Fetch FinderThe best apartment dogs are calm indoors, moderately active and not big barkers. Size helps, but energy and noise matter more: a quiet, lazy medium dog often does better in an apartment than a hyper, yappy small one.
Breeds rated 5/5 for apartment living
Small · 16–28 lb👪 Good family dogFrench BulldogPlayful, quiet and built for apartment life. Frenchies need little exercise, but their flat faces make them sensitive to heat and cold.
Small · 13–18 lb👪 Great family dogCavalier King Charles SpanielSweet, gentle and adaptable. Cavaliers are happy in an apartment or a house and get along with almost everyone.
Small · 16–32 lbBetter with adults or older kidsDachshundBold, funny and loyal. Dachshunds fit small spaces well but have a stubborn streak and a back that needs protecting.
Small · 12–25 lb👪 Good family dogBoston TerrierFriendly, funny and easy to live with. Boston Terriers are a top pick for apartments and first-time owners.
Small · up to 7 lbBetter with adults or older kidsYorkshire TerrierA tiny dog with a big terrier attitude. Yorkies are affectionate, low-shedding and made for small spaces.
Small · 3–7 lbBetter with adults or older kidsPomeranianA fluffy, bold little spitz. Poms are lively, smart and fit anywhere, but they love to bark.
Small · up to 6 lbBetter with adults or older kidsChihuahuaThe smallest breed, with a loyal, sassy personality. Chihuahuas bond closely with one person and live a long time.
Small · 9–16 lb👪 Good family dogShih TzuA calm, cheerful lap dog bred purely for companionship. Shih Tzus are easygoing and great for first-time owners.
Small · 14–18 lb👪 Great family dogPugFunny, loving and happy to nap all day. Pugs are excellent apartment dogs but their flat faces need careful handling in heat.
Small · 7–13 lb👪 Great family dogHavaneseOutgoing, gentle and eager to please. The Havanese is one of the best small breeds for families and first-time owners.
Small · under 7 lbBetter with adults or older kidsMalteseA gentle, playful toy breed with a silky white coat that barely sheds. Maltese love being close to their people.
Small · 12–18 lb👪 Great family dogBichon FriseA cheerful, fluffy companion that gets along with everyone. Bichons are low-shedding and easy for beginners.
Small · 10–15 lb👪 Good family dogMiniature PoodleAll the brains of the Standard Poodle in a small, apartment-friendly size. Very trainable and low-shedding.
Small · 7–14 lbBetter with adults or older kidsItalian GreyhoundA tiny, elegant sighthound that loves warmth and cuddles. Playful, sensitive and very attached to its people.
Small · 3.5–7 lbBetter with adults or older kidsToy Fox TerrierA tiny, spirited terrier with big-dog confidence. Smart, easy to train and very loyal.
Small · under 12 lbBetter with adults or older kidsManchester Terrier (Toy)A toy-sized version of the Manchester Terrier with the same sharp mind. Devoted and alert.Small · 7–10 lbBetter with adults or older kidsAffenpinscherA tiny, monkey-faced dog with a fearless, funny personality. Loyal and a little mischievous.
Small · 7–11 lbBetter with adults or older kidsJapanese ChinA dainty, catlike toy breed bred as a companion for Japanese nobility. Charming, quiet and devoted.
Small · up to 14 lbBetter with adults or older kidsPekingeseA dignified, lion-like toy breed from imperial China. Loyal, independent and happy to lounge.
Small · 8–10 lbBetter with adults or older kidsBrussels GriffonA tiny, bearded dog with an almost human expression. Sensitive, clingy and full of personality.
Small · 5–10 lbBetter with adults or older kidsPapillonA tiny, butterfly-eared toy dog that's smart, athletic and easy to train. Great at agility.
Small · 8–14 lbBetter with adults or older kidsEnglish Toy SpanielA gentle, flat-faced toy spaniel and close cousin of the Cavalier. Quiet and affectionate.
Small · 8–10 lbBetter with adults or older kidsSilky TerrierA toy terrier with a long, silky coat and a feisty personality. Bigger attitude than a Yorkie.
Small · 8–12 lbBetter with adults or older kidsChinese CrestedA toy breed that comes hairless or fully coated (the Powderpuff). Playful, loving and very attached.
Small · 10–15 lb👪 Good family dogLöwchenThe "little lion dog," often clipped with a lion-style mane. Lively, affectionate and low-shedding.
Small · 4–8 lbBetter with adults or older kidsBiewer TerrierA tri-colored toy terrier related to the Yorkie. Playful, friendly and low-shedding.
Small · up to 6.5 lbBetter with adults or older kidsRussian ToyA tiny, long-legged toy breed from Russia in smooth and long coats. Lively, alert and devoted.
Small · 4.5–11 lb👪 Good family dogRussian Tsvetnaya BolonkaA fluffy, colorful lap dog from Russia, newly AKC-recognized in 2026. Gentle, happy and easy to live with.
Small · 8–15 lb👪 Great family dogCoton de TulearA cotton-soft, white companion dog from Madagascar. Happy, gentle and wonderful with families.
Small · 12–18 lbBetter with adults or older kidsLhasa ApsoA long-coated watchdog from Tibetan monasteries. Confident, independent and wary of strangers.
Small · 9–15 lb👪 Good family dogTibetan SpanielA small, catlike watchdog from Tibetan monasteries. Confident, smart and affectionate with family.What makes a good apartment dog
- Low to moderate energy, so a couple of walks a day is enough.
- Not a big barker, which keeps neighbors happy.
- Adaptable to elevators, hallways and other people and dogs nearby.
- Easy to house-train, since you can't just open a back door.
Check these before you adopt
- Weight limits: many apartments cap dogs at 25–50 lb.
- Breed restrictions: some buildings and insurers restrict certain breeds.
- Pet fees: a pet deposit plus monthly pet rent is common.
- Nearby green space: you'll be walking outside several times a day, including in winter.
Not sure which apartment breed fits? Take the breed quiz and choose "Apartment or condo."