If you came to this article expecting a list of the best apartment dogs, I’m here to disappoint you. In fact, I will shamelessly take this opportunity to share my personal opinion about what breed of dog is best for apartment living with you. It’s unlike anything else you’ll easily find on this topic online, but I believe it’s worth a discussion. So, thank you for following along while I share my thoughts on the perfect apartment pet with you.
What Breed of Dog Is Best for Apartment Living?
I think if you’re an experienced, responsible, and dedicated dog owner, you can successfully live in an apartment with most dog breeds. In fact, I think it’s not too far fetched to even say that there are lots of dogs that have a better quality of life in apartments than some dogs who live in the suburbs or even on acreage.
At the end of the day it comes down to your commitment to your dog, and how much time and effort you’re willing to invest to make it work.
For example, you could live in a really small apartment with your dog, but that doesn’t stop you from:
✅ What You Can Still Do from an Apartment
- Taking your dog on 1–2 walks a day
- Bringing your dog along when you go somewhere dog-friendly
- Providing your dog with enough opportunities for mental stimulation and enrichment feeding
- Participating in dog sports together — think agility, flyball, or nosework
- Taking your dog to the beach or on hikes
- Hiring a dog walker
- Taking your dog somewhere for daycare while you’re at work
If you compare this to a dog who lives in a home in the suburbs with a yard, but with no human who makes sure the dog gets an adequate amount of mental stimulation and physical exercise — I dare to say the apartment dog has the better quality of life.
The Question You Should Really Be Asking
Rather than asking what the best apartment dogs are, it would make more sense to take living spaces out of the equation entirely and instead ask whether a certain type of dog will be beginner-friendly for you, given your specific lifestyle.
For example, you probably don’t want to get a Malinois or a Kelpie if you have no experience with the breed, live in an apartment, and don’t have enough time to dedicate to the dog. That’s not an apartment problem — that’s a lifestyle mismatch problem that would exist in any home.
💡 A Better Way to Choose
Grab a notepad and write down:
- What breeds you like — aesthetics, personality, size
- What your lifestyle is actually like — hours at home, exercise routine, social life, work schedule
- What you’re hoping to do with your dog — hiking companion, lap dog, training projects, dog sports
Then have a conversation with a local dog trainer or vet, or join a breed-specific subreddit and ask for honest feedback on your notes. Bringing a new dog into your life is a significant commitment — managing your expectations based on real input from experienced people is worth the effort.
Image: Katja Rooke on Unsplash
Are Smaller Breeds More Suitable for Apartment Living?
I wouldn’t say that smaller breeds are inherently more suitable for apartment living. There are lots of small breed dogs that are high energy, and lots of big dogs who are genuinely happy to nap most of the day.
Now, don’t get me wrong — there are certainly genetic factors that influence a dog’s activity level. But it’s also important to consider that even within the same breed, individual characteristics vary significantly. There are plenty of failed working dogs out there who aren’t interested in performing the jobs they’ve been bred for — it’s just not as black and white as breed-based generalisations suggest.
You can only get a genuinely accurate picture of a dog’s behaviour by either assessing the parents of a puppy directly, or by adopting an older rescue dog whose behaviour has been assessed for suitability to your lifestyle.
🐾 Size vs Energy — What Actually Matters
Small dogs that are high energy
Jack Russell Terriers, Miniature Pinschers, Miniature Schnauzers, and Chihuahuas are all small dogs that can be highly energetic, vocal, and demanding in ways that don’t suit every apartment environment. Size does not equal calm.
Large dogs that can be surprisingly settled
Greyhounds, Great Danes, and Mastiffs are large to very large breeds that are often described by their owners as excellent apartment dogs — low energy indoors, happy to lounge for hours between walks. The couch usage per kilogram is extraordinary.
What size does affect
Size matters for logistics — a 50kg dog needs more physical space to move comfortably indoors than a 5kg dog. It also affects body heat in summer, food costs, and vet bills. But energy level, noise, and need for stimulation are far more important for apartment suitability than breed size.
The individual matters more than the breed
Two dogs of the same breed from the same litter can have meaningfully different temperaments, energy levels, and social tendencies. A behaviour assessment on an adult rescue dog, or an honest conversation with a breeder who knows their individual puppies, will tell you more than any breed guide.
Which Dog Can Be Left Alone the Longest?
There’s no particular breed that can be left alone the longest — it’s actually much more about how you train your new dog when you first bring it home, and there’s a lot you can do to teach a dog to be calm when left alone for extended periods. This always depends on the individual dog and your personal circumstances, so seeking advice from a qualified dog trainer is the most reliable path.
That said, there are genetic factors that influence a breed’s statistical risk of developing separation problems. This doesn’t mean every dog of those breeds will have problems — but it means they’re more likely to, all else being equal.
⚠️ Higher Risk of Separation Problems
These breeds have a statistically higher risk of developing separation anxiety — worth knowing before committing, particularly if you’re in an apartment and out of the house for long hours:
- Shih Tzu
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Pug
- Pomeranian
- Poodle (Toy and Miniature)
- Maltese
- Chihuahua
- Miniature Pinscher
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Dachshund
- Basset Hound
- Beagle
- Cocker Spaniel
- Staffy
✅ Lower Risk of Separation Problems
These breeds have a statistically lower risk of developing separation anxiety:
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Rottweiler
- Golden Retriever
- Boston Terrier
Heritability estimates for 14 behavioural traits. Source: The Royal Society Publishing
How to Make Apartment Life Work for Your Dog
If you’ve chosen a breed that suits your lifestyle and you’re committed to making apartment living work, the practical execution matters. Here’s what actually moves the needle.
