16 best dogs for an apartment

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Pets are not only endless pleasure and a source of positive emotions, but also the work of caring for and raising a pet. Accordingly, the choice of a pet must be balanced and cannot be based only on human “want” – sometimes potential owners often underestimate the scale of future worries, and dogs turn out to be an overwhelming “toy.” To prevent this from happening, the experts of the online magazine found out which dogs are most suitable for a city apartment and made a rating of breeds with a brief description of habits and the necessary care.

How to choose a dog

It is difficult to give unequivocal recommendations about choosing a pet breed, but a few nuances should be highlighted:

1. The size of the dog as one of the determining factors – the smaller the animal, the more comfortable it feels in the apartment. It's hard for large dogs in a small-sized odnushka and even a kopeck piece, they need territory for movement (house, aviary).
2. Hair length and tendency to shed are also important: although dogs are less allergenic than cats, long-haired individuals and dogs with undercoat shed more often. But this does not mean that it is easier with short hair: it also falls out, but it is much more difficult to collect it from the carpet.
3. Activity and temperament are often determined by the breed. Active dogs need space for play and increased attention from the owners, you need to take into account the peculiarities of the architecture of the house (audibility between apartments on the site and floor), so as not to spoil relations with neighbors. I really want a four-legged friend, but no free time? You should get a dog with a calm temperament.
4. Salivation in different breeds differs from zero to abundant: bulldogs, mastiffs, boxers and some others salivate almost constantly, you need to be prepared for its presence on any surfaces accessible to the dog, including carpets, beds, furniture, shoes. Note: the ranking includes dogs of 'slobbering' breeds.
5. This is not to say that a small dog is necessarily easier to maintain and care than a medium or large individual. Also, temperament and character should not be confused: if the first parameter is determined by the breed at the genetic level, then the second depends mainly on education. So even a calm dog can become aggressive and dangerous if the owner does the wrong approach.

Rating of the best dogs for an apartment

Nomination	a place	Name of product	Rating
The smallest dogs for an apartment	1	Yorkshire Terrier	4.9
	2	Shih tzu	4.8
	3	Chihuahua	4.8
	4	Russian toy terrier	4.7
	5	Pomeranian	4.6
The best small dogs for an apartment	1	Welsh corgi pembroke	4.9
	2	Shar Pei	4.8
	3	Basenji	4.8
	4	Beagle	4.8
	5	French Bulldog	4.7
	6	Pug	4.6
	7	Pekingese	4.5
	8	Miniature poodle	4.5
Best medium sized dogs for an apartment	1	Labrador retriever	4.9
	2	Poodle	4.8
	3	Collie	4.7

The smallest dogs for an apartment

Such dogs are often smaller in size than cats, which plays into the hands of their owners: they do not require a lot of space, at least wool, they eat little, they can be picked up, especially when walking.

Yorkshire Terrier

Rating: 4.9

The first place was taken by the Yorkshire Terrier (England) or simply the Yorkie, which grows up to 20 cm. Recently, it is the most purchased and demanded breed of miniature dogs: with long hair, they almost do not shed, eat relatively little, are physically moderately active and do not require long walks. The peculiarity of the breed is smooth hair, similar in structure to a human, it does not retain allergens, therefore, Yorkies are often kept by allergy sufferers.

The temperament of terriers is calm, the dogs are docile, friendly for the owner and familiar people, obedient and amenable to training, but they should not be started with children under 7 years old – there is a high risk of accidentally damaging a fragile dog.

The peculiarity of the temperament is the so-called 'Napoleon's syndrome', that is, the Yorkshire terrier can bark attack an animal larger than itself in size.

Taking care of long hair is the main difficulty in keeping a Yorkie: it needs to be combed every day, grooming (haircut); you will also have to bathe your dog frequently, clean your ears and rinse your eyes, and dress it in cold weather before going for a walk. The diet requires attention: balanced dry food is welcome, and drawing up a 'natural' menu will require precision – any deviation will be reflected in the appearance of the dog, or rather, on the quality of the wool.

Advantages

• Calm temperament;

• Can be carried;

• Easy to learn and train;

• 'Hypoallergenic' dog;

disadvantages

• Complicated care;

• Typical problems for Yorkies are tooth decay, dislocation due to the fragility of the skeleton;

• 'The Napoleon Effect';

Shih tzu

Rating: 4.8

The second place for mini-dogs was taken by the long-haired Shih Tzu bred in Tibet. Individuals of the breed are larger than Yorkies – their height reaches 27 cm, and their weight is 8 kg. Dogs' coat is the longest relative to body size, requires appropriate care: combing, haircuts, even styling before exhibitions, bathing the dog is enough 1 or 2 times a month. You can simplify the procedures with a short haircut. Shih Tzu are not inclined to shedding, wool falls out in small quantities, it is enough to comb them in a timely manner with a brush with a short tooth. It is also necessary to clean the eyes of the dogs and cut their nails and once a week to sanitize the oral cavity with tooth powder.

