30 Small Dog Breeds That Are Perfect for Apartment Living

Living in an apartment can be a challenge. You’ve got shared walls with your neighbors, random vacuuming noises at odd times, and let’s not even get started on the limited storage space. And if cats or fish aren’t your vibe, finding the right pet can be tricky. Here’s some good news—there are dog breeds that totally thrive in apartments! Check out these 30 small dog breeds that are perfect for apartment living.

Chihuahua 

The Chihuahua is one of the top small dog breeds, and it is famous for its tiny size and larger-than-life personality. Hailing from Mexico, these little dogs have won hearts worldwide. They’re super loyal to their owners and can be surprisingly protective for their size. Chihuahuas are full of energy and absolutely love to play. They don’t need much exercise, but heads up—they can get pretty barky if not properly trained.

Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier (aka “Yorkie”) is a tiny dog breed that hails from England. These little cuties are known for their silky, fancy coats, making them super popular with pet lovers. Even though they’re small, Yorkies have big personalities and love a mix of playtime and cuddles with their humans. They’re pretty adaptable and can easily fit into city apartments or countryside living.

Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is a little dog breed that hails from Tibet. These adorable pups are known for their silky coats and super friendly vibe. They’re great lap dogs and absolutely love being around their humans. Shih Tzus are pretty adaptable and do great in small spaces as long as they get enough exercise and attention. Sure, their coats need regular grooming, but they’re pretty low-maintenance.

Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is a tiny, non-sporting dog with long, curly white hair that makes their dark eyes and nose really pop. Pet owners often say Bichons are as fluffy as cotton balls and look like a “living stuffed animal.” They’re playful, super friendly, and don’t like being left alone. Chances are, one of their favorite spots will be curled up in your lap, getting all the cuddles.

Shih-poo

The Shih-poo is a tiny designer dog breed that’s a mix of a Shih Tzu and a Poodle. These pups are known for their friendly, playful personalities and hypoallergenic coats. They’re great companions for individuals or families with allergies. Shih-poos need regular grooming to keep their coats looking good and do well in both apartments and larger homes. They’re also super adaptable and can thrive in different environments.

King Charles Cavalier Spaniel

Often called the ‘king of lapdogs,’ the King Charles Cavalier Spaniel forms a strong bond with its family. These dogs love smaller spaces where they can stay close to their owner – they can be pretty clingy, to be honest. The King Charles Cavalier Spaniel is perfect for apartment living and works well for people with busy lifestyles who aren’t home all day. They thrive with both indoor and outdoor activities and are super easy to train.

Miniature Poodle

This breed is smaller than the Standard Poodle, standing 11 to 15 inches tall and weighing around 15 to 18 pounds. This breed is perfect for people who live in apartments but still have an active lifestyle. Miniature Poodles are smart, social, and playful dogs who love hanging out with their owners – indoors or outdoors. Their intelligence, size, and hypoallergenic coat make them an ideal choice for apartment living.

Miniature Pinscher

The Miniature Pinscher is a dog breed from Germany that isn’t actually related to the Doberman Pinscher, even though they look alike. Min Pins are their own breed with huge personalities, loads of energy, and a pretty funny trot. They’re known for their “hackney gait,” which looks like a horse’s prancing. Besides their quirky walk, this breed, also called “the king of toys,” is loyal, smart, and a little stubborn. 

Affenpinscher

The Affenpinscher is an energetic little dog that needs more mental stimulation than physical exercise. Usually curious and playful, their Terrier background makes them cautious around strangers. They don’t bark much, but they might bark now and then if they want some attention. Like most dogs, socializing is important, but their suspicious nature sometimes makes them a bit yappy.

Pekingese 

Pekingese are pretty independent little dogs, which makes them tricky to train compared to other breeds. However, their small size and low exercise needs make them perfect for apartment living. If you’ve got a Pekingese, you’ll need to give them lots of attention and be patient with them. Their fluffy, luxurious coat needs daily grooming. They’re independent and can be a bit stubborn when learning new tricks.

Pug

Pugs can be a great fit for apartment living—as long as their owners are around to give them all the love they need. They don’t bark much, but Pugs do shed a lot in the Fall and Spring. If cleaning up all that fur isn’t a big deal for you, a Pug could be the perfect dog to live with in an apartment, thanks to their calm and affectionate nature.

Papillon

The Papillon is a small dog breed that comes from France and Belgium. These dogs are known for their unique butterfly-shaped ears and friendly, energetic vibe. They’re super smart and do great in activities like agility training. Papillons are also great with kids and make fantastic family pets. They need a bit of exercise and grooming to keep their long, silky coat in check.

Basset Hound

Basset Hounds are known for their long ears and love activities that let them use their nose. Indoor activities like scent work are a great way to keep them busy. If you’re thinking about having a Basset Hound in a smaller space, noise is something to think about—when left alone, Basset Hounds tend to bark. And their bark is one of the loudest among all dog breeds (consider yourself warned).

Havanese

The Havanese is a small dog breed that comes from Cuba, where they were adored by the aristocracy. These dogs are known for their long, silky coats and friendly personalities. They’re great lap dogs and love being around people. Havanese need regular grooming to keep their coats in top shape and can be prone to separation anxiety if left alone for too long. But with the right training and socialization, these dogs make amazing family pets. 

