Picking an apartment dog comes down to a few honest questions. How big does it get? Does it bark at every footstep in the hallway? How much energy will it have at 7 a.m.? And will it actually like your neighbors instead of growling at them by the elevator?
Plenty of small dogs handle tight quarters just fine. Some were practically built for a lap and a sunny window. So which small dog breeds make the best apartment dogs?
Here are 23 small breeds that tend to thrive in apartments, with the quirks and trade-offs you’ll want to know before you commit.
1. Basenji
Native to Africa, the Basenji hunted by sight and scent long before it became a city companion. People call it the “barkless” dog, though that name is a little misleading. It weighs around 24 pounds, stands about 18 inches at the shoulder, and tends to live close to 12 years.
The coat is short and tight over a compact, muscular frame. Small erect ears, a tightly curled tail, a wrinkled forehead that makes it look like it’s always thinking something over.
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The Basenji is great apartment dog material once you accept the stubborn streak. It’s sharp and it gets bored fast, so it needs puzzles, training games, and something to do with that brain. Here’s the classic rookie mistake: leaving a door cracked open. A curious Basenji will let itself out and go investigate the world.
Shedding is minimal and the dog keeps itself clean, almost cat-like. Training takes patience. Instead of barking, it makes a yodel-like sound to get your attention. It folds itself into family life and does well with kids, and it’s surprisingly warm toward strangers.
This is a high-energy dog that hates being ignored, so don’t leave it alone for long stretches. One word of caution: pairing a Basenji with hamsters or gerbils rarely ends well. The hunting instinct runs deep.
2. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is hard not to love. It’s a playful, nosy little dog with a soft hypoallergenic coat that feels like velvet under your hand. It adapts to almost any setup and gets along with kids and other dogs, which is exactly what you want in a small space.
Want a guard dog? Look elsewhere. The Bichon greets burglars and mail carriers with the same wagging enthusiasm.
Expect a maximum weight around 12 pounds and a height near 11 inches at the shoulder.
It’s a cheerful dog that struggles with alone time. Separation anxiety is common, so if your days run long and nobody’s home, this probably isn’t your match.
Training comes easy and tricks come easier. A lot of owners and trainers point to the Bichon as a natural therapy dog.
Barking stays low, but you’ll be booking professional grooming on a regular schedule. Bichon puppies are tiny and fragile, so kids should be supervised around them.
3. Bolognese
This little breed wants to be wherever its people are, and apartment life suits it well. The catch is the same one you’ll see a lot on this list: it can’t handle long stretches alone, so you have to show up with attention and affection.
A Bolognese can reach 14 years, tops out around 14 pounds, and stands about a foot tall. It loves walks and games with the kids, so keep it busy with regular activity.
The name traces back to Bologna, same as the sauce, and training takes a while. A patient owner gets the most out of this curious, affectionate dog. It’ll bark when it’s excited or angling for more of your attention.
Watch the food bowl. This breed gains weight easily, so quality food and sensible portions matter. The fluffy coat barely sheds, which is good news if allergies are a concern in your home.
4. Boston Terrier
That tuxedo-style coat earned this breed its nickname, “The American Gentleman.” The Boston Terrier is a small loving roommate for apartment dwellers and dog lovers alike, maxing out around 25 pounds and 17 inches.
Those big round eyes give away its good nature, and it genuinely wants to please you. Training is straightforward. Even so, start socializing early.
It isn’t a big chewer, though it’ll bark now and then. Drooling stays low. Keep it leashed outdoors, because every new smell and corner is an invitation to explore.
If you’re the active type, you’ve got a willing partner for walks and jogs. The Boston does shed some, so run a brush through its coat regularly to keep loose hair off the couch.
5. Brussels Griffon
The Brussels Griffon fits apartment life nicely if you want a dog happy with a few good walks rather than all-day running. It can live up to 15 years and stays small, about 10 inches tall and 10 pounds at most.
Its coat shows up in several shades: red, beige or reddish-brown, black and tan, and solid black. Plan on an hour or less of exercise a day, since this is an active, energetic little dog.
It’s classed as a toy breed, yet the whiskers and black muzzle give it an oddly serious, almost grumpy expression. That look is why people call it the bearded dog.
Expect some barking and the occasional howl. Two things to weigh: it hates being left alone, and it isn’t built for rough-and-tumble play with young kids.
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
One look at a Cavalier King Charles and the soft, sweet expression gets you. It blends the playfulness of a toy breed with the get-up-and-go of a Spaniel. Adults reach about 13 inches tall and weigh between 13 and 18 pounds, and the breed often lives up to 15 years.
