Best dog breeds for apartment living

City living means thin walls, neighbor encounters in elevators, and limited room to run. These breeds match low-energy + small/medium size + building-friendly temperament. Ranked by an apartment-compatibility score from our breed guides.

1
Shih Tzu
Royal lap warmer. Will judge your couch choice. Lives for face kisses.
- ✓ Lower energy
- ✓ Small enough for any space
- ✓ Friendly with strangers
2
Havanese
Cuba's lap dog. Will love you to pieces. Won't shed on the couch.
- ✓ Lower energy
- ✓ Small enough for any space
- ✓ Easy to train
3
Coton de Tulear
Cotton ball with a 19-year warranty. Will hop for joy.
- ✓ Lower energy
- ✓ Small enough for any space
- ✓ Easy to train
4
Pug
World's most expressive face. Snores at 65 decibels. Will pretend to be tired then steal your sandwich.
- ✓ Lower energy
- ✓ Small enough for any space
- ✓ Friendly with strangers
5
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Royal lap dog. Will love everyone equally and forever. Tail never stops wagging.
- ✓ Lower energy
- ✓ Small enough for any space
- ✓ Easy to train
6
Miniature Schnauzer
Beard goals. Will alarm-bark at the leaf blower. Won't get fur on your couch.
- ✓ Lower energy
- ✓ Small enough for any space
- ✓ Easy to train
7
Bichon Frise
Living powder puff. Will love everyone. Will bark when bored.
- ✓ Lower energy
- ✓ Small enough for any space
- ✓ Friendly with strangers
8
Maltese
Living silk pillow. Will demand to be carried.
- ✓ Lower energy
- ✓ Small enough for any space
- ✓ Friendly with strangers
9
Papillon
Smartest toy dog. Will out-think your border collie.
- ✓ Lower energy
- ✓ Small enough for any space
- ✓ Easy to train
10
Shih-Poo
Smaller, fluffier doodle. Hypoallergenic teddy bear.
- ✓ Lower energy
- ✓ Small enough for any space
- ✓ Friendly with strangers
11
French Bulldog
Snorts. Gargles. Owns the couch. Will steal your popcorn.
- ✓ Lower energy
- ✓ Small enough for any space
- ✓ Friendly with strangers
12
Boston Terrier
Tuxedo-wearing comedian. Will steal hearts and your sandwich.
- ✓ Lower energy
- ✓ Small enough for any space
- ✓ Friendly with strangers
13
Cocker Spaniel
Tail never stops wagging. Coat needs constant grooming.
- ✓ Lower energy
- ✓ Small enough for any space
- ✓ Friendly with strangers
14
Italian Greyhound
Lap-sized rocket. Will jump on a couch and break a leg.
- ✓ Lower energy
- ✓ Small enough for any space
- ✓ Low shedding
15
Lhasa Apso
Monastery alarm system. Will judge your guests forever.
- ✓ Lower energy
- ✓ Small enough for any space
- ✓ Low shedding
16
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Tail-having Corgi. Older, slightly bigger, equally chaotic.
- ✓ Lower energy
- ✓ Small enough for any space
- ✓ Easy to train
17
Yorkshire Terrier
5 pounds of attitude in a silk dress.
- ✓ Lower energy
- ✓ Small enough for any space
- ✓ Low shedding
18
English Bulldog
Snores like a chainsaw. Loves you forever. Will not be moved from the couch.
- ✓ Lower energy
- ✓ Friendly with strangers
19
Pomeranian
Tiny puffball. Massive opinions. Will scream at the doorbell forever.
- ✓ Lower energy
- ✓ Small enough for any space
20
Basset Hound
Walking nose. Will follow scent forever. Will not be rushed.
- ✓ Lower energy
- ✓ Friendly with strangers

Apartment-living tips

Energy level matters more than size. A 70-lb Greyhound is a calmer apartment dog than a 25-lb Jack Russell.
Bark management matters. Beagles (bay), Poms (alarm bark), and Shelties (barking) can be hard in thin-walled buildings.
Hallway socialization. Friendly- with-strangers breeds make elevator life much easier.
Daily walks are mandatory. Even the calmest apartment dog needs 30+ minutes of outdoor activity twice daily.