page): 25-29 in (male), 23.5-27.5 in (female); 44-55 lb (male), 33-44 lb (female); 12-15 years.
The AKC describes a tall, lean West African sighthound with a short, fine coat. It calls the breed active, needing daily exercise, either as a running companion or a daily half-hour play session in a well-fenced area, and says an Azawakh left alone in a yard will not exercise himself.
3. Basset Hound
Size and lifespan (AKC breed page): up to 15 in; 40-65 lb; 12-13 years.
The AKC says Bassets “are not as active as some breeds” and need regular, moderate exercise, usually a daily walk at a moderate pace, which also helps keep them from becoming overweight. It describes them as mild and agreeable at home, with a loud, ringing bark on the trail. If barking matters in your building, that last point is worth weighing.
4. Brittany
Size and lifespan (AKC breed page): 17.5-20.5 in; 30-40 lb; 12-14 years.
The AKC calls the Brittany a bright, high-energy dog bred to hunt that needs lots of exercise, such as long brisk walks, hikes, running on a leash, or dog sports like agility and dock diving. It describes the breed as a good fit for a lively, outdoorsy family. It is a small enough dog for an apartment, but the exercise it needs has to happen outside of it.
5. Bull Terrier
Size and lifespan (AKC breed page): 21-22 in; 50-70 lb; 12-13 years.
The AKC says Bull Terriers benefit from daily, moderate exercise with mental and physical stimulation, such as long walks with the family. It lists four keys to the breed’s happiness: early socialization with dogs and people, firm but loving training, ample exercise, and plenty of time with his people.
6. Chinese Shar-Pei
Size and lifespan (AKC breed page): 18-20 in; 45-60 lb; 8-12 years.
The AKC calls the Shar-Pei a very adaptable breed whose exercise needs vary from dog to dog: it can do well with a very active owner, or “living in an apartment with a few short walks.” It also describes the breed as suspicious of strangers and other dogs, and says early training and socialization are essential.
7. Chow Chow
Size and lifespan (AKC breed page): 17-20 in; 45-70 lb; 8-12 years.
The AKC says Chows have “no special exercise needs” and “happily take to city life,” with daily walks and moderate play. Owners describe them as easy to housebreak and low in doggy odor. The breed does not tolerate high heat or humidity well, so the AKC advises skipping exercise in the hot part of the day. The AKC also calls the Chow aloof with strangers.
8. English Bulldog
Size and lifespan (AKC breed page): 14-15 in; 50 lb (male), 40 lb (female); 8-10 years.
The AKC says Bulldogs adapt well to town or country and need regular moderate exercise with a careful diet to stay trim. Their short muzzle can make breathing difficult in heat and humidity, so it advises hot days in an air-conditioned room, and it flags stairs and pools as safety hazards. See our Bulldog apartment guide.
9. Ibizan Hound
Size and lifespan (AKC breed page): 23.5-27.5 in (male), 22.5-26 in (female); 50 lb (male), 45 lb (female); 11-14 years.
The AKC says Ibizans are very athletic and require a lot of exercise, with vigorous daily play or long walks a couple of times a day. It reports that an Ibizan can jump five or six feet from a standing position, and that the breed has a strong prey drive and should not be off leash in an uncontrolled setting.
10. Keeshond
Size and lifespan (AKC breed page): 18 in (male), 17 in (female); 35-45 lb; 12-15 years.
The AKC says Keeshonden “will adapt to many environments,” noting that historically they lived on farms with lots of room and on barges with little. They need regular exercise, a free run or a nice walk daily, and like being with their families. It describes the breed as a medium-sized spitz with an abundant coat.
11. Norwegian Elkhound
Size and lifespan (AKC breed page): 20.5 in (male), 19.5 in (female); 55 lb (male), 48 lb (female); 12-15 years.
The AKC calls the Elkhound a medium-sized spitz and an intelligent watchdog, reserved until introductions are made. It was bred to track moose over many miles, so the AKC tells owners to resist letting the dog roam off lead, because the instinct to travel is intrinsic to the breed.
12. Pharaoh Hound
Size and lifespan (AKC breed page): 23-25 in (male), 21-24 in (female); 45-55 lb; 12-14 years.