The temperament of the representatives of the breed is peaceful, the dogs are smart, get along well with the owner and familiar people, calmly endure the care processes. They get along with children, because playfulness is one of the character traits of the Shih Tzu.

There is a problem behind love for a person: the dogs are very bored in the absence of the owner, they can whine all day, but they hardly bark, except for some individuals showing their voices at an early age.

The peculiarity of the breed is the ability to accustom to completely home content without walking, the dogs are well accustomed to the litter box, and do not need to communicate with the representatives of the 'comrades-in-arms'.

Advantages

• A small long-haired dog with a peaceful disposition;

• Does not bark in the absence of the owner;

• Can live without walking;

• Doesn't require frequent bathing;

disadvantages

• The problem in dogs is tartar and gum inflammation; regular debridement of the mouth cavity is required;

• Long hair needs to be brushed every day, and this is not always easy.

Chihuahua

Rating: 4.8

The Mexican Chihuahua dog breed is very popular among lovers of small medium-haired barking pets. The dog is very compact, its weight reaches 3 kg, often less than 2 kg, so the pet can be taken everywhere with you, sitting in your pocket, in a bag or in your bosom.

Chihuahuas have a peaceful temperament: they get along well with a person, but they show strong security instincts when there is a danger to the owner or housing – the 'ill-wishers' will be deafened by calls and loud barking with an attempt to bite! To prevent such situations on the wrong reason, it is necessary to start training in time, which the dogs give in without much effort: the response to the nickname, the simplest commands will teach the dog to be disciplined.

Chihuahuas get along with children, but it is impossible to have them with babies because of the risk of injury to the animal due to its small size and fragile skeleton. It is not necessary to walk with the dogs every day: they go to the litter box, and to realize their activity, it is enough for them to run around the apartment.

Caring for a pet is simple: once a week and a half, bathe heavily soiled wool, then treat it with conditioner and comb it, and also cut your nails and clean your ears twice a month. For winter walks, you will need clothes and shoes.

Advantages

• Medium coat, easy care;

• Can be taken with you due to its compact size;

• Peaceful character with the instinct of a guard (rather, an alarm);

disadvantages

• Mole syndrome – the dog buries itself under carpets, in bed, etc.

• In the absence of upbringing and training, they become willful and uncontrollable.

Russian toy terrier

Rating: 4.7

The fourth place in the rating belongs to the breed of domestic breeders of the Russian Toy Terrier (modern version: Russian Toy). This is a small dog with a height of 20 to 28 cm in walking, and its weight does not exceed 3 kg.

The Russian toy has two types of wool: short all over the body and combined with a long one around the edges of large ears and paws, of different colors. The dog is harmoniously built and active.

The temperament of the Russian Toy Terrier is meek and peaceful, which often causes stress due to sharp sounds and some situations, but in general, the dog is not cowardly, non-aggressive, requires training from an early age. Due to its size and character, the toy is not suitable for families with small children.

Caring for a dog is nowhere easier: walking every day is not necessary – the dog goes to the tray, it is enough to periodically bathe the baby, comb and cut the nails. Terrier molt is seasonal, so during the year there are no problems with wool on the carpet. Dogs are unpretentious in feeding, but, like everyone else, they are well kept on a balanced diet.

Advantages

• Small size – convenient to take with you;

• Compliance to training;

• Playful character;

• Easy care, especially for short-haired terriers;

disadvantages

• In cold weather, you need clothes for walking;

• Tendency to stress at an early age and with the wrong upbringing.

Pomeranian

Rating: 4.6

The long-haired dog, bred in Germany, ranked fifth in the category of miniature domestic breeds. It grows small – about 22 cm and 3.5 kg, but looks much larger due to the thick and long hair, which visually gives volume to the dog. On the one hand, it is beautiful, on the other hand, it is inconvenient: the orange is hard to tolerate the heat, and it is very difficult to take care of the hair, from bathing to brushing.

The Pomeranian's temperament is ambiguous: the dog is smart, amenable to training, but obedience is often problematic due to the tendency of individuals to dominate even over humans. Pomeranians love to bark with or without reason, they are aggressive towards other dogs and strangers.

