Why your dog needs mental Stimulation
Apartment living is a popular choice for many people. Whether it’s the convenience, affordability or lifestyle benefits, there are many reasons why apartment living might suit you.
If you’re a dog lover, though, your apartment might not feel like a home until you share it with a canine companion. So, how can you find a new four-legged friend who will love your apartment as much as you do?
Of course, every dog is different, with their very own personalities and habits. But, there are some factors that might help you to choose your new friend.
This article shares a few general tips about choosing the best dog breeds for apartments, including some dog breeds that are likely to do well. If you’re looking for more in-depth information about introducing a new friend into your apartment, you might like to speak with a local vet or animal shelter.
Choosing a canine friend is an important decision. Your new dog will be your friend for life, sharing your home, meeting your friends and family, and bringing joy to your world. By choosing a dog breed that suits your space, you can get this new friendship off to a great start.
An obvious place to start is to think about the size of the dog. Smaller breeds are likely to find apartment living easier, so it’s likely that your new friend will be on the smaller side, such as a bulldog or pug. Some larger dogs also do well in apartments, though, depending on their personalities.
Dogs that shed less might also fit in more easily in your space, since dog fur is known to get everywhere! Some dogs shed more than others, so it can be worth looking into this. You can even find dog breeds that are less likely to cause issues for a family member with allergies.
Keep in mind that every dog needs exercise. Even if you bring home a small dog with a relaxed personality, you’ll both benefit from regular walks, games, and active time together. You might like to find out about local dog parks, walking tracks, and recreational areas. That way, you and your dog can make new friends and enjoy the sunshine together.
It’s also worth thinking about how often you have guests in your apartment. With your new friend sharing a small space with you, he or she will need to enjoy the company of your guests as much as you do. Some dogs are more sociable than others. You can also influence your dog’s sociability by making sure to introduce him or her to many different people and dogs during the early years.
Some dogs are also noisier than others. When choosing a dog for an apartment space, it’s a good idea to find a quieter companion who can fit in well with your family and neighbors. While many people love the excitement that a louder dog can bring, this can cause hiccups in smaller spaces.
You might also like to spend some time thinking about what kind of personality – or temperament – you’d like your dog to have. Just like any other friend, we might click with an extraverted, bubbly dog who is always looking to play, or we might prefer a calm, lazy dog who loves to cuddle. It’s a truly wonderful experience to find the new friend who clicks with you!
Congratulations on starting the journey to finding your new furry flatmate! Learn more about some of the best dog breeds for apartments below.
The English Bulldog
This short, stocky breed is sometimes just known as a bulldog. Recognisable to many people because of their gruff appearance and loud breathing, bulldogs commonly have a relaxed, friendly temperament.
For those with families, a bulldog can be a great choice. Often, these dogs are great with children. Slow to lose their temper and fast to forgive, a bulldog is likely to get along with any younger members of your household.
If your new friend is a bulldog, you will still need to exercise together regularly. However, bulldogs do tend to need less exercise than some other dog breeds on this list, making them a good companion for those with busier lifestyles or a tendency to spend more time indoors.
You might also want to keep in mind that these lovely animals do tend to have a shorter lifespan than some other breeds on our list.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
This cute dog breed is well-loved for its gorgeous appearance, with floppy ears, big eyes, and colourful markings. Most Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are friendly, patient and loving animals who get along well with families.
A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are known for being very sociable. If your new friend is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, they will typically make friends easily with your guests. Often, these dogs are popular with their owners’ social networks!
Because of this tendency to have an outgoing temperament, your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is likely to be happiest if he or she receives a lot of attention from you.
Because of their longer fur, if you choose a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, you will need to spend time grooming your friend. They usually love to be brushed.
If you lead a less active lifestyle, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel might be a good choice. Although all dogs need exercise, this breed can adapt to a lower exercise level.
You might also want to be aware that there are many health conditions that are common in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. This can affect their lifespan.
French Bulldog
French bulldogs are a popular choice for apartment living. This breed is typically relaxed and affectionate, making them perfect companions for many people living in smaller spaces. Their small bodies and big ears make them cute and comical-looking.
If you choose a French bulldog as your new friend, you’ll likely find that your dog is a laidback companion, living quietly alongside you and anyone else who lives with you, including other dogs.
These dogs are often social and love to have plenty of time with their owners. With a French bulldog around, you’ll often have a little companion as you walk around your apartment. They often love pats and playtime in equal measure.
Like all dogs, a French bulldog thrives when he or she has the chance to walk regularly. It’s important to keep in mind that these dogs often need a little jumper in colder weather; their coats aren’t enough to keep them warm during these cooler times. They might also struggle if it’s too warm. This makes them ideal indoor dogs.
Havanese
A Havanese dog is easily recognised because of its beautiful, long coat. These short, stocky dogs come in many colours, and tend to have a longer lifespan. If you’re looking for a loyal, long-lived companion, you might want to consider a Havanese dog.
This loyal breed often loves to be part of a family or another social group that gives them plenty of attention. Like all dogs, they need plenty of exercise, but they are often particularly keen on their social time.
This outgoing, affectionate nature makes them a good choice for owners who will be at home often. With a Havanese in your home, you might find yourself being followed everywhere!
