what is the best type of dog to get for studio apartment living?

Answer 1

You want a smaller breed that is low-energy. And one that doesn't bark a lot (because that will annoy your neighbors). A lot of apartments have weight or size restrictions on dogs too, so I'd find out what the rules are at the apartment before getting one.

Some smallish low energy breeds are:
French Bulldogs
English Bulldogs
Italian Greyhounds

Other breeds that could be good are:
Pugs (not high energy and don't bark a lot)
Some types of Spaniels like Cocker Spaniels or Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Chihuahua
Papillion
Whippet

Just stay away from any type of "terrier" dog since they bark a whole lot. That includes Beagles.

Animal Planet has a "dog breed selector" tool where you can answer questions and they'll tell you what type of dog is best for you:
http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/dogselector.do

Answer 2

We live in an apartment and our Cocker Spaniel fits right in. Other breeds to consider would be Shih Tzu, Pugs, Miniature Poodles and even Greyhounds. Although large, Greyhounds make excellent apartment dogs as they tend to be extremely quiet inside the house and spend most of the day on a soft dog bed. All the breeds I listed would be happy with a couple walks per day, leashed of course. All are fairly easy to train, not really yappy and save for the Greyhound, small enough to fit inside most apartment complex's regulations concerning size.
Good Luck!

Answer 3

A small toy breed is best. If you want a larger dog, it can work, but prepare yourself for lots of walks and exercise every single day. Also, if the dog is home alone all day, it will be a problem if the dog has no access to the outside to relieve itself.

Answer 4

A cat would be much better for an apartment,trust me you will not be sorry

Answer 5

get a daschund hound. there Small, there love able and there just good Little things....


i know from experience, i have a 4 year old dapple doxie named,"Juicy Fruit."

Answer 6

♥Miniature Schanuzer♥, Chiwawa (s/p), Yorkshire Terrier, Shitzu,...NO BIG DOGS :(

Answer 7

A cat.

Answer 8

Picking Your Pup – Dog Breeds

Here’s just a few of the most popular dog breeds with a snapshot of their dominant character traits that you may want to know. For more detailed information on dog breeds, visit a local bookstore, or call a local shelter or veterinarian.

American Bulldog/English Bulldog


Can jump up to 6 feet in the air!
Muscular and sturdy, can weigh up to 120 pounds (the English Bulldog is smaller at up to 55 pounds).
Brave and determined but not hostile.
Alert and self confident, heroic.
Good with kids.
Protective of the home.
May be aggressive with strangers and other dogs, should have obedience training as puppies.
Need to be around people.
Snore and slobber.
Easy to groom, average shedder.
Ok in apartments as long as they are exercised, inactive indoors.
American Pit Bull Terrier


The Pit Bull is not a naturally vicious dog, only improper training and handling have created dogs whose temperament is not ideal for the breed and earned them an often undeserved reputation.
Strong need for socialization early.
Strong need for obedience training and firm handling, can be willful.
Good natured, amusing, loyal, playful.
Intelligent and intuitive guard dog.
High pain tolerance and will put up with rough play.
Excellent with children in the family.
Can grow to 110 pounds.
Easy to groom, average shedder.
Ok in apartments as long as they are exercised regularly.
Beagle


The Beagle is a hunter.
Gentle, sweet, lively and curious.
Sociable, brave and intelligent.
Calm and loving.
Excellent with children, good with other dogs, not with noncanine animals.
Determined and watchful, need patient and firm training.
Doesn’t like to be alone.
Loud bark, more of a cry, which can disturb neighbors.
Hunting instinct often causes them to follow their noses; as a result, they should always be watched and/or leashed.
Max 25 pounds.
Ok in apartments but need a lot of time outdoors, very active indoors.
Bichon Frise


Known for it’s “cuteness” the Bichon loves human company and gets quite depressed when alone for long periods of time.
Happiest when they are part of a family that takes them everywhere, naturally sociable.
Independent, intelligent, affectionate, bold and energetic.
Competitive and obedient.
Minimal bark.
Max 12 pounds.
May have watery eyes and are prone to skin irritations and allergies.
Difficult to housebreak.
Need to be groomed frequently, bathed every month, needs hair cuts, sheds little to no hair and is a good animal for those who suffer from allergies.
Ok in apartments but need to be exercised, very active indoors.
Bloodhound


