Have you been considering getting a four-legged companion, but live in a 1,200 square foot condo? Amy Rosenbaum of Bandilane Canine Center, certified professional dog trainer, shares with us her top breeds for urban living. Guys will be pleasantly surprised that these are not all small frou frou dogs!
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkies are the quintessential apartment pup for good reason. They are very small, weighing between 5-9 pounds, do not take up much space and are easily transportable. They are extremely adaptable to surroundings, do not shed, and just so happen to be adorable.
Boston Terrier
Nicknamed the “American Gentleman” due to its black and white coat and neat appearance, the Boston Terrier is still small, between 12-18 pounds, but is a little more energetic. They have short hair, are not big barkers and are known to be very loyal to their owners.
Pugs
Affectionate, loyal and irresistible in the looks department, Pugs are known to be great apartment dogs. They are quite small so they do not take up much room; however, they are energetic and require fairly frequent walks.
King Charles Cavalier
Another apartment living mainstay, the King Charles Cavalier is a very lovable, sweet little lap dog. They are incredibly easy-going, adaptable to their surroundings and very social with neighbors and other dogs.
Shih-Tzu
As their appearance would suggest, Shih-Tzus are a little more high maintenance. Weighing between 9-16 pounds, they are quite compact, and shed surprisingly little. They are incredibly social and love interaction, making them ideal companions for apartment living.
Bichon Frisé
The Bichon Frisé is a quintessential cuddly lap dog, weighing between 10-20 pounds. They have beautiful white curly hair but are indeed hypoallergenic. Due to their playful personalities, they require regular exercise.
Poodles
Poodles come in three sizes – toy (10” and under), miniature (10”-15” tall) and standard (15” and up) – all are suitable for small spaces. They are known to be extremely intelligent and easily trained. They do require plenty of exercise, as they tend to be quite active.
English Bulldogs
While these guys are noticeably bigger – weighing around 50 pounds, they do not require much exercise or daily grooming. And seriously, who can resist the scrunched up face of a bulldog?
Great Danes
To much surprise, the Great Dane, weighing about 100-130 pounds, happens to be very adaptable to apartment living. These gentle giants, although strikingly large, are calm, quiet and tend to be couch potatoes, ultimately taking up very little space.
Greyhounds
This 60-80 pound racing dog is another surprisingly low maintenance breed. These regal dogs appreciate a sedentary lifestyle, and are also known for being completely comfortable lounging around on the couch.
Bandilane Canine Center
80 Largo Drive, Stamford; (203) 975-8151