Desirable Behavior Traits of the Best Apartment Dogs

Measure the Best Apartment Dogs Against 12 Key Characteristics

Which Breeds Make the Best Apartment Dogs?  First of all, it is our opinion that just about any breed can live happily in an apartment, as long as it is well trained and the dog's needs for exercise and companionship are met.  However,certain breeds have tendencies and characteristics that are better suited for apartment living than others. The best apartment dogs are relatively quiet, friendly animals that can have their exercise needs met within the apartment and a couple of short daily walks. However in many cases the specific needs or preferences of families or individuals take precedence and preclude breeds that exactly fit that profile. For example, families with small children may prefer rugged breeds that are especially playful and active but may also need lots of outdoor exercise. Other people may want a watch dog which looks intimidating and has high instincts for territorial defense, but that may be a breed that is neither quiet nor considered "friendly" by the neighbors.  

We will define 12 relevant canine characteristics and then rate 50 breeds as having high, medium or low tendencies in those traits to help you find dogs that fit your lifestyle. To proved a clearer understanding on how this model works, we will use our Breed Selector different dogs against the several hypothetical lifestyles. You can then adjust the Breed Selector to reflect you own preferences. Always remember that the behavior of individual dogs within each breed will vary due to other genetic and environmental factors.

Let start with description of the 12 behavioral traits:

 1) Need for Exercise

All breeds need to go outside for regular walks for exercise and mental stimulus. However the frequency and intensity of those outings vary greatly by breed and size. Breeds that are rated low in this trait, like a Bloodhound, are happy just lying around all day, while others that are rated high, like Fox Terriers are always on the go.  An active dog without access to space to burn off energy is not a very pleasant companion for most people. Size also comes into play since many small dogs are very active but they can usually get enough exercise playing in the apartment while larger high energy dogs needs frequent and regular trips outside for vigorous walks and off the leash romps.  Even if you have access to a large fenced yard just letting the dog out on its own is not sufficient since they require both mental and physical stimulation. Jogging on a leash, playing fetch or chasing a Frisbee in a park or dog run are all fun ways of providing exercise. An interesting alternative for bad weather or more sedentary folks are Doggy Treadmills. These devices are pricey but are an effective means of exercising even large dogs indoors. If you are looking for a jogging companion, a breed rated high in this trait is a good choice.  If you are not prepared to make the commitment of providing a high energy dog with regular exercise, stick with smaller or less active breeds.

2) Demands Attention and Affection

Puppies demand more attention and affection than adult dogs and there are breeds that retain much of this puppyish behavior as they mature. This is also related to the affection that dogs shows back towards their families. Smaller dogs and females demonstrate this trait more than larger dogs or males. If your like cuddling and other physical contact with your dog some of the best breeds are  Miniature Poodles and Bichon Frises.  Bigger dogs that demonstrate more than average tendencies in this characteristic are Irish Setters, Australian Shepherds and Bearded Collies. With these breeds  always be prepared for 50 lbs of dog jumping in your lap!  Our Aussie just loves to lie in bed between my wife and I, maintaining physical contact with both of us. Bigger, sturdier dogs are also much more suitable for wrestling and rough housing with children. So if you are going to be around your dog a lot and want physical contact with your pet look for breeds that are rated high in this trait. If you are going to be away from home often and prefer a more reserved pet choose a breed with a lower score.

3) Destructiveness

Puppies relieve the pain of teething by chewing. When that chewing takes place on nylon bones or any objects that are designated for that purpose all is well. On the other hand, puppies are also prone to chew on new pairs of shoes, window sills or the wood moldings  and that creates unnecessary expense and aggravation. As dogs mature they tend to grow out of these nasty habits but the more sociable and active breeds are still likely to tear things up when left alone for long periods. So if you are planning to leave your dog alone during the day while working, look for breeds that are scored low in destructiveness like Bulldogs or Welsh Corgis.  Of course if you are really set on a breed that is rated high in destructiveness, this problem can be mitigated if you are willing to crate the dog when you are gone. By nature dogs are den animals so most get use to being  kept in a crate as long as there is enough space, access to water and some toys included. However, some will bark all day until they are released, so to maintain peace with your neighbors test out this solution first by gradually increasing the time the dog is left in the crate. Another solution is to use the doggy equivalent of baby gates to contain the dog in a an area of the apartment where no damage can be done. I have to believe that all things being equal most people would opt for a dog that is scored as low in destructive tendencies. However all things are not equal and many of the breeds that are low in this trait are also less active and affectionate. So tradeoffs may have to be made and destructiveness in dogs is something that can be managed relatively easily.

4) Dominance Over Owner

There is always an alpha dog in the pack (which includes you and your family) and some breeds, like Afghan Hounds or Chow Chows just want to be the boss and do whatever it is they want to do. This trait is related to how easy it is being able to control the dog in different situations. This is particularly important in apartment living. You don’t want a dominant breed dragging you down the stairs, across an elevator or on crowded city streets terrorizing pedestrians and harassing other dogs.  You also don’t want to live in any space, large or small, where the dog thinks it is in control and the owner is intimidated or compliant.  So breeds that are rated high in dominance require more experienced and assertive owners. It is not difficult to do, but requires consistent rules and not giving in to an “oh so cute” dog or a “very, very scary” dog. If you are a soft touch or don't like the idea of confronting the animal when necessary, stick with breeds that are scored low to medium in dominance.

5) Excitability

This measures how easily a dog can be set off by a stimulus such as a door bell ringing, a car horn honking or a grandfather clock chiming. This trait is prevalent in terriers and almost all smaller dogs. Of course a smaller dog jumping and running around an apartment is less of a problem than a large dog.This trait usually goes hand in hand with the energy level and the need for exercise.Some breeds like Australians Shepherds are active and need a lot of exercise but are also very calm indoors and do not over react to unexpected events.

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