Best dogs for apartments: apartment dog breed finder

How does the apartment dog ranking work?

The American Kennel Club's advice for apartment dwellers comes down to a few things: the dog's energy level, a dog that doesn't bark incessantly, one that is polite when meeting people in the elevator, on the stairs or in the lobby, and the point that floor space isn't the only consideration. We turned those into five factors, each scored from the breed's AKC 1 to 5 ratings, and combined them into an apartment score out of 100.

The weights are our own editorial choice: adaptability and barking count most because they cause the most trouble in shared buildings. Energy only costs points when it's higher than the exercise you said you can give, so if you can manage over an hour a day, an energetic breed isn't marked down. Size limits and the young-children filter remove breeds rather than lowering their score.

Which dog breeds are best for apartments?

The top 15 of the 162 breeds in our database with the default settings (no size limit, 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day, normal noise rules):

Does a dog need to be small to live in an apartment?

No. The AKC points out that many large breeds have low activity levels and are happy to lounge on the sofa, while some small, high-energy breeds are satisfied with indoor play and brisk walks. In our default ranking, 7 of the top 30 breeds are large or giant, including Golden Retriever, Newfoundland, Irish Water Spaniel, Mastiff and 3 more.

The reverse is true too: being small doesn't make a dog a good neighbor. 28 toy and small breeds in our data are rated 4 or 5 for barking, among them Havanese, Brussels Griffon, Silky Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer and 23 more. Where size does matter is the lease: many buildings cap pet weight, and stairs or a small elevator are harder with a heavy dog, especially when it gets old.

How do you keep an apartment dog from bothering the neighbors?

Barking travels through shared walls, so in an apartment it can matter more than size. Turn on "Thin walls or noise rules" to give the barking rating more weight. Then plan for the dog you choose:

• Exercise your dog before you leave, which helps many dogs settle. The dog exercise calculator gives a daily target.
• Don't leave it alone longer than it can cope with; see how long a dog can be left alone.
• Block the view of the hallway door and use background noise to mask footsteps and elevators.
• Teach a calm greeting for neighbors in the elevator and lobby, the "polite" part of the AKC's advice.

Is a puppy or an adult dog better for an apartment?

Puppies need to go out often, including at night, and in a building that means stairs or an elevator every time, sometimes carrying the puppy so it doesn't have an accident on the way. The puppy potty schedule shows how often to expect those trips at each age. Puppies also go through noisy, chewy phases that neighbors will hear.

An adult dog from a rescue or breeder is often an easier start in an apartment, because you can see how it behaves before you commit: whether it barks at hallway noises, how it handles being left alone and how it greets strangers. Ask the shelter or foster home those exact questions. Breed ratings are averages, and an individual adult dog's habits tell you more.

What to check before bringing a dog to an apartment

• Your lease: pet limits, weight caps, breed restrictions and pet deposits or rent.
• A potty plan for the first weeks, including nights and bad weather. A balcony grass pad can help with puppies.
• Where you will walk: nearby parks, sidewalks and safe places for sniffing.
• Who walks the dog when you work long days. For a broader shortlist, try the dog breed selector.