Best Apartment-Friendly Dog Breeds: 20 Quiet, Low-Energy Companions
Living in an apartment does not mean you have to give up on dog ownership. The key is choosing a breed that thrives in smaller spaces — one that is compact in size, low in energy, and unlikely to disturb your neighbors with excessive barking.
We evaluated over 50 breeds using data from the American Kennel Club (AKC) breed characteristics database, cross-referenced with real-world apartment living insights from Apartment Therapy and veterinary guidance from PetMD. The result is a curated list of the 20 best apartment-friendly dog breeds, organized by energy level, noise output, and adaptability.
Whether you live in a studio in New York or a one-bedroom in Tokyo, there is a breed on this list that will fit your lifestyle. And if you are wondering how long your future companion might live, check our dog life expectancy chart for breed-by-breed lifespan data.
What Makes a Dog "Apartment-Friendly"?
Not all small dogs are good apartment companions, and surprisingly, some medium-sized breeds adapt beautifully to apartment life. Here are the five criteria we used to evaluate each breed:
Size: Toy breeds (under 5 kg / 11 lbs) and small breeds (5–10 kg / 11–22 lbs) are ideal. However, some medium breeds with low energy can also work.
Energy Level: Low to moderate energy dogs that need only 30–60 minutes of daily exercise are the best fit. High-energy breeds that need 2+ hours of activity will become restless and destructive in confined spaces.
Noise Level: Apartment walls are thin. Breeds that rarely bark — or only bark when necessary — keep you on good terms with your neighbors.
Adaptability: Some breeds handle being alone for work hours better than others. Breeds prone to separation anxiety can be challenging in shared buildings.
Trainability: Easy-to-train breeds adapt faster to apartment routines, such as designated potty areas and quiet hours.
Top 10 Best Apartment Dogs
These breeds consistently score high across all five apartment-living criteria. Each links to our detailed breed page where you can check weight charts, calorie needs, and body condition scoring.
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Weight | 5–8 kg (13–18 lbs) |
| Energy | Low |
| Noise | Low |
| Exercise | 30 min/day |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
The Cavalier is the gold standard for apartment living. Affectionate, gentle, and happy to spend the day on the couch, they need only a short daily walk. Their quiet disposition makes them ideal for shared walls. Read more on the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed page.
2. French Bulldog
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Weight | 8–14 kg (18–28 lbs) |
| Energy | Low |
| Noise | Low |
| Exercise | 30 min/day |
| Lifespan | 10–12 years |
French Bulldogs are compact, low-energy, and rarely bark. Their exercise needs are modest — a short walk and some indoor play are plenty. Note that they are prone to obesity, so monitor their weight with a BCS assessment and calculate their daily calories. See our French Bulldog weight chart for breed-specific guidance.
3. Boston Terrier
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Weight | 5–11 kg (12–25 lbs) |
| Energy | Medium |
| Noise | Low |
| Exercise | 45 min/day |
| Lifespan | 11–13 years |
Known as the "American Gentleman," Boston Terriers are friendly, quiet, and adapt well to small spaces. They need slightly more exercise than the top two but remain manageable in apartments. Check the Boston Terrier breed page for more.
4. Pug
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Weight | 6–8 kg (14–18 lbs) |
| Energy | Low |
| Noise | Medium |
| Exercise | 30 min/day |
| Lifespan | 13–15 years |
Pugs are charming, low-energy companions that love to lounge. They can be somewhat vocal (snorting, snoring), but they rarely bark excessively. Pugs are highly prone to obesity — use our Pug weight guide and calorie calculator to keep them healthy.
5. Shih Tzu
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Weight | 4–7 kg (9–16 lbs) |
| Energy | Low |
| Noise | Low |
| Exercise | 30 min/day |
| Lifespan | 10–18 years |
Bred as indoor companions for Chinese emperors, Shih Tzus are natural apartment dogs. They are friendly, quiet, and happy with short walks and indoor play. Learn more on the Shih Tzu breed page.
6. Bichon Frise
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Weight | 5–8 kg (12–18 lbs) |
| Energy | Medium |
| Noise | Low |
| Exercise | 45 min/day |
| Lifespan | 14–15 years |
Bichons are cheerful, hypoallergenic, and among the quietest small breeds. They adapt well to apartment life and get along with neighbors. Their Bichon Frise breed page has more details on weight management and care.
7. Havanese
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Weight | 3–6 kg (7–13 lbs) |
| Energy | Medium |
| Noise | Low |
| Exercise | 45 min/day |
| Lifespan | 14–16 years |
Havanese dogs are sturdy little companions that are surprisingly energetic for their size but never hyper. They are quiet, trainable, and bond closely with their owners. See the Havanese breed page for weight and nutrition info.
8. Maltese
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Weight | 3–4 kg (6–9 lbs) |
| Energy | Low |
| Noise | Low |
| Exercise | 30 min/day |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
One of the oldest toy breeds, the Maltese is gentle, quiet, and perfectly suited to small apartments. Their long white coat requires grooming, but their temperament is effortless. Visit our Maltese breed page for detailed weight charts.
9. Yorkshire Terrier
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Weight | 2–3 kg (4–7 lbs) |
| Energy | Medium |
| Noise | Medium |
| Exercise | 30 min/day |
| Lifespan | 11–15 years |
Yorkies are tiny but feisty. They can be vocal, so early training is important in apartment settings. Their compact size makes them ideal for even the smallest studios. Check the Yorkshire Terrier breed page for size-specific health data.
