Best Dogs for Apartments: Try a Greyhound

Ideal apartment dogs require low-to-moderate exercise, manageable noise, adaptable temperament and suitability to small spaces. A dog's size does not determine apartment fitness, many large breeds make better apartment dogs than smaller, high-energy terriers. Energy level, barking tendency, outdoor-space need and temperamental fit for closely proximate neighbor living are the decisive factors.

What Makes a Good Apartment Dog

Several traits matter more than size when assessing apartment suitability:

Exercise needs. A dog that needs 90+ minutes of vigorous daily exercise is a poor apartment dog regardless of size, not because the apartment is too small for the dog physically, but because meeting those exercise needs requires substantial outdoor time and commitment. A sedentary dog is a manageable apartment companion.

Barking tendency: In apartments with shared walls, floors, and ceilings, excessive barking creates neighbor conflict, noise complaints, and potential housing loss. Low-barking or relatively quiet breeds are significantly better apartment choices.

Adaptability. Some breeds are strongly place-sensitive and struggle with the specific environment of an apartment (elevator rides, lobby sounds, encounters in hallways, lack of a yard). Breeds with more flexible, people-oriented temperaments adapt more readily to urban density.

Separation tolerance. Most apartment dogs spend time alone. Breeds prone to severe separation anxiety are poor apartment choices, not only for the dog's welfare but for neighbors who must tolerate the vocalization.

Top Apartment Dog Breeds

Greyhound and Whippet

Counterintuitively, Greyhounds and Whippets are excellent apartment dogs. Off the track, Greyhounds are exceptionally low-energy indoor dogs, they are often described as 45-mph couch potatoes. A 20-30 minute walk twice daily meets their exercise needs. They are quiet, do not bark much and have gentle, even temperaments. Whippets are similar but slightly more active.

French Bulldog

One of the most popular apartment dogs globally. Compact, quiet, low-exercise, affectionate and highly adaptable. The main limitation is brachycephalic anatomy, Frenchies cannot exercise strenuously in heat and have significant health issues related to their flat faces (breathing difficulties, heat sensitivity, spinal issues). Prospective owners should research breed health carefully and source from health-tested breeders.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Gentle, quiet, extremely people-oriented and adaptable to various exercise levels. Cavaliers are content with apartment life provided they receive daily walks and human companionship. They are one of the most recommended breeds for first-time owners and apartment dwellers. Significant health concerns in the breed (mitral valve disease, syringomyelia) require health-tested breeding lines.

Basset Hound

Low energy, quiet (except for occasional howling if bored), tolerant and non-destructive. Bassets are content with moderate daily walks. Their scent-following instinct requires secure leash management outdoors, but indoors they are placid apartment companions.

Shih Tzu

Small, low-energy, minimal outdoor requirements and relatively low-barking for a small breed. Shih Tzus were bred as palace companion dogs and adapt naturally to indoor life. Moderate grooming requirements (the long coat requires regular maintenance or professional clipping).

Maltese

Tiny, low-exercise, gentle and adaptable. Malteses are quiet relative to other small breeds. Their small size is genuinely advantageous in small spaces. Suitable for elderly owners and people with limited mobility.

Bichon Frise

Cheerful, low-shedding (good for allergy sufferers), low-exercise and adaptable. Bichons are relatively quiet and do well alone for moderate periods. Coat requires regular grooming.

Pug

Affectionate, low-energy, quiet and small. Pugs are very content with minimal exercise and human companionship. Brachycephalic health concerns (same category as French Bulldog) must be understood before ownership. Require climate-controlled environments.

Breed	Size	Exercise Needs	Barking	Apartment Rating
Greyhound	Large	Low (two 20-30 min walks/day)	Very low	Excellent
Whippet	Medium	Low-moderate	Low	Excellent
French Bulldog	Small	Low	Low	Excellent (health caveats)
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel	Small-medium	Low-moderate	Low	Excellent
Basset Hound	Medium	Low	Low (occasional howl)	Very good
Shih Tzu	Small	Low	Low-moderate	Very good
Maltese	Small	Very low	Moderate	Very good
Bichon Frise	Small	Low	Low-moderate	Very good
Pug	Small	Low	Low	Very good (health caveats)
Chow Chow	Large	Moderate	Low	Good
Bulldog	Medium	Very low	Very low	Good (health caveats)

Breeds to Avoid in Apartments

Not all dogs are suitable for apartment living. The following are generally poor choices:

High-energy working and herding breeds. Border Collies, Belgian Malinois, Australian Shepherds, Siberian Huskies and Weimaraners need extensive exercise and mental stimulation that is nearly impossible to provide from an apartment. They frequently develop destructive behaviors and anxiety in under-stimulating environments.

High-barking small breeds. Jack Russell Terriers, Miniature Schnauzers, Chihuahuas and Dachshunds can be excessive barkers, a significant issue in apartment settings.

Very large active breeds. Saint Bernards, Great Pyrenees and Newfoundlands need substantial space and exercise. While some adjust to apartment life with sufficient outdoor time, they are not ideal choices.

Exercise Solutions for Apartment Dog Owners

The best apartment dogs still need daily exercise. Practical solutions for apartment-dwellers:

• Morning and evening walks of 20 to 30 minutes each
• Access to a nearby dog park for off-leash time (suitable for social, non-reactive dogs)
• Dog daycare 2 to 3 days per week for high-stimulation social time
• Indoor enrichment, sniff work, puzzle feeders, training sessions, to supplement physical exercise
• Urban agility and dog sports classes for more active apartment breeds

Noise and Neighbor Considerations

Noise management is as important as exercise management in apartment dog ownership. Practical measures include:

• Selecting a breed known for low barking tendency
• Thorough socialization to elevator sounds, lobby traffic and hallway encounters
• Addressing alert barking through the "enough" cue and barrier management
• Not leaving the dog alone longer than its separation tolerance allows

For more on dog selection and care, see Best Dogs for First-Time Owners, Best Dogs for Families with Kids, How to Socialize a Dog, How to Stop a Dog from Barking and Exercise Needs by Dog Breed.

For dogs suited to cold climates, see our best dogs for cold weather guide.

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