10 great dog breeds for an apartment

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Lifehacker has collected 10 excellent medium-sized breeds.

1. Bichon Frize

• Height at withers: up to 30 cm.
• The weight: up to 5 kg.
• Average life expectancy: up to 13 years old.

Curly lapdogs (this is how the name of the breed is translated) has thick, long and curly white hair and expressive dark eyes.

These dogs are active and playful. They rarely show aggression, they are friendly to people and other dogs.

Bichon-Frize are quite obedient and easy to train. They can even be litter trained. But that doesn't mean they don't need regular walks. It is advisable to take the dog outside on a daily basis to give a release of energy.

2. Maltese lapdog

• Height at withers: up to 23-25 cm.
• The weight: up to 3-4 kg.
• Average life expectancy: up to 12-15 years old.

Dogs of this breed have long, snow-white hair, sometimes with a light shade of ivory. The eyes are dark and expressive. Their attractive appearance, combined with the docile nature, makes them excellent companions.

Maltese lapdogs, or Maltese, are very active and agile, frolic, jump and run with pleasure. They are well trained and trainable, they can even be trained to a tray or diaper. But without a couple of half-hour walks every day, it is better not to leave them. In general, the Maltese are very attached to a person, enthusiastically support any games and begin to get bored if they are left unattended for a long time.

Long coat of Maltese lapdogs requires constant and careful care. Without this, she will quickly get confused and become ugly.

3. French Bulldog

• Height at withers: up to 32-35 cm.
• The weight: up to 13-14 kg.
• Average life expectancy: up to 8-10 years old.

French Bulldogs are small, stocky animals with short hair and snouts and large ears. Their expressive appearance, combined with ease of care, have provided them with considerable popularity.

The character of the French Bulldogs is balanced and calm. They cannot be called too active, but they will go for a walk with pleasure and can support a short game. They are easy to learn and train, they get along well with adults and children.

These dogs do not tolerate heat and cold very well. So in the summer it is better to walk with them in the morning or evening cool, and in winter you will have to take care of the pet's insulation.

4. Yorkshire Terrier

• Height at withers: up to 23 cm.
• The weight: up to 3 kg.
• Average life expectancy: 12-13 years old.

Yorkshire Terriers are miniature and fragile dogs with a determined character. They are active and curious and do not like to go without human attention.

In addition, Yorkies are quite easy to train. They can be easily trained to the tray, but this does not negate the need for daily walks. At least an hour a day, they should be in the fresh air, frolic, explore new territories, or just walk along their usual routes. If you deprive the dog of such a pastime, it will throw out its energy in four walls.

The coat of these animals requires constant and careful care. Without haircuts, washing and brushing, it will quickly lose its attractiveness.

5. Chinese Crested Dog

• Height at withers: up to 30 cm.
• The weight: up to 5 kg.
• Average life expectancy: up to 13-15 years old.

The Chinese Crested is another dog for keeping in an apartment, which has an unusual appearance. The dogs of this breed have a small graceful body, hairless, with hair only on the head, tail and legs, or completely covered with hair.

Representatives of this breed are very quick-witted, easily amenable to education and training, they quickly master new tricks. They love to be in society, get along great with children, and staying alone for a long time, they suffer. They are also friendly towards other animals. The Chinese Crested love to walk, but if necessary, the dogs quickly get used to the tray or diaper.

Dogs' coat requires constant and careful care, especially when it comes to downy varieties.

6. Pug

• Height at withers: up to 25-30 cm.
• The weight: up to 6-8 kg.
• Average life expectancy: up to 11 years old.

Pugs are dogs with a bright and memorable appearance. They have a small muscular body, a large head with a short square muzzle, on which folds are clearly visible.

These dogs have a rather calm and balanced character, although they will not refuse to participate in a fun game. They are quick-witted, learn quickly and master new commands. Although sometimes they tend to be stubborn in the process of education. They love to be with people, willingly play with children and get along well with other pets.

Caring for the short hair of pugs does not cause any special problems, it is enough to comb it out in a timely manner. Wrinkles on the face require more careful attention, which need to be cleaned regularly.

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7. Pekingese

• Height at withers: up to 20 cm.
• The weight: up to 5–5.5 kg.
• Average life expectancy: up to 12-15 years old.

Pekingese are miniature dogs with an unusual and expressive appearance. You can't call them too active, but you can't do without daily walks - albeit leisurely and not too long.

With education and training, some difficulties may arise due to the stubborn nature of such pets. Although the dogs are very loyal, absolutely not aggressive and fearless, they perfectly find a common language with children and adults.

The Pekingese have a fairly long coat, which requires constant care. You need to comb the dog every day, without such a procedure, its appearance will quickly become untidy.

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8. Toy Terrier

• Height at withers: up to 23 cm.
• The weight: up to 3 kg.
• Average life expectancy: up to 11-12 years old.

Miniature toy terriers are very graceful, energetic and agile animals. Fragility in them is combined with courage, so that they will selflessly protect their master, and sometimes they may not hesitate to show aggression towards dogs of much larger size.

These dogs are very quick-witted and well trainable, so raising them will not be difficult. Toy terriers easily get used to a tray or diaper. But this does not negate the need for walks in the fresh air, which are very beneficial for animals and help to release energy.

Dogs are very loyal to people. They also easily find a common language with children, but it should be borne in mind that due to negligence, a child can accidentally injure a fragile animal.

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9. Chihuahua-hua

• Height at withers: up to 23 cm.
• The weight: up to 3 kg.
• Average life expectancy: up to 12-13 years old.

Chihua-hua are miniature dogs native to Mexico. But, despite their very small size, they are quite brave, fearlessly protecting their family members, and sometimes they are not averse to getting involved in a fight with other animals. Another advantage of the breed is its quick wit, the ability to quickly learn and master commands.

The Chihuahua's character is docile, but at the same time the dogs are active, mobile and play with pleasure. They need regular walks. But in frosty weather or a downpour, you can refuse the promenade, because these animals can be easily taught to walk in a tray or on a diaper.

These dogs get along well with children. Pets are very sociable and get along well with other pets.

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10. Pomeranian

• Height at withers: up to 30 cm.
• The weight: up to 2-3, 5 kg.
• Average life expectancy: up to 15-16 years old.

Pomeranian Spitz are dogs with a cheerful and playful character. They are very energetic and always ready to support any kind of fun activity. To release this energy, dogs need daily walks.

Spitz can be trained quite easily, although sometimes they tend to be stubborn. They learn commands quickly and are quick-witted. Spitz enjoy being with people, are always ready to please them and get along well with young children. As for other animals, for example, they rarely develop friendships with cats.

Spitz coat needs special care. Usually it is combed out every few days. Dogs do not look so impressive without regular procedures.

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