Best Small Dog Breeds for Apartments: 10 Picks and How to Choose

The best small dog breeds for apartments stay small as adults, settle easily indoors and do not turn every hallway noise into a barking session. This guide compares 10 popular small breeds using the American Kennel Club's breed ratings for barking, energy, shedding and adaptability, then covers what most breed lists skip: lease weight limits, potty training without a yard and time alone.

What makes a small dog breed good for apartments?

A good apartment breed combines a small adult size, moderate energy that walks and indoor play can satisfy, a low tendency to bark, and a temperament that adapts to neighbors, elevators and shared hallways. Size alone is not enough: some of the tiniest breeds are also among the most vocal, which matters when walls are thin.

Four factors carry the most weight in a shared building:

• Barking. The AKC rates barking from 1 ("only to alert") to 5 ("very vocal"). Lower is easier on neighbors.
• Energy. Rated from 1 ("couch potato") to 5 ("high energy"). Moderate energy is easier to meet without a yard.
• Adaptability. How easily a breed handles changes in living conditions, noise and schedule, from 1 ("lives for routine") to 5 ("highly adaptable").
• Adult weight. It decides whether the dog fits your building's pet policy, which is covered below.

10 best small dog breeds for apartments compared

The table below lists each breed's standard adult weight and its 1–5 ratings from the American Kennel Club breed pages, checked on October 5, 2026. Breeds are ordered from least to most vocal. Lower shedding scores mean less hair around the home.

Breed	Adult weight	Barking	Energy	Shedding	Adaptability
French Bulldog	Under 28 lb	1	3	3	5
Boston Terrier	12–25 lb	2	4	2	3
Shih Tzu	9–16 lb	3	3	1	5
Maltese	Under 7 lb	3	3	1	4
Bichon Frise	12–18 lb	3	4	1	4
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel	13–18 lb	3	3	2	3
Havanese	7–13 lb	4	3	2	5
Yorkshire Terrier	7 lb	4	4	1	5
Toy Poodle	4–6 lb	4	4	1	4
Pomeranian	3–7 lb	4	3	2	4

1. French Bulldog

The French Bulldog has the lowest barking rating on this list and the top adaptability score, which is why it is so often recommended for city living. Short daily walks suit it better than long runs. Two cautions: adults can approach 28 pounds, which matters under some building weight limits, and its flat face makes it sensitive to heat and strenuous exercise, so ask a veterinarian about safe activity. See the French Bulldog breed guide.

2. Boston Terrier

Boston Terriers are rated low for barking and shedding, and their short coat needs little grooming. They have more energy than a French Bulldog, rated 4 of 5, so plan on brisk walks and play every day. Like other short-faced breeds, they need extra care in hot weather.

3. Shih Tzu

Bred as a companion, the Shih Tzu pairs AKC's lowest shedding rating with top adaptability and moderate energy that indoor play can largely cover. The tradeoff is grooming: the long coat needs regular brushing or a short trim. It is also a short-faced breed, so keep summer exercise gentle.

4. Maltese

Under 7 pounds and rated 1 of 5 for shedding, the Maltese fits small spaces and nearly any building weight limit. Its moderate barking score is manageable with early training. The white coat needs frequent grooming, and this people-oriented breed is happiest in a home where someone is around for much of the day. See the Maltese breed guide.

5. Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise has the lowest shedding rating, stays between 12 and 18 pounds and is rated 5 of 5 with young children. It carries a bit more energy than some lap breeds, so daily walks and play sessions matter, and its curly coat needs regular professional grooming. If allergies are part of the decision, compare it in our guide to hypoallergenic dog breeds.

6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavaliers are gentle, affectionate and rated 5 of 5 with young children, with moderate energy and barking. Their adaptability score of 3 is lower than most breeds here, so a steady routine helps. Ask the breeder which health screenings the parents have had, and discuss breed-specific concerns with a veterinarian.

7. Havanese

The Havanese scores 5 of 5 for adaptability and with young children, at 7 to 13 pounds. It is also fairly vocal, rated 4 of 5, so start teaching a calm response to doorbells and hallway sounds early. Its silky coat needs regular brushing.

8. Yorkshire Terrier

At about 7 pounds with the lowest shedding rating, the Yorkie fits easily in a small apartment. It is also confident, energetic and vocal, rated 4 of 5 for both barking and energy, so it suits an owner who enjoys training and daily play. Its long coat needs daily brushing or a short trim.

