1. Boston Terrier

A Boston Terrier is a small to medium size dog breed with a wide, boxy head, large eyes, and short muzzle. This affectionate breed is known for its lively personality and is usually categorized as a non-sporting dog by the American Kennel Club.

They do well in apartments or homes with yards because they don’t require much exercise, although they need regular walks. They are also easy to train and get along well with other dogs and people.

Learn more about Bostons in this article explaining everything you need to know about the breed, including cost and health issues: The Boston Terrier – What You Need To Know!

2. Pomeranian

Pomeranians, also known as ‘Poms’, are an adorable and affectionate breed of small dog. This lively, toy-sized pooch has a big personality in a small package! Poms are renowned for their intelligence and trainability, making them great apartment dogs that are easy to keep entertained indoors.

The Pomeranian is a highly social breed that loves being around people and other dogs. Despite their small size, they are surprisingly courageous and can even be great watchdogs due to their alertness and protective nature.

3. French Bulldog

French Bulldogs, or “Frenchie’s” are a small to medium-sized breed of dog known for their affectionate and playful personalities. These lovable little dogs have stocky builds with short legs and large, bat-like ears that give them a distinctively charming look.

A French Bulldog is surprisingly resilient and adaptable, making them great city dogs. They do well in apartments or smaller homes and require minimal exercise, which makes them an ideal choice for people with busy lifestyles. Frenchies are also incredibly social animals, so they will love spending time with you at home or outside.

4. Pug

Pugs are one of the most popular breeds of small, affectionate dogs. They are distinguished by their square-shaped heads, large eyes, and wrinkly, short-muzzled faces. Pugs have a stout, muscular build and come in a variety of colors, including fawn and black.

Pugs are known for their joyful personalities, making them a great choice for families. They are adaptable to many different lifestyles, including Apartment living. Pugs typically require minimal exercise and love snuggling up with their owners.

5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an affectionate breed of small, regal-looking dogs that are known for their outgoing personalities. This breed has a silky, long coat that can range in color from white to black and tan. They have round faces with large, dark eyes and floppy ears. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is considered to be an ideal companion dog for Apartment living.

This breed loves being around people and tends to bond strongly with their owners. Cavaliers are gentle and affectionate dogs that require minimal exercise, making them a great choice for Apartment dwellers who don’t have a lot of time to spare.

6. Parson Russell Terrier

The Parson Russell Terrier is a small-to-medium sized breed of dog with a spunky and lively personality. These active dogs have an unmistakable look – they are easily recognized by their alert expressions, upright ears, and typical white and tan color pattern. Parson Russells are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and affectionate nature.

They are also Apartment-friendly and require minimal exercise, making them a great choice for busy Apartment dwellers who want an active companion. These alert dogs are intelligent and highly trainable, so you can count on them to keep your Apartment safe from intruders.

7. Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso is a small, long-haired dog that originated in the Himalayan Mountains. It has a double coat of thick fur which can range from dark brown to white and is often decorated with unique markings. This brave, loyal and affectionate breed is highly intelligent and trainable, making it an ideal Apartment dog.

The Lhasa Apso is also a very sociable breed, so it will love spending time with its owner and entertaining visitors. They don’t require much exercise and are content to spend their days lounging around the Apartment.

8. Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is a small, fluffy breed of dog. They have a cheerful disposition and are known to be very friendly, which makes them great apartment dogs. They have white coats that can sometimes have brown or gray markings and they also sport dark eyes and black noses.

Bichons don’t require much exercise and enjoy spending time with family members, making them ideal Apartment companions. They are loyal, affectionate and even-tempered, making them easy to train.

9. American Hairless Terrier

The American Hairless Terrier is an uncommon breed of small-to-medium sized, intelligent dogs with a lively personality and no hair. Though they have no fur or coat, their skin can be any color, from solid pink to gray, tan, and white. They are known for being very friendly and affectionate towards family members.

The American Hairless Terrier is an active breed that requires regular exercise, but they are easily satisfied with a few walks and playtime inside the Apartment. They are also easy to train and make excellent watchdogs due to their alert nature.

11. Manchester Terrier Standard

The Manchester Terrier is a medium-sized, energetic breed of dog that originated in England. This active and intelligent breed has a strong and athletic build with powerful legs and a wiry coat.

They come in two varieties: toy and standard. The toy version of the Manchester is, obviously, smaller in size compared to the standard. The toy weighs around 12 pounds, whereas the standard does not exceed 22 pounds.

The Manchester Terrier is an affectionate and loyal breed that loves to play with its family members. They require regular exercise, but Apartment dwellers can easily provide them with enough mental stimulation and activity. These alert dogs make excellent watchdogs and can be easily trained.

12. Schipperke

The Schipperke is a small breed of dog that originated in Belgium. This intelligent and active breed has a thick, black coat and a bushy tail that curls over its back. Their signature look is completed with their bright, almond-shaped eyes and pointed ears.

Schipperkes are incredibly loyal to their families and make great apartment dogs. They don’t need much exercise but love to play and interact with their owners.

The Schipperke is an easy-to-train breed that loves to please its owners. Apartment dwellers will find this breed a great companion that is both affectionate and loyal.

13. Rat Terrier

A Rat Terrier is a small, active breed of dog that originated in the United States in the 1900s. They have short hair and come in a variety of colors and patterns.

Rat Terriers are known for their intelligence and loyalty. They love to play fetch, go on walks, and explore with their owners. Rat Terriers require regular exercise but can easily get enough stimulation indoors with toys or games.

