Best dog breeds for apartment living
Breeds that cope well with a flat: moderate size, moderate energy and little barking.
Living in an apartment doesn't rule out a dog, but it does change which dog. The three things that matter most are size, how much energy the dog needs to burn every day, and how much it barks: a large calm dog often fits a flat better than a small nervous one, however counterintuitive that sounds.
This list ranks breeds by how well they adapt to apartment life, penalising large size, high energy and a tendency to bark. No breed replaces walks, though: a small flat with three daily outings beats a house with a garden and a dog nobody walks.
Top 24 breeds
- 1. Dorkie 75%
- 2. Shih Tzu 75%
- 3. Coton de Tulear 70%
- 4. Japanese Chin 70%
- 5. Maltese 70%
- 6. Miniature Pinscher 70%
- 7. Shih-Poo 70%
- 8. Affenpinscher 65%
- 9. Azawakh 65%
- 10. BoShih 65%
- 11. Cesky Terrier 65%
- 12. Chihuahua 65%
- 13. Chinese Crested 65%
- 14. Chipin 65%
- 15. Chug 65%
- 16. Clumber Spaniel 65%
- 17. Dandie Dinmont Terrier 65%
- 18. Havanese 65%
- 19. Papillon 65%
- 20. Pekingese 65%
- 21. Pomapoo 65%
- 22. Pug 65%
- 23. Rat Terrier 65%
- 24. Shiranian 65%
The percentage shows how well each breed matches the criteria of this guide, not how "good" the breed is.
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- Best dog breeds for families with children Breeds that are affectionate with the family, tolerant with children and sociable with other dogs.
- Best dog breeds for first-time owners Breeds suited to people who have never had a dog: easy to train and forgiving of mistakes.
- Dog breeds that shed very little Breeds with minimal shedding and little drooling, for people who don't want hair everywhere.
- Dog breeds that tolerate being left alone More independent breeds, for people who are out of the house during the day.
- Calm, quiet dog breeds Low-energy breeds that bark little, ideal where neighbours are close.
- Best dog breeds for older people Manageable size, low energy and a docile temperament for easy day-to-day living.
- Best dog breeds for runners and active people Breeds with the energy and stamina for running, hiking or dog sports.
- Easiest dog breeds to train Breeds that learn quickly and respond well to training.
- Dog breeds that handle hot weather well Breeds adapted to hard summers.
- Best guard dog breeds Territorial, protective breeds suited to guarding with an experienced owner.
- Dog breeds that get on well with other dogs Sociable breeds, for homes that already have a dog or for regular dog-park visitors.