Indoor Dogs
Breeds That Are Best For Apartment Living
Living in an apartment
doesn’t
have to mean a life void of the
love of a dog. Plenty of breeds are perfectly suited
for small, or yardless, living quarters. However, choose
carefully — some dogs require space to run and
creatures to herd in order to live a full and healthy
life, and subjecting them to the confines of a tiny
New York City loft is a bad idea. So instead of a Golden
Retriever, a Rottweiler or a Weimaraner, consider a
member of what the American Kennel Club refers to as
the “toy” group.” And no, we’re
not necessarily suggesting a Poodle (though Poodles
are great apartment dogs) — there are many, many
other choices. Looking for a tiny watchdog? A miniature
pinscher will do the trick (think of a minpin as big
dog in a little dog’s body). Lap dog lovers will
go crazy for the oh-so-cute Cavalier King Charles Spaniel,
and you can’t go wrong with a Pug — not
only can they get all the exercise they need traipsing
around the apartment all day, they are affectionate
and charming, too. Other popular and appropriate apartment
dogs include the Chihuahua, the Italian Greyhound, the
Yorkshire Terrier and the Bichon Frise, to name a few
(if none of these appeal to you, don’t worry
— the actual list of choices is long). But just
because these breeds do well in apartments doesn’t
mean they should stay inside all the time. Regardless
of your dog’s size, dog park visits and daily
walks are a must.
