10 Best Dog Breeds For Apartment Living (and 5 That Excel on a Farm)

Written By

Mathew Abraham

Updated on

Mathew Abraham

Meet Mathew, Cat Dad and Animal Advocate! Mathew is the editor at PawDown, overseeing content strategy and quality. He's in charge of carefully curating the best pet stories, tips, and advice for you.

Dog sitting on sofa with woman
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Finding the perfect dog breed for your lifestyle depends largely on your living environment. For apartment dwellers, the ideal canine companion is often small, quiet, and adaptable to confined spaces, thriving without the need for extensive outdoor exercise. On the other hand, those fortunate enough to own a farm require dogs that excel in wide-open spaces, are energetic, and possess natural working instincts. Let’s look at 10 dog breeds perfect for apartment living and 5 breeds that thrive on farms, ensuring you make the best choice for your living situation and lifestyle.

1. French Bulldog

French bulldog
freepik/freepik

French Bulldogs are compact, low-energy dogs that adapt beautifully to small spaces. They have an easygoing temperament and rarely bark, making them perfect for apartment dwellers concerned about noise. Frenchies require minimal exercise, with short walks and indoor play being enough to keep them healthy. Their affectionate and playful personality makes them a favorite among urban pet owners. However, they are sensitive to heat and should be monitored during warmer months. With their adorable bat-like ears and calm demeanor, French Bulldogs make the perfect apartment companions.

2. Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise
freepik/Freepik

The Bichon Frise is a cheerful and adaptable breed, ideal for apartment living. Their hypoallergenic coat sheds minimally, keeping your space clean and allergy-friendly. These small, friendly dogs weigh around 15 pounds and thrive on companionship. While playful, they don’t have excessive exercise requirements, and a short daily walk or some indoor playtime is sufficient. Bichons are intelligent, eager to please, and highly trainable. Their charming personality and ability to form strong bonds with their owners make them a delightful addition to any urban household.

3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with kids
freepik/Freepik

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are affectionate, adaptable, and ideal for apartment living. These sweet-natured dogs love being near their owners, often thriving in smaller spaces where they can stay close. Cavaliers are moderately active and enjoy short walks, but they’re also content relaxing indoors. Their silky coats add to their charm, though they require regular grooming to maintain their appearance. Their friendly, gentle nature makes them great companions for individuals or families living in apartments.

4. Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu inside apartment
Dushyant Kumar/Unsplash

The Shih Tzu, with its origins as a palace companion, is naturally suited for apartment living. This small and lively breed has a calm temperament, requiring minimal exercise to stay happy. Shih Tzus are incredibly affectionate and bond closely with their families, often thriving in close quarters. Their luxurious coat demands regular grooming, but their sweet disposition makes the effort worthwhile. Perfect for those seeking a cuddly lapdog, Shih Tzus are excellent for individuals or families living in urban settings.

5. Pug

Pug
diana.grytsku/Freepik

Pugs are playful, affectionate dogs that excel in apartment living due to their compact size and relaxed temperament. While they enjoy short bursts of activity, they’re also known for their love of lounging around. Pugs form strong bonds with their owners and thrive on human companionship, though they may struggle with extreme temperatures due to their short snouts. Regular exercise and a balanced diet are crucial to keep them healthy, as they can be prone to obesity. With their charming personality, Pugs make loving companions for apartment dwellers.

6. Havanese

havanese in elevator
Pascal Mager/Unsplash

Havanese dogs are small, friendly, and ideal for apartment living. Weighing between 8 and 14 pounds, they are perfect for confined spaces and love being the center of attention. Known for their playful and affectionate nature, Havanese dogs are quick learners and adapt well to urban environments. Their silky coat sheds minimally but requires regular grooming. They enjoy short walks and indoor play, making them a great choice for those with a limited outdoor area. Havanese dogs are happy, lively companions that bring joy to any small home.

7. Boston Terrier

Boston Terrier
Sonya Romanovska/Unsplash

The Boston Terrier, nicknamed “The American Gentleman,” is a small, compact breed known for its friendly and adaptable nature. These dogs are intelligent, lively, and easy to train, making them great apartment companions. Despite their playful energy, they don’t require extensive outdoor exercise, with daily walks or indoor playtime being sufficient. Boston Terriers are quiet and polite, making them well-suited for close quarters with neighbors. Their short coat is low-maintenance, and their charming personality makes them a favorite among city dwellers.

8. Maltese

Maltese
Noelle/Unsplash

The Maltese is a toy breed with a loving and adaptable personality, perfect for apartment living. Weighing under 10 pounds, they’re small enough for even the tiniest spaces. Their long, silky coat requires regular grooming but sheds very little, making them ideal for keeping your home tidy. Maltese dogs thrive on human interaction and don’t like being left alone for extended periods. They enjoy short walks and indoor play but are happiest cuddled up with their owners. Their sweet and gentle nature makes them a delightful apartment companion.

