Living with any pet in an apartment can prove to be a challenge, including dog owners. Not only should you be concerned about the space for you and your animal friend, but you also have to worry about the apartment’s pet policy. Check the small print in your lease or ask the management company.
Fortunately for dog lovers, if space is the only issue then there are numerous dog breeds that will adapt perfectly to the urban lifestyle and not take up a lot of space.
So, what are the best lapdogs for apartments?
• Chihuahua
• Pomeranian
• Pugs
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Bichon Frise
• Chinese Crested
• English Bulldogs
• Dachshunds
• Poodles
• Havanese
All of these dogs are lapdogs that take up very little space, require minimal exercise and are happy to spend their lives living with their owners in apartments or small properties and the majority of these breeds are quiet and don’t bark excessively.
Here we take a closer look at each Breed separately
Chihuahua
The pocket-sized Chihuahua’s are definitely built for apartments. They have no trouble fitting in tiny and cramped up spaces and will make you the best companion when you are home alone.
What they lack in size, Chihuahuas make up for in personality. These cute cuddly canines love to be given a decent amount of attention and they don’t mind socializing with strangers or other pets.
They are agile and obedient, making them capable of learning minor tricks. Their small size ensures that they have little exercise requirements. They will be just fine with scampering around the apartment’s limited space.
Little grooming is required for the Chihuahua and their potty breaks are quick and short, they can easily be trained to use a cat litter tray if going out in a garden is not an option.
These dogs will make the ideal apartment lapdog for you; all they want is to be with you when you come home from work and smother you with some furry affection.
Pomeranian
Weighing around 5 pounds, Pomeranians have a personality much bigger than their tiny stature.
These curious canines are known for being alert and take a very keen interest in just about anything that is happening around them.
Their favorite spot in the house will normally be next to the windowsill, where they are well placed to see as much action happening in the neighborhood as possible.
They do have a tendency to bark but at least you will know when the delivery guy is at the door.
Poms love all the attention they can get and know just how to attract it with their scheming and mischievous ways.
If you can devote a good amount of your time to this dog, then you have the ideal companion.
Despite their relatively thick coats of fluff, Pomeranians generally require minimal grooming when compared to other small dogs.
You won’t have to worry about taking them out for a walk as long as you are giving them indoor exercise.
Be mindful though that these dogs do need to be mentally stimulated so toys and attention are a must if you are going to keep them inside the apartment.
Pugs
Their dolly eyes and cutely wrinkled faces will make you fall in love with a pug the first time you meet one.
These dogs are not normally shy and enjoy making new acquaintances; their bubbly and spunky personality makes them very interactive and can be especially playful with kids.
Adapting well to small spaces they will be very comfortable within the closed quarters of an apartment.
Boasting one of the most recognizable faces in the world of canines, nobody can dispute that pugs are loved by a large population of dog lovers.
Whether you are single, living with your better half, or have a small family with kids; these dogs will steal your heart with their affectionate temperament.
They are a very easy-going breed but exercise is a must, as they can easily put on weight so hold the treats back a bit.
Following their owners around the house and squirming into their laps is all they really want, then they will think they are in “doggie heaven”.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
These dogs are famous for their friendly nature and readiness to socialize. Their receptive temperament promises to charm every single visitor that comes to your apartment.
Despite their small size, spaniels pack a good amount of energy that can be well spent on short walks and runs around the neighbourhood.
They have a relative ease of interacting with strangers and other pets. Spaniels are generally calm and adaptable, always willing to be with their owners.
They will jump on your lap and ask for a belly rub at the slightest invitation they get.
Although they are not the best candidates when it comes to housetraining, these dogs will quickly learn to follow instructions with positive reinforcement.
Ultimately, this dog guarantees to be an excellent companion for anyone in an apartment.
Bichon Frise
Bichons have always been thought to be great apartment dogs; however, there’s one little detail you ought to know.
Though small in size, they have high energy levels which will require daily exercise and play time.
If you are the kind of person who takes their pets for walks in the dog park or brings them along when going for a short hike, then you have the perfect partner in the Bichon Frise.
