10 Best Low Maintenance Dogs for Apartments
10 Best Low Maintenance Dogs for Apartments
- Kaila Daley
- Published: January 1, 2023
If you’re one of the many people struggling to figure out which dog would be best for your space then look no further. We’re going to share with you the 10 best low maintenance dogs for apartments so you and your furry best friend will have a great time while renting!
If you’re one of the many people struggling to figure out which dog would be best for your space then look no further.
We’re going to share with you the 10 best low maintenance dogs for apartments so you and your furry best friend will have a great time while renting!
The best low maintenance dogs for apartments are the 1. english bulldog, 2. greyhound, 3. mini poodle, 4. dachshund, 5. affenpinscher, 6. cavalier king charles spaniel, 7. bichon frise, 8. boston terrier, 9. english cocker spaniel and 10. the pug.
Before bringing a new dog into your apartment you should first go over your leasing agreements to see if dogs are allowed, weight requirements and what breeds are acceptable to have while renting.
The main criteria you want to consider before getting a dog for your apartment include rowdiness, noise, and size.
Dogs can be great companions in a new place and are amazing friends to have around you. Learn how the unique characteristics of each dog allow them to be some of the best dogs to have while renting an apartment.
1. English Bulldogs
Top Qualities for English Bulldogs: Friendly & Calm.
Life Expectancy: 8-10 years
Height: 14-15 inches
Weight: 40-50 pounds
English bulldogs are great pets to have and are definitely apartment approved when it comes to their demeanor, they are known for being docile, calm, and very loyal companions.
English bulldogs can way up to 50 lbs which is usually an acceptable weight for a dog when living in an apartment. Size is important to consider because bigger dogs will require long daily walks and more exercise.
The size will also matter when it comes to creating louder sounds that can become an annoyance to your neighbors below.
Another thing to consider when getting an English bulldog is that they tend to have labored breathing so in warmer weather you want to ensure that you have adequate air conditioning and circulation in your apartment.
Lastly, English bulldogs are known for being sweet and making great low maintenance dogs for apartments, they are dependable and excellent couch snugglers!
2. Greyhounds
Top Qualities for Greyhounds: Independent & Gentle.
Life Expectancy: 10-13 years
Height: 27-30 inches
Weight: 60-70 pounds
Greyhounds are known for being very independent dogs which is a great quality to look for in a dog when renting an apartment. Their independent nature works great when being left alone, they can essentially entertain themselves.
Aside from being independent dogs, they are very gentle and awesome sprinters so they will need to have daily walks and a decent amount of exercise for a good quality of life. Greyhounds are best to have in an apartment complex that has areas specifically for dogs or parks close by.
Greyhounds are known for being on the heavier side with males that can weigh up to 70 lbs and are the heaviest on our list of recommended dogs.
Most apartment complexes will have a weight limit because the larger the dog the more damage they can do in the apartment.
Make sure to check with the apartment complex first for dog breed and weight requirements.
Large dogs generally don’t do that well cramped into smaller spaces so this is something to keep in mind when considering a greyhound as a low maintenance dog for smaller apartments.
3. Mini Poodles
Top Qualities for Mini Poodles: Active & Smart.
Life Expectancy: 13-15 years
Height: 5-8 inches
Weight: 10-15 pounds
These fun-loving pups are known for being super cute with a luscious curly fur coat. Mini poodles are known for being very active dogs with unique personalities. They are very smart and make awesome pets.
Mini poodles are small to medium size dog breeds weighing at most 15 pounds, which usually falls into a good weight and size for most apartments.
These dogs are also known for being affectionate with family, good with children, and good with other dogs.
Mini poodles are generally very playful and love to be included in family activities and can sometimes experience some separation anxiety.
As they are highly intelligent they love to show off the tricks they have learned.
They require washing about once a month and do not shed.
Aside from being affectionate, mini poodles are good at being adaptable to new environments and routines making them great low maintenance dogs.
Overall we would recommend mini poodles for being good apartment/condo-friendly dogs. Learn more about the mini poodle at Daily Paws.
4. Dachshunds
Top Qualities for Dachshunds: Curious & Friendly.
Life Expectancy: 10-18 years
Height: 8-9 inches
Weight: 16-32 pounds
Dachshunds are our favorite bite-sized weiner dogs! They are known for being curious and very energetic.
That being said, dachshunds have a very slender and low silhouette which prevents them from doing long-distance running activities.
Daily exercise for a minimum of 20 minutes a day should be good for them and also makes them great low maintenance dogs for apartments. Dachshunds are good watchdogs and very loyal companions.
While dachshunds are very short, they still pack a punch with their thick and dense bodies weighing up to 32 pounds. These dogs are known for also being very friendly and good with families.
Usually, they are good with other dogs but generally keep an eye out for larger dogs around them.
5. Affenpinschers
Top Qualities for Affenpinschers: Confident & Funny.
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
Height: 9-11.5 inches
Weight: 7-10 pounds
Affenpinschers are known for being entertaining and very affectionate dogs. These little rascals have big personalities and love being involved in family activities.
Affenpinschers are essentially big dogs with small bodies. They are known to weigh up to 10 pounds so they fall into the toy dog category as they are quite small but make great watchdogs.
These dogs will not back down when it comes to bigger dogs so it’s good to keep an eye out for much large dogs.
While the affens size makes them great for apartments, they are not that great around small children. Affenpinschers are moderately active dogs so the brisk walk daily should be a decent amount of exercise for them.
Overall we love the affenpinscher as a low maintenance dog, they are small, entertaining and require fairly little grooming as their course shaggy coat is easy to maintain.
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Top Qualities for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels: Affectionate & Gentle.
