{"id":155847,"date":"2026-05-28T21:46:04","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T21:46:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/how-to-choose-a-dog-for-an-apartment"},"modified":"2026-05-28T21:46:04","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T21:46:04","slug":"how-to-choose-a-dog-for-an-apartment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/en\/how-to-choose-a-dog-for-an-apartment","title":{"rendered":"How to choose a dog for a flat: breeds, the puppy test and top picks"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"tvtr-quickanswer\" style=\"border:1px solid #e3e3e3;border-left:4px solid #f6a623;background:#fafafa;padding:16px 20px;margin:0 0 24px;border-radius:6px\">\n<p style=\"margin:0 0 8px\"><strong>In brief: choosing a dog for a flat<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What matters is <strong>temperament<\/strong>, not size: many big breeds (Labrador, Great Dane) are calm indoors, while small terriers can be hyperactive.<\/li>\n<li>The best fits are moderately active dogs that <strong>bark little and tolerate being alone<\/strong>: French Bulldog, Pug, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Shih Tzu, Greyhound.<\/li>\n<li>Factor in shedding, exercise needs and neighbours (barking). Test a puppy\u2019s temperament (the Campbell test \u2014 below).<\/li>\n<li>For a child, choose patient, friendly breeds; avoid the very tiny and the very protective.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.tvaryny.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/204307.jpg\" alt=\"Dogs of various breeds that are well suited to apartment living\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>A dog is the one family member we actually choose ourselves. And that choice shapes the next 10\u201315 years: how comfortably you live together in a flat, whether you have time for walks and training, and how well the dog gets on with children and other pets. Below is a practical order of steps \u2014 how to pick a breed to suit your lifestyle, how to choose a healthy puppy, and how to assess its temperament before you ever bring it home.<\/p>\n<h2>Choosing a breed to suit your lifestyle<\/h2>\n<p>A breed determines not only looks but also an inborn character that is almost impossible to \u201cre-train\u201d. So first answer honestly: do you want a family pet, a companion or a guard dog? By purpose, dogs fall roughly into four types:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Type of dog<\/th>\n<th>Best for<\/th>\n<th>Example breeds<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Companion<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Families, single owners, children<\/td>\n<td>Labrador, golden retriever, poodle, pug, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Shih Tzu<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Guard<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Protecting the owner; experienced handler<\/td>\n<td>German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Doberman, Great Dane<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Watchdog<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Alerting to strangers; territorial<\/td>\n<td>Caucasian Shepherd, Bullmastiff, Giant Schnauzer (and even small, vocal dogs)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Hunting<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Active owners, plenty of exercise<\/td>\n<td>Retrievers, spaniels, terriers, hounds, huskies<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The easiest to keep in a flat are <strong>companions<\/strong>: they are non-aggressive, attached to people and cope well with limited space. Guard and hunting breeds can live in a flat too, but they need serious training and long exercise \u2014 otherwise boredom turns into chewed furniture.<\/p>\n<h2>Dog size and the space in your home<\/h2>\n<p>A common myth is that only small dogs belong in a flat. In reality it isn\u2019t height that matters but temperament and exercise needs:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Small breeds<\/strong> (Chihuahua, Toy Terrier, Shih Tzu, Pekingese) don\u2019t need much room \u2014 but \u201csmall\u201d doesn\u2019t mean \u201ccalm\u201d: some terriers are very energetic and noisy.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Medium breeds<\/strong> (spaniels, bulldogs, collies) handle limited space easily thanks to proper walks.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Large and giant breeds<\/strong> (Great Danes, mastiffs, shepherds) are the hardest: even a calm giant needs long daily walks for life.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Honestly weigh up the two resources a dog will need every day for years: <strong>time and space<\/strong>. Time goes on grooming, training and companionship \u2014 decorative breeds need a lot of grooming, working breeds need training, and companions need attention. Some of it can be offset with money (grooming, a trainer, quality food from a breeder), but not all.<\/p>\n<h2>How to choose a healthy puppy<\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s best to take a puppy no earlier than <strong>8 weeks<\/strong> \u2014 by then both physical condition and character are visible. Before you fall for those eyes, check the pup over:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Bite<\/strong> \u2014 correct, with no obvious faults.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ears<\/strong> \u2014 clean, with no squelching or bad smell when you press near the base.