16 best dogs for the apartment

Pets are not only unlimited pleasure and a source of positive emotions, but also the work of caring for and raising a pet. Accordingly, the choice of a pet must be weighed and cannot be based only on human “want” - sometimes potential owners often underestimate the scale of future worries, and dogs turn out to be an overwhelming “toy.” To prevent this from happening, the experts of the online magazine EXPERTOLOGY found out which dogs are most suitable for a city apartment and ranked breeds with a brief description of habits and necessary care.

How to choose a dog

It is difficult to give unambiguous recommendations about the choice of pet breed, but a few nuances should be highlighted:

1. Dog size as one of the determining factors - the smaller the animal, the more comfortable it feels in the apartment. Big dogs in small-sized odnushku and even a dvushke hard, they need territory for movement (house, aviary).
2. Coat length and tendency to moult also important: although dogs are less allergenic than cats, long-haired individuals and dogs with undercoat tend to shed. But this does not mean that short hair is simpler: it also falls out, but it is much more difficult to assemble it from a carpet.
3. Activity and temperament often determined by breed. Active dogs need space for games and increased attention from the owners, you need to take into account the peculiarities of the architecture of the house (audibility between the apartments on the site and the floor), so as not to spoil relations with neighbors. I really want a four-legged friend, but there is no free time? You should get a dog with a calm temperament.
4. Salivation in different breeds it differs from zero to abundant: in bulldogs, mastiffs, boxers and some other saliva is almost always released, you need to be ready for its presence on any surfaces accessible to the dog, including carpets, bedding, furniture, shoes. Note: in the ranking of the dogs are "neslyunyavyh" breeds.
5. It cannot be said that a small dog is necessarily simpler in maintenance and care than an individual of medium or large size. Also, do not confuse temperament and character: if the first parameter is determined by the breed at the genetic level, the second depends mainly on education. So even a calm dog can become aggressive and dangerous with the wrong approach from the owner.

Top dogs for an apartment

Nomination	a place	Name of product	Rating
The smallest dogs for the apartment	1	Yorkshire Terrier	4.9
	2	Shih Tzu	4.8
	3	Chihuahua	4.8
	4	Russian toy terrier	4.7
	5	Pomeranian spitz	4.6
The best small dogs for the apartment	1	Welsh Corgi Pembroke	4.9
	2	Shar pei	4.8
	3	Basenji	4.8
	4	Beagle	4.8
	5	French Bulldog	4.7
	6	Pug	4.6
	7	Pekingese	4.5
	8	Miniature Poodle	4.5
The best medium sized dogs for the flat	1	Labrador retriever	4.9
	2	Poodle	4.8
	3	Collie	4.7

The smallest dogs for the apartment

Such dogs are often smaller in size than cats, which is in the hands of their owners: does not require a lot of space, at least wool, eats little, can be picked up, especially while walking.

Yorkshire Terrier

Rating: 4.9

In the first place was the Yorkshire Terrier (England) or simply York, growing up to 20 cm.Recently, it is the most purchased and demanded breed of miniature dogs: with long hair they barely fade, eat relatively little, are physically moderately active and do not require long walks. Feature of the breed - smooth hair, similar in structure to the human, it does not delay allergens, so Yorkies often keep allergies.

The temperament of the terriers is calm, the dogs are docile, friendly for the owner and familiar people, obedient and manageable, but should not be started up with children under 7 years old - there is a high risk of inadvertently damaging the fragile dog.

The peculiarity of temperament is the so-called "Napoleon syndrome", that is, the Yorkshire terrier can attack by barking an animal larger than itself.

Care for long hair - the main difficulty in the maintenance of York: it needs to be combed every day, do grooming (haircut); You will also often have to bathe your dog, clean your ears and wash your eyes, wear it in cold weather before going for a walk. Attention requires a diet: balanced dry foods are welcome, and drawing up a “natural” menu will require accuracy - any deviation will be displayed on the exterior of the dog, or rather, on the quality of wool.

Shih Tzu

Rating: 4.8

Second place mini-dogs took long-haired Shih Tzu, bred in Tibet. Species of the breed are larger than yorkies - height reaches 27 cm, and weight is 8 kg. Wool in dogs is the longest relative to body size, requires appropriate care: combing, cutting, even styling before exhibitions, bathing a dog is enough 1 or 2 times a month. Simplify the procedure can be a short haircut. Shi-tzu are not inclined to moult, wool drops out in small quantities, it is enough to comb them in time with a brush with a short tooth. It is also necessary to clean the eyes of dogs and cut the claws and once a week to reorganize the oral cavity with tooth powder.