They are known to respond well to training. So, if you have a Havanese dog as your new furry flatmate, you’re likely to find it easy to share an apartment space.
Of course, with such a long and silky coat, your Havanese dog would need plenty of grooming time. If you choose this breed, you’ll need to spend some time grooming your dog two or three times per week.
Pug
The pug is a famous dog breed, well-known for their flat face, curly tail and big personality. This cute companion is likely to be a smart, friendly addition to your household.
Pugs are popular with people who live in apartments, because of their friendly nature and small size. Although they like to be exercised, they also spend a lot of time sleeping, like a cat. They tend to be easy to train.
With a pug in your apartment, you’re likely to find yourself being followed around. You might even notice that your furry friend knows when you need to be cheered up.
Pugs are very social and love to be near their owners. They can also be playful, enjoying fun games around your home.
If you choose a pug as your new friend, it’s important to know that they do shed often. You might want to increase how often you vacuum and sweep, in order to manage this fur. You might also want to be aware that this dog breed does often develop health problems.
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are small, long-haired dogs with a distinctive, silky coat. With a Shih Tzu as your new furry friend, you’re likely to have a loyal friend for years to come.
With a Shih Tzu around, you’ll be reminded to take time to play and have fun. They can be happy with less exercise than some other dog breeds, although they still benefit from regular walks. This adaptability makes them a popular choice for apartment living.
Loyalty is a common trait in Shih Tzus, so it’s likely that you’ll find your new friend becomes close with you and the other members of your household. They can get along with other animals, too, as long as they are introduced early in life.
Shih Tzus often have a lot of personality. It can be a good idea to start training your Shih Tzu early in their life, because of this strong, independent nature.
With such a long coat, it’s important to look after your Shih Tzu’s grooming needs. It’s a good idea to make brushing your furry friend a part of your daily routine.
Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers are highly loyal dogs, forming a strong friendship with their owners from an early age. Many people choose this dog breed, because these dogs tend to be well-suited to smaller apartment spaces.
Perky ears and a flat face give these dogs a distinctive appearance; they tend to look tough, and they often are. They have a longer lifespan than many small dogs, and can get by with less exercise than certain other dog breeds. Of course, it’s still important to take your furry friend on regular walks.If you make friends with a Boston Terrier, you have a friend for life. These dogs are known for their loyalty towards their owners.
To help ensure that he or she gets along well with guests, it’s a good idea to give your Boston Terrier plenty of chances to meet other people and animals, from an early age. Sometimes, a Boston Terrier can be defensive of their territory.
Often, a Boston Terrier is a bubbly addition to a household, with boundless energy and enthusiasm for life. With a Boston Terrier as your new furry friend, prepare to share in a fun-filled adventure!
Chihuahua
A Chihuahua is a very small dog breed, making them a natural choice for many people who live in smaller spaces, such as apartments. Their appearance varies, but they have pointy noses and are often quite slender and energetic.
With a Chihuahua as your new friend, you will have a loyal companion for your everyday activities. Chihuahuas are known for bonding closely with their owner. He or she might follow you around.
Chihuahuas are also famous for having a very long average lifespan. With a Chihuahua in your life, you’re likely to have a furry friend for many years to come.
These dogs can be playful, and love to enjoy games at home, as well as regular walks. You might like to buy some toys for your Chihuahua, so that you can play games together in your apartment.
You might want to keep in mind that Chihuahuas often have a shorter temper than some of the other dog breeds on our list. They tend to fit into quieter households with adult residents, and they often grow close to one particular person.
Dachshund
Dachshunds are often known as sausage dogs, because of their distinctive long, sausage-like bodies. These popular dogs are a common companion choice for small apartments.
These dogs love company, so you might want to choose a Dachshund if you are often at home. With a Dachshund at your side, you will likely have a close friend who follows you everywhere and loves to play games.
They benefit from having regular contact with other people and dogs from an early age, so that they learn to be confident around others. They’re also one of the more active dog breeds, benefiting from daily walks, so they’re a great choice if you enjoy regular walks.
These dogs are known for their loyalty, though they can be wary of strangers. For this reason, they tend to do well in quieter households where they can be familiar with each person in their space.
You might want to keep in mind that sausage dogs can be a little harder to train than some of the other dog breeds on the list.
Greyhound
Greyhounds are thinner dogs with long snouts and long legs, famous for their ability to run quickly. They are taller than the other dogs listed here, but tend to do well in apartment spaces, because they often have a calm temperament.
These gentle dogs are quiet companions who grow very attached to their owners. They can get along well with families and guests, and tend to be laidback by nature.
Their quiet, intelligent nature makes them easy to train. This trainability, as well as their gentleness, is what makes this breed a common choice for apartment living.
Although they are calm and gentle dogs, Greyhounds still benefit from regular exercise. Together, you and your Greyhound can socialise and run around, enjoying the outdoors as part of your lifestyle. Of course, this dog breed is famous for fast running, so it’s important to have your furry friend on a leash when you take him or her out.
You might want to be aware of this dog’s hunting instinct. If you also have a cat in your household, you might want to choose another dog breed.