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ribs and legs<\/strong> \u2014 no lumps (a sign of rickets), sturdy limbs, an even gait.<\/li>\n<li><strong>General look<\/strong> \u2014 well-fed, good appetite, a tail with no kinks.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stools<\/strong> \u2014 formed; an upset tummy in even one pup of the litter is a warning sign.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A healthy puppy is often clear at a glance. To assess <strong>character<\/strong>, though, breeders use a special test.<\/p>\n<h2>The Campbell test: assessing a puppy\u2019s character<\/h2>\n<p>William Campbell\u2019s test is done with a puppy <strong>aged 6\u20138 weeks<\/strong> in a place unfamiliar to it, with no mother or littermates nearby. It consists of five short exercises; the pup\u2019s reactions reveal its character type. Note the letter (A\u2013E) for each exercise and write them in a row \u2014 that is the \u201ccode\u201d of the future temperament.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Exercise 1. Sociability.<\/strong> Place the puppy in the middle of the room, step back a few paces, crouch down and call it with your hand.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Reaction<\/th>\n<th>What it means<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>A<\/td>\n<td>Comes at once, tail up, nipping your hands<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>B<\/td>\n<td>Comes without hesitation, tail up, barking<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>C<\/td>\n<td>Comes without hesitation, tail down<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>D<\/td>\n<td>Comes slowly, tail down<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>E<\/td>\n<td>Doesn\u2019t come at all<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p><strong>Exercise 2. Following.<\/strong> Walk away from the puppy at a normal pace \u2014 the way it follows shows how independent it is.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Reaction<\/th>\n<th>What it means<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>A<\/td>\n<td>Follows readily, grabs at your feet, tail held high<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>B<\/td>\n<td>Follows readily, tail held high<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>C<\/td>\n<td>Follows readily, tail held low<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>D<\/td>\n<td>Follows slowly, tail held low<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>E<\/td>\n<td>Doesn\u2019t follow, moves away<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p><strong>Exercise 3. Restraint.<\/strong> Gently lay the puppy on its side, holding it by the chest. A dominant pup resists actively; a calm one accepts the position. There is no letter key here.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Exercise 4. Social dominance.<\/strong> Stroke the puppy while leaning over it. Its reaction shows how it perceives human authority.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Reaction<\/th>\n<th>What it means<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>A<\/td>\n<td>Jumps, paws, nips<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>B<\/td>\n<td>Jumps, paws<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>C<\/td>\n<td>Lets you stroke it, licks your hands<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>D<\/td>\n<td>Rolls onto its back and licks your hands<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>E<\/td>\n<td>Moves away and doesn\u2019t return<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p><strong>Exercise 5. Self-esteem.<\/strong> Lift the puppy for a few seconds, cradling it under the belly with crossed hands so it can\u2019t see you, and watch how it behaves.<\/p>\n<h2>How to read the result<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Predominant letters<\/th>\n<th>Character<\/th>\n<th>Best suited to<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Two A and two B<\/td>\n<td>Prone to dominance, may bite; harsh methods are off-limits; will protect its owner<\/td>\n<td>Not for children or the elderly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Three or more B<\/td>\n<td>A leader, loyal, competitive<\/td>\n<td>For an experienced owner<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Three or more C<\/td>\n<td>An ideal companion, well-balanced<\/td>\n<td>Recommended for children and older people<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Several D with E<\/td>\n<td>Very submissive, needs patience to raise<\/td>\n<td>Gets on easily with children<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Two or more E (especially in Exercise 4)<\/td>\n<td>Hard to engage, needs a special approach; may be prone to running away<\/td>\n<td>Not for children or teenagers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p>If A and B reactions are hard to tell apart, repeat the test in another room. Remember: the test is a guide, not a verdict \u2014 character is still shaped by upbringing.<\/p>\n<h2>Top 10 dog breeds for apartments<\/h2>\n<p>Sources vary a little, but they agree on the essentials: an \u201capartment\u201d dog is <strong>small-to-medium, moderately active, quiet and good with the family<\/strong>. The breeds most often recommended are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>French Bulldog<\/strong> \u2014 calm, barks little, needs no long runs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pug<\/strong> \u2014 an affectionate companion that loves being near you.