The temperament of the representatives of the breed is peace-loving, dogs are intelligent, get along well with the owner and familiar people, calmly endure the processes of care. They get along with children, because playfulness is one of the traits of Shih Tzu's character.

There is a problem behind love for a person: dogs miss their boredings in the absence of the owner, they can whine all day, but they barely bark except for some individuals who show their voice at an early age.

The peculiarity of the breed is the possibility of accustoming to completely home maintenance without walking, dogs are well accustomed to the tray, and they do not need to communicate with representatives of the “companions”.

Chihuahua

Rating: 4.8

The Mexican breed of Chihuahua dogs is very popular among lovers of small, medium-barking pets. The dog is very compact, its weight reaches 3 kg, often less than 2 kg, so you can always take the pet with you, sitting in your pocket, in your bag or in your bosom.

Chihuahua temperament is peace-loving: they get along well with a person, but strong protective instincts manifest when a danger arises for the owner or home - “detractors” will be stunned by m and loud barking attempts to bite! To prevent such situations for false reason, it is necessary to start training on time, which dogs can easily handle: the response to the nickname, the simplest commands will teach the dog to be disciplined.

Chihuahuas get along well with children, but you cannot start them with babies because of the risk of injury to the animal due to its small size and fragile skeleton. Walking with dogs is not necessary every day: they go to the tray, and for the realization of activity it is enough for them to run around the apartment.

Caring for a pet is simple: once a week and a half, bathe heavily soiled wool, then treat with air conditioning and comb, and also twice a month, cut the claws and clean the ears. For winter walks you need clothes and shoes.

Russian toy terrier

Rating: 4.7

The fourth place ranking among the breed of domestic breeders Russian Toy Terrier (modern version: Russian that). This is a small dog with a growth in the walk from 20 to 28 cm, and its weight does not exceed 3 kg.

The Russian one has two variants of wool: short all over the body and combined with a long one along the edges of large ears and paws, in different colors. The dog is harmoniously folded and active.

The temperament of the Russian toy terrier is meek and peaceful, which often leads to stresses due to harsh sounds and some situations, but on the whole, the dog is non-steaming, non-aggressive, it requires training from an early age. Due to the size and nature of the character, it is not suitable for families with small children.

Caring for a dog is nowhere easier: it is not necessary to walk every day - the dog is walking in a tray, it is enough to bathe the baby periodically, to comb and cut the claws. The terrier's moult is seasonal, so there are no problems with wool on the carpet for a year. In feeding, dogs are unpretentious, but, like everyone else, is well maintained on a balanced diet.

Pomeranian spitz

Rating: 4.6

The long-haired dog, bred in Germany, took the fifth place in the rating in the category of miniature domestic breeds. It grows small - about 22 cm and 3.5 kg, but it looks much larger due to the thick and long hair, which visually adds volume to the dog. On the one hand, it is beautiful, on the other hand, it is inconvenient: an orange ponderously tolerates the heat, and it is very difficult to care for the hair from bathing to combing.

Spitz has an ambiguous temperament: the dog is clever, it can be trained, but with obedience problems often arise because of the tendency of individuals to dominate even over a person. Oranges love to bark about and without, they are aggressive towards other dogs and strangers.

Care for the Pomeranian Spitz should be organized in a comprehensive manner: daily combing with a breakdown of tangles, monitoring the condition of the skin for cleanliness, cleaning the eyes and ears once a week (more often if necessary), trimming the claws.

The best small dogs for the apartment

In this category of rating are presented dog breeds of a slightly larger size. These pets are suitable for institutions in families with children, subject to the favorable nature.

Welsh Corgi Pembroke

Rating: 5.0

The demand for squat and powerful Corgi from the Shepherd family has always been high since the breeding in Wales in the X century from the Swedish Walchund or Icelandic dog. The animals spread to many countries and were initially used as herders' helpers; today this decorative pet, very peaceful, contact and intelligent, easily finds a common language with adults and children, with animals of other species. Corgi are quick-witted and prone to training - they quickly remember the commands.

Dogs of the Welsh Corgi Pembroke breed are medium-haired with a thick undercoat that needs to be combed frequently. The colors may be different, the characteristic feature is the bright hue marks on the back in the form of a saddle. The tail of individuals can be docked at puppy age, supporters of natural beauty neglect this procedure, which does not prevent animals from remaining within the standard.

Care for short-corgi must be daily, but the process is tireless: after a walk, you should wash the llamas and stomach, if necessary, work on the undercoat with a brush 2-3 times a week, cut the claws and clean the eyes. The dog’s weak spot is nutrition: the corgi is prone to overeating, so the feeding regime should be calibrated both in time and quantity.

