- [Narrator] Nearly 100 million Americans
have a canine companion at home and it's no wonder.
Owning a dog has been shown
to lower blood pressure and cholesterol,
reduce the risk of asthma and allergies in kids,
and lower stress levels.
Now you might think the size of your home
should determine the size of your ideal dog,
but that's not always true.
Turns out, tiny dogs, like the Yorkshire Terrier,
tend to have a big set of pipes
with an even bigger attitude.
- A lot of small dogs, they're naturally
really good alert dogs,
they're good little watch dogs,
and they're going to bark
when they hear people walking down the hall
or talking in the lobby passageways.
- [Narrator] Not a great attribute if your neighbors
live a few feet away.
So what should you look for
in an apartment-friendly pooch?
- Dogs sleep about 16, 17 hours a day
and as long as you can provide a dog
with the right amount of mental and physical
stimulation and exercise,
even a big dog can be happy in a small place.
- [Narrator] For starters, you want a dog
who's not a big barker,
is sociable with new humans and other dogs,
and is comfortable with loud noises and crowded streets.
Mixed breeds can make an amazing apartment pet,
but if you're looking for purebreds,
here are the blue ribbon winners for apartment living
according to the American Kennel Club.
First up is the Greyhound.
That's right.
They may be the world's fastest canine
but these guys often spend
16 to 18 hours sleeping every day.
Just make sure, in addition to regular exercise,
they have the chance to sprint
two to three times a week.
Next is the Bolonka.
You may have never heard of it,
but these guys were actually bred
to be the ultimate apartment pet.
They don't need hours of daily exercise.
In fact, the American Kennel Club
suggests a long walk a few times a week
in addition to their daily routine.
They're also excellent at learning new tricks,
but they do like to alert their owners
of goings-on in the neighborhood
so it's best to teach them proper barking manners early on.
Now if you had your heart set on a Yorkie,
you might want to try a Biewer instead.
They were bred from Yorkshire Terriers.
They're more mellow and easy going.
They enjoy the outdoors,
but will also play catch inside
and are easy to teach new tricks.
Next up is an especially popular breed
among city dwellers: the French Bulldog.
Despite it's name, this breed actually came from England.
A short daily walk is typically sufficient
to keep them in shape.
They also enjoy canine sports,
like obedience and agility,
but the flat-faced breed often has difficulty breathing.
So make sure your Frenchie doesn't overexert itself
in hot weather.
Last but no least is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
That flashy title isn't a coincidence.
These guys were the breed of choice
for 17th century British nobility.
They're known for their smarts,
they're easy to train,
and readily adapt to new people and environments.
Now it's important to note that breed
doesn't guarantee anything.
- Each individual dog within a breed
is going to have its own temperament,
its own personality.
A good owner spends time with their dog
and figures out what makes their individual dog most happy.
- [Narrator] And if your looking for more
than just a walk around the block,
places like the American Kennel Club
offer local activities.
- [Gail] One's called scent work.
It's an event type that just tests
a dog's natural ability to use it's nose,
and we have a whole series of events and competitions
where you're just training your dog to find scents
that are hidden in different areas.
It's fun to do things with your dog
and by spending more time with your dog,
your bond increases.
- [Narrator] Want more options?
Here are some other apartment-friendly dog breeds
that the AKC recommends.
(catchy music)