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cavalier King Charles Spaniel<\/strong> \u2014 friendly, wonderful with children.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Yorkshire Terrier<\/strong> \u2014 tiny and barely sheds.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Shih Tzu<\/strong> \u2014 a calm house pet.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Maltese<\/strong> \u2014 gentle and owner-focused.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pekingese<\/strong> \u2014 independent, undemanding about space.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pomeranian<\/strong> \u2014 compact and cheerful (watch the barking).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Dachshund<\/strong> \u2014 clever, moderately active.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Poodle (Miniature\/Toy)<\/strong> \u2014 clever, hypoallergenic, easy to train.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The <strong>Greyhound<\/strong> is a surprising fit too: despite its size, it is remarkably calm indoors.<\/p>\n<h2>Choosing a dog for a child<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.tvaryny.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/204307.jpg\" alt=\"A child with a friendly dog at home\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>Remember: feeding, training and caring for the dog will fall to the adults \u2014 even a teenager can\u2019t handle shedding, health care and, above all, training alone. If there are children at home, rule out fighting, working and many hunting breeds. On the other hand, very tiny toy breeds are too fragile \u2014 a child can injure them even in a loving hug.<\/p>\n<p>The breeds that get on best with children are the <strong>golden retriever, Labrador, collie, beagle, poodle, Bichon Fris\u00e9 and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel<\/strong>. The key is to teach the child respect and care, and to socialise the dog from an early age.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions (FAQ)<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Which dog is best for a small flat?<\/strong><br \/>Calm small-to-medium breeds with modest exercise needs: French Bulldog, Pug, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon, Shih Tzu. The Greyhound is a surprising fit too \u2014 despite its size it is very calm at home.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Can I keep a large dog in a flat?<\/strong><br \/>Yes, if the breed is calm and low-energy (for example a Great Dane or Labrador, given walks). The key is daily exercise; large size itself isn\u2019t the problem \u2014 surplus energy with no outlet is.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Which dogs bark the least?<\/strong><br \/>The Basenji (almost barkless), Greyhound, bulldogs and the Cavalier. But barking depends heavily on training and stress levels, not just the breed.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A puppy or an adult dog for a flat?<\/strong><br \/>An adult means a known temperament and size, and is often calmer and house-trained. A puppy needs more attention and training but adapts faster to your routine. The Campbell test helps assess a puppy\u2019s character.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How much exercise does a flat dog need?<\/strong><br \/>At least twice a day, 30\u201360 minutes in total, and more for active breeds. Living in a flat doesn\u2019t cancel walks \u2014 they make up for the lack of space and prevent destructive behaviour.<\/p>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Which dog is best for a small flat?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Calm small-to-medium breeds with modest exercise needs: French Bulldog, Pug, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon, Shih Tzu. The Greyhound is a surprising fit too \u2014 despite its size it is very calm at home.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Can I keep a large dog in a flat?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes, if the breed is calm and low-energy (for example a Great Dane or Labrador, given walks). 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Living in a flat doesn\u2019t cancel walks \u2014 they make up for the lack of space and prevent destructive behaviour.\"}}]}<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In brief: choosing a dog for a flat What matters is temperament, not size: many big breeds (Labrador, Great Dane) are calm indoors, while small terriers can be hyperactive. The best fits are moderately active dogs that bark little and tolerate being alone: French Bulldog, Pug, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Shih Tzu, Greyhound. Factor in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2303,2767],"tags":[],"moimportance":[],"class_list":["post-155847","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-dogs-guides","category-articles-choosing"],"views":2,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155847","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=155847"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155847\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=155847"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=155847"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=155847"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=155847"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}