Do you live in a flat? Are you also considering bringing home a new dog? If you answered yes to both questions, you likely want to know which dog breeds are best for flats.
Flat living can indeed be challenging for some dog breeds—typically large and active ones—but a surprising number adapt very well. Many factors also play into whether a flat is suited for a dog, including the size of your space, the number of residents, and the amount of outdoor green space, like a courtyard or garden.
In this detailed guide, certified professional dog trainer Alexandra Bassett of DogSavvy offers advice to prospective and new dog parents on selecting a breed best suited to flat living. With her insight, we also explore how to ensure your flat and lifestyle suit your dog’s needs.
Which Dog Breeds Are Suited to Flat Life?
Unsurprisingly, small-to-medium dogs are usually the easiest to keep in a flat, typically because they share various flat-friendly traits—though that doesn’t mean all little dogs are a good fit, or that all big ones are inherently incompatible.
In small dogs’ favour is that they require less space, and space can come at a high premium in flats. They’re also less likely to face exclusion if building managers ban certain breeds.
Exercise is another factor. Fenced gardens offer a significant advantage for breeds that need a lot of exercise, which is why smaller breeds with lower exercise requirements are usually a better fit for flats than large, high-drive dogs.
Bassett highlights the following small breeds as being popular, successful picks for flats:
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
These toy-sized companion dogs generally weigh between 5.9 and 8.2 kilograms (13 and 18 pounds). Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are often affectionate, friendly, playful, and easy to train. Their moderate energy levels also make them particularly well-suited to life in a flat, as they’re usually happy with 2 or 3 30-minute walks per day.
Bassett notes that some larger breeds, by contrast, can require up to three hour-long walks per day to keep them happily stimulated.
Shih Tzus
The Shih Tzu is known to be an affectionate, intelligent, and easy-to-train breed. Adults grow to be between 4.1 and 7.3 kilograms (9 and 16 pounds). Like the Cavalier, they were bred for companionship and to be indoor house pets. They generally don’t need much outdoor exercise but do have a (short-distance) sense of adventure if you want a dog who likes to walk.
When inside, they can be the quintessential lap dog. For these reasons, they adapt well to flat living.
Boston Terriers
These dogs are well-known for their “tuxedo” markings and their status as companion dogs. Bassett also notes that their compact size and friendly nature make Boston Terriers great flat dogs. They can be high-energy as young dogs, so they will do best with training and exercise. However, they are easy to care for and have a sleek coat that sheds only lightly.
It’s important to note that all dogs have their own individual personalities and preferences. While not every dog from these breeds will be suitable for flats, their typical breed features (size, personality, and energy level) make them good candidates.
CBCK-Christine via iStock
Breeds Typically Unsuited for Life in a Flat
According to Bassett, energy levels and exercise needs are significant factors that mean some dog breeds are unsuited for life in a flat. Dogs with a high drive, including sporting and herding breeds, are usually easily excited and need lots of dedicated exercise and training to meet all their needs. It can be hard to achieve that in an urban environment without a fenced garden.
Similarly, dogs bred to guard, breeds that intimidate people due to their reputation (no matter how undeserved) or extra-large breeds are typically not good candidates for flats. Let’s take a look at each in more detail below.
- Sporting and herding breeds. Whether small or large, sporting and herding breeds are usually excitable and require dedicated exercise and training to be happy. Breeds like Vizslas, Pointers, Australian Shepherds (including miniature), Border Collies, Jack Russells, Springer Spaniels, Brittany Spaniels, Retrievers, Labradors, and Standard Poodles may not be suited to flats.
- Guard dog breeds. These breeds are more likely to see unfamiliar dogs and people as potential threats, which can lead to a lot of barking. For this reason, breeds like Schnauzers, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Akitas, Mastiffs, German Shepherds, Boxers, Chow Chows, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Great Pyrenees, and Belgian Malinois are not particularly well-suited for flats.
- Intimidating breeds. Bassett acknowledges that some breeds may have unfairly earned a reputation for aggression, and many buildings have breed restrictions that prohibit them in flats. These breeds can include Bully breeds, Mastiffs, Dobermans, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds.
- Extra-large breeds. Because of their sheer size, most flats will have difficulty accommodating extra-large breeds, including Great Danes, Newfoundlands, and Saint Bernards.
That said, there are plenty of individual members of these breeds who are compatible with flats. Whether or not a specific dog is best for a flat depends on their unique personality and needs.
How To Make Sure Your Dog Is Flat Compatible
Besides carefully considering different breed traits, there are a lot of other factors that can help you determine which type of dog can happily live with you in your flat.
