Special Report

Best Apartment Dog Breeds in America

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Finding the right dog to bring into an apartment or other type of small space — while still being a respectful neighbor — can sometimes feel difficult. Apartment size, owner’s age, and lifestyle are all possible factors in determining what kind of dog suits a person’s situation.

But picking the right dog for an apartment is not as limiting as many people may think. There are many breeds that most potential dog parents have not even considered before. 

To compile a list of the best dogs for apartments and small spaces, 24/7 Tempo reviewed information on each of the 282 dog breeds currently listed by the American Kennel Club, the country’s purebred dog registry. We included the 42 breeds the AKC has classified as most apartment friendly. Dog breeds are listed in order of overall popularity, from highest to lowest. Nine breeds are still fairly new in the U.S. and did not have a popularity ranking as of March 2021.

The best dogs for small spaces seem to be small — between 10 and 15 inches and weighing about 20 pounds on average. Most of the dogs on the list belong to the toy or terrier groups. Both types of breed groups typically live between 12 and 15 years.

Many of the best apartment dog breeds are laid back, loyal, and affectionate. According to the AKC, these breeds adapt well in small spaces.

Deciding who your best four-legged friend to share an apartment with may require more than inquiring about the dog’s activity needs. You may also want to consider how long a dog is expected to live —  these 26 dogs have the shortest lifespan.

Click here to see the best apartment dog breeds in America

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French Bulldog
> Personality: Adaptable, Playful, Smart
> Overall popularity: 2 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 11-13 inches
> Weight: 28 pounds
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Group: Non-sporting

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mladenbalinovac / Getty Images

Bulldog
> Personality: Friendly, Courageous, Calm
> Overall popularity: 5 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 14-15 inches
> Weight: 50 pounds (male), 40 pounds (female)
> Life expectancy: 8-10 years
> Group: Non-sporting

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Yorkshire Terrier
> Personality: Affectionate, Sprightly, Tomboyish
> Overall popularity: 13 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 7-8 inches
> Weight: 7 pounds
> Life expectancy: 11-15 years
> Group: Toy

Bigandt_Photography / Getty Images

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
> Personality: Affectionate, Gentle, Graceful
> Overall popularity: 17 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 12-13 inches
> Weight: 13-18 pounds
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Toy

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Shih Tzu
> Personality: Affectionate, Playful, Outgoing
> Overall popularity: 20 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 9-11 inches
> Weight: 9-16 pounds
> Life expectancy: 10-18 years
> Group: Toy

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Boston Terrier
> Personality: Friendly, Bright, Amusing
> Overall popularity: 21 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 15-17 inches
> Weight: 12-25 pounds
> Life expectancy: 11-13 years
> Group: Non-sporting

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Havanese
> Personality: Intelligent, Outgoing, Funny
> Overall popularity: 24 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 9-12 inches
> Weight: 7-13 pounds
> Life expectancy: 14-16 years
> Group: Toy

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Pug
> Personality: Charming, Mischievous, Loving
> Overall popularity: 29 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 10-13 inches
> Weight: 14-18 pounds
> Life expectancy: 13-15 years
> Group: Toy

Iurii / Getty Images

Cocker Spaniel
> Personality: Gentle, Smart, Happy
> Overall popularity: 30 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 15-16 inches (male), 14-15 inches (female)
> Weight: 25-30 pounds (male), 20-25 pounds (female)
> Life expectancy: 10-14 years
> Group: Sporting

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Chihuahua
> Personality: Charming, Graceful, Sassy
> Overall popularity: 34 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 5-8 inches
> Weight: 6 pounds
> Life expectancy: 14-16 years
> Group: Toy

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Basset Hound
> Personality: Charming, Patient, Low-Key
> Overall popularity: 36 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 15 inches
> Weight: 40-65 pounds
> Life expectancy: 12-13 years
> Group: Hound

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Maltese
> Personality: Gentle, Playful, Charming
> Overall popularity: 38 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 7-9 inches
> Weight: 7 pounds
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Toy

f8grapher / Getty Images

Bichon Frise
> Personality: Playful, Curious, Peppy
> Overall popularity: 45 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 10-12 inches
> Weight: 12-18 pounds
> Life expectancy: 14-15 years
> Group: Non-sporting

tommasolizzul / Getty Images

Whippet
> Personality: Affectionate, Playful, Calm
> Overall popularity: 59 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 19-22 inches (male), 18-21 inches (female)
> Weight: 25-40 pounds
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Hound

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Cardigan Welsh Corgi
> Personality: Affectionate, Loyal, Smart
> Overall popularity: 66 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 11-13 inches
> Weight: 30-38 pounds (male), 25-34 pounds (female)
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Herding

Bigandt_Photography / Getty Images

Cairn Terrier
> Personality: Alert, Cheerful, Busy
> Overall popularity: 73 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 10 inches
> Weight: 13-14 pounds
> Life expectancy: 13-15 years
> Group: Terrier

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GlobalP / Getty Images

Chinese Crested
> Personality: Affectionate, Alert, Lively
> Overall popularity: 79 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 11-13 inches
> Weight: 8-12 pounds
> Life expectancy: 13-18 years
> Group: Toy

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Basenji
> Personality: Independent, Smart, Poised
> Overall popularity: 86 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 17 inches (male), 16 inches (female)
> Weight: 24 pounds (male), 22 pounds (female)
> Life expectancy: 13-14 years
> Group: Hound

