If you’ve been thinking about adopting a dog but worried that your apartment is too small, don’t let that hold you back – some dogs are made for apartment living.
Over 10% of Australians live in apartments and more and more units are becoming dog-friendly – great news for those who want to make their ‘house’ a home with a furry addition to the family.
We’ve picked 10 breeds that we (and our Lyka community) think are the best indoor dogs suitable for apartment living with some handy tips to help enrich your lives together.
Top 10 dog breeds for apartment living
1. Cavoodles
Low-shedding and amiable, Cavoodles are excellent apartment companions.
Cavoodles are amongst the best apartment dogs, due to their small size and moderate exercise needs. They’re highly adaptable and well-behaved when they’re given plenty of mental stimulation. Their hypoallergenic, low-shedding coats help keep pet hair to a minimum – which means no hairy tumbleweeds to vacuum!
Cavoodles can be vocal, so train your pup from day one to keep the neighbours (and you) happy.
This breed can be prone to skin itchiness and allergies. Support your Cavoodle’s skin and coat health with a diet containing skin-loving ingredients like vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, and beta-carotene from carrots.
“This is Logan, my Cavoodle. A tip for any Doodle parent is to have cool floors available – they love to sploot on cool surfaces.”
Poodles are intelligent and lively pups that love to be trained.
Toy or Miniature Poodles are the ideal size for apartment living, and their low-shedding coats make it easy to keep your home fuzz-free.
Behind their cute, curly-haired appearance is an agile body and a clever mind that’s keen to play and learn new tricks. Give them at least 60 minutes of exercise a day and plenty of mental stimulation and they’ll thrive. Apartment blocks can be noisy: training is crucial, so they don’t react to every sound.
Poodles can develop joint conditions like patellar luxation or hip dysplasia, which can impact their mobility and quality of life. A real food diet containing natural anti-inflammatory ingredients can help to support strong and supple joints. Look for fish oil (or oily fish) rich in omega-3, and turmeric containing the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, curcumin.
“Have enrichment activities to keep them occupied while you’re out (though I think mine prefers sleeping or playing with the cat!)”
These spirited sausage dogs are great in small spaces.
This breed has moderate amounts of energy but short legs, so 30-60 minutes of low-intensity exercise is ample. Give them plenty of puzzles and toys at home to keep their sharp minds engaged.
Dachshunds have long backs which makes them prone to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Avoid stairs and try to discourage them from jumping on the furniture. Maintain a healthy weight and body shape to reduce the strain on their spine and joints with a custom-portioned diet, like Lyka.
"My mini dachshund Charlie is my inseparable companion (literally), bringing me lots of laughs through his larger-than-life personality and endless affection with his velvety charm."
Easy-going and affectionate, Maltese Shih Tzus make great indoor dogs.
Combining the Shih Tzu’s loveable lap dog nature with the mischievous mind of a Maltese, this hybrid is a great character to share an apartment with. Their wavy coat is low shedding, but it does need regular grooming, especially if you choose to keep it long. This breed can be vocal so make barking control part of their training. Train your pup with patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, so they learn good behaviour.
Maltese Shih Tzus, like many small breeds, can experience oral health concerns. Maintain a good dental care routine with regular brushing and check-ups at the vet. Look for a fresh food diet or dental supplements containing kelp (Ascophyllum nodosum) that has a high concentration of iodine to fight gum disease, and natural anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties.
“Maisie, my Maltese Shih Tzu, is perfectly adaptable to apartment living. She loves the steps I bought her to reach the sofa – her favourite spot to hand out when I am away.”
Long-legged but lazy, Greyhounds don’t need a lot of space to be happy.
Dogs don’t need to be small to make the best indoor dogs. Take the Greyhound – built for powerful speed, but at home they’re lounge lizards! Greyhounds are calm, placid and very quiet, enjoying a couple of good walks a day, or a good run when they get the chance. This breed only needs minimal grooming, meaning more time to enjoy your home together.
Greyhounds can develop arthritis in their joints – a painful condition that can affect their mobility. Support their joints with a nutritious diet containing antioxidants and phytochemicals like turmeric, spirulina, shiitake mushrooms and fennel seeds.
