How to Choose the Best Dog Companion for Apartment Living

Many of us live in urban areas, trying to make the most of the space offered by an apartment. If you seriously consider getting a dog as a companion but worry about the limited space within an apartment, it’s time to know that some breeds could suit this requirement.

There are several small dog breeds that have a low maintenance level, shed very little, and could live in an apartment if walked on a daily basis. If you want to make sure that you’ll find the perfect dog for an apartment living style, the following pieces of advice may turn out to be more than useful.

Go for a Dog Breed That Is Calm and Can Be Easily Trained

When you live in an apartment building, you need to have your neighbors in mind at all times. So, you will need to direct your attention toward a dog breed that is quiet and does not have a tendency to bark a lot. A noisy dog may get you troubles with the neighbors, which is not something you want.

Also, a dog breed that can be easily trained, when it comes to respecting basic commands and getting housebroken, is also useful in this case. You will need to have a well-behaved dog that won’t jump on people. Such a dog will definitely make your life easier.

A Low-Shedding and Low-Maintenance Dog Breed Will Also Be Great

Many dog lovers avoid getting a dog in an apartment because they imagine that the entire house will be covered by dog hair. While most dog breeds do shed twice a year, during seasonal changes, there are dogs that shed very little.

With adequate grooming routine and periodic visits to the dog hair salon, your companion will not trigger any issues from this point of view. The Poodle, for example, is one of the best dogs you can have around if you don’t want dog hair problems. It doesn’t shed too much and its coat can always be trimmed and shortened.

Dogs with a short coat are easier to maintain, as they don’t require too much grooming. But, they will shed a bit more than their peers with a longer, but hypoallergenic, coat. Of course, we are talking about small dogs, so the grooming routine will never last for too long, no matter what breed you choose.

You May Have To Train Your Dog To Go on a Puppy Mat or Special Litter Boxes

Housebreaking your dog doesn’t necessarily mean to teach it to hold back until you arrive at home. Some just don’t have such a strong bladder. To keep your floors and carpets safe, it would be recommended to train your dog to use an absorbent puppy mat or special dog litter boxes.

This way you can be sure that there won’t be any unwanted accidents by the time to get back home. Some products of the kind are made to smell like grass, so it will be easier for your pooch to use them. But, you may have to show your dog their location and practice for a while until the dog learns the trick. With that said, if you were thinking about getting training for your dog, now is the right time.

Take Into Consideration the Energy Level of the Dog

The best companion is the one that matches your energy levels. So, think well if you need a calmer dog, with a lower energy level, or if you want a more outgoing dog. Even if they are small in size, there are some small dog breeds that are quite energetic.

Thus, how much time and energy are you willing to invest in walks and spending time in the outdoors? Also, how much time do you have on a daily basis for your dog? You need to consider that energetic dogs will be more demanding and will get into trouble if they don’t get the chance to burn all their energy.

A List With the Best Dogs for Apartment Living

1. Poodle

The Poodle, especially Toy Poodle, is great for living in an apartment. This dog breed sheds very little and is perfectly happy in a small space if it gets to enjoy daily walks. It is calm, loving, and smart, so you won’t have any issues training it and educating it right.

2. Pug

The Pugs are cheerful and sociable dogs that come in very small packages. In other words, the dog’s reduced size makes it ideal for an apartment. This dog doesn’t bark much either, but it can snore, due to the shape of its muzzle. It also likes lounging and eating, so you may want to pay attention to its body weight.

3. Miniature Schnauzer

This is another type of dog that doesn’t shed much, as long as its coat gets periodic trimming and shortening at a pet salon. They can be trained with ease and have moderate exercising requirements. It is a calm and gentle dog, great for seniors that are not looking to get an exuberant dog.

4. Chihuahua

If we take a good look at the Chihuahua, it is easy to tell that it may be the most suitable dog breed for living in an apartment. The dog has a very short coat, so you’ll barely see any dog hair. It is very small even as an adult dog, making an apartment a more than generous space for such a tiny dog.

Conclusion

Just do remember that having a dog inside an apartment doesn’t mean that you’ll give it the best shelter and conditions available. Every dog breed must be walked on a daily basis. So, even if you do choose a dog breed with a moderate energy level, you will still have to go on walks every day.

If you don’t have the time or energy to do this, seriously consider hiring a dog walker. In case you are leaving your dog alone for most of the day, you could also need a dog sitter or boarding your dog at a daycare center. So, while many small dog breeds can adapt to living in an apartment, you will have to make it up for the fact that you don’t have a backyard where they can run and play.