Fortunately, these dogs do adapt well in small spaces and are not known to make much noise.
Rest assured you’ll always be in good standing with the neighbors on the upper and lower floors of your apartment.
Bichons have a fluffy white coat that will require occasional grooming to keep it looking fresh.
They shed very little hair and are among the hypoallergenic group of dogs, making them safe to be around people with allergies.
Chinese Crested
These miniature dogs have a reputation for winning the World’s Ugliest Dog title because of their hairless look, some though do come with hair. But do not let their uninspiring looks worry you.
To some they may be a little ugly in appearance, but their personality is quite beautiful.
These dogs are known to display deep affection to their family members, but they are shy and can be considerably withdrawn around strangers.
Some of these dogs have little or no hair but some are born with hair and can come from the same litter as the hairless.
When they have fur they are called Powderpuff’s.
The Powderpuff’s have a very minimal soft double coat that will necessitate daily brushing to get rid of any matting.
For the hairless their lack of hair means that skin maintenance for the dog is almost at par with human skin maintenance.
The exposed skin makes it prone to dryness, acne, and sunburns, so in hot sunny weather you may need to put sun block on them, thus spending time indoors can work very well for them.
Chinese Crested have a friendly temperament and loyal personality, making them ideal lapdogs for small families. They develop tight bonds with owners and family members that will last a lifetime.
English Bulldogs
These short, medium-sized dogs might have a mean or grumpy look at times, but they are just gentle sappy babies inside who want to cuddle with you on the couch.
Bulldogs are known for their laziness, so you won’t have to worry about exercise and outdoor walks however exercise is good for them. They get hot and tired easily though and walks may have to be short or slow, this means exercising inside the apartment is a good option.
Their short-haired coat makes grooming practically unnecessary. The fact that they don’t like moving around a lot makes Bulldogs the perfect pets for apartment dwelling.
I am sure if they could talk, they’d tell you about their preference to just kick back on the couch and watch TV all day long; with only meal breaks to interrupt them.
Dachshunds
Dachshunds are the world’s smallest hound dogs. Their cute tiny legs and overlapping ears make them very conspicuous.
These dogs are lively and playful; you will feel an attraction towards them by merely watching them.
Their cute, unique look also makes them great to be around kids.
These dogs don’t require much exercise! They have short legs that allow them to be content with indoor exercise alone.
A little playtime around the apartment is all they need to become very active.
However, once they get tired, they will find a spot on your couch to rest; and if you are around, a cuddling session will do.
Their small maintenance needs also make Dachshunds a good prospect for an apartment lapdog.
Poodles
Poodles come in three different sizes; toy, miniature, and standard. Toy and miniature can be the ideal size for a small apartment whereas the standard can get up to 70 pounds and is likely to be too large for living in an apartment.
These dogs are generally intelligent and very easy to train. They are quick to take instructions and can learn simple dog tricks in a very short time.
Their energy levels are low to medium. They have no trouble exhausting their excess energy by running up and down the apartment, although I suggest you take them for walks outside every once in a while.
While they are known to be a little noisy, you can always train them to be quiet whenever you are not around. You don’t want them to be a bother to the neighbors while your shopping.
Havanese
If you are looking for a happy puppy to bring a new lease of life to your apartment, the Havanese is the dog for you.
This small breed has a friendly temperament and is known to display affection most of the time.
They have medium exercise requirements that can be fulfilled through brief walks every once in a short while or a good bit of play around the apartment.
Their small size normally allows them to be within the limit for any pet policy rules of an apartment. Despite their miniature stature, they have enough energy to be playful around kids.
Remember to groom them regularly for their long coat to remain fresh and clean.
Conclusion
The above information is about general traits and personalities of specific dog breeds.
They don’t necessarily paint the picture for an individual lapdog so variations may exist depending on the individual dog.
After all, every dog is an individual!
Otherwise, the above breeds of dog will be a great fit for the lifestyle of any apartment dweller, but please remember to give your dog plenty of time and lots of things such as toys and chews to occupy them.