10. Italian Greyhound
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Weight | 3–5 kg (8–11 lbs) |
| Energy | Low |
| Noise | Low |
| Exercise | 30 min/day |
| Lifespan | 14–15 years |
Italian Greyhounds are the smallest of the sighthound family. Despite their athletic appearance, they are couch potatoes at home — quiet, gentle, and content with short walks. They are one of the best-kept secrets in apartment dogs. Learn more on the Italian Greyhound breed page.
5 Quietest Apartment Dogs
If noise is your top concern, these breeds are the quietest you can find. They rarely bark and are unlikely to trigger complaints from neighbors.
1. Basenji
The famous "barkless dog." Basenjis produce a unique yodel-like sound instead of a traditional bark. They are clean, cat-like in their habits, and extremely quiet. See the Basenji breed page for details.
2. Whippet
Whippets are gentle, quiet, and love to lounge. Despite their racing background, they are sprinters — not endurance athletes — and are happy with a short run followed by hours on the couch. Visit our Whippet breed page.
3. Greyhound
Do not let their racing reputation fool you. Greyhounds are known as "45 mph couch potatoes." They sleep up to 18 hours a day and are remarkably quiet indoors. Check the Greyhound breed page for weight and health data.
4. Borzoi
Borzois are calm, independent, and quiet. They are larger than other breeds on this list but adapt well to spacious apartments. Their dignified temperament makes them excellent neighbors. See the Borzoi breed page.
5. Shiba Inu
Shibas are not completely silent, but they reserve their vocalizations for important moments. They are clean, quiet, and independent — more like cats in dog form. Read our Shiba Inu breed page for more.
5 Lowest-Energy Apartment Dogs
If you want a companion who is happy with minimal exercise, these breeds need the least daily activity.
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel — 30 minutes of gentle walking is sufficient. They are happy to curl up beside you for hours. (breed page)
- French Bulldog — Short walks and indoor play. Avoid over-exercising in hot weather due to their brachycephalic anatomy. (breed page)
- Pug — Brief walks, mostly indoor lounging. Monitor calorie intake closely — they gain weight easily. (breed page)
- Shih Tzu — Indoor play plus a short walk. They were literally bred to be lap dogs. (breed page)
- Maltese — Indoor play and short walks. They are content with very little outdoor activity. (breed page)
Apartment Dog Care Tips
Owning a dog in an apartment comes with unique responsibilities. Here is how to keep your apartment dog healthy and well-behaved:
1. Daily Exercise Matters
Even low-energy breeds need daily walks. A consistent exercise routine by breed prevents behavioral problems and obesity. Aim for at least 30 minutes of outdoor activity.
2. Monitor Weight Closely
Apartment dogs are at higher risk of obesity because they have less space to move naturally. Use our free BCS (Body Condition Score) calculator to check if your dog is at a healthy weight. Even 1–2 kg of excess weight can cause joint problems in small breeds.
3. Calculate Calories Precisely
Overfeeding is the leading cause of obesity in apartment dogs. Use the calorie calculator to determine exactly how much your dog needs based on their breed, weight, and activity level. If you are bringing home a puppy, track their growth with our puppy weight growth chart to ensure they develop at a healthy rate.
4. Train for Quiet
Excessive barking is the number one complaint in apartment buildings. Start noise training early — reward quiet behavior and desensitize your dog to common hallway triggers like doorbells and footsteps.
5. Create Vertical Space
Apartments are small, but you can expand your dog's territory vertically. Window perches, elevated beds, and indoor ramps give dogs more territory to explore and reduce boredom. If you are using a crate, make sure you pick the right size — our crate size calculator can help.
6. Practice Alone Training
Separation anxiety can be destructive in apartments. Gradually train your dog to be alone for increasing periods. Start with 10 minutes and work up to your normal work hours.
What to Avoid: Breeds Not Suited for Apartments
These breeds tend to struggle in apartment environments due to high energy, excessive vocalization, or large size:
High-energy working breeds: Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Siberian Husky — these dogs need 2+ hours of intense exercise daily and become destructive without it.
Giant breeds: Great Dane, Saint Bernard, Newfoundland — while some are low-energy indoors, their sheer size makes small spaces uncomfortable for them.
Highly vocal breeds: Beagle, Jack Russell Terrier, Chihuahua — these breeds bark frequently and loudly, which creates problems in shared buildings. (Note: individual variation exists, and training can help, but these breeds are consistently rated as more vocal by the AKC.)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best dog for a small apartment? The best dogs for small apartments are Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, French Bulldog, and Maltese. They are low-energy, quiet, and adapt well to limited space.
Are small dogs always better for apartments? Not necessarily. While small dogs are often better for apartments, some small breeds like Jack Russell Terriers and Beagles are high-energy or vocal. Energy level and temperament matter more than size alone.
What dogs don't bark much in apartments? The quietest apartment dogs include Basenji (the "barkless dog"), Whippet, Greyhound, Bichon Frise, and Shiba Inu. These breeds rarely bark unless necessary.
How much exercise does an apartment dog need? Most apartment-friendly dogs need 30–60 minutes of daily exercise, including walks and indoor play. Low-energy breeds like Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and French Bulldog are satisfied with 30-minute walks. Check our dog exercise chart by breed for breed-specific recommendations.
Can a Husky live in an apartment? A Husky can live in an apartment but it is challenging. Huskies need 2+ hours of intense exercise daily and are prone to vocalization. Without sufficient activity, they may become destructive.
Sources: AKC Breed Standards, PetMD Dog Care, Apartment Therapy Pets. All breed data verified against AKC breed characteristic databases. Weight ranges reflect AKC breed standards. Consult your veterinarian for individual health advice.