That silky coat and those big round eyes are exactly why aristocrats adored the breed for centuries. Brushing time doubles as bonding time, because this dog soaks up attention from its favorite person. It doesn’t drool and barks only once in a while.
The Cavalier is calm by nature and rates a slow walk and a belly rub about equally. Among apartment dogs, it’s one of the friendliest you’ll find with other pets, adults, and children.
It’s adaptable to a fault, happily molding itself to whatever you like to do. That easygoing streak makes it a strong pick for a small space.
7. Chihuahua
Tiny body, enormous personality. At about 8 inches tall and 6 pounds, the Chihuahua slots into apartment life easily, and with a lifespan of 16 to 18 years, it’s a friend for the long haul.
Bright eyes, erect ears, and an attitude to match. Don’t let the size fool you. Without real training, this dog will run your household.
Coats come two ways. The short coat needs an occasional brushing, while the long-haired version wants a weekly going-over to stay tangle-free. Exercise needs are modest, and it’s happy trailing its favorite human from room to room.
A Chihuahua knows it’s adorable and trades on it, so be firm and kind in equal measure when you train. It barks to show excitement or to demand more of you. Because it’s so small, skip the rough play with kids and bundle it up when the weather turns cold.
8. Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested is a toy breed that can reach 18 years. It stands around 13 inches, weighs about 12 pounds, and comes in two versions: hairless or coated.
The standouts are the spiky crest of hair and those alert, round eyes. The hairless type is a favorite in apartments because it doesn’t shed and has no doggy smell. That bare skin needs looking after, though. Think sunscreen, moisturizer, and protection from infections and allergies.
It barks occasionally and won’t bolt off on its own when you’re out. Hard exercise isn’t necessary, but it does enjoy a regular stroll with you.
This dog lives to give and get affection, which is part of why it shines as a therapy dog. It’s sensitive and shuts down under harsh correction. Start socializing it with people and other dogs while it’s still a puppy.
9. Cocker Spaniel
Few breeds snuggle harder. The Cocker Spaniel will melt into the couch with you or romp with your kids, and it’s affectionate to the core. It reaches about 15 inches tall and 30 pounds, which puts it at the larger end of this list.
Under the sweetness sits a clever hunting dog, but it’s still a wonderful family pet that loves to play and be doted on. Here’s the honest caveat: if you work a 9-to-5 and nobody’s home, this sensitive dog will struggle. It does best in a household where someone is usually around.
Plan on regular grooming, professional included, to keep that coat in shape. Pay close attention to the long ears, where the skin is thin and delicate near the tips. It doesn’t bark constantly, just enough to flag that it wants you.
Because it’s so sensitive, the Cocker is always trying to read you and please you. The more affection you put in, the more you get back.
10. Dachshund
Dachshunds come in two sizes. The standard runs about 32 pounds and 9 inches tall, while the miniature stays under 11 pounds at roughly 6 inches, making the Dachshunds a perfect apartment dog.
This breed is tireless and loves to play with the whole family, though it’s not big on long runs or swimming. It’s an eager barker by default, but you can train it toward quiet.
The coat can be smooth, long-haired, or wirehaired, and shedding tracks with the type. Trim the nails monthly so your dog stays comfortable and pain-free on those short legs.
The Dachshund is a fine choice for first-time owners since it’s agreeable and willing. Harsh training backfires. It runs on praise and affection. And don’t sweat it if your dog ignores a command at first, because that curious nose tends to win out the second something interesting crosses its path.
11. French Bulldog
The French Bulldog packs a compact body into about 13 inches of height, yet it can carry up to 28 pounds. Like its larger Bulldog cousin, it has that square head and the deep wrinkles stacked above the nose.
It started out as a capable ratter. These days the French Bulldog is a perfect choice for apartment living and first-time owners, thanks to its easygoing friendliness. It isn’t much of a barker and mixes well with other apartment dogs and pets.
Frenchies barely shed, which is a relief for a busy household. A short play session with you covers its daily quota, and after that it’s content to lounge beside its person at home.
Start training early to get ahead of the stubborn streak. With steady, upbeat motivation, the French Bulldog’s affectionate side comes right out.
12. Havanese
Another toy breed, the Havanese hails from Cuba and has become one of the most popular dogs among apartment dwellers. It lives up to 16 years and grows to about 11 inches tall and 13 pounds.
The silky coat needs steady attention and regular brushing. Some owners style it into different cuts to give their dog a signature look.