This affectionate breed loves to be around its family members, making it an ideal Apartment companion!

14. Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer is a small, compact breed of dog with a sturdy body and alert temperament. This loyal and intelligent breed was originally bred in Germany as a rat-catching dog.

Miniature Schnauzers make excellent Apartment dogs due to their small size, easy trainability, and low grooming needs. They are also incredibly loyal and affectionate with their families.

You will fall in love with this breed because they are great companions that love to cuddle and play!

15. Norfolk Terrier

The Norfolk Terrier is a small, sturdy breed of dog that originated in England. This active and affectionate breed has a wiry coat that comes in shades of red, wheaten, or black and tan. They have bright eyes, pointed ears, and a beard-like muzzle.

Norfolk Terriers require plenty of exercise but can get enough activity indoors as Apartment dogs. This loyal and courageous breed loves to be around its family members, making it a great companion for the household.

Their easy trainability, low grooming needs, and affectionate personality make the Norfolk Terrier perfect for Apartment living!

16. Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is a small, long-haired breed of dog originating from China. These friendly and affectionate dogs are the perfect small living space companions due to their low exercise needs and easy trainability.

They have a luxurious double coat that comes in various colors, giving them an elegant look. Shih Tzus make a great apartment dog because they don’t require much space and love being close to their owners!

17. Tibetan Spaniel

The Tibetan spaniel is a small breed of dog that originated in Tibet. This affectionate and loyal breed has a long, silky coat with a feathered mane around the neck. They have a short muzzle, large eyes, and floppy ears. Tibetan spaniels come in various colors including white, black, gray, brown, and red.

Tibetan Spaniels don’t require much exercise and are very easy to train. They love being around their human companions and forming strong bonds with them.

18. Russell Terrier

A Russell Terrier is a small breed of dog that originated in England. It has a compact body and an energetic, alert temperament. It has short fur that comes in various shades like black, white, tan, or red. This loyal and affectionate breed is easy to train and doesn’t require much exercise making them ideal for living in a small space.

They love spending time with their owners, forming strong bonds with them as lap dog companions.

Their intelligence makes them easily teachable and they are sure to be your loving companion for years to come!

19. Coton de Tulear

The Coton de Tulear is a small, intelligent, and affectionate breed of dog that is perfect for living in a small apartment. Originating from the port town of Tulear on the island of Madagascar, this breed gets its name from the French phrase “Coton de Tuléar” meaning “cotton of Tuléar”. These pups were the preferred lap dogs of the Madagascar Nobels.

These dogs have a soft, that requires minimal grooming. Plus, this canine is a hypoallergenic dog breed. One of the most endearing features of this breed is their joyful and social personality, making them great companions for apartment living.

They are very good with children, and they make excellent watchdogs due to their alertness and protective nature. Despite its small size, the Coton de Tulear is a sturdy breed that can be relatively active indoors.

This breed will thrive in an apartment setting, as they love to snuggle up with their owners and enjoy all of the attention they can get!

20. Portuguese Podengo Pequeno

The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno is a small and sprightly breed of hound that originated in Portugal. This lively, intelligent, and independent breed comes in wire-haired, smooth-coated, and mixed coat varieties. They have a short muzzle with large ears that stand up straight on their head.

The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno is an active Apartment dog that loves to receive plenty of attention from its owners. This breed is relatively easy to train and doesn’t need much exercise, making them perfect for living in small spaces!

These dogs are known for their playful nature and love spending time with their family.

What breed of dog is best for apartment living?

The Coton de Tulear is the best apartment dog because they are adaptable, open to strangers, bark only to alert (not yappy), along with being great with other pets, children, and showing affection to the family!

What breed of dog can be left alone during the day?

The Pomeranian is an ideal breed for apartment dwellers who may need to leave their pets alone during the day. This lovable and loyal pup can easily adjust to its environment and stay occupied with minimal supervision. With their lively personalities and thick fur coat, these pups make excellent companions for cuddles on the couch when you get home.

What is the best pet for apartment living?

Cats tend to be more popular in apartments as they do not require a lot of space or as much exercise as dogs—not to mention they make brilliant companions.

Ultimately, it comes down to finding an animal with a personality that fits with yours—one that will brighten up your days and make life in the apartment even better!

1. Prepare your apartment or condo

Once you have chosen a dog, take some time to prepare your apartment for their arrival. This includes creating a safe space for them to sleep and play, stocking up on food and supplies, and puppy-proofing your apartment.

Puppy-proofing involves taking steps to make your apartment safe for your puppy, removing hazards such as poisonous plants and small objects that they could choke on.

Read: Preparing Your Home For A Puppy!

5. Train them

Start training your new puppy as soon as they come home with you! Dogs need to learn basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, come, and down in order to be well-behaved members of society. Training can be done at home or through a professional dog trainer. It is important to start training early so that your puppy can learn good habits from the start.

You can check out Dr. Dunbar’s online dog training academy for all your puppy training needs at a reasonable price: Dr. Dunbar’s Training Academy.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a small, affectionate dog breed that would be perfect for living in an apartment, any one of these fifteen breeds would make an excellent choice! Do your research to find the dog breed that best fits your lifestyle and personality, and you’ll have a furry friend for life.

If you want to learn more about the Boston Terrier, be sure to check out our comprehensive article covering everything you need to know about this adorable dog breed: The Boston Terrier!