Best Medium Dog Breeds for Apartment Dwellers and Small Spaces
Those small or teacup dog breeds get all the love when it comes to apartment living and small spaces, don’t they? If you’d like a little more dog yet you’ve got limited space, this list of medium-sized dog breeds is for you. What is a medium-size dog? We’re sticking with breeds that tend to weigh between 30 and 50 pounds; anything larger will need more space than your tiny home provides.
As with any dog adoption, remember that your dog likely has an unknown history before he or she joined your family. While they might inherit traits from their ancestors, they’re also learning things from their surroundings.
What we looked for in this list is medium-size dog breeds that are also low energy; some people refer to them as “lazy” dogs, because they tend to be more sedentary. That said, make sure your dog gets regular daily exercise, and if you’re not sure how much is enough — check with your veterinarian.
What Are the Best Midsize Breeds for Apartments or Tiny Spaces?
Do you believe because you live in an apartment, you can’t have a medium-size dog because of the size of your living quarters? If your apartment community is pet friendly, many breeds do well in smaller homes or apartments. Of course, you’ll need to consider whether a breed is energetic, friendly, or barks incessantly. If you select a canine with a high energy level like the golden retriever or border collie, you may find your dog going a bit stir crazy and require plenty of outdoor play, whereas a basset hound is a content couch potato. Be sure to explore the breed before you adopt a pet.
These are the recommended breeds that might require less exercise and do well in smaller spaces, especially for first-time dog owners who live in apartments:
- Barbet
- Basset fauve de bretagne
- Basset hound
- Bulldog
- French bulldog
- Japanese spitz
- Keeshond
- Petit basset griffon vendéen
- Whippet
It’s important to keep in mind that all dogs bark, even the quietest of breeds; it’s their way of communicating. However, without control, your dog’s barking can quickly become a problem for those who live in apartments or homes that have little space between them. The best way to eliminate nuisance barking is to train your dog with positive reinforcement. What does that require? Plenty of treats, praise, and a training device like the handheld BarxBuddy ultrasonic training tool.
You might also find our related post that lists good first dogs for apartments, including breeds that are considered “low barking.”
Unlike anti-bark collars, the BarxBuddy training device doesn’t come into contact with your dog, so there’s no chance of injury to his skin. The high-frequency sound emitted is one that most humans can’t hear, but dogs can. They find it rather annoying; in fact, dogs find the sound so bothersome that they stop barking upon hearing it. To learn more about the device, how it works, and step-by-step details on training your pet, check out our blog.