Powerful and massive.
Kind, patient, noble, mild temperament, gentle, affectionate.
Good with kids.
Good companion dog.
Loves attention.
Energetic outdoors.
Stubborn, patient training required.
Some can be timid, sensitive and shy.
Devoted to its master, seldom vicious towards people, aggressive to dogs of the same sex.
Protective.
Need to be leashed and watched at all times.
Max weight 110 pounds.
Easy to groom, bathe only when necessary, ears need to be cleaned regularly, average shedder.
Ok in apartments but needs lots of exercise, inactive indoors.
Boston Terrier


Gentle, alert, highly intelligent, wellmannered.
Enthusiastic and occasionally rambunctious, humorous.
Easy to train.
Good watchdogs, barking only when necessary.
Reliable with children, good with the elderly and friendly with strangers.
Playful, affectionate, needs to be part of the family.
Gets along well with noncanine pets.
May be difficult to housebreak.
May overheat, snores and drools, heart and skin tumors are common.
Max weight 25 pounds.
Easy to groom, bathe only when necessary, prominent eyes need to be cleaned frequently, average shedder.
Good for apartments, inactive indoors, light exercise.
Boxer


Happy, high spirited, playful, curious and energetic.
Highly intelligent, fast learner, can be sneaky.
Very loyal and bonds strongly with their family.
Needs attention and will whine and cry if left alone for long periods of time, needs a great deal of human companionship.
The boxer loves children, gets along very well with other breeds of dogs and other noncanine pets.
Extremely athletic and muscular, love to jump.
Needs to be trained young and requires a dominant owner.
Tends to be allergic, snores, drools and excessive flatulence, white boxers are prone to deafness.
Max weight 65 pounds.
Easy to groom, brush occasionally and bathe only when necessary, Boxers, like cats, clean themselves, average shedder.
Ok in apartments but need high levels of exercise and play time.
Bull Terrier


Courageous, scrappy, funloving, active, clownish and fearless.
Loyal, polite and obedient.
Become very attached to their owners and families.
Need a lot of attention, companionship and supervision, not good alone for over 8 hours.
Because of their energy, they are not recommended for households with small children.
Can be protective and willful.
Need very firm training and lots of exercise.
Prone to zinc deficiencies, deafness, males can be territorial.
Max weight 80 pounds.
Easy to groom, average shedder (twice a year).
Ok in apartments but need high levels of exercise and play time, active indoors, prefer warm climates.

Chihuahua


Good companion dog, courageous, lively, proud and enterprising.
Demands a great deal of affection.
Fast, strong willed and very attached to their owners, very protective.
Responsive to positive reinforcement training but does not react well to harsh commands.
Needs patience in housebreaking, needs early and frequent socialization.
May nip at children, its teeth are very sharp.
Prone to wheeze and snore, prone to glaucoma, gum problems, colds, stress problems and rheumatism. Weight problems can occur. Susceptible to fractures and accidents during puppy hood. Some in the breed have a molera, which is a part of the skull that never fuses shut, making the dog prone to accidental injury.
Hates the cold.
Max weight 6 pounds.
Minimal grooming for short haired, long coat should be brushed daily. Bathe once a month.
Great for apartment living, use a body harness when taking for walks.
Cocker Spaniel


Cheerful, sweet and sensitive.
Good with kids, good with other animals.
Gentle and trusting, average intelligence.
Need to be around people.
Difficult to housebreak and like to bark.
Some animals from “puppy mills” display negative behavioral characteristics including snapping and biting, submissive urination, aggressiveness, hypersexuality and roaming.
Max 30 pounds.
Cockers seem to be susceptible to many health ailments, including cataracts, glaucoma, hip dysplasia, allergies, liver disease, cardiomyopathy and IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia, an internal disease that comes upon the animal swiftly and causes almost instant death).
Coat needs daily brushing; eyes need regular cleaning, regular trimming and average shedder.
Ok in apartments but not recommended. Need regular exercise and are active indoors.
Dachshund