If you’re looking for a smaller dog with similar traits, an Italian Greyhound may be the perfect pocket rocket for you.
“Greyhounds rarely bark, so they make the perfect neighbours. Keep them mentally stimulated with puzzles and play at home.”
– Gwyn, Peppa's human
Pepper the Greyhound
6. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a playful, affectionate, and quiet breed – the perfect apartment pup!
The Bichon Frise needs 30-60 minutes of low to moderate exercise a day, making them great for city living. They can be sensitive souls and can develop separation anxiety if they’re frequently left alone.
This breed has a low-shedding coat, so you won’t be reaching for the vacuum every day, but they do need to be groomed to keep their cloud-like coat in top condition. With a low tendency for drooling and snoring, you can snuggle up close to a Bichon Frise – day and night!
These dogs can tend to develop diabetes. Preventative healthcare may include managing their weight, a risk factor that can contribute to diabetes. Lyka’s high protein, low glycaemic load diets are custom-portioned, making mealtimes easy.
7. Brussels Griffon
Brussels Griffons may be little, but their big personalities fill the space.
Despite their grumpy appearance, this breed is cheerful, affectionate, and curious. They’re moderately active but don’t need much room to romp, making them the best inside dogs. They do have a sensitive nature and don’t like to be left alone for long periods. If you work from home, a Griffon could be a great choice for you.
Brussels Griffons are prone to hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia and patellar luxation. Although you can’t change your dog’s genetics, you can protect their limbs against stress with appropriate exercise and real food that supports joint health. A great place to start is with a diet containing an optimal ratio of essential fatty acids (EFAs).
“Brussels Griffons are big personalities wrapped in tiny packages and their favorite place to be is right by your side – or more likely, on your lap! Griffons are bursting with energy and love to play. Regular walks and plenty of playtime are key to keeping them happy and content indoors!”
– April, Peter’s human
8. Moodle
Cute and curious, this hybrid will steal your lap and your heart.
A designer cross between a Maltese and a Poodle, the Moodle (aka Maltipoo) stands between 25-30cm tall, and looks like a real-life teddy bear. Playful and friendly, they’re an easy-going pup that’s receptive to training, making them great for first-time dog parents. Thankfully, they’re not known to be vocal, so your neighbours will love them too!
A common health concern for Doodles (Poodle hybrids) is itchy skin and allergies, and Moodles are no exception. Keep their coat in top condition through regular grooming and clipping, and ensure their diet contains omega-3 fatty acids from ingredients like fish oil, flaxseed and chia seeds.
Weighing as little as 1kg, the Chihuahua is a tiny pup with a big dog personality. Loyal, charming, and cute, they are the perfect city dog. Buy a dog carrier and you can pretty much take them anywhere! They’re known for being sassy and yappy, so make training a priority.
Looking after a Chihuahua’s joints is important, as they can develop conditions like hip dysplasia: a genetic developmental condition that may not be avoidable. Aid their joint health with anti-inflammatory ingredients like fish oil, which is rich in omega-3.
10. Border Terrier
Energetic, affectionate, and adaptable.
Bred to support the hunt, these terriers have lots of energy. Give them plenty of exercise or sign them up for dog sports like flyball and they will be content to live in an apartment.They’re known to develop a strong connection with their parents and appreciate companionship, making them ideal if you work from home.
Despite their hardy, wiry coat, Border Terriers can experience skin allergies. Nourish your terrier from the inside out with skin-enriching, antioxidant ingredients like spirulina and shiitake mushrooms found in Lyka’s meals.
“Alfie the Border Terrier has lived all of her life in an apartment. We have lots of toys to play with, food puzzles to keep her mind entertained, and sunny places to sun puddle after a walk.”
– Jo Anne, Alfie’s human
Alfie the Border Terrier
New to Lyka? Let’s rethink dog food together
Choosing the best dog to share your apartment with is the first step, the next is to create a happy and healthy life together. Designed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists, Lyka dog food is made with human-grade real food ingredients to help dogs thrive. Say goodbye to itchy skin, dull coats, and digestive trouble, and hello to a happier, healthier pup. Our meals are backed by science and custom-portioned to suit your dog’s needs.
Learn more about how Lyka is transforming mealtimes for dogs across Australia.
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