A Dog for an Apartment

If I live in an apartment, can I have a dog? The answer is absolutely yes. There are many dogs that are well-suited to apartment life. However, before you have a dog, you should figure out what kinds of dogs are best suited for your life.

Now we will explore the many breeds that will be suitable for living in an apartment. If one of these breeds sparks your interest, it is important first to really investigate the breed's personality and needs before getting one. This is a common thing to do no matter if you live in an apartment or not.

These following breeds are suitable for apartments and are small to medium in size. Letsstarting with the smallest.

Chihuahua - This breed is commonly known as the smallest breed of dog. They come in the normal size and also a teacup variety which are, at the largest, 2 to 3 lbs. Chihuahuas are not only compatible for an apartment because of their size, but because of their temperament. While they do need to be walked each day to burn excess energy, they are just as happy to lounge around at home with you.

Pug - This breed is growing to be one of the most popular small dog breeds around! They are small and very affectionate! They do require some exercise but because of their pushed-in noses, they can have some breathing trouble. You would want to make sure your dog will not be required to scale many flights of steps in your complex because they get winded easily.

Bichon Frise - These small dogs resemble poodles in a way, but have a personality all their own. They are small, weighing around 5 to 7 lbs. They require light walking each day. They are gaining popularity as a smart and affectionate breed.

Dachshund - The unmistakable so-called "weiner dogs" are some of the most popular small dog breeds. They are ideal for an apartment because of their size and exercise requirements. They do get energetic, but not as much as many small dogs such as terriers. Be aware that this breed could have back problems as seniors.

Poodle - Everyone is familiar with this breed of dog. The breeds of Poodle that are best suited for apartment life are either Toy or Miniature poodles. Standard Poodles are larger and far too energetic to live in an apartment. Toys and Miniatures, however, are very well-equipped to live in an apartment and in the city.

Pekingese - While they are happy dogs, the Pekingese are some of the lowest energy small dogs. They do come with many health concerns and responsibilities such as breathing issues, back issues and grooming, but their sweet personality and loyalty makes it all worthwhile.

Clumber Spaniel - While the term "Spaniel" may spark concern for hyperactivity and endless hunting, that isn't the case for the Clumber. They can be used as a hunting dog, but they are not the world's fastest dog. Their name says it all; they "clumber" along. They have sweet personalities and require light walks.

Bassett Hound - Bassetts are very low-energy hounds. They are medium in size and are very loving and great pets. The only concern with this great breed is how much they bark. Just like any other hound, they tend to howl. This is not always the case but make sure of your dog's history with barking before bringing it into an apartment complex.

Petit Bassett Griffon Vendeen - This is a breed of dog that most have never heard of and some cannot even pronounce, but the nicknamed "PBGV" is one of the most caring and affectionate dogs out there. They are similar in looks to the Bassett Hound, only with longer wiry hair. The same howling guidelines apply to these guys!

Whippet - The Whippet is for the apartment-dwelling person looking for a really elegant dog. The Whippet is basically the smaller version of the Greyhound. They are energetic but not as energetic as a Greyhound. They will require daily walks. They are very timid and affectionate dogs.

Let's look at a few you will want to stay away from.

Sporting Breeds - You will want to stay away from sporting breeds of dogs. These breeds are often very high energy! These include Setters (English, Gordon, Irish), Retrievers (Golden, Labrador, Chesapeake Bay), and Pointers (Vizslas, German Shorthaired, English).

Hounds - Hounds are less than ideal for apartment living because of their energy level and their noise level. Some of these breeds include Coon Hounds (Black and Tans, Blueticks, Plott and Walker).

Herding Breeds - Most herding breeds are very high energy, and will be very bored in an apartment style life. Some of these breeds include Collies, Border Collies, Bearded Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs.

Dalmations - This breed, although popular and beautiful, is a very, very high energy dog.

Terriers - While some Terrier breeds may do okay in apartment life, they are for the most part very energetic and will require a lot of energy. They do best in a home with a yard that they are free to run in.

Guardian Breeds - They are large and require a lot of exercise and time and discipline. These breeds include Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers and American Pit Bull Terriers.