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Quick answer
Big dogs often make better apartment tenants than toy breeds: they hold their bladder longer, so fewer trips down to the sidewalk, and most of the giants sleep the day away. The calmest of the seventeen are the Greyhound, Great Dane, Mastiff, Bullmastiff, Newfoundland, Irish Wolfhound and Clumber Spaniel; the Boxer and Rhodesian Ridgeback need a real daily run before they will settle. Check the building weight limit before you fall for one.
Big dog and small apartment is not an automatic mismatch. What matters more is each breed’s exercise need, how it behaves when left alone and how much space its size and drool take up. If you have never lived with a dog in a small space, start with our guide to crate training an adult rescue dog in a small apartment.
This guide covers 16 large breeds. Every size, lifespan, exercise and grooming figure comes from the American Kennel Club breed pages, and the heights and weights are for males unless noted. The AKC does not say outright that any of these breeds suits an apartment, apart from the Mastiff, so treat each entry as a description of what the breed needs, then judge it against your own home and routine.
Short answer: the lowest exercise needs on this list are the Mastiff, the Saint Bernard and the Bullmastiff. The highest are the Boxer, the Golden Retriever, the Standard Poodle and the American Staffordshire Terrier. Several giants are short-lived, so check the life expectancy figures too.
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1. Afghan Hound
The AKC lists 25 to 27 inches, 50 to 60 pounds and 12 to 18 years. It says short walks do not provide enough exercise for this athletic breed, and that an Afghan should be able to run full out several times a week in a large, enclosed area with a high, secure fence.
As a sighthound it has a strong instinct to chase, so walking off leash is not advisable. The long, silky coat needs several hours of brushing a week and regular bathing with shampoo and conditioner. For socialization advice, see is it too late to socialize my dog.
2. American Staffordshire Terrier
The AKC lists 18 to 19 inches, 55 to 70 pounds and 12 to 16 years for males. It calls the AmStaff a smart, confident, good-natured companion that requires a lot of exercise, and says leaving the dog in the yard all day is not the right approach because it thrives when made part of the family.
The AKC says early socialization and puppy classes are a necessity, that dog aggression can develop even in well-socialized AmStaffs, and that an AmStaff should never be left alone with other dogs. The short coat needs about a weekly brushing.
3. Bernese Mountain Dog
The AKC lists 25 to 27.5 inches, 80 to 115 pounds and 7 to 10 years. It says Berners need at least half an hour of moderate exercise every day and are meant to live indoors with their family.
They shed a fair amount, more in the twice-yearly shedding season, so the AKC suggests weekly brushing and daily brushing during that season. It says a Berner left alone for long periods can develop undesirable behaviors.
4. Boxer
The AKC lists 23 to 25 inches, 65 to 80 pounds and 10 to 12 years. It calls Boxers playful, high-energy dogs that need ample exercise every day, on leash or in a securely fenced area, and says a Boxer must never be allowed to run loose.
The coat needs only a once-over with a rubber curry brush or hound glove once or twice a week. The AKC says a bouncy Boxer may not suit a very frail adult or a small child. See are Boxers good apartment dogs for more on this breed.
5. Bullmastiff
The AKC lists 25 to 27 inches, 110 to 130 pounds and 7 to 9 years. It says Bullmastiffs enjoy daily exercise, with brisk walks and outdoor play, though some are more sedentary than others, and that they are great walking companions but not ideal running partners.
Puppies should not be overexercised during rapid growth. The AKC says early training and socialization are critical because the breed can be quite strong willed. Seasonal shedding is to be expected.
6. Clumber Spaniel
The AKC lists 18 to 20 inches, 70 to 85 pounds and 10 to 12 years for males, and calls the Clumber the largest of the AKC flushing spaniels. It says those who can handle some shedding and drooling get an amiable, gentlemanly housemate.
Despite a lumbering look the Clumber can be very active and benefits from long walks and fetch. The AKC says routine ear cleaning is a must, skin folds need regular wiping with a damp cloth because moist wrinkles can set up a yeast infection, and the coat needs brushing once or twice a week.
7. Dogue de Bordeaux
The AKC says males can reach 27 inches and 110 pounds, and lists a life expectancy of 5 to 8 years. It describes loyal, affectionate, protective dogs that can be stubborn.
Exercise should be low impact until at least 18 months, with no running stairs or jumping from heights, and swimming is an excellent choice. The breed drools heavily, face wrinkles need cleaning at least weekly, and the AKC adds a full bath about every four weeks. It says ownership of the breed is not for the timid or the very busy person.
