Adopting a dog is a joyous occasion but irrespective of breeds, dogs come with responsibilities. Most families in urban areas live in apartments so it is important to learn about the dog breeds suitable for Indian apartments.
One common misconception people have is that all small dogs are suitable for apartment living. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Small breeds also include hounds and terriers, who are high-energy dogs. They require intensive exercise and training to be able to live happily in apartments.
On the other hand, there are multiple medium sized dog breeds suitable for Indian apartments due to their calmness, low energy, low shedding and easy trainability.
Today, we will learn about the 15 dog breeds suitable for Indian apartments that you can consider adopting.
Why is it Important to Carefully Select the Dog Breeds Suitable for Indian Apartments?
You should always choose a dog breed suitable for Indian apartments based on your lifestyle and living space. Here are 3 good reasons why –
- Health and Wellbeing: Some breeds, especially those with short coats or without hair are prone to overheating, heat stress and heat stroke. Most flat-faced breeds have respiratory issues due to our humid climate. Choose a breed you can maintain inside your apartment after considering air conditioning costs, air purifier and dehumidifier installations.
- Behaviour and Compatibility: High-energy dogs, dogs with need for intense mental and physical stimulation, giant breeds and vocal dog breeds might not be suitable for Indian apartments. Go through the requirements for each dog breed before you adopt one for apartment living.
- Longevity and Comfort: Dogs who aren’t suitable for apartment living might feel bored or stressed easily. High energy dogs can engage in destructive behaviour. Dogs without enough mental stimulation and training can experience separation anxiety.
15 Dog Breeds Suitable for Indian Apartments
1. Bulldog
Adult bulldogs are usually 18 kg to 23 kg. They are calm and dignified, but low-energy dogs ideal for Indian apartments.
Bulldogs have a short-coat and medium shedding levels. They require weekly brushing and monthly bathing. Their moderate shedding and minimal grooming requirements make them quite suitable for Indian apartments.
Their exercise needs are quite minimal. A short walk twice a day is usually enough for bulldogs to spend their energy.
They are moderately difficult to train. Positive reinforcement is the best way to overcome their stubborn streak. They also bark less, making bulldogs a favourite among millennial pet parents.
2. French Bulldog
These tiny munchkins weigh between 8 kg and 14 kg in their adulthood. While adopting a French Bulldog make sure to check that they aren’t super flat faced. Purebred French Bulldogs with severe brachycephaly might require surgery to open up their nostrils, reduce their soft palate and open up their airways.
They have a short coat with moderate shedding. So they require occasional grooming. However, their facial folds require daily cleaning after meals to prevent infections.
French Bulldogs are small, playful, affectionate and sociable. They can adapt well to small apartments since they are low-energy, highly trainable dogs who require around 30 mins of walk a day.
3. Boston Terrier
Boston terriers are compact canines weighing around 10 kg in their adulthood. Again, be careful of the level of brachycephaly while choosing your pup.
They are super friendly, sociable, intelligent, kid-friendly and easy to train. These make the Boston terrier suitable for Indian apartments.
They do not shed much. So you can brush their short single coat once a week and opt for monthly grooming. Do provide proper dental cleaning to your pup since their puppyhood.
They enjoy short bursts of walks and playtime. Their quiet and playful nature makes them ideal for smaller apartments and even the occasional office visit.
4. Pug
The ideal adult weight of a pug should be between 6 kg and 8 kg. Pugs skyrocketed to popularity after a telecom service ad featuring a little girl being followed by her pug. They have continued to enjoy their popularity since then.
While they are adorable, loving, comical and great with kids, they do have significant health issues. Consider recurring medical expenses and high maintenance before adopting a pug for your apartment.
They can shed heavily during autumn and spring, but otherwise they are medium-level shedders. So brush their fur coat twice a week and go for monthly baths. However, clean their facial folds daily after food to prevent infections.
5. Indian Spitz
The size and weight of the Indian Spitz can vary significantly due to their highly diverse genetics. They are typically healthy dogs with very few health problems. The adult Indian Spitz can weigh between 5 kg and 15 kg.
It is more of a native breed, which makes them suitable for the Indian climate. Additionally, they are playful, intelligent and responsive, making them suitable for Indian apartments. However, they can be a bit stubborn, but with proper socialization and training they can be lovable.
They have long hair which makes them prone to shedding during autumn and spring. You have to brush them regularly and bathe them once in 14 days at least during the summers.
They do bark quite a bit, which makes them compact watch dogs. Their energy level is moderate and they require 40-45 minutes of exercise per day making them ideal apartment competitions.
6. Pomeranian
These are the tiniest but most loyal apartment pets humanity can hope for. Pomeranians can weigh only 2-4 kg. They are smart, intelligent and fiercely loyal to their pet parents.
Properly socialized and trained pomeranians are friendly towards kids and other pets. They love company and playtime. They have medium energy levels and exercise needs, making them ideal playmates for children.
They do have long fur which requires daily brushing, weekly deshedding and at least monthly bathing. However, due to their size and traits, they are perfect as apartment dogs.
7. Bichon Frise
The adult weight of a Bichon Frise can be between 5 kg and 8 kg. They are small and love being pampered. They are the ideal family dogs that get along well with children of all ages.
In addition to being low-energy and requiring minimal exercise (20 mins of walk), they are also super low maintenance.
