17 Small Dog Breeds Suited To Maryland Rowhouses And Close-In Suburbs
Maryland rowhouses come with narrow staircases, shared walls, and neighbors who can hear almost everything. That setup calls for a dog with a polite voice, a compact body, and a happy attitude about short sidewalk strolls.
Close-in suburbs like Silver Spring and Towson add busy streets and humid summers to the mix. Some small breeds handle all of it with style, and a few might surprise you.
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Picture a silky shadow trailing you from the kitchen to the couch. That is daily life with a Cavalier, a 13 to 18 pound bundle of devotion.
They need about 30 to 60 minutes of activity, so a loop around the block plus indoor games works well. Many owners say they bark at visitors, so start quiet training early.
Keep the leash on outside, since recall is famously shaky. Expect plenty of shedding, too.
2. Havanese
Cuba’s national dog adapts to Maryland life like a local. Weighing 7 to 13 pounds, the Havanese is sturdy enough for city sidewalks and sweet enough for any lap.
Owners often call them Velcro dogs. They stick close and dislike long hours alone.
Here’s the bonus for shared walls: they alert you to strangers but rarely overdo the barking. Several short walks and some sniff time keep them content.
Their coat sheds very little.
3. Bichon Frise
Neighbors on the other side of the wall will thank you for this one. Bichons are usually pretty quiet, which counts for a lot in a rowhouse.
That powder-puff coat is plush and low-allergen. It does need daily brushing and regular trips to a groomer to stay mat-free.
Two walks and a few minutes of play cover their 20 to 40 minute exercise needs. Patience helps with housebreaking, which can take extra time.
4. Coton de Tulear
Named for the port city of Tulear in Madagascar, the Coton feels like walking a cotton ball with opinions. Most weigh 8 to 13 pounds.
Street noise rarely rattles them. Buses, sirens, and leaf blowers usually earn a shrug, and barking happens only when it matters.
Plan on two daily walks of 20 to 30 minutes. Daily brushing keeps that fluffy, low-shedding coat smooth.
Cotons crave company, so busy households should plan accordingly.
5. Maltese
At just 4 to 7 pounds, a Maltese could nap in a shoebox. Yet these tiny dogs stay lively and playful well into their senior years.
A couple of 15 to 20 minute walks satisfy them. Indoor games handle the rest, which helps on sticky August afternoons.
They make sharp alert dogs, so early training keeps the noise neighborly. Their single-layer coat sheds little but needs daily brushing.
Steady routines help them feel secure.
6. Shih Tzu
Bred to warm the laps of Chinese royalty, the Shih Tzu still expects VIP treatment. Happily, it asks for very little exercise in return.
About 20 to 30 minutes a day is plenty, split between short walks and puzzle toys. Their flat faces struggle in heat, so Maryland summers mean early morning outings only.
Expect a streak of stubbornness. Upbeat reward training wins them over.
Daily brushing and a groomer visit every 4 to 6 weeks keep tangles away.
7. Toy Poodle
Don’t let the 4 to 6 pound frame fool you. A Toy Poodle packs serious brainpower and a surprising amount of pep.
They love long walks and quick training games. Their curly coat is low-allergen, though it needs daily care.
Watch those steep rowhouse stairs and high couches, since their fine bones can break from a bad jump. They also need frequent potty breaks.
Long, empty workdays leave them restless, so plan midday visits.
8. Miniature Poodle
Smart enough to learn your morning routine by week two, the Miniature Poodle loves a challenge. It stands 10 to 15 inches and weighs 10 to 15 pounds.
Daily exercise is a must. Brisk walks, fetch, and trick sessions keep that sharp mind busy.
The good news? After a workout, they settle into quiet evenings indoors.
Their low-shedding coat suits allergy households. Regular grooming keeps them looking crisp and tidy.
9. Japanese Chin
Ever met a dog that acts like a cat? The Japanese Chin climbs onto furniture, grooms itself, and moves with quiet grace.
Owners describe them as tidy roommates who rarely bark. That makes them a dream for thin rowhouse walls.
One or two short walks a day is enough. Their short muzzles dislike heat, so stay indoors on muggy days.
Carry them on steep stairs, since their build is delicate.
10. Tibetan Spaniel
Monks in Tibet once prized these dogs as lookouts perched on monastery walls. Today they’d happily claim your front window instead.
Tibbies weigh 9 to 15 pounds and stay fairly calm indoors. One or two 30 minute walks keep them fit.
They bark to announce visitors but rarely yap without reason. Expect an independent streak during training.
Bonus perk: they seldom develop a doggy smell. Moderate shedding calls for regular brushing.
11. English Toy Spaniel
Couch potato alert! The English Toy Spaniel considers a 20 to 30 minute stroll a full day of adventure.
These 8 to 14 pound sweethearts prefer calm, predictable homes. They can seem shy with strangers at first, then turn delightfully goofy with family.
Their short, upturned noses make heat risky, so summer walks should be brief. Brush that silky coat twice a week.
They dislike being alone for long periods.
12. Brussels Griffon
With a face full of human-like expressions, the Brussels Griffon looks like it has jokes ready. Its self-important strut never fails to charm.
Daily play and short walks, around 30 to 45 minutes, keep it satisfied. It usually barks at the doorbell and little else.
No drooling makes it a tidy roommate. The flat face struggles in humid heat, so pick shady times for walks.
Expect lots of clinginess.
13. Löwchen
Its name means little lion in German, and that classic lion clip seals the deal. Löwchens are brave, cheerful, and endlessly curious.
About 30 to 45 minutes of exercise a day keeps them balanced. They need attention far more than square footage.
Fair warning: they are not shy about using their voice. Teach a quiet cue early.
Their wavy coat sheds little, though lion clips need grooming every 6 to 8 weeks.
14. Italian Greyhound
Built like a pocket-sized racecar, the Italian Greyhound loves a good sprint. Adults usually mellow into champion snugglers between zoomies.
They weigh 7 to 14 pounds and have a sleek, short coat. A fenced dog park gives them safe space to run.
Winter mornings in Maryland call for a sweater, since that thin coat offers little warmth. Their slim legs are delicate.
Keep their weight in check for healthy joints.
15. Papillon
Those big fringed ears look like butterfly wings, which inspired the French name. Inside that tiny head sits a very quick brain.
Papillons weigh about 5 to 10 pounds and adore games of fetch down the hallway. Many shine at agility and trick training.
With enough activity, barking stays reasonable. Their silky coat lacks an undercoat and resists mats.
They seldom smell doggy, and they travel easily in carriers.
16. Miniature Schnauzer
Bushy eyebrows, a dapper beard, and a confident trot make the Miniature Schnauzer a neighborhood celebrity. It is spunky without being pushy.
Two walks plus 20 to 40 minutes of play keep it in great shape. A backyard is nice but optional.
They make keen watchdogs and want to join every family activity. Some get feisty with unfamiliar dogs, so socialize early.
Their wiry coat sheds little and suits allergy sufferers.
17. Border Terrier
Plucky and good-humored, the Border Terrier was bred to keep up with horses in the British countryside. It brings that grit to the suburbs.
Plan on 20 to 40 minutes of walks, play, and sniffing daily. Bored terriers dig, so puzzle toys help.
Keep the leash on in open areas because squirrels are irresistible. Barking stays fairly low.
Their wiry coat needs brushing weekly and hand-stripping twice a year.