Lively, affectionate, proud, bold and tenacious.
Stubborn, clownish, mischievous, intelligent.
Hard to train.
Devoted to owner and family, mildly protective, ok with other pets.
Good to travel with.
Not good with small children.
Loud barkers, compulsive diggers.
Can be jealous, irritable, obstinate and quick to bite.
Can have weight gain problems, tendency to become overweight and lazy; prone to spinal disc problems, heart disease, urinary tract infections and diabetes.
Normal, max weight 20 pounds, miniature, max weight 9 pounds, toy, max weight 8 pounds.
Long haired variety needs daily grooming, wirehaired variety needs professional trimming twice a year, short haired variety minimal grooming.
Good for apartment living, does not need a yard for exercise. Should be discouraged from jumping as spinal injuries may result.
Dalmatian


Lots of stamina and energy.
Needs activity, is unhappy when bored.
Playful, happy, sensitive and loyal.
Needs human companionship, not good yard dogs.
Excellent memories.
Not good with toddlers or younger children but get along with other pets.
Some can be aggressive if not properly socialized and trained.
Potential risk for deafness, urinary stones, urinary blockage and skin allergies.
Max 55 pounds.
Not good for apartment living unless it can be walked and exercised several times a day, very active indoors and should not be left outside for long periods of time.
Doberman Pinscher


Intense, energetic, great strength and stamina.
Highly intelligent and easy to train.
Fearless, assertive, naturally protective of family, not naturally vicious.
Noble, loyal, affectionate with family.
Needs a master who is confident and who is not afraid to discipline, best for experienced dog owners.
Aggressive towards other dogs and non canine animals.
Must be with family, not an outdoor only dog.
Generally healthy.
Max 88 pounds.
Minimal grooming, average shedder.
Ok in apartments but needs sufficient exercise, sensitive to colds and should not be left outside for extended periods of time.
Fox Terrier


Bold, energetic, enthusiastic, jealous.
Playful with children, affectionate with family.
Cheerful, brave, scrappy, impulsive, loyal.
Will become destructive without enough exercise and attention.
Has a tendency to pick fights with other dogs, not trustworthy with other pets, is a natural hunter and may kill other noncanine animals.
Because of its hunting instinct, this breed should be properly leashed or kept in an enclosed area else it may run off.
High pitched barker, good watchdog.
Not good with the elderly due to its boisterous demeanor.
Max 20 pounds.
Health problems may include deafness, cataracts, post nasal drip and shoulder dislocation.
Easy to groom, bathe when necessary, average shedder.
Ok in apartments if sufficiently exercised, very active indoors.
German Shepherd


Direct, fearless, alert, bold, cheerful, obedient, eager to learn.
Loyal, courageous, serious, not naturally hostile.
Will only bark when necessary.
Should be extensively socialized as they have a strong protective instinct.
Extensive obedience training beginning early is needed.
Max 85 pounds.
Health problems may include epilepsy, eczema, keratitis, hip and elbow dysplasia, blood disorders, digestive problems, dwarfism and flea allergies.
Heavy shedder, daily brushing needed, bathe rarely.
Ok in apartments, but needs strenuous activity combined with training as their extreme intelligence will require challenges.
Golden Retriever


Loveable, well mannered, charming, easy to train.
Active, loving and eager to please.
Outstanding family dog, good with children and other dogs, needs to be around people to be happy.
May be mischievous if left alone for long periods of time.
Good watchdog, loves to swim.
May be overactive and distractible.
Max 80 pounds.
Health problems may include hip dysplasia and congenital eye defects, heart problems, skin allergies (can be serious and need immediate veterinary care), also tends to overfeed and put on weight.
Easy to groom, dry shampoo regularly but bathe only when needed, average shedder.
Ok in apartments but need to be exercised regularly, moderately active indoors.
Great Dane


Gentle, dignified, kind and affectionate.
Playful and patient with children, loves to be around people.
Minimal barker, only when necessary, only becomes aggressive when needed.
Responsible, dependable, brave and loyal.
May be difficult to train, ok with other dogs if they are raised together.
Max 200 pounds.
Health problems include hip dysplasia, bloat, tumors, heart disease and tail injuries. This breed does not have a long life span.
Easy to groom, average shedder, dry shampoo only when necessary.
Ok in apartments but need plenty of exercise.
Irish Setter


Energetic, intelligent, affectionate, high spirited, full of energy, loveable and impulsive.
Gets along with other animals and children but can be jealous and sensitive.
Difficult to train because of strong will and independence, can pick up bad habits easily.
Good hunters, swift, good sense of smell, easily housebroken.
Max 75 pounds.
Health problems may include skin rashes and allergies, bloat, eye problems, ear inflammation, elbow and hip dysplasia, autoimmune disease and hypothyroidism.
Average shedder, daily brushing, bathe and dry shampoo only when necessary.
Not recommended for apartment living due to high exercise needs and activity levels.
Jack Russell Terrier


