12 Best Dogs for Apartments — our top picks
French Bulldog
French Bulldog: small-sized, low energy and low barking — comfortable in an apartment without needing a yard to burn energy off in. Muscular flat-faced breed with bat ears and adaptable personality. Excellent apartment companion.
Toy Poodle
Toy Poodle: very small-sized and medium barking — comfortable in an apartment without needing a yard to burn energy off in. Smallest variety of Poodle with intelligence and athleticism in a tiny package. Hypoallergenic and highly trainable. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Toy Poodle needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: small-sized, medium energy and low barking — comfortable in an apartment without needing a yard to burn energy off in. Gentle toy spaniel with silky coat and sweet expression. Perfect family companion with sporting dog heritage. Worth knowing before you commit: the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel does badly left alone all day.
Boston Terrier
Boston Terrier: small-sized, medium energy and low barking. American Gentleman with tuxedo markings and friendly disposition. Intelligent and easy-going companion.
Pug
Pug: small-sized, medium energy and low barking. Charming flat-faced toy breed with wrinkled face and cheerful personality. "Multum in parvo" - much in little. Worth knowing before you commit: the Pug sheds heavily enough that cleaning becomes a daily routine.
Cavapoo
Cavapoo: small-sized, medium energy and low barking. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle cross. Gentle and friendly with reduced shedding. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Cavapoo needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Cardigan Welsh Corgi: small-sized, medium energy and medium barking. Older Corgi breed with tail and rounded ears. Slightly larger and more reserved than Pembroke. Worth knowing before you commit: the Cardigan Welsh Corgi sheds heavily enough that cleaning becomes a daily routine.
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu: small-sized, medium energy and medium barking. Flowing-coated toy breed bred to be a companion. Friendly and outgoing with all people. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Shih Tzu needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Havanese
Havanese: small-sized, medium energy and medium barking. Cuban toy breed with silky coat and cheerful disposition. Adaptable and social companion dog. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Havanese needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Maltese
Maltese: very small-sized and medium energy. Ancient toy breed with flowing white coat and gentle demeanor. Playful and affectionate companion dog. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Maltese needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Whippet
Whippet: medium-sized, medium energy and very low barking. Medium-sized sighthound, gentle and quiet indoors. Perfect balance of athleticism and calm companionship. Worth knowing before you commit: the Whippet does badly left alone all day.
Bichon Frise
Bichon Frise: small-sized, medium energy and medium barking. Cheerful white powder-puff with hypoallergenic coat. Playful and adaptable companion with minimal shedding. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Bichon Frise needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
How this ranking works: each of DoggyQ's 321 breeds is scored on the traits that decide this particular question — the same trait ratings shown on each breed's own guide page, so you can check the reasoning rather than take a ranking on faith. Read more about our methodology, or take the free quiz for a ranking based on your own answers.
Popular breeds that are a poor fit for apartment living
Belgian Malinois
The Belgian Malinois is a popular choice, but large-sized and very high energy put it at odds with apartment living. On top of that, the Belgian Malinois needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
German Shorthaired Pointer
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a popular choice, but large-sized and very high energy put it at odds with apartment living. On top of that, the German Shorthaired Pointer needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
English Mastiff
The English Mastiff is a popular choice, but giant-sized put it at odds with apartment living. On top of that, the English Mastiff drools enough to notice.
Not sure which breed is right for you?
Take the free DoggyQ quiz and get a personalized match from 321 breeds based on your lifestyle, home and preferences — plus a full report on what living with that breed actually costs.
Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- What is the best dog for apartment living?
- Based on temperament and care needs, the French Bulldog ranks as the top choice for apartment living, followed by the Toy Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
- How was this list of dogs for apartment living chosen?
- Each breed is scored on the traits that matter most for apartment living — such as energy, size, grooming and temperament — using DoggyQ's breed database. For a recommendation tailored to your exact situation, take the free quiz.
- Which popular breeds are a poor fit for apartment living?
- The Belgian Malinois, The German Shorthaired Pointer, The English Mastiff all rank near the bottom for apartment living despite being widely chosen — usually because the traits that make them appealing elsewhere work against them here.