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Brussels Griffon
> Personality: Loyal, Alert, Curious
> Overall popularity: 89 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 7-10 inches
> Weight: 8-10 pounds
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Toy

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Keeshond
> Personality: Friendly, Lively, Outgoing
> Overall popularity: 96 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 18 inches (male), 17 inches (female)
> Weight: 35-45 pounds
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Non-sporting

Bigandt_Photography / Getty Images

Border Terrier
> Personality: Affectionate, Happy, Plucky
> Overall popularity: 97 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 12-15 inches
> Weight: 13-16 pounds
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Terrier

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jhorrocks / Getty Images

Japanese Chin
> Personality: Charming, Noble, Loving
> Overall popularity: 111 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 8-12 inches
> Weight: 7-11 pounds
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Group: Toy

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Toy Fox Terrier
> Personality: Friendly, Alert, Intelligent
> Overall popularity: 113 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 9-12 inches
> Weight: 4-7 pounds
> Life expectancy: 13-15 years
> Group: Toy

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American Eskimo Dog
> Personality: Playful, Perky, Smart
> Overall popularity: 119 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 9-19 inches
> Weight: 6-35 pounds
> Life expectancy: 13-15 years
> Group: Non-sporting

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American Hairless Terrier
> Personality: Energetic, Alert, Curious
> Overall popularity: 129 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 12-16 inches
> Weight: 12-16 pounds
> Life expectancy: 14-16 years
> Group: Terrier

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Australian Terrier
> Personality: Affectionate, Courageous, Spirited
> Overall popularity: 134 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 10-11 inches
> Weight: 15-50 pounds
> Life expectancy: 11-15 years
> Group: Terrier

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Bedlington Terrier
> Personality: Loyal, Charming, Frollicking
> Overall popularity: 141 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 15-18 inches
> Weight: 17-23 pounds
> Life expectancy: 11-16 years
> Group: Terrier

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Greyhound
> Personality: Gentle, Independent, Noble
> Overall popularity: 142 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 28-30 inches (male), 27-28 inches (female)
> Weight: 65-70 pounds (male), 60-65 pounds (female)
> Life expectancy: 10-13 years
> Group: Hound

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Barbet
> Personality: Friendly, Bright, Sweet-Natured
> Overall popularity: 145 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 19-25 inches
> Weight: 35-65 pounds
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Group: Sporting

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Löwchen
> Personality: Affectionate, Outgoing, Positive
> Overall popularity: 161 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 11-13 inches
> Weight: 10-15 pounds
> Life expectancy: 15 years
> Group: Non-sporting

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Affenpinscher
> Personality: Confident, Famously Funny, Fearless
> Overall popularity: 163 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 9-11.5 inches
> Weight: 7-10 pounds
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Toy

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Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
> Personality: Alert, Happy, Vivacious
> Overall popularity: 164 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 13-15 inches
> Weight: 25-40 pounds
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Group: Hound

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Cesky Terrier
> Personality: Clever, Adventurous, Family-Oriented
> Overall popularity: 191 out of all 195 on the AKC ranking
> Height: 10-13 inches
> Weight: 14-24 pounds
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Terrier

pc.david / Wikimedia Commons

Basset Fauve de Bretagne
> Personality: Smart, Cheerful, Determined
> Overall popularity: N/A
> Height: 13-16 inches
> Weight: 27-35 pounds
> Life expectancy: 12+ years
> Group: Foundation Stock Service

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Biewer Terrier
> Personality: Intelligent, Devoted, Amusing
> Overall popularity: N/A
> Height: 7-11 inches
> Weight: 4-8 pounds
> Life expectancy: 16 years
> Group: Toy

Przemysław Iciak / iStock via Getty Images

German Spitz
> Personality: Devoted, Lively, Attentive
> Overall popularity: N/A
> Height: 12-15 inches
> Weight: 24-26 pounds
> Life expectancy: 13-15 years
> Group: Foundation Stock Service

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Japanese Spitz
> Personality: Loyal, Playful, Smart
> Overall popularity: N/A
> Height: 12-15 inches
> Weight: 10-25 pounds
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Group: Foundation Stock Service

Pleple2000 / Wikimedia Commons

Japanese Terrier
> Personality: Independent, Curious, Reserved
> Overall popularity: N/A
> Height: 11-13 inches
> Weight: 5-10 pounds
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Group: Foundation Stock Service

Skest / Wikimedia Commons

Russian Toy
> Personality: Loyal, Smart, Charming
> Overall popularity: N/A
> Height: 8-11 inches
> Weight: 7 pounds
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Group: Miscellaneous Class

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Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka
> Personality: Playful, Charming, Inquisitive
> Overall popularity: N/A
> Height: 9-10 inches
> Weight: 5-11 pounds
> Life expectancy: 12-16 years
> Group: Foundation Stock Service

Dkm1987 / Wikimedia Commons

Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
> Personality: Playful, Versatile, Intelligent
> Overall popularity: N/A
> Height: 8-15 inches
> Weight: 8-25 pounds
> Life expectancy: 14-16 years
> Group: Miscellaneous Class

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Bolognese
> Personality: Playful, Easy-Going, Devoted
> Overall popularity: N/A
> Height: 10-12 inches
> Weight: 6-9 pounds
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Group: Foundation Stock Service

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