Your Havanese will shadow you everywhere, which is how it earned the nickname “Velcro dog.” It’s lively too, and that spark is part of why the breed has long been a fixture in circus acts.
It can play watchdog, but it keeps the barking dialed down, a trait your neighbors and the person in the next unit will appreciate.
This little dog is sensitive and only really enjoys play with its favorite human. Indoor games are plenty, since it’s a calm, easygoing companion that tires without much trouble.
13. Italian Greyhound
Once the prized companion of Italian nobility, this slender toy dog still carries the stamina and drive for a short hunt. It weighs about 14 pounds and stands around 15 inches, making it a near-ideal lap dog for apartment living.
Those fine, long legs are built for running, so it’ll want regular sprints. With so little body fat, it feels the cold sharply and needs a coat or sweater in winter.
Baths are rarely necessary. A quick wipe with a brush or cloth keeps the short coat clean. Daily tooth brushing, on the other hand, really matters for this breed, since dental trouble is common.
It’s tiny and fearless, the kind of dog that’ll square up to a much bigger one without blinking. Keep a close eye on it at the dog park.
Choose this one and you’re signing up for some barking and a real motor, because it’ll chase pretty much anything that moves.
14. Japanese Chin
The Japanese Chin has spent more than a thousand years as a lapdog and companion. An elegant ruff around the neck and feathered “pants” on the legs made it a darling of the Chinese and Japanese imperial courts.
It grows to about 11 inches and 11 pounds. Despite the showy coat, grooming is light: a weekly brush and a monthly bath. Trim the nails on schedule, because they grow fast.
Socialize it young, since the Chin tends toward shyness. It likes slow, gentle walks with its person but has no interest in hard exercise. Let training get dull and it’ll wander off to find something more fun on its own terms.
It barks occasionally and is generally friendly with other dogs and cats. Homes with very young children may not be the best fit, since a small child could hurt it by accident.
15. Japanese Spitz
Meet its exercise needs and the Japanese Spitz makes a great apartment dog. It grows to about 15 inches and 25 pounds, and it’s a bit of a clown, always working an angle to make you laugh.
As a true companion breed, the Spitz loves time with its family and shouldn’t be left alone. It wears a bright white coat with a ruff at the neck and a tail that sweeps up over the back.
Those erect ears catch everything, which keeps the dog alert and tuned in. Grooming is low-effort for such a fluffy breed, and it gets along beautifully with kids.
It’ll bark to warn you when something seems off, watchdog-style. Among small dogs for apartments, this one adapts well, as long as you don’t leave it home alone for hours.
16. Lhasa Apso
Bred to guard Tibetan monasteries, the Lhasa Apso still treats protecting its family as a serious job.
It reaches about 11 inches tall and 15 pounds. Don’t tell it that, though, because this little dog is convinced it’s enormous and behaves accordingly.
The floor-length coat parts down the middle and gives it a gentle, almost regal look. The personality underneath is anything but soft: tough, resilient, and independent.
That long coat is a commitment even if you keep it trimmed. Plan on a bath roughly twice a week plus regular brushing to stay ahead of mats.
Too busy to entertain it? A Lhasa will entertain itself, usually by tearing laps around the apartment. It makes a good therapy dog when you keep training sessions lively and interesting. It’s loving, yet it stays a little reserved with strangers.
Pleasing you isn’t this dog’s main goal in life. It likes doing things its own way. If you enjoy that independent streak, the frequent barking won’t bother you much.
17. Maltese
To a Maltese, every person it meets is a friend it hasn’t won over yet. This tiny dog tops out around 9 inches and 7 pounds. For centuries it has earned its place on the laps of nobility.
The long silky coat takes well to different styles, and the big dark eyes will undo just about anyone. It lives about 15 years, stays eager to make friends of every age, and is easy with other dogs.
Bathe it regularly and use a good conditioner to keep that coat at its best. A daily walk is all the exercise this little one needs.
It’s a smart dog that doesn’t bark much, which your neighbors will quietly thank you for. Stay consistent with training so it learns where the lines are.
18. Papillon
Alert and upbeat, the Papillon lives up to 16 years and grows to about 11 inches and 10 pounds. Its name is French for butterfly, a nod to those big fringed ears, though some Papillons carry their ears down instead of up.
The coat is usually white-based with patches of color mixed in. You’ll spot the breed in plenty of medieval paintings. It doesn’t shed or drool much and is generally low fuss to care for.
