At A Glance
Living in an apartment doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the joy and adventure of being a dog parent. It’s only a matter of choosing the best dog breeds for apartments and making sure you can look after their needs.
Last Updated on: December 28, 2022
Yearning for the joy and love that dog-owning brings but hesitant to disturb your apartment neighbors?
Think twice, no more!
Believe it or not, you can own a pet dog even if you’re living in an apartment or condo unit without being tagged as “that noisy tenant.”
The key is getting the right breed.
(And, of course, as long as your building allows pets.)
So, what is the best dog for living in an apartment?
Calm quiet dog breeds that don’t mind being in enclosed spaces for most of the time.
Take a look at these quiet dog breeds for apartments and take advantage of the health and mood-boosting benefits of owning one!
One of the oldest existing breeds in the world, the pug is the most popular among Condo Dogs and known to be the mischievous dog companion of Chinese royalty and nobility.
Now, they’re the huggable quiet small dogs for apartments and houses alike. These wrinkly-faced, curly-tailed pets thrive in love and affection, and will give back as much as you give them.
Don’t be fooled by the intimidating size of the great dane. It may be large, but it’s also one of the good dogs for apartments because of its well-bred and sweet nature. Despite a formidable height (up to 3 feet) and weight (up to 200 pounds), it is ideal for families with small children. This gentle giant needs plenty of exercise, though, so remember to take your pet out for walks often.
Fun Fact: Our beloved Scooby Doo is a great dane!
Known to be Africa’s Barkless Dog, the basenji is graceful, poised, intelligent, and independent. This compact-sized hound (1.4 feet, 26 pounds max) is ideal if you’re looking for calm quiet dog breeds for your apartment.
They may not give off the usual bark, but don’t be surprised when they communicate with an odd chortling sound bordering on a yodel.
Friendly, observant, and intelligent. Whippets don’t bark unnecessarily, making it one of the recommended quiet dog breeds for apartments.
This gentle and good-natured dog looks like a small greyhound. It’s good with children and other dogs, keeping them preoccupied with its playful actions.
The Borzoi, a.k.a. Russian Hunting Sighthound, may have been bred long ago to help the Russians in wolf hunting but it is actually one of the best dogs for apartments.
It’s gentle, calm, affectionate, and well-mannered, making it the perfect pet for a peaceful household. However, it can be stubborn, so patience and consistency are necessary during house training.
Like the pug, the Chinese shar-pei is easily recognizable for its deep wrinkles. But did you know that it’s also among the quiet dog breeds that would fit well into an apartment lifestyle?
Extremely loyal to its family, this devoted and protective pet is unsurprisingly standoffish to strangers. Owners swear by its intelligence and serenity in most situations, except when threatened or in danger.
Famous for its sprinting speed, the greyhound is also gentle, quiet and intelligent in disposition. You can be assured that letting it loose in your apartment won’t turn the whole place upside down.
Note that its athletic build, muscular structure, and long, powerful legs need consistent exercise, so you must have a fixed schedule for taking them on walks.
Fun Fact: The fast-moving Greyhound bus is named after this speedy dog breed!
One look at the Newfoundland breed and you’d think the word “massive” was coined to describe it. And yet, this gentle, affectionate, patient, and trainable working dog is an ideal companion when you live in an apartment.
Its heavy bones, large body, and thick hair are balanced by a regal bearing and sweet temperament. Newfoundland pet parents sometimes call it the “nanny dog” for its affinity with children.
Originating from the Italian-Swiss border of the Alps and now considered as one of the best dogs for apartments, the Saint Bernard is known for being exceptionally patient, tolerant, and understanding of its human companions.
This remarkably large working dog is quite social, so avoid leaving it alone in the apartment for an extended period.
If you’re looking for a pet that is aloof and doesn’t require much attention, the saluki is the best apartment dog for you. Otherwise known as the Persian greyhound, this sighthound is calm, reserved, and loyal.
Quiet companionship is the saluki’s definition of happiness, which works great for singles and couples. It’s also an intelligent breed, so house training it would be a breeze.
If you have children at home and require a good house companion for them, the Rhodesian ridgeback is a good option.
This African lion hound is dignified, intelligent, and sensitive to the behavior and needs of household members. However, it can be quite excitable and mischievous, so supervision might be needed when it’s playing with small kids.
Goldens are constantly on the top 3 of America’s most popular dog pets. Rightly so, for few breeds can compare to their charm, especially towards children.
These medium-sized retrievers are famous for their friendly, kind, intelligent, and loyal disposition.
Their gentle, sociable, and affectionate nature make them excellent companions at home, whether in an apartment, a condo unit, or a house.
Fun Fact: The golden retriever’s mouth is so soft that it can carry a raw egg without breaking it!
Interested in quiet small dog breeds for apartments? Consider the cavalier King Charles spaniel as an option. This toy dog originates from Britain and is gentle, adaptable, graceful, affectionate, playful, and patient with people.
Measuring only 12 inches and weighing just 18 pounds or less, it’s one of the most suitable pets for families living in small spaces.
A word of caution, though: with its adorable, soulful, droopy eyes, you might find it difficult to leave it behind at home!
A distant cousin of the cavalier King Charles spaniel, the English toy spaniel (ETS) is calm and dignified at home. Not surprising as it was bred to be a companion to kings.
But out at the park, or when it’s in the mood, this toy dog can be very playful and energetic. And just like the cavalier, the ETS would fit comfortably in an apartment or condo unit. It’s only 9-10 inches tall and 8-14 pounds light!
Don’t let the bullmastiff’s solid build and large body intimidate you – this guard dog is perfect as a pet because of its calm, docile, devoted, loving, and reserved nature.