The AKC describes friendly, affectionate hounds that “settle down nicely at home” but require a regular exercise schedule: 15 to 20 minutes of running twice a day in a six-foot-fenced area, or at least 20 minutes of walking twice a day. It says no amount of training should be trusted to overcome the strong hunting instinct, so the dog should never exercise off lead in an unenclosed area.
13. Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Size and lifespan (AKC breed page): 18-20 in (male), 17-19 in (female); 30-50 lb; 12-14 years.
The AKC says the PON was a companion and watchdog of Polish city dwellers, and calls it compact, alert and adaptable. It also calls it a high-energy, athletic dog that needs ample daily exercise, at minimum a large fenced yard for an hour or two a day, or long walks and hikes.
14. Portuguese Water Dog
Size and lifespan (AKC breed page): 20-23 in (male), 17-21 in (female); 42-60 lb (male), 35-50 lb (female); 11-13 years.
The AKC says the Portuguese Water Dog requires vigorous exercise every day, from long walks and play sessions to dog sports and water work. It describes the coat as tight, low-shedding curls and calls the dog very smart and “biddable,” meaning easy to train and eager to please.
15. Silken Windhound
Size and lifespan (AKC breed page): 18.5-23.5 in; 25-45 lb (male), 22-35 lb (female); 12-15 years.
The AKC calls the Silken Windhound an elegant, medium-sized sighthound that is typically well-mannered in the home as an adult. It needs periods of exercise, preferably with chances to run full out in a safe area, and weekly brushing for its long silky coat.
16. Standard Schnauzer
Size and lifespan (AKC breed page): 18.5-19.5 in (male), 17.5-18.5 in (female); 35-50 lb (male), 30-45 lb (female); 13-16 years.
The AKC calls Standards energetic, sociable companions and alert watchdogs, and says they train well with a firm but gentle hand. They insist on being included in family activities and “don’t do well left out alone or tied up in the yard.”
17. Welsh Springer Spaniel
Size and lifespan (AKC breed page): 18-19 in (male), 17-18 in (female); 40-55 lb (male), 35-50 lb (female); 12-15 years.
The AKC describes active, energetic dogs who are happiest with plenty of exercise and lots of time with their people, whether play sessions in a securely fenced yard or long daily walks. It calls the breed an excellent choice for an active lifestyle.
18. Whippet
Size and lifespan (AKC breed page): 19-22 in (male), 18-21 in (female); 25-40 lb; 12-15 years.
This is the breed on the list where the AKC speaks to apartments directly: Whippets “do nicely in cozy apartments too, as long as they are exercised properly,” and the AKC adds that they rarely bark. Exercise can be several vigorous retrieving sessions a week, regular walks, or play in a safely fenced area, and the dog should stay on lead outside a fence.
19. Xoloitzcuintli
Size and lifespan (AKC breed page): standard 18-23 in, 30-55 lb; miniature 14-18 in, 15-30 lb; toy 10-14 in, 10-15 lb; 13-18 years.
The AKC says Xolos like long walks and upbeat play but are “famously tranquil around the house.” Young dogs need a substantial amount of exercise and structured play to stay out of trouble. The breed comes in three sizes and two varieties, hairless and coated.
Looking for a different size? See German Shepherds in apartments and Huskies in apartments, or the guard dog breeds for apartment life and lazy dog breeds for apartments guides. Mental work helps any of these breeds: see puzzle toys for apartment dogs.
Final Thoughts
From the AKC pages, the calmest indoors are the Basset Hound, Chow Chow, Whippet, Bulldog and Xolo, and the Shar-Pei is described as adaptable. The Australian Shepherd, Brittany, Polish Lowland Sheepdog and Portuguese Water Dog are the ones the AKC says need the most daily exercise. Match the dog’s exercise needs to the time you actually have.
Resources
- American Kennel Club, Medium dog breeds
- American Kennel Club breed pages: Australian Shepherd, Azawakh, Basset Hound, Brittany, Bull Terrier, Chinese Shar-Pei, Chow Chow, English Bulldog, Ibizan Hound, Keeshond, Norwegian Elkhound, Pharaoh Hound, Polish Lowland Sheepdog, Portuguese Water Dog, Silken Windhound, Standard Schnauzer, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Whippet, Xoloitzcuintli
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.
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