🏠 Practical Tips for Apartment Dog Owners
Establish a consistent daily routine
Dogs are creatures of habit. A predictable schedule for walks, meals, and alone time reduces anxiety significantly. Your dog learns to expect when you’ll be back, which makes waiting alone less stressful. Inconsistency — some days short, some days long — is harder on a dog than a consistently longer absence with a reliable routine.
Invest in enrichment, not just walks
Mental stimulation and enrichment feeding — puzzle feeders, sniff mats, lick mats, frozen Kongs — can occupy and satisfy a dog in ways that pure physical exercise doesn’t. A mentally tired dog settles better than one that’s only physically exercised. This is especially valuable for apartment dogs who spend time home alone.
Teach independence from the start
The biggest mistake new apartment dog owners make is spending every moment with their dog in the first weeks, then going back to work and expecting the dog to cope. Practice short absences from day one. Build alone time gradually. A qualified trainer can give you a specific protocol for this — it’s one of the highest-return investments you can make early on.
Use the city strategically
One underrated advantage of apartment living in an Australian city is proximity to dog-friendly infrastructure — off-lead parks, dog-friendly cafes, beaches, and trails are often closer to urban apartments than to suburban or rural properties. Use our Explore Map to find what’s nearby. A nearby off-lead park you visit daily is worth more than a backyard you rarely use.
Consider a dog walker or daycare
If you’re working full-time, a midday dog walk or one to two days a week at doggy daycare can make a significant difference to your dog’s wellbeing and your apartment’s condition. The cost is real, but so is the alternative of a stressed or bored dog spending 8+ hours alone every day.
Manage the strata or rental situation proactively
In Australia, strata laws and rental rules around pets vary by state and have been shifting in recent years. Know your rights and your body corporate’s rules before committing. A pet resume can genuinely help when approaching landlords — it’s a real thing that real dog owners use successfully.
The Australian Apartment Context
There’s something worth addressing specifically for Australian dog owners in apartments, because the context here is genuinely different from what you’d read in a generic international article on this topic.
🇦🇺 What’s Unique About Australia
Strata pet restrictions are changing
Australian state governments have been progressively reforming strata laws to make it harder for body corporates to blanket-ban pets. Queensland, NSW, Victoria, and WA have all moved in this direction in recent years. If you’ve been told pets aren’t allowed, it may be worth checking the current rules in your state.
The heat factor
Australian summers are genuinely dangerous for dogs left in hot apartments without adequate ventilation or climate control. If you’re in a north-facing apartment that heats up significantly, this is a serious welfare consideration — not just a comfort issue. Air conditioning access or ensuring the dog isn’t home alone during peak heat hours matters.
Off-lead access varies dramatically by city
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth all have different densities of off-lead dog parks relative to their apartment populations. This is worth researching before choosing where to live, not after. An apartment in a suburb with a large fenced off-lead park nearby is a meaningfully better environment for a dog than one that requires a long drive to reach open space.
The dog culture gap
One of the founding frustrations behind Dogs of Australia was that Australian cities — particularly compared to European ones — have fewer dog-friendly spaces inside buildings, on public transport, and in workplaces. This makes apartment dog ownership harder here than in many comparable countries. It’s improving, but slowly. Knowing this going in helps set realistic expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Common Questions
Can you have a large dog in an apartment?
Yes — and many large dogs actually do very well in apartments, particularly lower-energy breeds like Greyhounds, Great Danes, and Mastiffs. The practical considerations are physical space inside the apartment and the logistics of getting a large dog in and out for exercise. A large dog in a well-exercised, enrichment-rich apartment is better off than a large dog in a suburban yard that gets no attention.
How long can a dog be left alone in an apartment?
As a general guideline, most adult dogs should not be left alone for more than 4–6 hours at a stretch — and this varies significantly by individual dog, breed, age, and how well they’ve been trained to cope with alone time. Puppies need much more frequent contact. If you’re regularly out for 8+ hours, a dog walker, daycare, or a second dog becomes an important welfare consideration rather than a nice-to-have.
What are the best low-energy dogs for apartments?
If you’re specifically looking for lower-energy breeds, Greyhounds, Basset Hounds, Shih Tzus, Bulldogs (English), and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are commonly cited for their generally calmer indoor temperaments. But breed is only part of the picture — an individual dog’s history, training, and daily exercise routine matter just as much. A behaviour assessment from a rescue or an honest breeder is more valuable than a breed ranking.
Are apartments allowed to ban dogs in Australia?
Strata pet rules vary by state and have been changing. Several states have moved to restrict blanket pet bans in strata schemes — including NSW, Queensland, and Victoria. For rentals, new protections in some states make it harder for landlords to refuse pets without reasonable grounds. Check the current rules in your specific state, as this area of law has been actively evolving in Australia.
How do I help my dog adjust to apartment living?
Establish a consistent routine early, invest in enrichment activities for time spent indoors, teach alone time gradually from day one, and ensure the dog gets adequate physical exercise daily — particularly important in the first few weeks while they’re settling in. A dog that feels secure in the routine of apartment life, and has enough physical and mental outlets, will adjust well. A dog left to figure it out on their own will struggle.
Can a Staffy live in an apartment?
Yes — with important caveats. Staffies are deeply people-attached and have a higher statistical risk of separation anxiety, which makes apartment living more challenging if you’re out for long hours. With good training, consistent exercise, and a plan for alone time, many Staffies live happily in apartments. We’ve written more specifically about this in our article on whether Staffies can live in apartments.