With a bullmastiff at home, you can be confident that your kids will always be safe. It’s alert, powerful, and uber protective of its humans!
The chinook is the official state dog of New Hampshire. This rare breed of sled dog sports a calm, dignified, friendly, and intelligent disposition.
You can easily train it to navigate its way around your household. Just keep in mind that it can also be high-energy – it loves running and playing, so you have to take it out often for walks.
If you’re the athletic type, having the chinook for a pet guarantees you 13-15 years of outdoor companionship.
Owing to its dignified stature, the Scottish deerhound is sometimes called the Royal Dog of Scotland.
But underneath the large, heavy-boned sighthound’s rough coat is a gentle, docile, and friendly dog that will be happy living with you in an apartment.
And they get along really well with children. You can also count on their chivalrous and alert nature to protect you at all cost.
The sloughi is a sensitive, intelligent, and faithful dog that originated from North Africa. Also known as the Arabian greyhound, this ancient and unique breed is a domesticated member of the sighthound family.
Generally reserved and independent, it will be loyal to you and your household, and would rarely bark except to strangers.
Remember not to leave it alone for too long as it’s prone to separation anxiety.
Leonberger – the lion dog — is an adaptable, companionable, loving, and obedient breed that originates from the city of Leonberg in Germany.
This large, lush-coated hybrid of the Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, and great Pyrenees has a gentle and serene temperament.
It loves the affection and companionship of a family, making it a sweet addition to your household.
Fun Fact: Leonbergers shed so much that their owners have started a friendly social media competition on who gets the largest hairball from a single brushing!
Need a small, quiet companion at home? The Bolognese is perfect for you! This toy dog’s name comes from the city of Bologna, Italy where it originated. Its fluffy, white coat matches its calm, docile, and easy-going nature.
Within its teeny-weeny body (12 inches, 9 pounds at most) is a dynamic personality that can adapt to apartment life with no sweat.
Seniors love having it as a pet because it’s easy to train and can be perfectly happy just sitting on their laps all day.
Tall and gentle, the azawakh is one of the best choices for quiet dogs for apartments. It is an independent hound from the Sahara Desert of West Africa.
Despite an aloof and rugged temperament, you’ll be pleasantly surprised that it’s deeply affectionate and attentive to the needs of its owner.
However, the azawakh needs an experienced dog parent – it requires intensive training and grooming every other day.
Originally from the mountainous region of Afghanistan, the Afghan hound is notable for a thick and silky coat that complements an aristocratic, almost sublime appearance.
Despite the dignified demeanor, however, this breed is quite friendly and affectionate. It exhibits a clownish and happy temperament, so you’ll never be bored.
And as an independent dog, it wouldn’t mind being left alone at home.
The ideal lap, toy, and companion dog, the Japanese chin is loving, intelligent, independent, and extremely loyal. Some say it’s cat-like in the way it carries itself and interacts with people.
They’re the perfect quiet dog breeds for apartments, condos, and other multiple-dwelling housing buildings as they possess low-energy and don’t bark much.
Plus, the fluffy coat of this rare breed is irresistibly cuddly!
The Japanese-bred akita is best known for its sense of courage, dignity, and deep loyalty to its owners. Given its imposing and heavy-boned stature, this double-coated dog has long been regarded as a family protector.
It originally guarded ancient Japanese nobility, and its faithful and fearless traits remain consistent to date. As an excellent guard dog, the akita will remain quiet until it senses danger or harm.
Fun Fact: Helen Keller brought the first akita to the US!
The bichon frise is compact (11.8 inches, 15 pounds max) with a gentle, affectionate, cheerful, and playful temperament. You can’t help but smile and be in a good mood when you’re around it.
This dog is a relatively quiet breed, too, so you’ll know that something’s off when it starts making noises and barking uncontrollably.
Whether you live in San Francisco, California or Concorde, Toronto, the answer to what dog breeds are allowed in your apartment is ultimately based on the rules set by the landlord.
It’s important to review the terms and conditions of the building regarding pet ownership. You might also want to ask the landlord or building administrator directly, just to be sure.
It varies for all apartment dogs, so pay attention to their behavior and needs. They will communicate what they need to make your living space feel more comfortable for them.
“What makes a dog more vocal is often environmental fulfillment, and meeting the dog’s needs as much as their genetics and/or breed”, says LA-based certified dog behaviorist Russell Hartstein. “It is important to recognize that barking, whining, or growling may also be part of a larger or more serious issue — such as separation anxiety disorder”, he adds.
If your objective is to make them good apartment dogs, then yes. However, it’s no guarantee that the occupants on the other side of the wall will be patient about your pet’s constant noises at night.
You see, dogs tend to bark and whine in their crate when they’re not used to it. As a result, you might compromise the crate training process just to avoid getting in trouble with the neighbors.
The best dog breeds for apartments depends on whose disposition matches yours and whose basic needs align with your lifestyle.
You want to get along harmoniously with your pet, and the only way to do that is by making sure you can look after them and address their needs well.
Mahanya Vanidas, founder of Dogs of Madras, advises: “Being in an apartment, they don’t have much space to run around so they need to channel that energy somewhere. Plenty of playtime outside will be great for an apartment dog.”
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Meet Paul, a devoted dog dad to the delightful French Bulldog, Cofi. With a flair for humor and a deep understanding of Frenchie quirks, Paul brings a lighthearted touch to his writings. His relatable stories and practical insights are a blend of laughter and valuable advice and resonate with fellow dog owners.
Through his words, Paul aims to celebrate the joys and challenges of being a dedicated pet parent, reminding you that life is simply better with a four-legged, snorting sidekick by your side.
