There are literally hundreds of dog breeds in the world, with new ones being discovered all the time, but not all of them make good apartment dogs. From their different needs to their different sizes, there are many reasons that your potential pup might not be the right fit for your apartment home and lifestyle. To help you narrow down your search, here are ten of the laziest dog breeds and some tips on how to help keep them happy and healthy in an apartment setting!
1) Affenpinscher
The Affenpinscher is a terrier breed that was created to protect livestock and rid stables of rats and other vermin. It’s also known as a monkey dog because of its small size and mischievous personality. This breed doesn’t require much exercise but does enjoy playing indoors with its family members. Affenpinschers will do fine in an apartment environment, provided it has enough toys to play with, since it can become bored easily.
2) Boston Terrier
Originally bred to hunt small animals, such as rats and badgers, Boston Terriers are friendly and social dogs. They are very smart and excel at learning tricks and commands. You can easily keep them entertained with a game of fetch or tug-of-war. However, they do not enjoy long walks in cold weather.
3) French Bulldog
These small, stubborn dogs are an excellent choice for city living. They get along famously with kids and do well in smaller spaces. Frenchies are adaptable, affectionate and intelligent, making them a very good breed for apartment life. Despite their friendly nature, they require regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. These active pups love walks on city streets or trips to dog parks where they can run off some steam.
4) King Charles Spaniel
Easy to train and eager to please, these dogs are also hypoallergenic, which means they can often live happily in apartments without annoying your neighbors with dog dander. They’re a great choice if you’re looking for a small companion who’s unlikely to bark or shed as much as some of their cousins.
5) Maltese
Maltese dogs are one of my favorite breeds, due to their incredible gentleness and friendliness. This is a perfect breed if you’re an apartment dweller with limited yard space or just looking for a quiet lap dog. They don’t require frequent walks like some other breeds, but they do need daily exercise (i.e., lots of playtime), especially when it comes to keeping their minds stimulated.
6) Pug
Affectionately called Pugs, these dogs are friendly and easy to get along with. Not many other breeds of dog are as easy to train, especially when it comes to house training. They do not bark much, so they’re ideal if you want a quiet dog that won’t wake you up in the middle of night due to excessive barking.
7) Scottish Terrier
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a dog breed more suited to living in an apartment than a Scottish Terrier. Small, intelligent and fiercely loyal, these terriers may not be as long-lived as some other breeds but they are perfect companions for city dwellers and their small size makes them easy to transport from one place to another. Scottish Terriers do fine with limited amounts of exercise but need plenty of daily mental stimulation.
8) Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are generally very friendly and easygoing dogs. They get along with both people and other animals. A pet Shih Tzu will follow its owner from room to room, happily wagging its tail. If you need a dog that can snuggle with you on cold winter nights, a Shih Tzu could be perfect for you. However, if your dog does not receive adequate exercise it will become lazy and may begin to bark or howl excessively.
9) Toy Poodle
These dog breeds are great apartment dogs because they’re smart, lively and affectionate. They don’t need a lot of exercise and can live happily in an apartment as long as they get a regular daily walk. These dogs may not be great guard dogs, but they will alert you if someone approaches your door. Toy poodles are known to be good with kids too. Before adopting a toy poodle, however, make sure that it is indeed the right breed for you!
10) Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkie’s small size makes it a great choice for apartment living. The breed can live in an apartment if it has regular exercise, but without sufficient outdoor activity and socialization, they can become depressed. Yorkies don’t need a ton of space to be happy, though indoor playtime is essential to keep them from getting bored and destructive. If you have an extra room or want a tiny dog, consider the Yorkie.