Apartment life is a little different from owning a home of your own, especially when it comes to square footage. Unless you’re lucky enough to rent one of the roomy luxury units in downtown Atlanta, you’re probably working with limited space, which can make it challenging to raise a dog – especially for certain breeds. Fortunately, by following a few simple tips from our Atlanta dog sitting company, you can make your apartment a safer, healthier, more comfortable space for your furry friend. Keep reading to learn about 25 of the best dog breeds for apartments, four tips for successful apartment living with a dog, and where to turn when you need to hire a pet sitter or dog walker near you, fast.
Top 25 Best Dog Breeds for Apartment Living
Just like people, dogs have unique personalities. Some are shy while others are bold; some are affectionate while others prefer to keep a little distance.
While every dog has their own personal quirks and habits, patterns still tend to emerge within breeds. For example, German Shepherds are known for their obedience, Bulldogs are cherished for being “clownish” and silly, and Labrador Retrievers usually love a dip in the water.
Even though there are plenty of German Shepherds, Bulldogs, and Labs that don’t match these descriptions, they’re common enough for the generalizations to stick. While there can always be exceptions, breed-specific traits make certain dog breeds better suited to apartment life than others.
Below, our Atlanta dog walkers have listed 25 of the best dog breeds for living in an apartment. Some of them might surprise you!
- Basenji
- Basset Hound
- Bichon Frise
- Boston Terrier
- Bulldog
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Chihuahua
- Chinese Crested Dog
- Dachshund
- French Bulldog
- Great Dane
- Greyhound
- Havanese
- Japanese Chin
- Maltese
- Mastiff
- Old English Sheepdog
- Pekingese
- Pomeranian
- Poodle
- Pug
- Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Shiba Inu
- Shih Tzu
- Yorkshire Terrier
As you can see, the breed’s energy level is more important than its size. Even large breeds, like the Mastiff, can thrive in apartments if they have low requirements for space and exercise. Just remember, every breed has outliers, so even if most Poodles or Greyhounds do well in an apartment, yours might need some extra TLC. Keep a close eye on your dog, and have a vet check out any unusual behaviors, such as tearing up the furniture, that could indicate stress, anxiety, illness, or simple boredom. The tips from our Buckhead dog sitters in the section below will help you make your apartment as dog-friendly as possible.
4 Tips for Keeping a Dog in an Apartment
Much like parents can “child-proof” a house, you can (and should) “dog-proof” your new apartment before moving in with Fido. By taking a few simple precautions – a few of them even before you sign the lease – you can make your space more appealing for you and your dog. That’s what we call a win-win situation!
- Try to get a ground-floor apartment. If you’re still looking at properties, consider taking an apartment on the first or second floor – especially if you’re interested in adopting a senior dog. Even if your dog is spry enough to run up multiple flights of stairs, do you really want to climb four or five floors every time Fido needs to use the bathroom? And speaking of floors…
- Protect the flooring. Dog nails might look blunt compared to a cat’s, but they’re still sharp enough to leave unsightly scratches all over your gorgeous (and probably expensive) wood floors. If you have wood flooring in your apartment, especially of a “softwood” variety like pine, consider laying down a few area rugs in the spots where your dog likes to sleep, play, and eat. You should also leave a mat by the front door for those muddy, messy days. Finally, remember to trim (or have a vet trim) your dog’s nails on a regular basis.
- Ensure quality light and ventilation. You wouldn’t want to live in a dim, stuffy apartment, and neither would your dog. When looking at apartments, look for a space that gets plenty of sunlight, has a few shady spots for cooling down on hot days, and easily circulates fresh air throughout the space. Both of you will be happier (and healthier) for it.
- Get plenty of toys. Toys can help keep a dog occupied, which is always an advantage – especially when space to roam is limited. Of course, in keeping with our list of apartment-friendly dog breeds above, you’re best off avoiding a breed that requires lots of space and exercise. For example, the Border Collie is a herding, working dog who needs more room to romp than a big-city apartment can provide.
Atlanta Dog Walking and Pet Sitting Company Serving Buckhead, GA
Hopefully, you and your dog will love living in your new apartment together. But whenever you have to leave your apartment for errands, work, or vacation, turn to Critter Sitters for dependable pet sitting at affordable prices. We have over 40 years of experience caring for tens of thousands of dogs and puppies, and are available almost around the clock for total convenience and peace of mind. For a free consultation about the pet nanny services our Buckhead dog walking company provides, give us a call at 404-793-6178 today.