8. Golden Retriever
The AKC lists 23 to 24 inches, 65 to 75 pounds and 10 to 12 years. It says Goldens need plenty of daily exercise and that one that does not get enough is likely to engage in undesirable behavior.
They shed their thick double coat heavily once or twice a year and moderately all the time, so the AKC suggests brushing once or twice a week, daily in heavy shedding. See are Golden Retrievers good apartment dogs.
9. Greyhound
The AKC lists 28 to 30 inches, 65 to 70 pounds and 10 to 13 years. It says the Greyhound is perfectly happy to lounge around the house all day, but needs a regular schedule of exercise time and chances to run full-out safely.
Greyhounds should only be off leash in a securely fenced area, since they may not resist chasing perceived prey. The short coat needs little grooming beyond regular baths and weekly rubdowns. See are Greyhounds good apartment dogs.
10. Great Dane
The AKC lists 30 to 32 inches, 140 to 175 pounds and 7 to 10 years, and calls owning a dog of that size a commitment not to be entered into lightly. A brisk walk two or three times a day can be enough, but it says to wait until age 2 for jogs or hikes and to avoid rigorous exercise around mealtimes because of the risk of bloat.
Obedience training is a must for a breed this large. The short coat needs weekly brushing and sheds more heavily once or twice a year.
11. Irish Wolfhound
The AKC calls it the tallest of all AKC breeds, with males at a minimum of 32 inches, about 120 pounds and 6 to 8 years. It says adults can become couch potatoes if allowed to, but regular long walks or play sessions are needed, and that a home with a fairly large fenced area is necessary.
Puppies take 18 months or more to mature and can be destructive when left alone for long periods. The AKC says walks must be on leash because of the hunting and chasing instinct.
12. Mastiff
The AKC lists 30 inches and up, 160 to 230 pounds and 6 to 10 years. It is the one breed here for which the AKC speaks to housing, saying Mastiffs have comparatively low exercise requirements and can live happily in an apartment.
Daily walks of a mile or two suit an adult. The AKC warns that Mastiffs often plop down on walks when tired or overheated, so its rule of thumb is not to walk them farther than you can carry them back. They drool, and most owners keep cloths on hand.
13. Newfoundland
The AKC lists about 28 inches, 130 to 150 pounds and 9 to 10 years for males. It says Newfoundlands need at least half an hour of moderate exercise daily and are meant to live indoors with their family, with swimming a favorite activity.
The heavy coat needs thorough brushing at least once a week, and spayed and neutered Newfs shed year-round and may need brushing several times a week. The AKC says daily human contact is absolutely essential.
14. Rhodesian Ridgeback
The AKC lists 25 to 27 inches, about 85 pounds and 10 to 12 years. It says the breed needs a moderate amount of exercise and can adapt to various living situations when given daily long walks and play sessions.
It also warns that owners must be prepared for independence and a strong prey drive, so a Ridgeback should always be in a safely enclosed area off leash. Grooming is minimal, with a weekly brushing.
15. Saint Bernard
The AKC lists 28 to 30 inches, 140 to 180 pounds and 8 to 10 years for males. Despite its size it needs only a moderate amount of exercise: one long walk or a half-hour play session a day is enough.
The AKC says obedience training should teach a Saint not to jump on people, knock into small children or steal food from the table, and that undesirable behaviors can result if it is left alone for long periods. Both coat types need weekly brushing, daily in shedding season.
16. Standard Poodle
The AKC says Standard Poodles are over 15 inches at the shoulder, and lists 60 to 70 pounds for males and a life expectancy of 10 to 18 years. It says Poodles of any size are very active and need good exercise every day, and that most love to swim.
The coat is relatively non-shedding, which the AKC says makes the breed a good choice for people with allergies, but it needs daily brushing unless kept in a short trim. Many owners use a professional groomer every four to six weeks. The AKC calls Poodles extremely intelligent and easy to train. For quieter breeds, see quiet dog breeds for apartments.
Final Thoughts
Big does not have to mean high maintenance. On the AKC’s own figures, the Mastiff, Saint Bernard and Bullmastiff ask for the least exercise, while the Boxer, Golden Retriever, Standard Poodle and AmStaff ask for the most. Plan for the daily exercise first, then for shedding, drool and grooming. Keep in mind that a puppy of any of these breeds should not be overexercised while growing.
For help choosing by size, see our dog size guide, and for a yard-free routine, the dog-friendly apartment checklist.
Resources
- American Kennel Club breed pages for each of the 16 breeds listed above (American Kennel Club)
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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