City life often means apartment living, and you might think this would make owning a dog difficult. While it is sensible to avoid large dog breeds like Huskies or German Shepherds as they naturally will need more space, there are lots of smaller dog breeds that, with love and daily exercise, will be perfectly happy living the high-rise lifestyle.

1. Basenji

The Basenji is a quiet and calm dog that rarely barks, which means you won’t need to worry about thin walls or the closeness of your neighbours.  They are medium-sized dogs who don’t need a huge amount of living space, but they will need lots of daily exercise to keep them happy and healthy.  Discover exactly how much by downloading the free PitPat app for a tailored exercise goal.

2. Boston Terrier

This affectionate breed rarely grows taller than a foot and a half and can adapt well to any environment. They are easy to train and can become very well-behaved house pets.  They do have high energy levels, but this can be easily managed with a brisk daily walk.  To get a sense of how much exercise they need, why not download the free PitPat app to discover what a Boston Terrier needs each day?

3. Shih Tzu

Bred to be a lap dog, these loving little pups make perfect city companions. They have the easygoing attitude of a big dog but are happy with short excursions in the outdoors rather than long walks. They will need regular grooming, and obedience training is essential, but their sweet nature means they will happily get along with strangers, other dogs, pets and children.

4. Bichon Frise

A friendly, happy ball of fluff, this dog is a great option if you have limited space. They are unlikely to grow taller than a foot and are adaptable and easy to train. Their favourite thing to do is play, and they have lots of energy, so get ready to have fun in the park!

5. Chihuahua

Known for their small stature, this breed will be happy anywhere and can easily adapt to smaller living quarters. They will, of course, need daily exercise, but the amount is minimal when compared to other breeds. Loyal and affectionate to their owners, they make great companions, but they can be assertive around new people and other dogs.

6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

You will never feel lonely with this dog around. They love nothing more than to curl up on their owner’s laps and be the recipient of cuddles and belly rubs. Happy to play fetch even in a smaller space, they enjoy being at home and become very attached to their owners. You may find that house training can be a little tricky with this breed, but with patience, love and consistency, they will get there in the end.

7. Maltese

These dogs are sweet and affectionate, and while they love to play, they don’t need a huge amount of space to do so. They can be a great choice for people with allergies as although they have beautiful coats, they don’t shed.  Closeness to their owners is important to them, so they are best suited to a home where people are present most of the time.

8. Poodle

Poodles come in three sizes, standard, miniature and toy, with the last two being the best options for smaller living spaces. They are highly intelligent, making them easy to train and will be on their best behaviour when interacting with other people and dogs. So your daily walk to the park should always be a great experience for you both.

9. Brussels Griffon

A sturdy breed who often prefers being at home to going outside, you may find you need to encourage them to join you for their required exercise. Affectionate and loyal, cuddles will never be far away, as they just can’t get enough of human companionship. 

10. Yorkshire Terrier

Commonly known as the ‘Yorkie’, this happy little dog can easily be exercised indoors in addition to their daily walk. They also make great guard dogs and will alert you to anyone approaching your home. This does mean that they can be unsure of strangers, but this is easily remedied by good training and socialisation early on.

Whichever breed you choose, it is important to remember that a small breed of dog doesn’t mean limited or no exercise, as all of our canine friends need it every day. In fact, with city life, the right amount and type of exercise will keep your dog healthy and make their time at home all the happier.

A great way to make sure you are always getting the balance right is with a device like PitPat Dog GPS Tracker, which not only helps you find your dog if they go missing on a walk but also tracks their daily exercise, calories burned and much more!

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