East Valley K9 Services

DOG TRAINERS HELPING TO MAKE HAPPY, CONFIDENT, WELL-MANNERED DOGS

Dog Breeds and Apartment Living: What You Need to Know

Name: East Valley K9 Training Services
Address: 4120 East Fairview Circle, Mesa, AZ, 85206, USA
Telephone: 480-382-0144
Price range: $$$

If your home is an apartment or condo, it is important to choose the right K9 breed– and personality - to share your small space with you.

Dog Breeds and Apartment Living: What You Need to Know

Dog Breed For Apartments

Many dog owners do not have the luxury of living on acres of open

space for their K9s to roam and enjoy! But that does not mean

you can’t enjoy canine company if you live in an apartment!

Many K9 breeds are perfect for homes or apartments without yards;

keep reading to learn which ones!

Choosing the Dog Right Breed for Apartment Living

If your home is an apartment or condo, it is important to choose the right K9 breed– and personality – to share your small space with you.

Size, activity level and tendency to bark are all critical concerns to consider before adding a dog to your small household. But also, do not forget to consider your dog’s personality. Breeds commonly have typical characteristics, but each dog is its own animal. If your dog is prone to constant barking, gets into trouble with his high energy level or is not particularly social, apartment living might not be right for you and your dog.

Having said that, let’s look at the dog breeds the AKC recommends for smaller spaces.

The Best Small K9 Breeds for Apartments

Edit Image

Again, it’s common to think “small” when considering a dog for apartment living because they do not need much space and usually just a walk around the neighborhood.

Smaller dog breeds that work well in small spaces include:

· Pug

· Havanese

· Japanese Chin

· Spaniels

· Bulldogs

· Chinese Crested

Find other K9 breeds suitable for apartment living at the AKC.

Small K9 Breeds Who Are NOT Good for Apartments

But, not all small dogs are good for apartment living. Especially those who love to bark nonstop.

These louder, smaller breeds include the:

· Chihuahua

· Basset Hound

· Beagle

· Yorkie

· Fox Terrier

· Cairn Terrier

· Shih Tzu

· Miniature Schnauzer

· Maltese Terrier

· Bichon Frise

The Dog with a Quieter “Bark”

Since nonstop barking can get you and your dog into plenty of hot water with the neighbors or HOA, there is a dog breed that has a quieter “bark.”

The Basenji is also smaller breed, under twenty-five pounds, a light shedder and often described as possessing “catlike” personalities. While not completely silent, the Basenji “vocalizes with an odd kind of grunt; often described between a chortle and a yodel.”

Apartment Living: Another Concern

A smaller space means more hair in a confined space from breeds who are big shedders. Is that something you can manage day-to-day?

If you have a breed that is known for shedding, apartment living may not be ideal unless you are going to invest in monthly professional grooming to help control all the loose hair!

Dog breeds who are known to be big shedders include:

Edit Image

· Labrador Retriever

· Golden Retriever

· German Shepherd

· Siberian Husky

· Alaskan Husky

· Alaskan Malamute

· Akita

· Chow Chow

· Saint Bernard

· Great Pyrenees

Larger Dogs that Love Apartment Living

Yes, there are larger dog breeds that are just fine living in an apartment! Many of these breeds are just oversized, laidback couch potatoes and will be thrilled with an empty bed and/or couch! Once these larger breeds have been exercised, they are completely content to snooze the day away!

These breeds include the:

· Greyhounds

· Great Dane

· Mastiff

· Irish Wolfhound

· Rhodesian Ridgeback

If you are an apartment or condo dweller and want to add a canine to your home, do your research first and reach out to experienced dog trainers and behaviorists to make the best decision on which dog breed to adopt!