15 Dog Breeds That Don’t Do Well with Apartment Living

Before you think about getting a dog, it’s important to figure out what kind of dog owner you want to be. Some furry friends can’t live in close or small spaces. Because of their size and nature, they need big areas to play and relax. Here are 15 dog breeds that struggle with apartment living.

Irish Wolfhound

Irish Wolfhounds are known as the tallest dog breed out there, with some growing up to three feet tall at the shoulder when standing on all fours! Because of their size—they’re not ideal for small apartments. But aside from that, they’re also prone to health issues like hip dysplasia and serious GDV, plus they only live around 6–8 years.

Great Dane

It’s pretty clear how Great Danes got the “Great” part of their name—they’re huge! But the “Dane” part is a bit confusing since they don’t have any real connection to Denmark. These giant pups were actually bred in Germany to be hunters and guard dogs. They do need plenty of room to move around and get their exercise, so they’re not fit for tiny spaces.

Bernese Mountain Dog

Bernese Mountain Dogs are big pups with even bigger hearts. They started out in Switzerland as farm dogs before making their way to the US, and now they’re mostly kept as family pets. But don’t think they’ve lost their outdoor spirit—these dogs love a good hike with their favorite people, so a small apartment might not be the best place for them.

Saint Bernard

Originally trained by monks for search-and-rescue missions, Saint Bernards have now become wonderful family dogs and fantastic companions for kids. These big pups are affectionate, loyal, and don’t have a strong prey drive. But because of their rescue dog roots, they love to dig, so make sure to watch them when they’re outside.

Mastiff

A giant among giants, Mastiffs are one of the largest dogs around. Also called Old English Mastiffs, they have pretty low energy levels, so they’re happy to hang out at home with you all day—just as long as there’s enough room for them. They can be a bit cautious around strangers at first, but with early and regular socialization, they’ll warm up to new people.

Neapolitan Mastiff

Neapolitan Mastiffs are the Mastiff’s Italian (bit smaller) cousins. Even though they’re about half the size of their English relatives, they’re still one of the largest dog breeds out there. These giant canines love lounging in the sun and need their owners to take them on walks to make sure they get enough exercise. But their wrinkly skin and all that drool mean you’ll have to stay on top of grooming with this big pup.

Scottish Deerhound

The Scottish Deerhound is a very rare breed that resembles a scruffy, big-boned Greyhound. This laid-back dog loves being outdoors but is just as happy snuggling up at home with their family. However, because of their size and energy, they need plenty of space to roam. With a lifespan of 7–9 years, they can be prone to neck pain and hypothyroidism, so keep that in mind.

Leonberger

The majestic Leonberger is a muscular working dog that loves having a job to keep them busy. But this big breed is also super affectionate and often just wants to cuddle with their family (even if that means hogging most of the couch). They’re sexually dimorphic, which means male Leonbergers look different from females—males sport a lion-like mane around their neck!

Newfoundland

Newfoundlands are huge, friendly dogs that often win over their families with their sweet nature. Newfies (that’s what people call them) were originally bred to pull carts and nets for fishermen. They still love to swim and have a blast in the water—having a big house with a pool would be a dream come true for these pups!

Anatolian Shepherd

Anatolian Shepherds are a large breed that tends to be independent and a bit reserved. Originally bred as guardians, these pups can be cautious around strangers and often bark to alert their family about potential threats. This breed needs patient owners who can socialize them properly as puppies, and they definitely require plenty of space to roam around.

Black Russian Terrier

The name “terrier” might make you picture a tiny dog—but the Black Russian Terrier is anything but small. This powerful canine is loyal to their family but can be a bit standoffish with new people. However, they’re very gentle with kids and can become sociable and loving once they realize strangers aren’t to be feared.

Dogue de Bordeaux

The Dogue de Bordeaux, also known as the French Mastiff, is a loving and super-loyal dog. This sweet breed can be a bit independent, so pet parents must be patient while training them. And if you’re not a fan of slobber, you might want to think twice about getting one of these big pups—Dogues tend to drool a lot, and that drool can get caught in their wrinkly skin, leading to infections if it’s not cleaned regularly.

Bullmastiff

As you can guess from the name, Bullmastiffs are a mix between a Bulldog and a Mastiff. They can be pretty laid-back and loving with their families, but they need plenty of room to get some exercise. These pups are prone to issues like hip dysplasia and subaortic valvular stenosis—a heart defect that responsible breeding can totally avoid.

Cane Corso

Cani Corsi, or you may know them as Italian Mastiffs, are hardworking dogs that love to please their owners. Their strong loyalty makes them great family pets, but like all large dog breeds on this list, it’s super important to supervise them since they can accidentally knock things over or bump into small kids.

Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees loves lounging at home with their family. But don’t be fooled by their calm vibe: this breed is really strong and a fast runner, thanks to their background as livestock guardians. That’s why small spaces aren’t the best fit for them. These pups are strong-willed and do best with early training and socialization.