City living has its challenges and its joys. There is less room, neighbors are nearby, and getting out can be a nuisance. But for dog lovers, none of this is a deal-breaker. With the right choice, you can certainly maintain your city life with a four-legged companion. The secret? Choosing the right companion among the small dog breeds for apartments.
Not all dogs are suitable for apartments. City living demands more than just being small. You need a dog that is adaptable, not too loud, does not need a backyard, and preferably hypoallergenic. The good news is that most small dog breeds for apartments meet all of the above needs. In this post, we will be talking about the top small dog breeds for apartments, especially for city living. Moreover, low barking small dogs are great pets to share your living space with.
When living in an apartment, especially in a city setting, it’s important to consider your dog’s personality and lifestyle needs. Large, high-energy breeds might struggle in confined spaces. That’s why it’s wise to focus on apartment-friendly dog breeds that are small, quiet, low-energy, and easy to train.
Also, just because it's a small breed doesn't mean it's low maintenance. Some small breeds are very loud, some are separation anxiety cases, and some are excessive shedders. So, selecting breeds that fit well into house living can make your experience a whole lot easier. If you want a quiet snuggle buddy or a high-energy playmate that doesn't need to overtake your space, there's a match for you.
One of the world's smallest dog breeds for apartment dwellings, the French Bulldog is renowned for being quiet and having a strong build. With their bat ears and friendly demeanor, they are just the cutest. Frenchies are low-maintenance in terms of exercise needs and don't bark much either, so they are perfectly suited for apartment dwellers who desire to live in quiet harmony.
Even though some French Bulldogs are a pound or two heavier than 20 lbs, the majority of them fall into the best small dogs under 20 lbs, especially females and juveniles. Their relaxed temperament and low-maintenance coat care contribute to them being among the most reliable apartment-pet-friendly dog breed out there.
The Shih Tzu is a natural fit for city life. These adorable companions are calm, love human contact, and require short walks. Their small size—typically under 15 lbs—is ideal for small apartments. Their hypoallergenic coat also means less shedding, which is ideal for city dwellers with allergies.
As one of the hypoallergenic apartment dogs, Shih Tzus combine beauty and purpose. They're also one of the low-barking small dogs, especially when properly trained and socialized in their youth. Their friendly, quiet demeanor brings peace to any busy city living.
Small, intelligent, and just plain cute, Boston Terriers are among the best all-around small dog breeds for people who live in the city. These tuxedo-clad beauties are small enough to fit into a studio apartment but lively enough to keep you active. With most weighing between 12 and 20 lbs, they have no trouble getting into the best small dogs under 20 lbs category.
Boston Terriers don't bark. Their good sense and desire to please make them a perfect option for owners who prefer to remain quiet in an apartment complex. Boston Terriers are content with minimal exercise and maximum playtime indoors and do not mind an occasional city noise or elevator ride.
Yorkshire Terriers, or Yorkies, are small, stylish, and smart. Small size (average 4–7 lbs) is ideal for modest-sized living spaces. While they may appear fragile, Yorkies have large personalities. They're also one of the best small hypoallergenic apartment canine breeds because of their silky, low-shedding coat.
Though Yorkies are yappy, they're intelligent. An early training and stimulation program can prevent them from excessive barking and make them one of the best low barking small dog options. People love Yorkies and enjoy them being carried around or cuddled up in an urban tote.
If what you are searching for is a gentle, easy-going, and ideal apartment dog, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has to be in your list. The friendly dogs weigh between 13 to 18 lbs and are ideal for small houses. They are also highly friendly to humans and other pets.
While not truly hypoallergenic, they are fairly low maintenance in grooming and have a laid-back temperament. Cavaliers are quiet, affectionate, and only need moderate everyday exercise. Their soft bark and mellow nature make them one of the most inherently apartment-living dog breeds.
The Havanese is a go-lucky happy dog who loves being the center of attention. They are intelligent, easy to train, and weigh only 7 to 13 lbs—making them perfect for small dwellings. With their very low-shedding silky coat, they are also highly desirable as small hypoallergenic apartment pets.
Havanese dogs are happy but not vocal. They are eager to please and very affectionate, which makes them perfect for apartment dwellers of single or family units. They can also handle indoor play and brief walks outside, fitting an urban lifestyle to perfection.
If simplicity and a little mess are most important to you, the Maltese could be the perfect breed. These pure white canines weigh less than 7 lbs and are an excellent breed of small dog for an apartment setting. Recognized for their hypoallergenic properties, they must be groomed but don't shed much.
Their even nature and low noise levels make them one of the low barking small breeds, especially if well-trained. Maltese are companion-clinging and love being in family life, whether being on your lap or accompanying you on errands. Italian Greyhound
Italian Greyhounds are fine-boned, elegant, and surprisingly well-suited to city living. While they enjoy the occasional burst of exercise, they equally contentedly spend the whole day lounging about. Scales between 7 and 14 lbs, placing themselves well in the top small dogs under 20 lbs category.
They are very silent, and this gives them a place among the low barking small dogs. They have low grooming requirements due to their short coat, and they are hence clean and simple to care for. Such dogs tend to develop close relationships with their owners and adapt well to apartment living.
Pugs are charming, loving, and full of quirky characters. With their sad faces and snorting noises, Pugs bring laughter and a heart to any home. Weighing about 14 to 18 lbs, they certainly fit into the small dog breeds that make good apartment pets.
Even though they shed moderately, their brief coat needs little grooming. Pugs are normally quiet and easy-going, hence fit for city dwellers who lead busy lifestyles. Their ability to cope with different environments is why they are one of the most sought-after small dog breeds for city life.
The Dachshund, or "wiener dog," has a long body and a big heart. With the miniature variety typically less than 16 lbs, they are well-suited to apartment living. Dachshunds are courageous and curious, likely to carry with them an unexpected amount of personality into small quarters.
While they do get a bit barky occasionally, early training keeps them in line. Their compact size, minimal energy needs, and loyalty make them a practical choice among apartment breeds. They are short-coated and easy to care for, making them ideal for urban residents who don't have much time.
Choosing from the best small dog breeds suitable for apartments is only the starting point. Keeping your dog happy in a small apartment requires some work and commitment. Regular walks are a must, both for physical activity and for stimulation. Even low barking small dogs become restless or noisy if they're bored.
Playthings that are interactive, soft bedding, and individual potty habits go a long way toward making urban dwellings pleasant for both of you. Don't underestimate how much socializing your dog with people and other animals, too, will help. Even the most independent types will thrive on varied surroundings and exposure.
Small, hypoallergenic apartment dogs like the Maltese, Havanese, and Yorkie need to be groomed, but the reward is fewer allergies and a neater apartment. And for apartment dwellers with noise laws, owning low barking small dogs like the French Bulldog or Boston Terrier can be the difference maker in keeping them in the good books of neighbors.
City life is vibrant, exciting, and sometimes chaotic—but it’s made infinitely better with a loyal companion by your side. With so many compact dog breeds for urban living, there’s a perfect pet for every personality and lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for the best small dogs under 20 lbs or a quiet, cuddly friend who doesn’t shed, there’s no need to compromise. A little planning and the right breed choice can convert your apartment into a real home, not just for you, but for your dog, too.
Choosing from these apartment-friendly dog breeds ensures that your new best friend loves living as much as you do in a busy, urban city. So welcome one of these friendly, adaptable little dogs into your heart and your apartment.
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