Apartment living doesn’t mean you have to become a cat person! In fact, many dogs – of all breeds and sizes – fit right at home in multi-family dwellings!
Just because you live in an apartment doesn’t mean you need to rule out having a dog, even a large one! It does mean you need to do a little research to make sure your pet will be as happy with their living arrangements as you are.
When choosing a family member to share your small space, take into consideration your lifestyle, your dog’s disposition, and activity level and compare those to amenities and lifestyle at your new apartment building: Does the complex offer an off-leash dog park or is it in a location that will allow for daily walks and exercise? Will a loud upstairs neighbor cause your dog to bark or will your dog be comforted knowing there are others residing nearby?
Courtesy of Savory Prime for this compiled infographic showcasing the best small, medium, and large breeds for apartment living:
Keyguide
Small Dogs
Shih Tzu
Weight: 9 -16 lbs
Temperament: Playful, sassy, affectionate
Low-energy: It doesn’t need many trips outside, but it needs companionship
Chinese royals had them as house pets, and the little Buddha dogs were companions for thousands of years
On screen: The gay couple in “Best in Show” owned one. The Shih Tzu calendar shoot had dogs dressed as characters from the “Gone With the Wind” and “Casablanca”
Celebrity owners: Nicole Richie, Queen Elizabeth, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Bill Gates, Colin Farrell, Dalai Lama
***WARNING*** Its long hair requires grooming
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Weight: 10 to 18 lbs
Temperament: Friendly, eager to please
Gets along well with children and other dogs
Dates back to British royalty and King Charles its preference for little dogs
On screen: lady from “Lady and the Tramp” and in Sex in the City”, Chocolate adopted one and named it Elizabeth Taylor
Celebrity owners: Ronald Reagan, Frank Sinatra, Brad Paisley, Diane Sawyer, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Liv Tyler
***WARNING*** Long-hair coat requires good nutrition and care
Pug
Weight:14 to 18 pounds
Temperament: Comical, playful
Relatively quiet compared to other small dogs
On Screen: Frank the pug in “Men in Black” Otis from “The Adventures of Milo and Otis” and the pug in “The Nut Job” voiced by Maya Rudolph
Celebrity owners: Paris Hilton, Jessica Alba, Kelly Osbourne, Denise Richards, George Clooney, Billy Joel, Valentino, Rob Zombie
Medium Sized Dogs
Basset Hound
Weight: 20-65 pounds
Temperament: Easygoing, good-natured
On Screen: Elvis Presley sang “Hound Dog” to a basset hound named Sherlock. Another hound named Flash was the sheriff’s sidekick in “The Dukes of Hazzard”
Celebrity Owners: Jennifer Lawrence, Clint Eastwood, Shakira, Marilyn Monroe
***WARNING*** It can be vocal
Bulldog
Weight: 40-55 pounds
Temperament: Easygoing, mellow, friendly
More interested in the couch than the dog park
Low-maintenance and classic example of a city dog
On screen: Pete in the 1994 remake of “Little Rascals” and Gunner in “Cheaper by the Dozen”
Celebrity owners: Michael Jackson, Brangelina, David Beckham, Adam Sandler
Large Dogs
Greyhound
Weight: 60-70 pounds
Temperament: Quiet, well-mannered, eager to please
Surprisingly lazy and happy to spend the day on your couch
It can be shy and prefers a calm household
It’s able to run at speeds up to 45 mph
On Screen: Bart Simpson’s dog, Santa’s Little Helper, and Julia Robert’s character has greyhounds in “Charlie Wilson’s War”
Celebrity Owners: Matt Groening (creator of “The Simpsons”) Pharaoh Tutankhamen, JK Rowling, Trent Reznor
***WARNING*** It has a strong chasing instinct
Mastiff
Weight: 120-230 pounds
Temperament: Calm, good-natured
A gentle giant that’s instinctively protective of its family
Needs regular exercise like moderate walks and visits to the park
On screen: Hooch from “Turner and Hooch”, Hercules from “The Sandlot”
Celebrity owners: Marlon Brando, Bob Dylan, Christina Aguilera, Vin Diesel
***WARNING*** It slobbers and can be stubborn
