Human beings are born with a need for a companion because life can be lonesome sometimes. This is probably the reason why dogs are regarded as man’s best friend. A dog needs constant attention and will do anything to please you.
However, owning a dog comes with a lot of responsibility, and you can’t just keep any dog breed around, especially if you live in an apartment. Some dogs want a big space that they can play in and a yard to do a few runs. This is why we have compiled a list of 28 small dogs that might be your best option if you live in a limited space.
Bolognese
This tiny dog is from the family of fluffy white dogs and is often referred to as Bichon Bolognese. This breed has its roots back in Italy from the city of Bologna, hence the name.
This dog breed loves to spend much of its time around its owner. The only hard time that you may have is training this dog to be house-friendly. Therefore, you have to be consistent and patient as you housetrain this breed.
Boston Terrier
As much this dog has always been thought of as a fighter, it was called the big lover back in the 19th century.
Interestingly, the males tend to display their terrier ancestry with some posturing as soon as they feel threatened by another dog.
Bichon Frise
Often mistaken for a white poodle dog, the Bichon Frise has a compact body making them appear very small in size.
They are a fine breed with enhanced looks as a result of their good-natured disposition.
Affenpinscher
In the German context, ‘Affen’ refers to monkey and ‘Pinscher’ means terrier. The Affenpinscher is commonly known as the monkey dog mostly due to its appearance.
The dog might be very small in size, but is quite fierce and feisty.
Chihuahua
Despite being known as the world’s smallest dog breed, the Chihuahua has one of the best personalities.
The too-big-for-life attitude is what makes it most attractive.
Dachshund (Miniature)
The Dachshund may easily fool you for a half-looking dog. Nevertheless, this drop-eared dog is tough enough to take on a badger. In fact, that’s how its name came about – ‘Dachs’ stands for badger while ‘Hund’ means dog hence the term badger dog.
Brussels Griffon
Just like the name depicts, the Brussels Griffon originates from Belgium where ‘Griffon’ stands for short. This breed is good in hunting mice and rats.
They eventually became popular house pets due to their cheerful, affectionate, and curious character.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King is an admirable dog. This title is mostly because it keeps wagging its tail constantly when in motion.
Coton de Tulear
This dog breed tends to be very close to his/her owner, be it going for a walk or lying next to their feet as they work.
The dog breed is also clever and sweet-natured.
Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested dog might sound like it’s from China, but that’s far from the truth.
This breed can be found in two different variants; where one has a full coat and is referred to as Powderpuff, while there’s the other is hairless, but has a silky hair on the head, tail, and feet.
Lhasa Apso
The Lhasa Apso has to be one of the most delusional dogs ever. Thinking that it appears to be a big dog, it tends to be very fierce around any threat.
It was bred for hundreds of years to be a royal watchdog hence its loyal character to be the guardian of the house.
Maltese
The Maltese goes by many names. This includes the ‘Roman Ladies Dog’, ‘Spaniel Gentle’ and ‘Melitae Dog’ among others.
This has changed over the years to what it is today. It tends to be very fearless in the face of danger.
Havanese
This is one kind of dog that’s affectionate to men, women, and children alike. The dog is so loving to the point where it gets anxious when left alone.
It’s generally happy around people, but very sad when all alone.
Lowchen
Despite the name translating to lion dog, the only lion thing about it is the looks.
The dog is a wonderful companion for both children and adults at home.
Japanese Chin
This might be a small-sized dog, but it can surprisingly leap over tall furniture in just a single bound.
The toy-sized dog has a catlike character where it likes to rest in high places, climb up high, and wash itself up.
Maltese Shih Tzu
This dog was originally bred to be non-shedding kind despite the fact that this is not biologically possible for dogs.
Whatever the case might be, the dog has successfully managed to maintain this to some extent.
Maltipoo
This dog is affectionate, friendly, kind, and gentle. It’s also a popular breed of both the Miniature Poodle and the Maltese.
Manchester Terrier
The Manchester Terrier is one very intelligent, high-spirited and cunning dog that’s always so willing to learn something new. It depicts a true terrier nature by being alert, sporty, and independent.
Miniature Pinscher
This tough little dog can weigh as lightly as 8-11 pounds and changes attitude very quickly. Even so, it still remains elegant with a muscular body and an arched neck.
Papillon
‘Papillon’ stands for butterfly in French, and the dog itself appears to be like one. This dog is a super companion and has been bred for years to live among royalty.
Peekapoo
As much as this may sound like a misspelled word for peekaboo, this designer dog is a cross breed between a Poodle and a Pekingese.
The breed has only been around for about 5 decades now.
Pekingese
The Pekingese mostly resides from Chinese royalty and is held in great regard at the imperial court of China.
This explains its self-important attitude that’s topped up by dignity and pride.
Pomeranian
This ball-looking furry dog has a mind of its own. They often stand on alert and are curious about their surroundings.
They can also be very protective of their territory.
Poodle (Toy & Miniature)
This dog might appear kind and cute, but don’t let the looks deceive you.
They can be very fierce when provoked.
Pug
Thanks to their well-rounded, deep wrinkled and big-eyed faces, pugs are generally friendly dogs that are fun to be around.
Legend has it that the face resembles a human fist. You can prove this statement true if you get yourself one and compare.
Rat Terrier (Toy & Miniature)
Often mistaken for a smooth-coated fox, the rat terrier is a good companion with fast movements and strong jaws for catching rats.
Their skills are priceless to farmers since they help in keeping away pests and protecting the house territory from outsiders.
Shiba Inu
This is one elegant-looking dog that has a strong-willed, intelligent, and fierce personality.
The Japanese describe it with traits such as spirited boldness, alertness, and good-natured.
Shih Tzu
This dog breed is cute, classy, and elegant due to its long fur. It also has a fiery character and can get vicious when provoked.
Conclusion
Choosing a dog fit for your apartment means that it needs to generally be small in size and friendly in character. The great thing about the breeds mentioned above is that they all meet this criterion. The choice is yours.
