When our son Joe went to college some years ago, he couldn’t leave with Max, his favorite buddy.
Max is a big-sized pit bull, bustling with high energy. He can cover distances within the twinkle of an eye.
He loved to play everywhere indoors and Joe did not have the luxury of a big space.
So, there was painfully no way that Joe could leave with Max.
It was so painful for him to say goodbye for the next couple of months.
Joe needed a smaller dog and not only that but a breed that does not require high energy levels like Max.
After weeks of research, he asked us, “What are the Best Small Dogs for Apartment Living?”
These were the options of small breeds of dogs, Joe had for his new college and apartment living.
Small Dog Breeds for Apartment Living:
Let’s dive right into the top breeds for compact spaces.
1. Chihuahua:
The loyalty and courageous nature of chihuahuas are directly opposite to their body stature.
Chihuahuas are loyal, courageous, and confident dogs.
They will fight to the end to protect their loved ones when they perceive they are in danger.
Chihuahuas are very suspicious of strangers but can do well when properly trained.
They are also great cuddlers and affectionate dogs.
Their small size, low-shedding coat, and great intelligence make them capable of learning things and tricks and great for small-space household living.
- Weight: 2-8pounds (1-4 kg)
- Height: 6-10 inches (15-25 cm)
- Origin: Mexico
- Lifespan: 12- 18 years.
However, there are different types of chihuahuas namely;
- Teacup Chihuahua
- Deer Head Chihuahua
- Apple Head Chihuahua
- Long Coat Chihuahua
- Smooth Coat Chihuahua
2. Yorkshire Terrier
To some people, their hair makes them awkward and old-looking, but this does not tell the story about their true charming nature.
Yorkshire Terriers are popularly called the Yookies.
They share similiar characteristics with chihuahuas ranging from being loyal, confident, courageous, bold, intelligent, playful, and wary of strangers.
Yorkshire Terriers, are great companions, love cuddling require less space, and are generally low-shedders.
- Weight: 7-15 pounds (3-7 kg)
- Height: 6-7 inches ( 15-18cm)
- Origin: England
- Lifespan: 12-15 years
However, there are different types of Yorkshires Terriers, namely;
- Traditional Yorkie
- Teacup Yorkie
- Parti Yorkie
- Biewer Yorkie
3. Poodles:
Poodles are unarguably one of the smartest breeds of dogs ever.
Their intelligence, playful and small nature make them best suitable as companion dogs for small space living.
They are capable of learning new things and forming close bonds with family and other pets.
But one of their attributes that stands poodles out is the fact they rarely shed and they are best suitable for individuals with allergies. Read here
Poodles are low-shedders
- Weight: 6-14 pounds (3-6 kg)
- Height: 10- 20 inches ( 25-51cm)
- Origin: Germany
- Lifespan: 12-18 years
However, there are different types of Poodles, namely;
- Standard Poodle
- Miniature Poodle
- Teacup Poodle
- Mixed-breed Poodle
- Toy Poodle
4. American Eskimo:
American Eskimos are a beauty to behold.
They are as white as snow and affectionate
They are intelligent, trainable, loyal, alert, and watchful dogs.
- Weight: 6-11 pounds (3-6 kg)
- Height: 9- 19 inches ( 23-48cm)
- Origin: Germany
- Lifespan: 12-15 years
However, there are different types of American Eskimo based on their coat, lineage, and sizes namely;
- Standard American Eskimo
- Miniature American Eskimo
- Cream American Eskimo
- White American Eskimo
- Toy American Eskimo
- Purebreed American Eskimo
- Mixed-breed American Eskimo
5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:
As their name suggests, they were named after King Charles II, who was vital in their development.
The king loved and adored the breed and they were always found in the royal palace.
They were also his preferred companion and hunting dogs and that prompted nobles and breeders to gift him cavalier
paniels as gifts.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not a beauty to behold when sleeping because of their proneness to snoring.
However, they are regarded as therapy dogs and are excellent with families.
They are low maintenance and are also friendly, gentle, affectionate, outgoing, playful, and intelligent.
- Weight: 10-18 pounds (4.5-8 kg)
- Height: 13- 15 inches ( 33-38cm)
- Origin: England
- Lifespan: 10-12 years
There are different types of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, namely;
- Blenheim Cavalier
- Tricolor Cavalier
- Black and Tan Cavalier
- Ruby Cavalier
6. Affenpinscher:
Affenpinschers are popularly regarded as monkey-looking dogs (monkey-dogs).
Their facial shape, eyes, ears, and body structure, evoke a monkey appearance.
They are also as curious as monkeys, and able to climb structures due to their agility, similiar to monkeys.
Overall, they are charming, and playful, and make excellent pets for a diverse group.
- Weight: 6-13 pounds (3-6 kg)
- Height: 9- 19 inches ( 23-30cm)
- Origin: Germany
- Lifespan: 12-15 years.
However, there are different types of Affenpinschers, namely;
- Standard Affenpinschers
- Miniature Affenpinschers
7. Maltese:
Maltese are one of the oldest breeds of dogs, with an ancestry of over 2,000 years old.
They are excellent therapists and lapdogs due to their intelligent, calm, affectionate, and adaptable nature.
They are also low-shedders and hypoallergenic.
Maltese are very loyal and protective of their loved ones.
- Weight: 4-8 pounds (2-4 kg)
- Height: 8- 10 inches ( 20-25cm)
- Origin: Malta ( Ancient Phoenician island)
- Lifespan: 12-15 years.
However, there are different types of Maltese, namely;
- Standard Maltese
- Miniature Maltese
- Teacup Maltese
8. Pomeranian:
They are well suited for apartment living because of their size, and low exercise needs. Quiet nature, adaptable temperament, and low shedding.
Pomeranians might not be as popular as other breeds of dogs discussed in this article, but they are as affectionate, playful, lively, loyal, and protective.
They can be used as watched dogs.
They came into the limelight largely because of Queen Victoria who had a pomeranian named Turi that weighed only 12 pounds.
- Weight: 3-7 pounds (1.4-3.2 kg)
- Height: 6- 11 inches ( 15-28cm)
- Origin: Pomeranian ( Germany and Poland border )
- Lifespan: 12-16 years.
However, there are different types of Pomeranian, namely;
- Standard Pomeranian
- Miniature Pomeranian
- Throwback Pomeranian.
9. Shi Tzu:
They were originally bred as royalty dogs for palaces in Tibet and China over 1,000 years ago.
They are bold, strong, and courageous which is not far-fetched from their name Shih Tzu which means “lion dog”
Shih Tzu was more favored by emperors in Tibet and China as palace dogs because of their association with Buddhism, Taoism, and their symbols that represent wealth, status, fortune, and prosperity.
- Weight: 9-16 pounds (4-7 kg)
- Height: 8- 11 inches ( 20-28cm)
- Origin: Pomeranian ( Germany and Poland border )
- Lifespan: 10-16 years.
However, there are different types of Shih Tzu, namely;
- Standard Shih Tzu
- Miniature Shih Tzu
- Imperial Shih Tzu.