When it comes to dogs, size matters in flat living, having a big dog running around in a flat can wreak havoc on your place and make it feel a little stuffed. But, that does not mean that you cannot have a dog. If you are in the market for a dog and live in a flat, you should be looking for a small dog breed. There are many small breeds to choose from, and we have the best small dog breeds for flats coming right up.
Small dog breeds are very popular with flat, condominium, and apartment living. The best small dogs breeds for flat living range from the Yorkshire Terrier to The French Bulldog. Dogs that don’t bark much are essential when looking for a dog for flat living. Since you are living within a close range of your neighbor, you want to be sure that you choose a breed that is quieter than other breeds. Small breeds that don’t bark much include the Basenji, Pug, and English Bulldog, to name a few.
Read on to find out the best dog breeds for flats, and small dogs that don’t bark that much for a bonus!
Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier is a very affectionate small dog breed. They are energetic, so they require playtime, like throwing their favorite toy around, playing fetch, and taking them for a brisk walk.
However, they also enjoy just lounging around all day curled up on the couch beside you or in your lap, and they are a traditional lap dog, as we all know.
Yorkshire terriers are an excellent choice for flat living. They do not require a lot of room and are generally happy in small areas. This breed stays quiet for the most part; however, some like to bark at everything they hear. With the proper training, this dog breed can learn to be more reserved and bark only when needed.
Most Yorkies get along with other household pets like cats and are generally friendly to other dogs. I have Yorkie myself, and she gets along quite well with my cat and loves making friends with other dogs.
General Yorkshire Terrier Statistics
- Life Expectancy: 13-16 years
- Weight Male: 7 lbs (3.20 kg)
- Weight Female: 7 lbs (3.20 kg)
- Height Male: 7-8 inches (17.8 cm – 20 cm)
- Height Female: 7-8 inches (17.8 cm – 20 cm)
Grooming
Yorkies have hair more like a human than a dog. Their hair is long and will grow until the end of time. Therefore, brushing off their coat needs to happen a few times a week to keep their fur’s silky shine.
It is good to visit a groomer every two months or so for a cut to keep it neat and tidy. We keep our dog’s coat short as she is not a show dog. It is easy to manage this way and more comfortable for my dog.
A bonus with this breed is that they do not shed, so you need not worry about sweeping and vacuum fur every day!
Bichon Frise
Another exceptional breed for a flat living is the Bichon Frise. This breed is vigorous, curious, playful, affectionate, and highly intelligent. Therefore they are easily trained.
The Bichon Frise gets along well with other animals and loves making new friends. They also get along quite well with small children since they are both similar in size.
This dog is energetic, so they do need daily exercise. This breed loves being part of the family, so if you are an active outdoor family, make sure that you take this dog with you. They love to play fetch and are excellent swimmers who love the water and retrieving things.
This breed loves being with its family so much that if left alone, the dog will suffer from separation anxiety. So, if you are going on a family adventure, make sure to bring your dog with you. The Bichon Frise is always up for an adventure with its family.
General Bichon Frise Statistics
- Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
- Weight Male: 12 lbs – 18 lbs (5kg – 8.2 kg)
- Weight Female: 12 lbs – 18 lbs (5kg – 8.2 kg)
- Height Male: 9.5 inches – 11.5 inches ( 24 cm – 30 cm)
- Height Female: 11.5 inches ( 24 cm – 30 cm)
Grooming
The Bichon Frise has a silky white curly coat that doesn’t shed but is pretty high maintenance. They need daily brushing to remove loose hair, dead hair, and dander. The brushing also helps with mats and tangles, which this coat is prone to given that is it curly. Even though the fur on this dog is high maintenance, it is well worth the work we put into making it look fantastic!
Since this dog has a white coat, they require frequent bathing to keep the white color clean.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi- One Of The Best Dog Breeds For Flats
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a small sweet dog that is extremely popular in the United Kingdom. So popular in fact that Queen Elizabeth has owned one since her 18th birthday.
These dogs are perfect for someone or a family that lives in a flat. They do not bark much and are affectionate, silly, and love spending time with their families that they will even follow their owners everywhere.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis make for excellent guard dogs due to being highly alternative and will bark when warranted. They are very protective of their families and will fight to the death if they feel that the family is in danger.
General Pembroke Welsh Corgi Statistics
- Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
- Weight Male: 24 lbs – 31 lbs (11kg – 14kg)
- Weight Female: 24 lbs – 28 lbs ( 11kg – 13kg)
- Height Male: 10 inches – 12 inches (25 cm – 30 cm)
- Height Female: 10 inches – 12 inches (25 cm – 30 cm)
Grooming
The PW Corgi sheds very generously. You will need to brush your dog’s coat with a comb and slicker brush daily to remove dead hair before it reaches your floor, beds, and other furniture. The heavy shedding happens in late spring/early summer.