Care for the Pomeranian should be organized comprehensively: daily combing with a breakdown of mats, monitoring the skin condition for cleanliness, cleaning the eyes and ears once a week (more often only if necessary), trimming the claws.

Advantages

• Aesthetic exterior;

• Playfulness;

• With good upbringing, a peaceful character;

disadvantages

• The willfulness of individuals, a tendency to dominate;

• Sophisticated care of long and thick hair.

The best small dogs for an apartment

In this category of the rating, there are breeds of dogs of a slightly larger size. Such pets are suitable for a family with children, provided they are favorable.

Welsh corgi pembroke

Rating: 5.0

The demand for a squat and powerful shepherd corgi has always been high since the breed was first developed in Wales in the 10th century from the Swedish Walhund or Icelandic dog. Animals spread to many countries and were originally used as helpers for shepherds, today this decorative pet, very peaceful, contact and intelligent, easily finds a common language with adults and children, with animals of other species. Corgis are quick-witted and tend to train – they memorize commands very quickly.

Dogs of the Welsh Corgi Pembroke breed are medium-haired with a thick undercoat, which must be combed out frequently. The colors can be different, a characteristic feature is the markings of a light shade on the back in the form of a saddle. The tail of individuals can be docked at puppyhood, supporters of natural beauty neglect this procedure, which does not prevent the animals from staying within the standard.

Caring for short-legged corgi should be daily, but the process is not tiring: after a walk, you should wash the llama and stomach if necessary, work out the undercoat with a brush 2-3 times a week, cut the nails and clean the eyes. The dog's weak point is nutrition: corgi are prone to overeating, so the feeding regime must be verified both in time and in quantity.

Advantages

• Exceptionally friendly dog;

• Easy care;

• Compliance to training;

disadvantages

• The paws and stomach should be washed after each walk on the ground.

Shar Pei

Rating: 4.9

In second place in the ranking is one of the oldest dog breeds bred in China several hundred years before our era – Sharpei. It is easily recognizable by its blue-black tongue and deep folds in the skin, especially on the muzzle. Short hair without an undercoat in color from gray to deep brown, it almost does not shed, from care it requires only periodic bathing of the dog.

Despite the fighting, hunting and guarding past, Shar Pei are very peaceful dogs. They are inactive, sociable and calm, copy the behavior and temperament of the owner, therefore they are ideal for living with pensioners and single people, get along well with children. It should be noted: for all their peacefulness, dogs show active guarding qualities, but they rarely give a voice without a reason.

Caring for a Shar-Pei consists in periodic bathing, clipping, otherwise the dog is clean and will not make the owners worry. Unpretentious in food.

The disadvantage of the breed is a tendency to hereditary diseases, therefore, even with the most correct and careful care, they live on average 10-12 years, extremely rarely they cross the threshold of 14 years.

Advantages

• Peaceful character;

• Suitable for lonely and elderly people;

• Short coat and easy grooming;

• Does not require active physical activity;

• Security qualities;

disadvantages

• Propensity to hereditary diseases and a short life span.

Basenji

Rating: 4.8

A Basenji dog is called a cat in a dog's body. Such a comparison is caused by similar habits – the doggie likes to climb up the hills, one of the few family does not like water, while being clean, very curious and wayward. The small size of the Basenji with a height of up to 43 cm and a weight of up to 12 kg allows him to feel comfortable in a small city apartment.

The nature of the dogs is friendly and playful, they get along well with children and adults, other animals on the territory are accepted only if they live together since childhood. They require training and education – like cats, they are proud and stubborn, make decisions on their own, often against the wishes of the owner. Newbie dog lovers with Basenji may not be able to cope.

Caring for representatives of the breed is simple: wash your paws after a walk if necessary, comb once a week, and bathe monthly. In general, Basenjis are clean, take care of themselves and avoid dirt, avoid puddles. They need intense exertion, adjusting the amount of feed, and warm clothes for the cold season.

Advantages

• Clean dog;

• Easy care;

• Short coat;

• The breed is friendly but capricious;

disadvantages

• Requires an experienced approach and education.

Beagle

Rating: 4.8

A small dog bred in the middle of the 15th century in Great Britain, it is great for keeping in a city apartment. The beagle is short-haired, two or three-colored, but requires frequent combing – they have an active molt, bathing the dog is enough once a month.