Shar pei

Rating: 4.9

In the second place of the ranking is one of the oldest breeds of dogs bred in China several hundred years BC - Sharpay. It is easily recognizable by the blue-black tongue and deep folds on the skin, especially on the face. Short coat without undercoat color from gray to deep brown, it almost does not shed, from the care requires only periodic bathing dog.

Despite the fighting, hunting and security past, Shar Pei are very peaceful dogs. They are inactive, sociable and calm, replicate the behavior and temperament of the owner, so they are ideal for living with retirees and single people, get along well with children. It should be noted: with all the peace-loving nature, dogs show active guarding qualities, but for no reason the voice is given infrequently.

Sharpei care is a periodic bathing, claw clipping, the rest of the dog is clean and will not make the owners worry. In food unpretentious.

The lack of breed - a tendency to hereditary diseases, so even with the most proper and attentive care live an average of 10-12 years, extremely rarely overstep the threshold of 14 years.

Basenji

Rating: 4.8

Dog breed Basenji called a cat in a dog's body. Such a comparison is caused by similar habits - the dog loves to climb elevations, one of the few families does not like water, and at the same time is clean, very curious and capricious. The small size of basenji with growth up to 43 cm and weight up to 12 kg allow him to feel comfortable in a small city apartment.

The nature of the dogs is friendly and playful, they get along well with children and adults, other animals on the territory are accepted only in the case of cohabitation from childhood. They require training and education - like cats, they are proud and stubborn, they make decisions on their own, often against the will of the owner. Beginners-dogmen with Basenji can not cope.

Caring for the representatives of the breed is simple: wash your paws after a walk if necessary, comb it once a week, bathe it monthly. Generally basenji cleanly, take care of themselves and avoid dirt, avoid puddles.They need intensive loads, adjusting the amount of feed, in warm clothes for the cold season.

Beagle

Rating: 4.8

A small dog, bred in the middle of the XV century in the UK, great for keeping in a city apartment. Beagle shorthair two or three-color, but requires frequent combing - they molt active, it is enough to bathe the dog once a month.

Bigley was originally developed for hunting and herding, it required them to endurance and activity throughout the day. This need has been preserved today - the dog needs physical activity and long regular walks. But we must not forget about safety - when sensing an interesting goal, the dog can get carried away and, when off the leash, run away at a decent speed. The beagle is the perfect companion for joggers.

The temperament of representatives of the breed is not always docile, they are freedom-loving and often capricious, therefore with upbringing there can be difficulties. In this matter, it is important to maintain calm, restraint and pragmatism, with an aggressive approach and the application of the whip method, the beagle becomes aggressive, which is initially not typical of him.

It is important to carefully monitor nutrition: dogs of the breed have a high appetite, which can lead to obesity. Of the health problems for beagle, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, eye problems with age and ear infections due to poor ventilation are typical.

French Bulldog

Rating: 4.7

Fifth place ranking small dogs, the experts gave the French bulldog, recognizable by a dense and powerful physique, short face with a split nose and skin in the fold. The ears and tail of puppies are stopped in childhood. Dogs' hair is short and dense, only brindle, white-brindle, fawn, white-fawn, (spotted) color, all others are considered marriage. It is necessary to bathe the pet once or twice a week.

The bulldog was actually bred in the UK for bull baiting, but the exterior of the dog was quickly appreciated by members of the French society and the flocks were more likely to appear with them at events, aggressiveness was gradually bred by breed lovers and now pets are becoming active and cheerful four-legged friends. Due to the small size with height up to 33 cm, the bulldog feels great in a city apartment, but he still needs walks. Smart and trainable dogs are suitable for the whole family, they require increased attention from the owners, show protective qualities and do not tolerate competition in the form of other pets.

Of the health problems for the French bulldog, diseases of the eyes and respiratory organs, including snoring, are characteristic.

Pug

Rating: 4.6

One of the oldest breeds of decorative dogs, bred in ancient China, has survived to this day practically unchanged. Pugs have a dense build with growth up to 32 cm, their weight should be controlled with proper nutrition - the weight of the animal should be less than 8 g.With small sizes, the dogs leave a short nap all over the apartment, as if a large dog lives in the house - they have such an active molt to avoid problems, frequent brushing will be necessary. Such a wool coat does not provide sufficient thermoregulation, and animals suffer heavily, as opposed to cold weather.

The character is docile, the pug is well trained, naturally calm and non-aggressive, but it adapts to its owner in the way of life. Dog is ideal for keeping in a family with children.

