The apartment life can be fun, especially if shared with a fantastic roommate and a furry friend! However, apartments can feel cramped, and we all know that dogs need space to live comfortably. This doesn’t mean that you have to give up on the idea of adopting a dog! Here is a list of the 15 best dog breeds if you live in a shared apartment:
15 Best Dog Breeds For People Sharing an Apartment with a Roommate
1. American Hairless Terrier
The American Hairless Terrier is a small breed dog that’s perfect if you or your roommate have a mild allergy to dog hair. This versatile dog breed never sheds, plus they’re highly trainable, adaptable, and affectionate with their humans.
The story of this dog breed is rather peculiar: in the 19th century among the European settlers, a terrier breed called the Feist began to appear, popular for its ability to eradicate rodents. Over the years, the Feist has been bred with other dogs, such as the Levriere and the Beagle, and from these crossings, the American Hairless Terrier was born.
The American Hairless Terrier is smart and loves training, so you (and your roommate if they’d like!) will need to play a lot with your buddy, so they can expel some energy. There are a lot of indoor training and play activities you can do, which is why this breed is great for living in apartments!
2. Barbet
The official name of the Barbet is the French Water Dog, and it is no coincidence that it is considered to be the predecessor of various water dog breeds. Originally used in the hunting of waterfowl, the Barbet proved to be suitable for doing a variety of activities thanks to its intelligence and sociable behavior. No surprise: these dogs love to swim!
The Barbet is a medium-sized breed dog, and it’s a good fit for apartment living because of its intelligence! Just leave your Barbet lots of toys when you and your roommate are not around so that it can entertain itself and play. This pup does require daily grooming, but it also doesn’t shed, which keeps your space nice and clean!
3. Basenji
The Basenji is a medium-size breed dog of ancient origins: coming from Africa where it is known by different names, the traces of the presence of this breed date back to 3000 BC, in Ancient Egypt.
First and foremost, the Basenji doesn’t bark! This is the perfect pup for apartment life because you’ll never have to worry about bothering your neighbors, which gives you and your roommate peace of mind.
4. Boston Terrier
Hailing from the capital of New England, the Boston Terrier is highly intelligent, sweet, and very easily trained. Not by chance, it is one of the most popular pet dogs in the United States! The Boston Terrier is the ideal breed if you live in an apartment and if you have other pets since it gets along well with other animals.
This breed lives up to 15 years, is small, its hair doesn’t require much attention, and it will be more than happy to just chill out on the couch and watch TV with you and your roommate in the evenings.
5. Brussels Griffon
The Brussels Griffon is a breed that originated in Belgium, originally used as a guard dog in the stables for its ability to hunt rats. Its notoriety rose in the 90s thanks to the Hollywood movie “As Good As It Gets”, where the dog, Verdell, is a Brussels Griffon.
Small in size, the Brussels Griffon is larger in love and affection – they’re a smart, sweet dog that you and your roommate will adore having around. Just be mindful: a puppy Brussels Griffon will need special attention on your part, as they tend to chew things up!
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed was made worldwide famous when it was adopted by the British Royals. Loving, caring, and affectionate, this is a breed that suffers if left alone in the house too much. If you and your roommate don’t spend much time in the apartment, you should consider another breed as a pet dog. But if you’re homebodies, the King Charles Cavaliers is an excellent option for apartment residents as this dog is small, smart, and playful!
7. Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested is known for its unusual hairdo – their popular hairless type is bald except for fluffy fur on their heads and feet! This lively, friendly dog is a breed likely descended from the e African hairless dog and the Mexican Xoloitzcuintli breeds. There are two strains of this breed: the Hairless and the all-over coated Powder Puff.
This small-size dog is hypoallergenic, easy to train, and very affectionate with its family, The Chinese Crested dog makes a perfect apartment companion! In the absence of fur for the Hairless variety, the Chinese Crested dog needs to be protected from the sun and the chill. So make sure to get dog-friendly sunscreen and cute sweaters and coats!
8. Dachshund
Probably one of the most famous dog breeds and family pets, the spunky Dachshund is a great apartment companion for you and a close friend or roommate – they can be wary of strangers, so they really like to know the people around them. Dachshunds are a great mix of chill and playful: They need exercise to wear them out every day, but they tire quickly, and then they’re cute sleepy company. This breed was originally bred to hunt, so for exercise, you can play with a tug or chase toys like a flirt pole.