When in shedding season, it is recommended to bath this dog to loosen dead hair. You must wait until the coat is dry to begin any brushing. A rake brush is also handy after washes during the shedding season and to strip the undercoat.
West Highland Terrier
West Highland White Terriers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the UK. They are also one of the best small dog breeds for flats.
A Westie makes for a great companion and loyal family member. These dogs love to play and would be ideal for an active family with children.
They do like to bark, but with the proper training, they can learn to bark only when warranted. Training a Westie means that you will have to put in extra time because they can be stubborn and a little difficult to train at first. However, they do love to please their owners, so they are trainable and very good at it.
If you are looking for an affectionate little spitfire for your flat, then a West Highland Terrier may be just what you are looking need.
General West Highland White Terrier Statistics
- Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
- Weight Male: 15 lbs – 20 lbs (6.8 kg – 9 kg)
- Weight Female: 15 lbs – 20 lbs (6.8 kg – 9 kg)
- Height Male: 11 inches (28 cm)
- Height Female: 10 inches (25 cm)
French Bulldog-An Excellent Dog For Flats
The Fresh Bulldog is among the UK’s most popular small dog breeds, especially with city dwellers living in flats. This dog is smart, playful, and very adaptable.
One of the many things that makes this dog utterly irresistible is those large bat-like ears. The Frenchie is exceptionally playful and good-natured, which makes them great family pets. They love to please, which means training them is easy.
French Bulldogs are low maintenance, so they make great first time dogs. They do not need long walks like an active dog, but they still need to be taken out at least three times a day for a little exercise and bathroom breaks.
This dog can get smelly at times if not bathed regularly. They cannot swim and should never go in the water without a personal floating device. Frenchies do not do well in warm weather and should never be left outside.
General French BullDog Statistics
- Life Expectancy: 10 – 14 years
- Weight Male: Up to and no more than 28 lbs (28 kg)
- Weight Female: Up to and no more than 28 lbs (28 kg)
- Height Male: 11 inches – 13 inches (28 cm – 33 cm)
- Height Female: 11 inches – 13 inches (28 cm – 33 cm)
Chihuahua-The Perfect Sized Dog Breed For Your Flat
The Chihuahua is considered the smallest dog of the little dog breed category. Therefore they fit just fine in a flat. These dogs are the lapdogs of all lapdogs. They would like nothing better than to just sit in your lap all day.
Chihuahuas may be small, but they certainly don’t think so! They are quite vocal when warranted and will protect their human if they feel there is danger.
Chihuahuas should be socialized fairly early since they are one of the most aggressive dog breeds toward dogs outside of the breed.
Chihuahuas create a powerful bond with their owner. The breed will do best with an adult owner who can spend a lot of time with them.
They make family dogs as well as they are loyal and affectionate. Small children should be extra careful playing with them since they are tiny and delicate and could get hurt easily.
General Chihuahuas Statistics
- Life Expectancy: 15 – 20 years
- Weight Male: Up to no more than 6 lbs (2.7 kg)
- Weight Female: Up to no more than 6 lbs (2.7 kg)
- Height Male: 5 inches – 8 inches (12.7 cm – 20 cm)
- Height Female: 5 inches – 8 inches (12.7 cm – 20 cm)
Pug
Another great small dog breed for flats is the Pug. They can adapt to any living space, so cottage or flat, this dog will love its home.
Pugs are very social, affectionate, and loyal. The Pug does well with people of all ages, as an only pet, or in a pack of pets. They get along with just about anyone, which makes a popular dog breed for families. This dog loves food, so owners keep them on a regulated diet and watch their weight as they are prone to obesity.
They do not require as much daily exercise as more active breeds, so going around the block or out in the backyard for a game of fetch will do just fine.
General Pug Statistics
- Life Expectancy: 13 – 15 years
- Weight Male: 14 lbs – 18 lbs (6.4 kg – 8.2 kg)
- Weight Female: 14 lbs – 18 lbs (6.4 kg – 8.2 kg)
- Height Male: 10 inches – 13 inches (25 cm – 33 cm)
- Height Female: 10 inches – 13 inches (25 cm – 33 cm)
Pugs do not do well on humid, hot, or sunny days. It is essential to keep their time outside during the summer months to a minimum.
Dachshund
The Dachshund AKA The Weiner Dog is a great little dog that is very loyal and affectionate. They are also adaptable and do well in the city, be it a condo or house, and out in the country.
Dachshunds are fun-loving, playful, intelligent, and love to please. However, they can be a bit stubborn, so training them will take a little longer. This dog does bark, but if taught at a young age, they will learn not to bark excessively and do just fine in apartment living.