Maltese

The Maltese is a small and loving toy dog breed that comes from the Mediterranean region. It’s famous for its silky white fur and big dark eyes. While it’s a perfect lapdog, it still needs daily exercise to stay happy. Despite its small size, the Maltese can also be an alert and fearless watchdog. It’s a great option for anyone looking for a low-shedding dog for apartment living, though it does need regular grooming to keep its coat in top shape.

Pomeranian

The Pomeranian is a fluffy little charmer that hails from Germany. With their thick coat and teddy bear-like looks it’s no wonder they’re so popular. Pomeranians are all about affection, love and staying close to their people. But don’t be fooled by their size—they’ve got plenty of energy and need daily walks and playtime to stay happy and healthy. 

Bulldog

The Bulldog is the ultimate couch potato. They love nothing more than curling up on the couch with their owners. They’re not big barkers but definitely not quiet—Bulldogs are known for snoring, snorting, and grunting. This is because of their short snouts and breathing issues, which also means they must stay cool in hot weather. Even though they’re low-energy, Bulldogs still need a bit of daily exercise to stay healthy.

French Bulldog

French Bulldogs are small, quiet, and well-behaved, perfect for smaller spaces. They’re playful but don’t need much exercise—a quick 30-minute walk every day is enough to keep them in good shape. While they’re generally chill, they might bark at sudden noises, like doors opening and closing. Giving them some mental stimulation is important to stop them from getting too reactive and potentially destructive.

Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier is a super energetic and playful breed, usually standing 10 to 17 inches tall. They shed very little and quickly adapt to apartment living. With their playful personality, they’re a great choice for city dwellers who want an active dog. While they have high energy levels, indoor games can be a perfect way to burn off that energy.

Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu is one of Japan’s national dogs. They’re medium-sized and need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy—without it, their high energy can lead to destructive behavior. A Shiba Inu is best suited for an owner with an active lifestyle. While they do shed a lot, brushing them a few times a week is usually enough to keep their coat in check. They’re generally a quiet breed and don’t bark much.

Italian Greyhound

Lightweight at under 15 pounds and with a friendly, playful personality, the Italian Greyhound can make an excellent apartment buddy. These dogs are quite sensitive, so they don’t handle noise or a lot of activity well. But if they have just one person to bond with, they’ll form a lifelong connection and do well in any apartment!

Coton de Tulear

Coton de Tulear is a rare dog with a super sweet, playful, and affectionate personality. This pup is pretty comfortable in small spaces but hates being left alone. It is great for people working from home or families who can stick around most of the day. Plus, it’s hypoallergenic, doesn’t bark much, and is a total sweetheart who loves people and other dogs.

American Eskimo Dog

Eskies are well-mannered small dogs, weighing 20 to 30 pounds and standing around 10 inches tall. American Eskimo Dogs need plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation, or they may get a little destructive. They shed pretty regularly and need a good brushing to manage the shedding. With proper grooming, these sweet dogs can happily live in apartments.

Greyhound

The Greyhound is the fastest dog in the world. Naturally, they love to run, but surprisingly, they don’t need as much exercise as some of the other high-energy breeds on this list. A 30-minute walk is enough for them. Their lower exercise needs, adaptable nature, low-shedding coat, and trainability make Greyhounds great for apartment living. That said, they are quite a bit bigger, about 30 inches tall and weighing 65 to 85 pounds.

Chinese Crested

The Chinese Crested is a totally unique small dog that comes in two types: the Hairless and the Powderpuff. Even though their name says otherwise, they didn’t actually come from China – they’re believed to have come from Africa. These dogs are known for their hairless bodies, with little tufts of fur on their head, tail, and feet. Chinese Cresteds are super loving and affectionate, making them awesome companions for individuals or families.

Whippet

The Whippet is an energetic breed that can do well in an apartment—as long as they get plenty of exercise. Owners should take them for walks at least twice a day. Without enough exercise, Whippets can get destructive and develop other behavioral problems. They don’t shed much, bark very little, and are easy to train, making them great companions for apartment living.

Miniature Dachshund 

The Miniature Dachshund is a breed that came from Germany. These pups are known for their long, low bodies and playful personalities. They were originally bred to hunt badgers (explains their unique shape). Miniature Dachshunds are awesome companions for families because they’re friendly and outgoing. They get along well with adults and kids of all ages but may need a little supervision around younger children because of their tiny size.

Japanese Chin

The Japanese Chin is a tiny dog breed that came from Japan, where they were once considered royal lap dogs. These dogs are famous for their silky coat, big expressive eyes, and graceful movements. Japanese Chins are loving and loyal. They do well in homes with adults and older kids but might not be the best fit for families with young children or other pets.

Scottish Terrier

The Scottish Terrier (aka Scottie) is a small but tough breed from Scotland. Originally bred to hunt rodents, they’ve got a strong prey drive. Scotties are known for their short legs, long bodies, and wiry coat. They make good pets for individuals or families because they’re super loyal and affectionate with their owners. These pups need regular grooming to keep their coat looking good and some moderate exercise to stay healthy.

Toy Fox Terrier

The Toy Fox Terrier is a small but tough breed from the United States. Originally bred for hunting, they now make awesome companions and lap dogs. They’re known for their short, smooth coat and energetic personality. These dogs don’t need much grooming, but they do need regular exercise to keep boredom at bay. They’re pretty adaptable and can do well in both apartments and larger homes.