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
Height: 12-13 inches
Weight: 13-18 pounds
The cavalier king charles spaniel is known for being royally cute with loving eyes and a tiny frame.
These dogs have a great temper that is perfect for apartment living and are very easy dogs to train. They are easily some of the best therapy dogs out there and love to be by their families’ sides.
Cavalier king charles spaniels are known for being affectionate and very gentle dogs who love companionship.
These dogs can weigh up to 18 pounds which falls within the usual range of acceptable dog weights for apartments.
Cavalier king charles spaniels tend to have a moderate to low energy level.
Cavaliers are known for being easy to train, eager to please, and generally very sociable and adaptable dogs making them some of the best low maintenance dogs for apartments.
Learn more about cavalier king charles spaniels at the american kennel club’s official site!
7. Bichon Frises
Top Qualities for Bichon Frises: Curious & Playful.
Life Expectancy: 14-15 years
Height: 9.5-11.5 inches
Weight: 12-18 pounds
We can spot the bichon frise from a mile away as they sport a luscious white coat, cute face, and a short body.
The bichon frises are easy to train and are known for being very adaptable dogs that get on well with other dogs and children.
The bichon frise can weigh up to 18 pounds and are known for being very curious dogs who are usually really alert. Bichons enjoy spending time with their families and love companionship.
These dogs are very confident, and their size makes them great city dogs and a good fit for apartments.
Bichon Frises love performing for their loved ones and will like to make you smile. These dogs will also require a daily brisk walk of at least 20 minutes for exercise.
While bichons are known for their gorgeous white coat, it does require some grooming on a schedule.
8. Boston Terriers
Top Qualities for Boston Terriers: Friendly & Amusing
Life Expectancy: 11-13 years
Height: 15-17 inches
Weight: 12-25 pounds
Greeting you with bright eyes, the boston terrier is well known for its unique build and two-toned coat. Boston terriers are often very sweet companion dogs with great personalities to match.
Boston terriers can range from very high energy to sedate and are usually very amusing. These dogs are known for being sensitive so being patient when training will be essential. Boston terriers will need regular exercise as well.
These dogs can weigh up to 25 pounds and are known for having short thick little bodies. Their size and height are ideal for being a low maintenance apartment dog.
Weekly brushing with a brush is usually decent enough as these dogs don’t generally require a ton of grooming and don’t shed that much.
Overall boston terriers are definitely recommended for apartments, they are affectionate with family, enjoy being around young children and work decently well around other dogs.
9. English Cocker Spaniels
Top Qualities for English Cocker Spaniel: Responsive & Energetic
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
Height: 15-17 inches
Weight: 26-34 pounds
Usually known to be a good sporting dog, english cocker spaniels are super cute and decently energetic.
These spaniels are great apartment dogs, as they are easy to train and also eager to please.
These dogs can be pretty cheerful and love to play if given the opportunity but tend to fall under the quiet and reserved category.
English cocker spaniels will require regular exercise so apartments with a fenced area, or are close to parks are a great option.
English cocker spaniels can weigh up to 34 pounds making them medium-sized dogs but are still within most weight requirement ranges when it comes to living in an apartment.
Their coat requires once-a-week brushing and fairly decent trimming care.
English cocker spaniels are known to be good with other dogs and young children alike. They enjoy spending time with their families and are usually very affectionate.
10. Pugs
Top Qualities for Pugs: Charming & Mischievous
Life Expectancy: 11-13 years
Height: 15-17 inches
Weight: 12-25 pounds
These dogs need no introduction, the pug is easily one of the best low maintenance dogs for apartments around.
Known for their unique faces, pugs are super charming and very fun-loving dogs.
Pugs can be happy in the country or in the city and are good with both older people and younger kids, they make a great family dog.
Pugs generally enjoy moderate climates, nothing that is too hot or too cold so having a working thermostat in your apartment is a must.
Pugs can weigh up to 25 pounds, which falls within a good range for acceptable weights for apartments. They are also known for being quite mischievous and are pretty adaptable.
The pug’s smooth and short coat requires very minimal grooming to be done however it does still shed, we would recommend brushing your pug’s coat at least once a week.
Pugs don’t usually require baths unless they have become very dirty.
Lastly, pugs are known to be people pleasers and are therefore pretty easy to train.
There you have it, our 10 best low-maintenance dogs for apartments. The majority of these dog breeds are mostly on the smaller side as most apartment complexes (not all) do not allow dogs above a certain weight and height.
Smaller dogs also adjust a lot better to small environments like a studio or one-bedroom apartment and generally do not require as much exercise as most bigger dogs do.
Other Articles from Apartment Tutor:
How To Make Your Apartment Look More Expensive
How To Rent With A Roommate: Everything You Need To Know
Article Resources:
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
- Golden Retrievers
- German Shepherds
- Terriers
- Huskies
- Rottweilers
- Doberman Pinschers
- Beagles
- Retrievers
- Spaniels
- German Shepherds
- Labs
- Huskies
- Beagles
- Pointer
- Bichon Frise
- Shih Tzu
- Scottish Terrier
- Hairless Terrier
- Brussels Griffon
- Mini Poodles
- English Mastiff
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- The Great Dane
- Newfoundland
- Saint Bernard
- Scottish Deerhound
Author: Kaila Daley
Hey everyone! I’m Kaila, I love sharing advice about renting and my experience renting apartments and all things apartment living. I enjoy writing about this topic and would love to share what I know from my personal experience as a renter and writer!
Author: Kaila Daley
Hey everyone! I’m Kaila, I love sharing advice about renting and my experience renting apartments and all things apartment living. I enjoy writing about this topic and would love to share what I know from my personal experience as a renter and writer!