Homeward Hound: Find the Right Dog for Your Apartment

Step 1: Get permission

If you rent your home, check the lease before you commit to a dog. Landlords are more frequently saying “yes” to the pet these days, but know the rules ahead of time. Your building might not allow dogs or might have breed and size restrictions. You’ll want to know before falling in love with a prospective pup.

Is a big dog a deal breaker?

Not necessarily; big, energetic sporting dogs like Labrador Retrievers, English Setters and Golden Retrievers can live in a small space, as long as you’re committed to wearing them out on a daily basis with lots of exercise. This is especially key in their puppy and early-adult years. These breeds need a few daily walks or jogs, a couple of weekly trips to a dog park, and plenty of games of fetch and tug-of- war in-between. (This is where a backyard, even a small one, could come in handy).

Big but mellow

Not all big dogs are balls of energy. These breeds require a bit more exercise than just a short daily walk, but they’re happy to lounge about too:

• Cocker Spaniel
• Greyhound
• Great Dane
• Newfoundland
• Saint Bernard
• Mastiff
• Old English Sheepdog
• Bloodhound
• Borzoi
• Rottweiler
• Or go with a mixed breed!

Small and peppy

Don’t let their size fool you, some little dogs are high-energy, too! These breeds are known to be athletic and will need plenty of exercise. The good news is that they may can run around and stretch their legs inside your home or a small yard — so, they’re more likely to be satisfied with shorter daily walks.

• Miniature and Toy Poodle
• Pomeranian
• Papillion
• Bichon Frise
• Havanese
• Chihuahua
• Miniature Pinscher
• Italian Greyhound
• Lhaso Apso
• Miniature Schnauzer
• Terrier

Medium-sized and chilled out

If you don’t have the time or energy to devote yourself to a high-energy pooch, consider one that’s naturally more laid-back:

• Basset Hound
• English Bulldog
• Dachshund
• Whippet
• Greyhound
• Pug
• Or adopt a senior dog!

Indoor dogs

No outdoor space? Some breeds actually do much better inside. These dogs tend to have shorter snouts, so they breather easier in the controlled temperature and dust-free air of your home:

• Pug
• Bulldog
• Boston Terrier
• Shih Tzu
• Pekingese
• Japanese Chin
• Brussels Griffon
• Maltese
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• English Toy Spaniel