These buddies do bark, so your Dachshund could require some training in that area. Best of all? They look adorable in a hot dog costume.
9. French Bulldog
The favorite breed during the Belle Epoque in France, the French Bulldog made its first appearance in the US in 1896. Since then, the French Bulldog has become quite popular as a pet dog breed due to its small size and easy-care short hair.
Playful and loving, the French Bulldog doesn’t need to go out for long walks – so if you and your roommate like jogging and running, your Frenchie will want to stay home. The French Bulldog barks very little, and it loves to be in close quarters with pet parents—so it’s the perfect dog pet if you live in an apartment with a roommate!
10. Havanese
Under the official name of Bichon Havanais, this breed is native to the island of Cuba. Today, the little Havanese is the 25th most widespread breed in the United States–and for good reason!
Havanese are smart, quiet, and love learning new tricks. It will make the perfect pet dog for you and your roommate if you like spending time outside like in a dog park playing sports like Frisbee and soccer – your Havanese will love playing with you! Havanese dogs are fantastic for apartment living due to the fact that they’re tiny, not noisy, and easy to educate.
11. Maltese
Once the dog of Egyptian pharaohs, the Maltese has always been a royal breed. Even now, pet dogs of choice of the rich and famous, from Madonna to Britney Spears. Maltese dogs are gentle and affectionate, as well as very protective towards their family. They’re also easy to train and aren’t as inclined towards rigorous exercise– so they’re A+ dogs for smaller apartments. A Maltese will make you and your roommate feel like superstars!
12. Papillon
The presence of this breed is documented in Europe about 700 years ago. The Papillon was the pet dog of royals, aristocrats, and rich merchants: there are several Renaissance paintings where this dog is portrayed. The Papillon strain with the standing ears – as this breed appears today – began to spread only in the nineteenth century. The official name of the breed is Continental Toy Spaniel.
The Papillon is tiny, with a weight of 3 kg. The Papillon lives up to 14 years, and although it needs to go out for a long walk, it is a perfect breed to live in apartments. Prepare your jogging shoes, wait for your roommate, and have fun strolling your neighborhood with your friendly Papillon dog!
The Papillon breed has a strong instinct to protect its property: it might bark excessively at nearby noises. So prepare yourself for lots of training to make your pet dog neighborhood friendly!
13. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Native to the UK, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is famously Queen Elizabeth II’s preferred dog breed – known as the “royal corgis.” Corgis are short, medium-sized dogs, and are extremely affectionate dogs and adore their families–so if you and your roommate are looking for a love bug, this is a great dog for you.
They’re a fun breed full of personality, and they do need plenty of mental stimulation and exercise. Make sure to give your Corgi pup a good, balanced diet because this breed is prone to obesity.
14. Pomeranian
Another royal dog, Pomeranian descends from an ancient sled breed from Lapland called Spitz– but they were bred to be smaller, 4 kg, at Queen Victoria’s request. Loyal and cheerful, the Pomeranian is sold as a lapdog, because they’re tiny, very obedient, and easy to train.
If you and your roommate have the dream of participating in beauty contests, then the Pomeranian is the right pet dog for you! Just be careful: the Pomeranian’s fluffy cloak requires regular grooming.
15. Shih Tzu
The teeny Shih Tzu is a native of Tibet and didn’t arrive in the US until after WWII. Extremely long-lived, the Shih Tzu is the perfect apartment dog: it’s super affectionate and loves being around its humans. Best of all, your Shi Tzu will likely be playful, yet fairly calm and quiet, which makes it a very polite neighbor in your apartment building. Plus, these lil pups barely shed! You just need to make sure to regularly groom your furry friend’s coat.
The Canine Bottom line
Dog breeds that didn’t make it to the list but are excellent apartment dogs as well are Bichon Frise, and Boston Terriers. There are many dog breeds, perfect if you live in an apartment! And your roommate will love having one of the breeds mentioned in the article as the newest member of your cozy household.
Humans and pets can’t go wrong with natural products so you and your roommate, along with your pet may opt to use products with natural ingredients. No need also to worry about having your pet’s fur everywhere by purchasing a trusty vacuum that many pet owners love.