Apartment owners love that the Papillon stays fairly quiet. It’s also a breeze to train, always eager to learn and win your approval. Just don’t leave it on its own for long stretches.
It happily exercises indoors and out. Keep an eye on it, though, because it tends to forget how small it is and can get itself into trouble.
19. Pekingese
The Pekingese wears the distinctive flat face of an ancient Eastern breed. It reaches about 9 inches tall and 14 pounds. Once the favorite of China’s ruling class, it’s now considered one of the better apartment dogs around.
This stocky little dog grows a thick coat that’s longest around the neck, giving it a lion-like mane. Budget at least an hour of brushing a week to keep that coat in good shape.
It tolerates kids but won’t put up with much rough play. It exercises on its own clock and needs quiet space to retreat to when it’s had enough.
Heat is a real problem for this breed, so keep it cool. It’ll bark when it wants your attention. And mind the diet, because the Pekingese gains weight easily.
20. Pomeranian
With its foxy grin and fluffy double coat, the Pomeranian is hard to miss. The coat shows up in several colors, though orange and red are the most common. This little dog can live up to 16 years. It belongs to the toy group and stands about 7 inches tall at roughly 7 pounds.
This miniature dog takes life indoors or out in stride, making the Pomeranian a great apartment dog. One safety note: teach your Pom not to leap off couches or beds, since a fall can injure such a small dog.
Brush it regularly, and book professional grooming about once a month to keep that coat and skin healthy.
This is a barker, no way around it, and it’ll let the whole building know it’s excited. Watch it closely outdoors, because large birds of prey have been known to mistake a Pom for a rabbit.
21. Pug
Never owned a dog before? A Pug might be the right choice for apartment living. It stands about 13 inches and weighs around 18 pounds, an easy fit for a small space.
It was once the cherished companion of Chinese emperors and Dutch royalty alike.
Pugs come in silver, apricot-fawn with a black mask, or solid black. That wrinkled face strikes a lot of people as almost human in its expressions.
The short, smooth coat asks for little. Baths are only needed when your Pug finds a mess to roll in, and a quick brush handles the loose hair the rest of the time.
The Pug is a mellow dog that loves to snuggle on the sofa, which makes it a dream for couch potatoes, though it won’t turn down a walk either. It adores food, so watch the diet, because this breed packs on weight fast. It’s happiest when the weather is neither too hot nor too cold.
Apartment owners love how flexible the Pug is. It rolls with kids, seniors, other dogs, and stretches of alone time. It doesn’t bark much either, which lands it among the best small apartment dogs out there.
22. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu sticks around for the long haul, living up to 18 years. It reaches about 16 pounds and 10 inches tall.
A Shih Tzu knows exactly how cute it is and enjoys every minute, especially around children. It was once the pampered pet of Chinese royalty, so don’t expect it to dig up the yard. Quality time on your lap beats just about anything else.
Brush it daily and work in layers so you actually reach the skin. Trim the hair on top of the head or tie it back so it doesn’t poke the eyes.
It needs only light exercise to stay fit. It barely barks, which makes it a peaceful roommate and a solid apartment dog.
23. Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkie, as most people call it, reaches about 8 inches tall and 7 pounds. Its glossy floor-length coat usually runs steel blue with a rich golden tan.
Small dog, huge personality, and it’s one of the most popular apartment breeds in the US for good reason. It’s smart, but it needs steady training from puppyhood so it actually listens to you.
It barks only occasionally, yet the energy level runs high. Daily exercise keeps a Yorkie healthy and content.
For all that coat, it sheds very little, which is good news if anyone in your home has allergies. The hair behaves more like human hair than typical dog fur.
Trim or tie back the hair on top of the head so it doesn’t irritate your Yorkie’s eyes. It can be a touch shy, so socialize it early.
Final Thoughts on Small Apartment Dogs
A small apartment is no reason to skip adding a dog to the family.
There are other good small dog breeds that can make great apartment pets, such as the Shiba Inu, the Coton de Tulear, the Australian Terrier, the Biewer Terrier, the Toy Poodle, and the Miniature Pinscher. Still, these 23 small dogs stand out as strong picks for apartment living because they’re genuinely suited to a tight footprint.
Every breed on this list comes with its own mix of traits, and that’s the point. Match the dog to your actual routine, your noise tolerance, and how much grooming you’ll really keep up with, and you’ll find the one that fits your life.
Resources
- Best Dogs for Apartments Dwellers by the American Kennel Club
- Best Small Dogs for Apartments from Small Dog Place
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.