9. Miniature Poodle

Miniature Poodle
Matthew Hamilton/Unsplash

The Miniature Poodle is an intelligent and adaptable breed that thrives in apartment settings. Standing 11 to 15 inches tall and weighing up to 18 pounds, these dogs are compact and easy to manage. Miniature Poodles are highly trainable and enjoy mental stimulation, making them great for apartment dwellers who can provide enrichment activities. While they have moderate energy levels, indoor games, and short walks meet their exercise needs. Their hypoallergenic coat is a bonus for those sensitive to pet dander.

10. Italian Greyhound

Italian Greyhound on a Sofa
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The Italian Greyhound is a sleek, elegant breed that thrives in apartment living. Weighing under 15 pounds, they are gentle and affectionate dogs that enjoy snuggling with their owners. While they love bursts of activity, their exercise needs are minimal, making short walks and indoor play enough to keep them content. Italian Greyhounds are sensitive to cold weather, so they may need sweaters in cooler months. With their quiet demeanor and strong bond with their owners, they make excellent companions for small-space living.

5 Dog Breeds That Excel on a Farm

A white dog near farm field
senivpetro/Freepik

Farm life demands dogs with intelligence, endurance, and a strong work ethic to manage livestock, guard property, and assist with daily tasks. Certain breeds have been specifically bred for these roles, making them perfectly suited to the challenges of rural living. Whether it’s herding sheep, protecting livestock from predators, or simply being a loyal companion, these dogs thrive in wide-open spaces where they can channel their natural instincts and energy. Let’s explore five remarkable dog breeds that excel on a farm, showcasing their unique skills, personalities, and the essential roles they play in farm life.

1. Border Collie

Border Collie
Lukas Ruzicka/Unsplash

Border Collies are the ultimate farm dogs, celebrated for their exceptional intelligence, agility, and relentless work ethic. These highly energetic dogs thrive when given tasks, particularly herding livestock across large areas. Their sharp instincts and quick decision-making abilities make them indispensable on a farm. Border Collies also form deep bonds with their owners, working tirelessly to assist with daily chores. However, they require significant mental and physical stimulation to prevent boredom and maintain their well-being. With proper care, a Border Collie can bring unmatched enthusiasm, loyalty, and efficiency to any farming operation.

2. Great Pyrenees

Great Pyrenees
Ethan Hasenfratz/Unsplash

The Great Pyrenees is a gentle giant with an inherent talent for guarding livestock and protecting expansive farmland. Bred to watch over flocks in mountainous regions, these dogs are calm, composed, and highly dependable. They patrol their territory with confidence, often working independently to deter predators such as coyotes or wolves. Despite their large size and protective instincts, Great Pyrenees are incredibly gentle with their families and the animals they protect. Their low-maintenance nature and natural guarding abilities make them perfectly suited for rural farm environments where security is a priority.

3. Australian Shepherd

australian shepherd
cristian-rojas/pexels

Australian Shepherds are versatile and hardworking dogs that excel on farms requiring active and intelligent companions. Renowned for their herding abilities, these dogs are quick learners and eager to take on new challenges. Their boundless energy ensures they can handle long days of herding cattle, guarding livestock, or assisting with various tasks around the farm. In addition to their work ethic, Australian Shepherds are affectionate and enjoy bonding with their families, making them loyal companions as well as reliable workers. They thrive in environments where they receive plenty of exercise, mental stimulation, and opportunities to engage their natural instincts.

4. Anatolian Shepherd

Close Up of Anatolian shepherd Dog
Excellent-Wrongdoer6/Reddit

The Anatolian Shepherd is a powerful and independent breed designed to guard livestock in rugged and challenging conditions. Originating from Turkey, this breed has developed exceptional endurance and resilience, making them ideal for farms with vast territories. Anatolian Shepherds are vigilant and protective, often standing watch over flocks to deter predators without the need for constant supervision. While these dogs are self-sufficient, they are also deeply loyal and form strong bonds with their owners. Their calm demeanor and unmatched dedication to protecting livestock make them invaluable guardians in a farming setting.

5. Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Pembroke Welsh Corgi
MolnarSzabolcsErdely/Pixabay

Despite their small size, Pembroke Welsh Corgis are highly capable herding dogs, originally bred for managing livestock on farms. These compact yet agile dogs excel at driving cattle and sheep, often nipping at their heels to keep them in line. In addition to their work ethic, Corgis are cheerful, affectionate, and well-suited to family life, making them a favorite among farmers. Their intelligence and adaptability allow them to excel in various farm-related tasks, while their playful personality makes them delightful companions. With proper exercise and engagement, Pembroke Welsh Corgis bring both practicality and charm to farm life.

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