There are a lot of medium-sized dog breeds that are perfect for apartment living.
Even, contrary to the popular belief that small breeds are better apartment dogs. Many small dog breeds are high energy and are usually constant barkers. Features that do not make them the ideal dogs for apartment living.
Despite the size, several medium dog breeds and even some large breeds are quiet, low energy and quite calm indoors, qualities that make them perfect apartment dogs.
Here is a list of the best medium sized dog breeds for apartment living.
Table of Contents
1. Australian Shepherd
He is a very intelligent dog and easy to train since he learns quickly and likes challenges. Although he is not shy, he is reserved with strangers and has a great guardian instinct.
It is one of the most intelligent breeds and is known to be a problem-solver. They are independent thinkers and usually make decisions for themselves. For this reason, it is essential to provide leadership and put clear and consistent limits since the beginning.
For an Australian Shepherd, mental stimulation is as important as physical activity.
If he is not mentally stimulated enough, he gets bored easily and becomes very active and with a high energy level. But with the proper mental activity, he is more than satisfied with a few daily walks and some time to run off-leash and play.
He is a dog that adapts very well to any environment, including small apartments. As long as he has his daily exercise and stays mentally stimulated, the Australian Shepherd can adapt perfectly to apartment living.
2. Azawakh
He is an intelligent, loyal and calm dog. He likes to be with his family, although he has an aloof personality and does not look for physical contact. Also characterized by being quite protective and tends to bark at strangers.
He is a pretty intelligent dog and learns fast. He responds very well to training with positive reinforcement. Using punishments to try to train him can be counterproductive.
The Azawakh is quite fast, and he usually competes in speed sports. If we add to this that he likes to chase small pets like cats or other small animals, he should always walk on a leash. To be able to run free without a leash, it is necessary to make sure that it is in a closed and safe area.
He can be a great apartment dog while his physical activity needs are covered. Generally, he needs to go for a walk or run for at least half an hour daily. If he has a good exercise session, he can spend much of the day resting on the sofa.
3. Basset Hound
His good-nature and easy-going disposition make him a great family pet. Known for his great sense of humor, he is a very sociable dog who enjoys the company of people, children, and other pets.
The Basset is stubborn and an independent thinker so you have to be patient to train him. But he responds very well to positive reinforcement training methods.
Dominated by his excellent sense of smell, when he finds an interesting scent, he will follow it without caring for anything else. That is why it’s always recommended to leave him without a leash in contained and safe places.
The Basset Hound adapts well to living as an apartment dog. When he is outdoors, it seems that he never gets tire. But he is calm and lazy dog breed when indoors, although he is always alert which makes him an excellent watchdog.
4. Brittany
A good family dog because of its friendly, playful and affectionate personality. But it is a dog with high energy, so it is better suited to active homes that enjoy running and hiking.
They are sensitive, intelligent and always willing to please what makes them relatively easy to train, especially if starting from an early age.
Although it’s a dog breed with relatively few problems of temperament and health, he needs to have a lot of mental and physical activity every day to stay healthy and happy.
The Brittany adapts easily, and while he has his physical activity needs covered, he is a great apartment dog.
5. Bull Terrier
Although he has the reputation of being an aggressive dog, he has a kind, affectionate and playful personality with his family.
He is loyal and protective of his family and is known to be a people dog. But he can become very protective, so you have to take precautions when he is with strangers, children and other dogs.
This is why you have to make sure to socialize him with strangers and other animals from an early age.
A consistent obedience training from the first day is also mandatory. This allows having an obedient, well behaved and socialized member of the family.
With appropriate socialization and training he is an excellent family pet.
The Bull Terrier is a high energy dog, so daily exercise is essential and necessary. He also needs to be in the company of his family, so it is not a good outdoor dog.
He is an indoor dog that needs enough attention from his owners and to have enough exercise so that it does not manifest destructive behaviors. This allows him to adapt well to apartment living.
6. Chinese Shar-Pei
It is an independent, intelligent and strong-willed dog. Reserved with strangers but very devoted to the members of his family.
The Shar-Pei is a good guard dog for apartment life. Because he is a strong and confident dog breed, it’s advisable to train and socialize him from an early age. This will prevent him from becoming territorial or aggressive.
He is a smart and quite stubborn dog who learns quickly, but you have to have enough patience to train him. But with positive reinforcement training and short and fun sessions, you can have good results.
