Personality and Behavior of Good Apartment Dogs

Living in small quarters isn't for every pet, and you want to spend some time with a dog before adopting him to be sure he's a good fit for your apartment. For example, dogs who are prone to barking are not the best dogs for apartment living. Your vocal pup may spend the day frustrating your neighbors while you're at work. Worse still, your pet might bark at any suspicious sound when you're home, making it hard for you to enjoy your new digs. A dog who barks incessantly might even get you evicted from your apartment.

The happiest apartment dog is one who can socialize well with other animals and humans. Since you're living in a shared building, your pet will likely come in contact with the other residents and potentially even their pets. You wouldn't want your dog snapping at another pet in the hallway or cowering in fear when a neighbor walks by him in shared spaces.

Consistent dog training can help with behavior issues like bolting from people or lunging at other dogs, but it's helpful to consider how well you can handle these needs before bringing a dog home. Similarly, an apartment dog may benefit from doggy day care for a few days a week to keep him active, provide socializing opportunities and offer a change of scenery. If day care isn't an option, consider hiring a dog walker to come exercise your pet while you're at work.

The Best Breeds for Apartment Living

You may have thought that only small breeds were the best dogs for apartment living, but apartment-dwelling dogs are best determined by their energy levels, personality and physical demands. In fact, some bigger dog breeds have low energy and can do quite well in a smaller space.

However, there are some breeds that potentially make better apartment pets than others. The American Kennel Club provides a detailed guide that explains which breeds do well living in smaller spaces. It also allows you to compare breeds as you're learning about them. Some popular breeds that made the guide include the bichon frise, French bulldog, greyhound and pug. Purebred dogs aren't the only ones who make ideal doggy roommates. The volunteers at your local shelter can introduce you to a dog who matches your personality and lifestyle. In fact, adopting a dog from a shelter is a good example of how the dog reacts to being in a small space or a kennel all day with the distraction of people and other pets as that is there daily norm in a shelter.

Adopting a dog will completely change your life and his, so put in the effort to get to know a dog before inviting him into your apartment and your future. With some simple training and accommodations, your pet will be happy to move in.