Beagles were originally bred for hunting and grazing, which required endurance and activity from them throughout the day. This need persists today – the dog needs physical activity and long regular walks. But we must not forget about safety – having sensed an interesting target for itself, the dog can get carried away and, released from the leash, run away at a decent speed. The Beagle is the perfect running companion.

The temperament of the representatives of the breed is not always docile, they are freedom-loving and often wayward, therefore, difficulties may arise with education. In this matter, it is important to remain calm, restrained and pragmatism, with an aggressive approach and the use of the whip method, the beagle becomes aggressive, which is initially unusual for him.

It is important to carefully monitor the diet: dogs of the breed are characterized by a high appetite, which can lead to obesity. Typical health problems for the beagle are epilepsy, hypothyroidism, age-related eye problems, and ear infections due to poor ventilation.

Advantages

• High activity;

• Relatively easy care;

• Security qualities;

• Friendliness and compatibility with young children;

disadvantages

• Obesity tendency;

• Wayward and stubborn character;

• The need for regular long walks;

French Bulldog

Rating: 4.7

The experts gave the fifth place in the rating of small dogs to the French Bulldog, recognizable by its dense and powerful build, short muzzle with a split nose and folds of skin. The ears and tail of puppies are docked in childhood. The coat of dogs is short and dense, only brindle, white-brindle, fawn, white-fawn, (spotted) color, all the rest are considered marriage. You need to bathe your pet once or twice a week.

The bulldog was actually bred in the UK for baiting bulls, but the exterior of the dog was quickly appreciated by members of French society and the flocks often appear with them at events, aggressiveness was gradually bred by breed lovers and now pets are acquired as active and cheerful four-legged friends. Due to its small size with an increase of up to 33 cm, the bulldog feels great in a city apartment, but he still needs walks. Smart and trainable dogs are suitable for the whole family, they require increased attention from their owners, show protective qualities and do not tolerate competition in the form of other pets.

Of the health problems for the French Bulldog, diseases of the eyes, respiratory organs, including snoring, are characteristic.

Advantages

• Active animals;

• Amenable to training;

• Exceptionally loyal dog for the whole family;

• Security qualities;

• Cheerful disposition and playfulness;

disadvantages

• Bulldog snores;

• Careful care of the face (eyes, nose) is required.

Pug

Rating: 4.6

One of the oldest breeds of decorative dogs, bred in ancient China, which has survived to this day almost unchanged. Pugs are distinguished by a dense physique with a height of up to 32 cm, their weight must be controlled by proper nutrition – the weight of the animal should be less than 8 g. With small sizes, dogs leave a short pile throughout the apartment, as if a large dog lives in the house – they have such an active molt so that to avoid the problem, you will need frequent combing. Such a wool cover does not provide sufficient thermoregulation and animals are hard to tolerate fat, in contrast to cold weather.

The character is docile, the pug is well trained, by nature calm and non-aggressive, but adapts to the owner in the way of life. The doggie is ideal for keeping in a family with children.

Most pugs are light-colored with a dark flat muzzle with folds that need to be looked after. Eyes and poorly ventilated ears, paws after a walk require attention. With age, there are breathing problems and snoring, which is characteristic of dogs with a flat, wrinkled muzzle.

Advantages

• Calm and non-aggressive dog;

• Playful disposition;

• Suitable for families with children;

disadvantages

• Obesity problems, eye and respiratory diseases;

• Requires frequent combing.

Pekingese

Rating: 4.5

The dog of the Chinese emperors Pekingese (from the word 'sacred') was published two millennia ago and was intended for the imperial court, today it is available to all interested dog breeders, occupies the seventh place in the rating.

The appearance of pugs cannot be confused with anyone: these are dogs up to 25 cm in height, with a flat muzzle, long thick hair and large hanging ears. The turned-up nose and expressive eyes make the Pekingese look pretty, but behind the seeming charm lies a stubborn disposition and the complexity of upbringing – the characteristic features of aristocratic breeds. Dogs do not like active physical activity, they are not particularly playful, they do with short walks. Pekingese is suitable for aesthetes who are able to maintain a cold mind while training an animal; it is better not to acquire a dog for families with children.

Long thick hair needs to be looked after: often scratch (the dog periodically sheds), make a haircut. A flat muzzle needs cleaning, and breathing problems may develop over time.