The Chinese Shar-Pei can be a good apartment dog since he is a quiet indoor dog with a low to moderate activity level. With a walk of 20 minutes a day is enough to cover his exercise needs and be the perfect companion for apartment dwellers lifestyle.
7. Chow Chow
It is an independent dog that is not usually a social or outgoing dog. He is suspicious of strangers and can become aggressive with dogs he does not know.
But he is very protective, devoted and affectionate with his family, although he is usually closer to one person.
He is intelligent, but because he is an independent and stubborn dog, training is a challenge. But it is necessary to train him so he is clear about his position in the family or he can become very dominant.
Likewise, he needs to be socialized from an early age, especially with children so that he can be a good family dog.
The Chow Chow has a low activity level and with one or two small daily walks is more than enough to cover his exercise needs. He is considered a lazy dog breed that adapts very well to apartment living.
8. English Bulldog
English Bulldogs is considered one of the best medium apartment dogs. With a kind and sweet personality, the English Bulldog is an excellent family dog that gets along very well with children and other pets.
He is very sociable, friendly and easygoing that gets along well with everyone.
It is a dog breed of great courage and a very good watchdog, although he does not tend to bark.
English Bulldogs are stubborn dogs by nature and slow learners, so they are a challenge to train. Although, when they learn something, they learn it seriously.
Also, although English Bulldogs generally get along well with other dogs and family pets, it is necessary to socialize him since puppyhood to prevent becoming aggressive and distrustful with other dogs.
He is one of the best apartment dogs out there. The Bulldog only needs a moderate amount of exercise and is very quiet and lazy indoors. Even, it is not good to over-exercise him since he usually has breathing problems.
9. Ibizan Hound
He is an even-tempered, loyal and affectionate dog with his family and excellent with children. Although he is reserved with strangers, he is never aggressive or shy.
He has a very good sense of hearing which makes him an excellent watchdog. Although he is quiet and almost does not bark, his alert attitude will warn you that something is happening.
He is an intelligent dog and learns fast. If trained with positive reinforcement and keeping the sessions short and fun, he will be a very enthusiastic student.
With its quiet nature and moderate exercise needs, the Ibizan Hound is a great apartment dog while he has a couple of regular walks of 20 or 30 minutes a day.
You have to take into account that if his needs of exercise are not covered, he gets bored quickly and can become destructive.
10. Keeshond
He is a lively, outgoing, and alert dog who loves being with people and participating in all family activities. An indoor dog for whom it is essential to share his time with his family.
The Keeshond is intelligent and very easy to train. Although he may be a bit naughty, it is easy for him to learn good manners and to be an obedient dog.
He’s not a pet that requires a lot of exercise. With a vigorous daily walk is more than enough to keep him happy and healthy.
As he was raised to live in a boat and as a companion dog, the Keeshond is a great medium size apartment dog.
11. Norwegian Elkhound
He is a very affectionate and loyal pet with his family. He is also good with children and is usually very friendly with strangers and other pets.
The Elkhound can be very intelligent, independent and dominant which makes him very difficult to train. But being firm and consistent, the training can be very effective and enjoyable.
Being a very intelligent dog is necessary to keep him mentally stimulated to avoid boredom and manifest destructive behavior.
Likewise, he is a pet that needs to live indoors with his family where it is relatively calm. Although he needs to have at least two sessions of daily exercise to stay healthy and prevent his tendency to obesity.
Being a fairly calm dog indoors, the Norwegian Elkhound is well suited as an apartment dog while being properly exercised.
12. Pharaoh Hound
Intelligent, gentle and affectionate, the Pharaoh Hound is characterized by its joy of life. I get along with everyone, from kids to other dogs, although sometimes it can be aloof with strangers.
He is an independent dog, but he likes the company of people and enjoys the attention and affection of his family.
He likes to do things his way, but he’s smart and willing to please which makes him easy to train.
Although he is considered a high energy dog, with 30 minutes of vigorous exercise is more than happy. The Pharaoh Hound is perfect to go out for a jog or a bike ride.
Due to its calm nature, he is a good apartment dog, although it tends to bark which in some cases can be a problem.
13. Polish Lowland Sheepdog
An obedient, good-natured dog with people and other pets. He is also an excellent working dog breed, intelligent, active and strong.
With a strong personality and an independent thinker, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog needs a persistent and firm owner.
On the other hand, is a playful dog that has a lot of energy, that needs enough physical and mental activity, so he doesn’t get bored.
To prevent behaviors like excessive barking or chewing, you have to keep him busy and not leave him alone for long periods. He is happy with obedience or agility training, and with activities such as hiking or jogging.