Perky, happy, devoted, loving to family and friendly with children.
Spirited yet obedient, careful yet amusing, enjoys playing with people and toys.
Intelligent, willful and determined.
Can be aggressive with other dogs, can be restless and destructive if not kept occupied and entertained.
Max 18 pounds.
Health problems may include dislocation of the kneecaps, inherited eye diseases and deafness.
Easy to groom bathe only when necessary.
Ok in apartments, need to be exercised frequently, very active indoors and someone should be home with the animal during the day unless it is crate trained.
Labrador Retriever


Loving, affectionate, loveable and patient.
High spirited, lovely, good natured and they love to play.
Good with kids and other dogs, easy to train.
Can be destructive if left alone for long periods of time, need human attention and need to feel part of the family.
Max 75 pounds.
Health problems may include hip and elbow dysplasia and eye disorders.
Easy to groom, average shedder.
Ok in apartments, but are highly energetic dogs and need a good amount of exercise.
Lhasa Apso


Friendly, assertive, intelligent, spirited, devoted.
Affectionate with their masters but not good with rough play or unruly children.
Should have a dominant owner and responds to motivational training.
Good watch dog but can be noisy, they do not like to be alone and can be snappish.
Max 15 pounds.
Healthy dog.
Should be brushed once a day, meticulous cleaning of the eyes and ears necessary, dry shampoo as necessary, average shedder.
Good for apartments, active indoors, ok without a yard.
Maltese


Spirited, happy, playful, gentle and devoted to its master.
Very intelligent and fast learner; loves to play and learn tricks.
Companion dog that will alert owner to suspicious noises.
Not good with unruly children, may be snappish, may be difficult to housebreak.
Max 9 pounds.
Health problems may include, proclivity to sunburn, skin, eye, respiratory and tooth problems, upset digestion, prone to the chills and discomfort in hot weather.
Should be brushed once a day, clean eyes and beard after each meal to prevent stains, clean ears and pull out hair growing inside ears, bathe or dry shampoo regularly, sheds minimally and is good for allergy sufferers.
Good for apartment living, does not do well with extended periods outdoors, little exercise needed.
Newfoundland


Outstanding temperament, courageous, generous, intelligent, humanlike qualities.
Patient and mild with strangers, noble, gentle, calm and trustworthy.
Devoted to the extent of not adapting well to a new home, some males may be aggressive with other males but generally good with other animals.
Tend to drool, love to swim, may be difficult to train and moves slowly.
Max 150 pounds.
Health problems may include hip dysplasia, obesity and hereditary heart disease.
Daily to weekly brushing required, sheds twice a year, avoid bathing unless absolutely necessary.
Ok in an apartment with sufficient exercise, inactive indoors, sensitive to heat and prefer cooler climates.
Old English Sheepdog


Gentle, loving, even tempered and adaptable.
Friendly, intelligent, faithful and protective.
Good family pet, great with children.
Strong herding instinct and may push as a result.
Max 100 pounds.
Generally healthy.
Should be brushed three times per week, clip out tangles, seasonal heavy shedder.
Ok in an apartment with sufficient exercise, active indoors.
Pekingese


Brave, sensitive, independent, loving to the point of jealousy.
Affectionate with their master but not good with strangers.
Obstinate, willful and have displayed bad eating behaviors.
Max 10 pounds.
Health problems may include propensity to catch colds, herniated disks, dislocated kneecaps, breathing problems and heart problems.
Daily brushing required; dry shampoo regularly, average shedders.
Good for apartment living, relatively inactive indoors and needs minimal exercise.
Pointer


Powerful, graceful, alert, athletic, energetic.
Affectionate, intelligent, clean.
Loyal, devoted, kind and patient with children.
Can be stubborn and reserved with strangers, will bark at strange noises but is not a watchdog.
Max 66 pounds.
Health problems may include hip dysplasia, over active or under active thyroid, dwarfism and skin conditions.
Easy to groom, brush regularly, bathe only when necessary.
Not good for apartment living, moderately active indoors and need space to run and exercise.
Pomeranian