9. Toy Poodle

The Toy Poodle weighs 4 to 6 pounds, has the lowest shedding rating and is the only breed on this list rated 5 of 5 for trainability, which helps with quiet training and potty routines. It is lively and alert, with barking and energy both rated 4, so mental exercise matters as much as walks. See the Toy Poodle breed guide.

10. Pomeranian

The Pomeranian weighs 3 to 7 pounds, adapts well (4 of 5) and has moderate energy. It is also an alert watchdog rated 4 of 5 for barking, so early socialization and quiet training make a real difference in a shared building. Its double coat sheds seasonally and needs regular brushing. See the Pomeranian breed guide.

Check your lease before you choose a breed

Many apartment communities set a pet weight limit, restrict certain breeds, cap the number of pets or charge a pet deposit, fee or monthly pet rent. Read the pet policy before you fall for a puppy, and ask whether a weight limit refers to the dog's adult weight or its weight at move-in.

• Use adult weight, not puppy weight. A 10-week-old French Bulldog fits under any limit; an adult can approach 28 pounds. The AKC ranges above show what to expect, and the parents' weights are an even better guide.
• Ask about breed lists. Some policies restrict breeds by name regardless of size, so confirm your choice is not on the list.
• Get approval in writing. Before pickup day, have the property approve the breed and expected adult weight.
• Budget for pet fees. Deposits and monthly pet rent belong in the first-year budget alongside the puppy itself.

How do you potty train a puppy in an apartment?

Apartment potty training comes down to a predictable schedule, a fast route outside and a temporary indoor backup. Take the puppy out after waking, eating and playing and before bed, praise it the moment it goes in the right spot, and treat pee pads or an indoor grass patch as a bridge, not a permanent habit.

• Plan the route. Elevator waits and stairs add minutes. Carry a young puppy to the door at first so it does not have an accident on the way.
• Pick one spot outside. Returning to the same patch of grass builds the habit faster.
• Use a crate for structure. A properly sized crate helps a puppy learn to wait between outings.
• Clean accidents fully. An enzyme cleaner removes the odor that draws a puppy back to the same spot.

Can small apartment dogs be left alone?

Adult dogs of any breed can learn to spend part of the day alone, but a young puppy cannot hold its bladder through a full workday and needs company, meals and potty breaks every few hours. If you work long hours away from home, line up a dog walker, a midday visit or daycare before the puppy arrives.

Build alone time gradually, starting with a few minutes while you are still at home. A puzzle feeder or chew toy gives the puppy something to do, and a predictable routine makes your departures less of an event.

Where to find these breeds on All Puppies

Based on 7 current All Puppies listings for breeds on this list, checked on October 5, 2026, puppies are listed between $1,050 and $2,000. Prices are set by each breeder and change as puppies are reserved, so treat them as a reference range, not a quote.

Breed	Current listings	Listed prices
Pomeranian	4	$1,200–$1,650
Toy Poodle	1	$1,250
Maltese	1	$1,050
French Bulldog	1	$2,000

Frequently asked questions

Are Chihuahuas good apartment dogs?

They can be, with the right household. The AKC lists Chihuahuas at no more than 6 pounds and rates them 4 of 5 for adaptability, but also 5 of 5 for barking and 1 of 5 with young children. They tend to suit adults or older kids who will socialize them early and work on quiet training.

Which small apartment breed is easiest for a first-time owner?

Look for high adaptability, good trainability and simple grooming. By AKC ratings, the French Bulldog (adaptability 5, trainability 4, lowest grooming needs) and the Boston Terrier fit that profile, as long as you plan for their heat sensitivity. The Toy Poodle trains easily but needs regular grooming.

Is a puppy or an adult dog better for an apartment?

An adult dog's size, energy and barking habits are already known, and many are house-trained. A puppy gives you more say in socialization but needs frequent potty trips and training at first. Either can work; choose based on how much time you have in the first months.

Do small dogs need a yard?

No. Daily walks, indoor play and short training sessions meet the needs of most small breeds. Higher-energy breeds such as the Yorkshire Terrier, Toy Poodle, Bichon Frise and Boston Terrier need more of that activity every day, yard or not.

Still deciding between a few of these? The breed matchmaker weighs your space, schedule and activity level and suggests breeds to compare before you contact a breeder.