Do you love dogs, but live in an apartment and space is at a minimum for larger dogs?
Not all dogs do well in small spaces.
Here are seven small dog breeds that will fill your heart without filling your space.
Poodle
There are a lot of reasons that Poodles make great pets, even for us living in apartments.
One is that they are low-shedding and hypoallergenic.
This is great news for apartment dwellers that are also allergy sufferers, or that just
don’t enjoy dog hair everywhere.
They do require regular grooming however since loose hair doesn’t fall out of their coats,
it gets matted if not brushed and groomed.
Poodles of all sizes, especially miniature and toy, can do well in apartments.
They are intelligent and have moderate to high energy levels.
Some poodles might need extra exercise to keep them happy in a small home.
But fortunately, they tend to be disciplined and obedient with proper training.
Since they are one of the most intelligent breeds on the planet obedience training is
not difficult for even a novice trainer.
Tip: Small dogs often make up for their size with
huge personalities, which means they benefit from consistent training and positive reinforcement.
And even small, low-energy dogs still need daily exercise and activities to stimulate
their minds and bodies.
Boston Terrier
As its name might imply the Boston Terrier was built for city living.
A small dog with a big personality and tuxedoed charm, the Boston Terrier is a wonderful addition
to any apartment-dwelling family.
With a patient owner and the proper training, Boston Terriers are great dogs for apartments.
They’re loyal companions, friendly, manageable, and attractive.
Because of their disposition and appearance, they can be great conversation starters when
they encounter new people, as well.
They do well around both people and other pets, making them great wingmen when trying
to meet new friends.
The American Gentleman, the nickname for this tuxedoed breed, may just be the perfect apartment
dog.
Dachshund
The Dachshund is a dog of many nicknames: doxie, wiener dog, sausage dog, hot dog, weenie
and more.
Of course, these names mostly refer to the dog’s elongated and distinct appearance.
Dachshunds come in standard or miniature size, the latter being ideal for apartment living,
although the standard is not large by any measure.
This is a sweet and affectionate dog with family, but they can be wary of strangers.However,
a well-socialized Doxie will be accepting of visitors.
The downside of living with a Dachshund?
Noise!
Dachshunds are loud and barking is one of their true loves!
Living in an apartment with neighbors on every side of you could be a problem.
If you’re not home most of the day, it’s probably not fair to adopt a Dachshund.
Check out Small Dogs That Can Be Left Alone During Work and School in the link below for
a dog that might be better suited for your lifestyle.
Miniature Schnauzer
I love the Miniature Schnauzer.
Among other great characteristics, I just think they are neat looking.
A great companion to both the elderly and children, the miniature schnauzer is a great
small apartment dog.
These dogs are calm in nature though they are natural watchdogs and will bark when they
need to alert.
One of the main reasons these dogs are great for apartments is they are happy relaxing
once they get playtime or a walk.
Oh, and they shed little, just adding to the allure of this unique little breed.
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers are small dogs that are bred to be companions.
Originally bred for chasing down and killing vermin, they tend to be clever, brave, determined,
feisty, energetic, and have little tolerance for other animals — big or small, including
other dogs.
However, they adapt happily to apartment living: Just about any size living space is big enough
for Yorkies, and you can potty train them to go indoors or outdoors.
The latter might be a preferred method and you can buy a potty mat from your local pet
store or Amazon.
I’ll put a link in the description.
Because of their single coat of hair, they don’t shed as much as many other breeds:
And, Yorkies can be a good choice for people with allergies.
Although Yorkies are considered hypoallergenic, this doesn’t mean that you won’t be allergic
to a Yorkie.
Find one that you can hang around or visit for a while and see if you have an adverse
reaction before making the purchase or adopting.
Shih Tzu
Because of their small size and loving temperament, a Shih Tzu makes a great choice for small
apartments.
They are calm and fairly quiet making them a polite neighbor.
Shih Tzus are small enough that they don’t require a lot of space for comfort and don’t
mind where they live, as long as they can be with you.
When your Shih Tzu is not happily cuddling with you, it’ll be on the floor cheerfully
playing with toys.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The size and generally quiet nature of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels make them good
candidates for apartment or condo living.
They are moderately active indoors, and their exercise needs are easily met.
Walks on a leash or in a securely fenced yard are musts with this breed.
They have no street smarts and will run right in front of a car if they catch sight of a
bird or other interesting prey.
They are companion dogs though, so after the exercise is over, your Cavalier will be more
than happy to cuddle up on your lap for some Netflix binge-watching.
Of course, if you don’t wanna binge Netflix, you’re more than welcome to hang out here.
You’ll discover a ton of dog breeds.
Might as well smash that subscribe button while you’re at it.
And as always, catch ya next time.