All the things I wish I knew before I got my first ever puppy!
There’s quite a common misconception that if you don’t have a large house with acres of land that you shouldn’t get a dog. With some breeds- yes there’s an element of truth to it. But there are so many dog breeds that are absolutely fine in an apartment or small home setting- and you might be surprised to learn that it’s not just small breeds!
BULLDOG
One of the most distinctive dogs around, English Bulldogs, like their French counterpart are ideal for apartment living. They are quite happy to lay around and sleep all day- although it’s important that you do exercise them so they don’t become obese!
Their short noses lead them to have the same issues as French Bulldogs and they need to be kept out of hot environments, so if your apartment gets hot, invest in a fan or some air con!
SHIH TZU
Or ‘Little Lion’ as it their name translates to, were originally bred to live inside Chinese palaces, admittedly a Chinese palace is probably going to be bigger than your apartment, but they will settle into a small home quite happily!
BICHON FRIZE
Weighing around 15 pounds, these little balls of fur are ridiculously cute and also hypoallergenic for all you allergy sufferers! Although they do live more than happily in apartments and small houses, they do need a lot of exercise and can’t be left alone for too long as they are prone to separation anxiety!
GREYHOUND
I was shocked as well. Who would have thought that these race cars of a dog would be happy to live in a small space? Greyhounds are renown for being massive loungers, you can literally leave them asleep on the sofa in the morning and find them in the same place when you come back in the afternoon. Obviously you need to keep them exercised, but they are more than happy to sleep all day otherwise. If you do have a small garden area it is important that it has a strong fence in case any small animals get in, greyhounds have a high prey drive and will shoot off at the sight of a squirrel or cat!
PUGS
Pugs were bred to be lap dogs, so it’s no surprise that they do well in small environments! But like bulldogs, due to their short noses, you need to be weary of the temperature that they are kept in.
YORKSHIRE TERRIER
The most popular toy breed dog in the US, Yorkie’s pack a big personality into a little frame. They are undyingly loyal and more than happy in an apartment environment. Although if you don’t want to annoy your neighbours, you’re going to want to get a hold on their yapping at an early age.
DACHSHUND
These adorable little sausages are one of the most popular breeds at the moment, and for good reason. They are intelligent and playful and one of the most popular choices for apartment livers, their small size means they are able to be active inside…although it is important that they are adequately exercised so they do not become overweight and put stress on their back.
FRENCH BULLDOG
Great for novice owners and one of the most suited dogs for apartment living, it’s no surprise that French Bulldogs are one of the most sought after dog breeds! They should only need a couple of short 15 minute or so walks a day to keep them from becoming overweight and also make excellent watchdogs- although they rarely bark without reason so in an apartment they shouldn’t be annoying your neighbours!
The only thing to be wary of is they are particularly prone to heat exhaustion and breathing difficulties so they can not be left in a hot environment- keep the air con on!
