Sure, many new developments are tricked out with fancy features for four-legged friends (we’ve seen everything from pet spas to dog-runs on the roof), but how do you know if your animal can adjust to an apartment?
While many buildings have height or weight restrictions for creature companions, there are a number other important characteristics to consider beyond size when choosing a dog.
If you don’t have immediate access to outdoor space and you’re living in close proximity to other condo-dwellers, temperament and exercise needs are key to making sure you, your pup, and the condo board are happy.
After all, you wouldn’t want your dog barking endlessly at every sound in the hall or trying to herd your dinner guests every time you entertain.
Here’s a look at the best breeds to consider when your home is in a high-rise:
Breed: The Bulldog
Size: The British version of the line tends that measures between 12 – 16 inches (31 – 40 cm) and weighs somewhere between 49 and 55 pounds, depending on gender.
Winning features: Relaxed and companionable. If you live on the 40th floor, you won’t have to be step out on the hour to take this dog for a stroll. Vetstreet.com explains what makes bulldogs a good choice: “Watching TV with you or supervising as you prepare meals is about as active as he wants to get.” And they tend to be more docile than feisty.
Breed: Cavalier King Charles
Size: It’s the little dog with the big name. These animals are typically 12 – 13 inches (30 – 33 cm) and 10 – 18 pounds.
Winning features: Friendly and obedient. Generally, the breed gets along easily with other pups and pets according to Dog Breed Info and is relatively easy to train (meaning you’re less likely to have the spaniel snarling at other dogs in the elevator if you teach it right).
Breed: The Greyhound
Size: The larger males are about 28 – 30 inches (71 – 76 cm) and 65 – 80 pounds though some larger lines can reach the 90 – 100 pound range
Winning features: Sweet and surprisingly sedentary. Though these aerodynamic dogs are built for speed, when they’re not racing around the park, they’d prefer to lounge around. According to Vetstreet, they’re basically a “45-mph couch potato” that loves to run at full speed, but not for very long. Dogstreet insists that “greyhounds are not lazy. Rather, they have noble and reserved personalities.” Funny, that describes us too…
Breed: Pug
Size: The males ten to be larger and stand 12 – 14 inches (30 – 36 cm) high and are anywhere between 13 – 20 pounds.
Winning features: Quiet and calm. Chances are if you already live in a condo, you’ve probably already seen one of these smoosh-faced critters waddling through the lobby. They’re not big on barking and are known to be well-behaved – even around guests and kids.
Breed: Pekingese
Size: Commonly 6 to 9 inches (30.4 – 45 cm) and 8 – 10 pounds, any of these creatures that is less than 6 pounds is called a sleeve Pekingese.
Winning features: Affable and low energy. One of the oldest breeds in the world, the lion-dog “requires little exercise but lots of love” according to Vetstreet. Though they’re pretty watchful, they’re not the most vocal of guard dogs.
Breed: Boston Terrier
Size: At 15 -17 inches (38.1 – 43 cm) high and 10 to 25 pounds, these dogs are muscular but on the small-side.
Winning features: Easy-going and friendly. The compact breed is known as “the American gentleman” according to Dogster. Though it’s a terrier, these dogs tend to be less high-strung than their cousins the Jack Russells and less rowdy than the Airedales. He’s also cool with being in a smaller space, provided he gets lots of attention.
Breed: The Great Dane
Size: A larger, full grown male will average 30 – 34 inches (76 – 86 cm) and weigh 120 – 200 pounds, though some are even bigger. Basically, a Dane can be roughly the size of a mini-horse.
Winning features: Cool and calm. No one’s saying you should bring home a massive Dane if you live in a studio apartment. But if you’re a fan of the big breed and have extra space to navigate, Dogster.com says you shouldn’t rule the dog out. The Great Dane is a “natural loafer” that tends to be so chill, friendly, and trainable that it may be better to pick this breed over a smaller and more hyper dog
All size stats from Dogbreedinfo.com