He can be a good apartment dog breed while he goes out to exercise regularly and while he has some work to do.
14. Portuguese Water Dog
He is a gentle, loving and fun dog with a great sense of humor. He gets along well with kids and other pets. Although he is reserved with strangers.
He needs 30 minutes to an hour of daily exercise that can be from long regular walks to a jogging session. Without proper exercise and mental stimulation can manifest destructive behaviors.
He is an intelligent dog who learns fast and likes to learn new things. Responds well to positive reinforcement training techniques, although he gets bored quickly, so it’s recommended to make training fun and challenging.
They are people dogs that need to live indoors with their family, not outside. With proper exercise, he is a great roommate for apartment dwellers.
15. Silken Windhound
He is a good family pet, affectionate, playful and very good with small children and other pets. He is a very friendly dog with everyone, which makes him a bad watchdog.
Silken Windhound are intelligent dogs and eager to please, which makes them easy to train. It’s even said that they will house-train themselves if they have enough access to the outdoors.
He is happy spending his time curled up on the couch with his family, even though he has some bursts of energy. Is the perfect dog for people looking for a family dog, loving, easy to train and active.
He is a dog that adapts very easily to any environment and lifestyle. So while having a long walk a day or having time to run in a dog park he easily adapts as an apartment dog.
16. Standard Schnauzer
The Standard Schnauzer is an intelligent, friendly and very protective dog. A good family pet and very good and reliable with children.
Is quite territorial and a good guard dog that tends to bark at strangers.
The Standard Schnauzer is an active and high energy dog. He needs a lot of physical and mental activity. Otherwise, he will get bored and find creative and destructive ways to stay busy. He will need at least three daily energetic walks.
He is also a stubborn and strong-willed dog so it is essential to start training him since he is a puppy.
It is not a good idea to wait until six months of age to start training him since he will be more stubborn and difficult to handle.
The Standard Schnauzer is not an outdoor dog. He is a guard dog who needs to be close to his family and can live quite happily as an apartment dog.
17. Welsh Springer Spaniel
Like most spaniels, the Welsh Springer Spaniel is affectionate, intelligent, gentle and extremely devoted to his family.
Although he is not shy and unfriendly, he does not adapt easily to strangers although he gets along very well with other pets and with kids.
He is a good watchdog because of his protective and alert nature and tends to bark at anything that catches his attention.
He can become quite stubborn, so constant and steady training is necessary. But he learns fast and is good at remembering what he learns.
It adapts very well to apartment living while he has his daily exercise needs covered. Walking one hour daily or half an hour of heavy exercise will help him be a happy and healthy apartment dog
18. Whippet
It is a gentle, sweet and affectionate dog breed. He is known for being a calm and quiet dog that loves to rest on the couch all day.
He is very attached to his family although he usually creates a stronger bond with one of them. He is a good dog with kids, but he likes to live in calm and quiet environments.
He is a smart dog, but he tends to be an independent thinker which can make it a bit difficult to train him. But he responds very well to positive reinforcement techniques, mainly if food is used.
But at the same time, he is very clean and easy to house-train, although getting him to do his business in the rain or the snow is almost impossible.
Being a quiet and calm dog that needs little exercise, makes him a dog that adapts very well as an apartment dog. Actually, it is a dog breed that needs to live indoors with his family and is considered one of the best apartment dogs.
19. Xoloitzcuintli
Known as the Mexican Hairless, the Xolo is known to be calm, sweet and loving. He is strongly attached to his family and needs to be near them. He is even a good watchdog and tends to be protective of his family and territory.
He is a dog that needs a moderate amount of daily physical activity, such as regular walks of about 30 minutes. Although he is also very good at participating in dog sports, he especially excels in agility.
The Xolo is a people-dog and a great companion. He needs to spend time with his family, or he can become destructive to get some attention.
He is an easy and quick dog to train, both in obedience and in house-training. Although you have to keep the training sessions short, fun and exciting so that he doesn’t get bored.
He is a pet that needs to live indoors because of his hairless body. He can not be in the sun for long periods.
Since the Xolo is a calm, relatively quiet dog with a moderate energy level, he adapts very well to apartment life.
Final Thoughts
Medium sized dog breeds can be perfect apartment dogs as long as their needs are met in order to offer them a good life quality.
For this reason, as a responsible dog owner, is important and necessary to know well the characteristics and needs of our canine companion.