Puppies versus adult dogs
Lots of dogs of all ages and stages can be successfully flat-trained—but getting a puppy in a flat is a different proposition from adopting a fully grown dog.
Puppies need close supervision and very frequent trips outside, which is worth considering if your flat makes it hard for you to access the outdoors quickly and easily (though puppy pee pads can help). You also don’t have much control over how much noise they make, so if you have thin walls, it might be a tough first few months.
You do, however, get a chance to train your dog from a young age, which gives you a lot of control over what flat-friendly habits they develop—if you’re able to put in the time and effort.
Adopting an adult dog is different. Many rescues won’t be flat-compatible, either because of their energy needs or their training requirements. But if you’re willing to settle in for a longer search, you can find a great fit with a lot of confidence—especially when working through a rescue organisation.
Many rescue organisations put a lot of time and effort into finding a good match. Their recommendation, in conjunction with a foster parent’s assessment, can be a massive help in setting you up for success.
Training your dog to live in a flat
Regardless of the type of dog you choose, training will be a key ingredient to a successful flat dog.
Bassett notes that, in addition to professional assistance, behaviour management tools like dog gates, playpens, and crates can be beneficial in acclimating your dog to their space in the flat.
These tools can help keep your dog out of trouble and safely contain any messes when you can’t supervise. Preventative measures can also help ensure your furniture and floors stay safe while your dog is learning and prevent bad habits from developing.
How to handle barking
It’s also important to know that all dogs bark—it’s healthy and normal. But excessive barking and alert barking at odd hours can get you in trouble.
The best thing you can do is start training on day one. Bassett emphasises that yelling at your dog when they bark only validates the behaviour. (If my human is barking, too, the threat must be real!) Dog parents should learn and understand positive ways to limit barking, which is imperative for flat life.
Simple techniques, such as rubbing a dog’s back when they bark, can help them relax and signal that the footsteps or voices in the hallway are not a threat. If you need help curbing barking, seek professional guidance early to keep your dog from developing a bad habit and avoid annoying other tenants.
Addressing grooming needs
Lastly, consider the grooming requirements for specific breeds. For example, certain dogs may have a double coat (think “shedding”) or will need frequent hair and nail trims to minimise wear and tear on your space. Thinking about your specific dog’s needs will help you determine if they are right for your renting situation.
How To Choose a Dog-Friendly Flat
Some flat features can be very dog-friendly. Others not so much. As you might suspect, pet parents should consider the layout of their flat in relation to their prospective dog’s size, personality, and exercise needs. Bassett notes several potentially positive dog-friendly features of flats, including:
- Social atmosphere. Flats often come with a lot of neighbours. This can make it easy to socialise your new pup with other people and dogs and offer a healthy outlet for both you and your dog.
- Dog runs and green space. Outdoor dog-friendly spaces are common in flats that allow pets. These areas give dogs and their humans an easy-access space to play. They can also help to build a predictable activity schedule for your dog. Plus, these flat green spaces can provide a designated place to meet new dogs and practice good social skills.
- Nearby public parks. A nearby green space or play area can make all the difference for dogs living in flats. These parks offer fun adventures for your dog and go a long way toward meeting a wide range of exercise needs.
- Hallways. Bassett notes that hallway spaces can be perfect for “distraction training.” Hallways provide just enough activity for a little challenge but not so much as to overwhelm your dog.
Features of flats that may be difficult for dogs
On the flip side, some aspects of flat life may not be as dog-friendly. As you review the features below, identify what might pose a challenge for you and your dog, and which may not be a major hurdle. It’s crucial to balance your flat’s features with your dog’s needs to determine whether a specific dog will be a good fit.
- Foot traffic. If you share a common hallway with other residents, consider the noise from foot traffic and whether it will cause your dog to bark (especially if you are not home). Hallway noises can be particularly challenging if you live near exit doors or elevators.
- Soundproofing. Does your flat have thin walls or lofted ceilings? Can you hear activity in the adjoining unit? Consider whether these types of noises will cause your dog to bark or be nervous, or whether the sound of your dog’s barking will be loud for neighbours. Sounds can also increase a dog’s anxiety and lead to unwelcome behaviours like whining or barking.
- Space. Make sure your unit has enough space to accommodate the size of the dog you’re considering. And if you’re getting a puppy, keep in mind that your puppy will grow larger.
With all of these considerations, remember that many dogs can live a happy life in a flat. Pet parents can also help balance their dog’s needs with the features of their flat.
