8 Low-Maintenance Dogs for Apartments

A dog can make a wonderful apartment companion. Of course, it's important to find the right dog. Some dogs are adorably mild-mannered and adapt easily to apartment life, while others are high maintenance or need a yard to thrive. Whether you're choosing a personal companion or a dog who will get along with everyone, choosing a low-maintenance dog breed can help everyone have a good time.

What to Consider in a Low-Maintenance Apartment Dog

What makes a good apartment dog? If you're looking for a loving, low-maintenance companion who will live happily in your apartment, there are a few qualities to consider. Apartment dogs benefit from being small, short-haired, calm, and quiet. This will help them become good pets and good neighbors.

Small to Medium Sized

Apartments typically have a size or weight limit - at Gates of Rochester this is around 200 lbs for up to two dogs, but sometimes weight requirements are 25 lbs or 50 lbs. Small to medium-sized dogs and lightweight breeds are ideal.

Sedate or Self-Entertaining

Calmer dog breeds will enjoy chilling in the apartment without constant access to the outdoors. Self-entertaining dogs who like puzzles and chew toys will also have more fun between trips to the park.

Non-Destructive

Avoid breeds that have a driving need to chew or dig.

Quiet

Dogs with a soft bark and those who seldom feel the need to bark are ideal. However, intelligent dog breeds can also learn quiet behaviors more easily.

Short Hair with Minimal Shedding

Short-haired breeds don't need as much brushing, and low-shed breeds will require less vacuuming and maintenance.

Best Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds for Apartment Life

Low-maintenance dogs for apartments can be generally found based on their breed or breed mix. Some breeds are ill-suited to apartments, but there are many dog breeds that enjoy home life with the family and regular walks with good behavior.

These eight dog breeds are a great starting place when looking for the perfect low-maintenance apartment dog.

1. Short-Hair Terriers

Terriers make great apartment dogs. They are small, affectionate, and often intelligent. There are many breeds of terrier, and all of the short-haired varieties are low-maintenance and friendly companions that are perfectly apartment-sized. Look for a terrier or terrier mix who does not bark often and matches your personal energy level for the best experience.

2. Basenjis

Basenjis are cute little apartment dogs for an active family. Basenjis are medium-small, short-haired, and don't bark, which makes them great neighbors in an apartment building. While an energetic breed that needs daily playtime and can be hard to train, they are also intelligent and emotionally responsible. Basenjis are known to be fastidiously clean and love to be part of the family.

3. Beagles

Beagles are well known to be mild-mannered dogs of a medium size. Beagles are short-haired, friendly, and known to be gentle with children. They love to go for walks to sniff everything with their honed hound dog noses, so they make good exercise buddies. You will need to train your beagle not to bark, however, because they have a piercing signature bay.

4. Italian Greyhounds

Italian Greyhounds are smaller than the classic breed and are considered great apartment dogs. Italian greyhounds are intelligent and mild-mannered, making them easy to train and adapt easily to apartment life. Make plans to play with them often and go on regular walks, but you won't have to worry too much about shedding, barking, or misbehavior. These little greyhounds are affectionate and won't overgrow your apartment size limit.

5. Barbets

Barbets are curly-haired dogs ideal for colder climates. They are sweet and goofy companions originally bred as European bird-hunting dogs. They love water and play but are not distance runners. They are considered hypoallergenic, and their curly coat does not shed very much. They are very affectionate and considered good apartment dogs.

6. Pugs

Pugs are adorable and among the lowest maintenance of the wrinkly-faced dog breeds. They are small, intelligent, and bark very little. While they have short hair, they shed, so having a good vacuum is a smart precaution. Pugs are friendly with other dogs and make great apartment companions. They are also good friends for your neighbors' dogs when you meet them at the local dog park.

7. Toy Poodles

The original poodle is an enormous hunting dog, but they have been bred in many sizes. The smaller poodles share the intelligence, affection, and low-maintenance curly coat of their larger cousins but will not exceed your apartment's pet weight limit. They are hypoallergenic and naturally love to learn and perform tricks. However, you will need to train your little poodle not to bark because they are pretty excitable.

8. Spaniels

Spaniels are beautiful and gentle little companions. They have very low shedding and gorgeous fluffy ears. King Charles Spaniels, in particular, were bred to be lap dogs, and they are great at being calm when it's time to chill inside. Of course, like all dogs, they also love to run and make good companions for exercise and outdoor play. Spaniels are very affectionate and love to be part of the family, so they will love to be in the same room and come with you on walks.

Breeds to Avoid

A few breeds are not suitable for apartment life because they are too large, energetic, or high-maintenance. These include German Shepherds, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and Wolf Dogs. Choosing one or a mix of these breeds would be tough on both you and the dog and might not be allowed in your apartment complex.

Finding Your Dog at the Shelter

While we've been talking about dog breeds, it's important to see breed as a guide, not an absolute. There's no need to buy an expensive puppy from a breeder just to get a pure breed. Most healthy pets today are mixed breed, and you can find an intelligent, affectionate, short-haired dog at any local shelter. Adopting a shelter dog give comes with the reward of rescuing a loving animal, and you also get to spend time with your future pet to learn their personality before you adopt. Because each dog's personality is unique, despite breed tendencies, this is the best way to be sure you've found the perfect low-maintenance apartment dog as your companion or family pet.

Making a Shared Home at The Gates of Rochester

If you are looking for a pet-friendly apartment in Rochester, MN, explore your options at The Gates of Rochester Apartments. We allow two pets up to 200 lbs combined per household, so your little low-maintenance dog is more than welcome. Contact us today to inquire about vacancies or learn more about our pet policy.