Lively, intelligent, loyal to master and family.
Willful, bold and often temperamental, alert, curious and busy, independent.
Will get along with other animals if introduced properly, if threatened it may attack much larger animals.
Can be demanding and not good with very young children but will do well with an elderly owner.
Docile and affectionate, will make a wonderful companion dog.
Max 7 pounds.
Health problems may include dislocated knee cap, heart and skin problems, eye infections, early tooth loss, balding in old age.
Brush frequently, sheds once or twice a year, dry shampoo when necessary, clean eyes and ears daily.
Good for apartment living, very active indoors and does not need a yard, this breed should be kept calm in hot weather as it has a propensity to overheat.
Pug


Perky, rambunctious and loyal.
Affectionate, loving, happy, playful and charming.
Clever, mischievous, great personality, very intelligent.
Good watchdog, very devoted, gets along with other dogs and noncanine animals.
Requires a good deal of attention and will get jealous if they do not get it.
Max 20 pounds.
Health problems may include propensity to catch colds, allergies, chronic breathing problems, corneal ulcers, weeping, wheezing and snoring, propensity to overeat and become obese.
Easy to groom, shampoo only when necessary, face wrinkles must be cleaned regularly, seasonal heavy shedder.
Good for apartment living, inactive indoors, does not need a yard; they do not like weather extremes.
Rat Terrier


Intelligent, alert, loving, inquisitive and lively.
Affectionate but hyper and overly energetic.
Good with children if they are raised with them from puppy hood.
Can be territorial but friendly with strangers, good watchdogs, not good swimmers and need to be watched closely around water.
Can be difficult to train and love to dig.
Max 35 pounds standard, 8 pounds midsized, 6 pounds toy.
Easy to groom, brush to remove dead hair.
Ok in an apartment but does need a half an hour of exercise per day, active indoors.
Rottweiler


Calm, easy to train, courageous and devoted to master and family.
Reliable, protective and will defend the family to the death, strong fighter that seems to be immune to pain.
Serious, steady, confident, with careful training, this breed can be loyal, loving and rewarding companions.
Masters should be strong and able to handle this breed’s strength and massive size.
Needs companionship and socialization to be happy, can be aggressive with other dogs and should be kept on leashes, superb watchdog.
Max 130 pounds.
Health problems may include hip dysplasia, tends to snore and overeat.
Easy to groom, bathe only when necessary, average shedder.
Ok in an apartment with sufficient exercise, inactive indoors.
Saint Bernard


Large, strong, gentle and friendly.
Can sense impending danger, highly developed sense of smell.
Slow moving and patient, obedient and desperately loyal.
Should be socialized at an early age, good watchdog and big drooler.
Max 200 pounds.
Health problems may include heart problems, skin problems, hip dysplasia and twisted stomachs, prone to bloat.
Easy to groom, bathe only when necessary, keep special attention to eyes, sheds twice a year.
Ok in a large apartment and if sufficiently exercised, inactive indoors, they have a low tolerance for hot weather, warm rooms and cars.
ShihTzu


Alert, spunky, happy, full of character, playful.
Dignified, courageous and often arrogant.
Only good with polite, conscientious children, alert watchdog.
Stubborn and clever, can get snappish if surprised or made angry.
Should be with people and are good with other pets, can be difficult to housebreak.
Max 16 pounds.
Health problems may include wheezing, snoring, prone to ear, eye and respiratory problems, spinal disc disease, early tooth loss, propensity to obesity and overeating.
Daily grooming required, ears and eyes must be kept clean, sheds little to no hair and are good for homes with allergy sufferers.
Good for apartment living, fairly active indoors, sensitive to hot weather, does not need a yard.
Yorkshire Terrier


Eager and often looks for adventure, highly energetic, brave, intelligent.
Affectionate and loyal to its master but distrustful with strangers.
Can be aggressive to strange dogs and other animals, not good with young children.
Can be stubborn, demanding and dependent, needs a great deal of human attention.
Wonderful watchdog, propensity to become neurotic.
Max 7 pounds.
Health problems may include bronchitis, early tooth decay, digestive problems, herniated disks, fragile bones, abnormal skull formations.
Regular grooming is required, daily to weekly brushing, teeth need to be cleaned regularly, sheds little to no hair, good for homes with allergy sufferers.
Good for apartment living, very active indoors, sensitive to cold weather