Advantages

• Doesn't need long walks;

• Not capricious in food and not prone to obesity;

• Relatively calm temperament;

disadvantages

• Frequent brushing and grooming;

• Not suitable for families with children and other animals;

• Due to its thick coat, it does not tolerate heat;

• Willfulness and disobedience as signs of a royal aristocrat;

Miniature poodle

Rating: 4.5

Closes the eight in the rating of small dogs for an apartment, one of the smartest breeds in the world – a pygmy poodle. Its height reaches 35 cm with a weight of 6 kg, and a distinctive feature is curly or corded thick wool of black, white, apricot, brown, gray (silver) color, which needs timely care. The poodle can be hairstyled – the dog obediently sits and enjoys the process.

The Miniature Poodle is an intelligent dog that lends itself well to training, at the same time playful and very active, in need of walking, adapts to the mood of the owners and even the rhythm of life, jealous of other animals and sometimes of the household. Gets along with children, suitable for keeping in a family and for single people, but not for retirees. He is careful with strangers, but does not show himself as a guard: he barks, but out of fear. By the way, during active games, barking is also inevitable, as on other occasions, so the apartment should have good sound insulation.

Care is due to the peculiarity of the coat: grooming, bathing, haircuts must be regular, after walking you will have to wash your paws and get foliage and debris from the curls. The weak point of the breed is diseases of the ears, eyes, as well as a large bouquet of 'breed' ailments from deafness to osteochondrosis. The Miniature Poodle is one of the most painful decorative dogs.

Advantages

• Playful dog;

• Friendliness;

• Well trained and trained;

disadvantages

• The need for careful grooming of the coat;

• Frequent and loud barking;

• A wide range of 'breed' diseases;

Best medium sized dogs for an apartment

The category includes medium sized dogs with medium sizes, suitable for keeping in small apartments.

Labrador retriever

Rating: 4.9

The hunting dog breed was developed in Canada in the middle of the 19th century. A strong constitution with a height of up to 56 cm and a weight of up to 40 kg, long hair, neat elongated muzzle, large drooping ears – the Labrador cannot be confused with any other dog. The color is monotonous from light fawn and golden to rich black or chocolate – the standard allows for different color options. By the way, the Labrador sheds inactively, but requires combing for prevention.

Retrievers are very good-natured dogs, real companions and loyal friends for adults, children, the elderly and single people. Labradors are affectionate and can be trusted to look after children. No aggression and anger, despite the hunting purpose of these dogs – from him remained the need for long walks and physical activity (games, running).

One of the problems of the breed is the tendency to overeat, therefore careful control of the diet is necessary.

Advantages

• Exceptionally kind and affectionate dog;

• Compatible with children and even other pets;

• Long coat does not require complex maintenance and sheds little;

disadvantages

• Necessary daily walks for several hours.

Poodle

Rating: 4.8

A medium sized apartment poodle is a good option, one of the most common today. Like the younger brother discussed earlier, he loves to play and be active, but will not impose himself, adapting to the rhythm of the owner's life. You need to walk with a poodle, but on the street strangers who do not like him can bark with fear.

Care for curly or corded hair is difficult – debris and loose hairs are constantly entangled in the hairs, tangles are formed. It is necessary to often scratch the dog, periodically wash it with shampoo. Careful nutritional control is essential to keep your dog from getting fat. The bouquet of diseases in the average poodle is typical for the breed family, as in the younger brother.

It is worth noting that the dog is easy to train, very intelligent and, if properly trained, will become an excellent companion for anyone over 7 years old.

Advantages

• Aesthetic dog;

• Predisposition to training;

• Lack of aggression;

• Friendly and playful disposition;

disadvantages

• Complex hair care;

• A wide range of breed diseases;

• Tendency to bark;

Collie

Rating: 4.7

The Scottish Herding Dog of the Shepherd Family ranks third in the medium-sized apartment category. The breed has absolutely no aggression gene, so the animal is completely safe for households and others, but it will follow its 'own' everywhere, it can be entrusted to look after the child. Dogs are smart and quick-witted, need activity and long walks, they will like agility (dog sport for overcoming obstacles without physical contact with the owner).

The collie's coat is long, short-haired individuals with a dense undercoat are rarely found, but the latter are more suitable for keeping in an aviary. In any case, prophylactic chees with timely cutting of tangles are necessary. The dog does not require any more special care.

Of the health problems of the collie, experts note only genetic mutations, due to which some individuals cannot tolerate a number of drugs. Such are identified by mandatory genetic tests to prevent further breeding.

Advantages

• Complete absence of the aggression gene;

• Suitable for communication and entertainment of young children;

• Intelligence and protection of your flock (family);

• Peacefulness and friendliness of the dog;

disadvantages

• Collie genetic diseases in some individuals;

• Wool requires periodic brushing;

• Long walking and physical activity are required;

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.