In most pugs are light with a dark flat face with folds, for which you need to care. Attention requires eyes and poorly ventilated ears, paws after a walk. With age, there are problems with breathing and snoring characteristic of dogs with a flat, wrinkled face.

Pekingese

Rating: 4.5

The dog Pekingese Chinese emperors (from the word "sacred") saw the light of two thousand years ago and was intended for the imperial court, today is available to all willing dog breeders, ranked seventh in the ranking.

The appearance of pugs is not to be confused with anyone: they are dogs with a height of up to 25 cm, with a flat muzzle, long thick hair and large hanging ears. The upturned nose and expressive eyes make Pekingese pretty, but behind the seeming charm lies a stubborn temper and difficulty of education - the characteristic features of aristocratic breeds. Dogs do not like active physical exertion, they are not particularly playful, costing short walks. Pekingese is suitable for aesthetes who are able to maintain a cold mind when training an animal, it is better not to buy a dog for families with children of the dog.

You need to take care of long thick hair: often scratching (the dog periodically sheds), do a haircut. The flat face needs cleaning, and breathing problems may occur over time.

Miniature Poodle

Rating: 4.5

Closes the eight rating of small dogs for an apartment one of the smartest breeds in the world - dwarf poodle. Its height reaches 35 cm with a weight of 6 kg, and its distinctive feature is curly or cord thick wool of black, white, apricot, brown, gray (silver) color, which needs timely care. A poodle can do hair - the dog obediently sits and gets pleasure from the process.

The dwarf poodle is a smart dog, well trained in training, at the same time playful and very active, in need of walking, it adapts to the mood of the owners and even the rhythm of life, jealous of other animals and sometimes to the household. Get along well with children, suitable for keeping in the family and for single people, but not for pensioners. He is careful with strangers, but does not show himself as a guard: he barks, but from fear. By the way, during active games barking is also inevitable, as well as on other occasions, therefore there should be good sound insulation in the apartment.

Care is due to the peculiarity of wool: grooming, bathing, haircuts must be regular, after walking you will have to wash your paws and take out the foliage and debris from the curls. The weak point of the breed is the disease of the ears, eyes, and a large bouquet of “breed” ailments from deafness to osteochondrosis. Dwarf poodle - one of the most painful dogs.

The best medium sized dogs for the flat

The category includes medium-sized and medium-sized dogs suitable for keeping in small apartments.

Labrador retriever

Rating: 4.9

The hunting breed of dogs was bred in Canada in the middle of the XIX century. Strong body build with growth up to 56 cm and weight up to 40 kg, long hair, neat elongated muzzle, large hanging ears - a Labrador can not be confused with any other dog. The color is monotonous from light pale yellow and golden to rich black or chocolate - the standard allows different color choices. By the way, the Labrador sheds inactive, but requires combing for prevention.

Retrievers are very good-natured dogs, true companions and true friends for adults, children, the elderly and lonely people. Labradors are affectionate, they can be trusted to look after children. No aggression and malice, despite the hunting purpose of these dogs - there remains a need for long walks and physical activity (games, running).

Of the problems of the breed - the tendency to overeat, therefore, the diet requires careful monitoring.

Poodle

Rating: 4.8

A medium sized poodle for an apartment is a good option, one of the most common today. Like the younger brother, discussed earlier, he loves to play and aktivnichat, but will not be imposed, adapting to the rhythm of the life of the owner. It is necessary to walk with the poodle, but on the street of strangers, who did not like him, can shout from fear.

Caring for curly or cord hair is complicated - debris is constantly tangled in hairs and loose hairs form, tangles are formed. You must often scratch the dog, periodically wash it with shampoo. In order for the dog not to get fat, careful control of nutrition is necessary. A bunch of diseases in the average poodle are typical for the family of the breed, as well as in the younger brother.

It is worth noting that the dog is easily trained, very clever and with proper upbringing will be an excellent companion for any person over 7 years old.

Collie

Rating: 4.7

A shepherd dog from Scotland of the Shepherd family ranks third in the rating category for average flat dogs. The breed has absolutely no aggression gene, so the animal is completely safe for the household and others, but it will be watched “by” everywhere, it can be trusted to look after the child. Dogs are smart and smart, need activity and long walks, they will like agility (a dog sport to overcome obstacles without physical contact with the owner).

Collies have long hair, rarely short-haired individuals with thick undercoat, but the latter are more suitable for keeping in an aviary. In any case, you need a prophylactic chees with timely cutting of mats. The dog does not require any special care.

Of the health problems of collie, experts note only genetic mutations, due to which some individuals do not tolerate a number of drugs. Such identify mandatory genetic tests to prevent further breeding.

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Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.