General Dachshund Statistics
- Life Expectancy: 12 – 16 years
- Weight Male: 16 lbs – 32 lbs
- Weight Female: 16 lbs – 32 lbs
- Height Male: 8 inches – 9 inches Standard (20 cm – 23 cm) 5 inches – 6 inches (13 cm – 15 cm) Miniature
- Height Female:8 inches – 9 inches Standard (20 cm – 23 cm) 5 inches – 6 inches (13 cm – 15 cm) Miniature
The Dachshund loves to eat, so you must not overfeed this breed as they can quickly gain weight and become unhealthy.
Grooming
Dachshunds shed very little and have almost no ‘dog smell.’ They like to keep clean, so baths should occur occasionally. This breed has three different types of coats, so the grooming depends on which coat type.
The smooth coat Dachshunds are a wash and dry type of coat. You will only need to dry them with a towel and quick once over with a hound glove to make them look dashing!
Longhaired Dachshunds will require more frequent brushing, depending on the length and thickness of the coat. The wirehaired coat can be hand-stripped or plucked numerous times a year. However, the coat is easy to maintain and only needs the occasional trimming around the eyebrows and beard.
Mini Schnauzer
The Mini Schnauzer is another very popular dog breed in the UK, and a great companion for flat living. The Mini is highly intelligent, loyal, affectionate, and playful, which makes them a great family pet. This breed does very well with children of all sizes and ages and makes an excellent watchdog.
General Miniature Schnauzer Statistics
- Life Expectancy: 12 – 15 years
- Weight Male: 11 lbs – 20 lbs (5 kg – 9 kg)
- Weight Female: 11 lbs – 20 lbs (5 kg – 9 kg)
- Height Male: 12 inches – 14 inches (30 cm – 36 cm)
- Height Female: 12 inches – 14 inches (30 cm – 36 cm)
Grooming
The Miniature Schnauzer has a double coat that consists of a wiry topcoat and soft undercoat. The coat of this dog breed requires frequent combing and brushing for it to look its best. This breed does not shed very much, so no need to worry about fur getting all over the house.
Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is a very tiny dog breed and will fit in perfectly in a flat. This dog breed is very popular due to its beautiful coat and smiley fox face. Pomeranians are the ideal small dog companion.
Poms are intelligent and very alert. They are easily trained and make excellent watchdogs. Pomeranians work well with children who know enough to be gentle with this small dog. This dog breed is active. However, they are content with playing indoor games or brisk walks.
General Pomeranian Statistics
- Life Expectancy: 12 – 16 years
- Weight Male: 3lbs – 7lbs (1.4 kg – 3.18 kg)
- Weight Female: 3 lbs – 7 lbs (1.4kg – 3.18kg)
- Height Male: 6 inches – 7 inches (15 cm – 18 cm)
- Height Female: 6 inches – 7 inches (15 cm – 18 cm)
Grooming
The Pomeranian has a double coat that is its most distinguishing feature. The coat requires daily brushing to keep it healthy and free from matting. A pin brush and a slicker brush is best for this breed.
English Bulldog
The English bulldog is an excellent choice of dog for a flat. This breed is quiet and loves to lounge around all day, doing nothing but sleep and eat. This breed is very adaptable so they can live in the city or the country.
This breed is a very loyal, docile, affectionate companion who will try to sit your lap every chance it gets. The English Bulldog may be a lounger, but it is not lazy. They do like the daily walks that keep them healthy and active.
The English Bulldog does not do well in the heat due to its short snout and can cause breathing problems in the heat. Keep this dog inside on warm and humid days.
General English Bulldog Statistics
- Life Expectancy: 8 – 10 years
- Weight Male: 50 lbs (23 kg)
- Weight Female: 40 lbs (18 kg)
- Height Male: 14 inches – 15 inches (36 cm – 38 cm)
- Height Female: 14 inches – 15 inches (36 cm – 38 cm)
Grooming
The English Bulldog does shed, but by using a soft brush for 10 minutes two to three times weekly will minimize the amount of fur that ends up on your floor and furniture.
Conclusion
There are many different types of small dogs that are suited for flats. Barking is something that could be a problem in flat living. So, you may have to invest in training classes to ensure your dog does not bark at everything.
Most of the dogs listed in this article are on the quiet side or can be trained not to bark when it is unnecessary.
I hope you found this article helpful in your search for a small dog breed that is good for flats. Let us know your thoughts, and if there is a breed that you think should be on our list by leaving us a comment.
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Until next time, have fun and stay safe!
Bibliography
- Bulldog, American Kennel Club-https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/bulldog/
- Wikipedia-Yorkshire Terrier-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorkshire_Terrier
- Canadian Kennel Club-https://www.ckc.ca/en/Choosing-a-Dog/Choosing-a-Breed/Non-Sporting-Dogs/French-Bulldog
- The Kennel Club – https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/display.aspx?id=4101
- Australian Kennel Club-http://ankc.org.au/Breed/Detail/30