They do require daily brushing to maintain their soft coat, but Bichon Frise are hypoallergenic dogs that barely shed. It makes them ideal for small apartments.
They are also quiet and polite when socialized properly from an early age. Bichon Frise are becoming rapidly popular as the dog breed of choice among people residing in apartments.
8. Corgi
Corgis have been popular for a while now, but they are not yet as common as the Beagle or Chihuahua in India. Their friendly nature makes them suitable for apartment living.
The Corgi may be small but they are highly energetic. They require high levels of activity and engagement, which is great news if you have children at home. And they are easy to train.
They have super short coats but they do shed heavily. So brushing them daily and grooming them at least once in 2 weeks is a must.
If you lead an active lifestyle and you can provide significant mental stimulation and exercise for your Corgi, they will thrive in an apartment.
9. Maltese
These tiny furballs only weigh up to 4 kg as adults. Maltese are highly affectionate and they love being with family. Maltese is a great choice of dog breed if you have children.
They are medium-energy dogs who require daily walks and indoor playtime. They are easy to train and quite intelligent.
Since the Maltese have long coats, they require daily brushing. You may want to sign up for a grooming package since the Maltese require baths as frequently as 2 weeks. Make sure to invest in proper grooming tools to prevent unwanted matting and skin issues.
The Maltese is a dog breed suitable for apartment living in India.
10. Miniature Poodle
The weight of a Miniature Poodle is around 8 kg. They are at least 20 kg lighter than the standard poodle. They have the looks and smarts of a standard poodle, but in a much compact packaging.
Their unique intelligence makes them easy to train, friendly towards humans and other pets, and eager to please. They can learn tricks quickly, but require low intensity exercises, such as short walks.
Miniature Poodles have a curly coat that requires frequent grooming but they shed very little. Think biweekly baths in the summer and daily brushing throughout the year!
11. Chihuahua
The adult weight of a miniature Chihuahua is hardly 3 kg. They are the smallest dogs in the world, but they also have the biggest personalities.
They are intelligent, but with a stubborn streak. They like to make their presence known.
Chihuahuas are low-energy dogs with minimal exercise requirements. They love short strolls and playtime with toys.
However, they can be possessive about their human(s) and show aggression towards strangers and new pets. They need to be socialized early. Training them can be of medium difficulty. But they respond to positive reinforcement pretty well.
They have moderate shedding and minimal grooming needs. Bathing once a month is quite enough for this little furball.
Their small size and low demands for exercise make them quite suitable for Indian apartments.
12. Havanese
The Havanese look similar to the Maltese but they are a little bigger. The adult male Havanese dog can reach up to 7 kg. They are playful and cheerful dogs that are easy-going when it comes to training and exercise.
They adapt easily to small spaces due to their amicable traits. They are perfect for families with children.
They have long silky coats that require daily brushing. Use of incorrect grooming tools can result in matting and skin irritation. They need to be bathed at least once a month with a soft conditioning shampoo.
They are low-energy breeds. The Havanese require short walks and indoor play. But their intelligence demands regular mental stimulation. Most importantly, they rarely bark.
These make Havanese one of our favourites on the list of dog breeds suitable for Indian apartments.
13. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu has to be the most popular small dog breed suitable for Indian apartments. They are both calm and loving. They can be naughty, yet obedient.
A Shih Tzu is a mixed bag. Early socialization and training makes all the difference. They can be stubborn and they do not respond well to scolding and punishments. Always opt for positive reinforcement training while training your Shih Tzu.
Their moderate energy means you can take them out for 3-4 short walks of 10-15 mins per day. Or 2 walks coupled with a total of 1 hour of indoor play.
14. Basset Hound
Although an adult Basset Hound can weigh between 20 kg and 29 kg, they are considered small dogs of the hound family. They are scent hounds who used to track game following, as you guessed it, their scent.
Considering their purpose, they are highly intelligent and driven. The Basset Hound requires significant mental stimulation although they do not require intense exercise. They love the indoors. However, if you want your shoes and furniture intact, engage your pupper in scent games daily.
They are moderate shedders with short coats. You can brush them daily and go for monthly spa sessions. Nonetheless, you need to clean their ears daily since their floppy ears make Basset Hounds prone to ear infections.
Their gentle and quiet nature (yes, they are not big barkers!) make them suitable for apartment life.
15. Italian Greyhound
The sleek and elegant breed with a love for speed! The Italian Greyhound is much smaller than the Racing Greyhound, but they have the same quirky personality and adorable features.
They are always skinny and adults can weigh around 7–8 kg only. They love to run. So unless you lead an active lifestyle that involves running, jogging or hiking, do not get an Italian Greyhound.
They are peace-loving creatures, who have a strong affinity for humans. Fiercely loyal, funny, emotionally intelligent and easily trainable, this dog is the perfect companion in apartment settings.
They don’t require a lot of maintenance and grooming. However, try to keep them indoors in the heat and put a Christmas sweater on them as the mercury drops! They are sensitive to temperature changes.
Conclusion
Now you know the 15 dog breeds suitable for Indian apartments. However, here’s a little secret only a good dog behaviourist and trainer will tell you – all dogs can live inside apartments! Dogs are supposed to get exercise and mental stimulation based on their breed purpose.
You can keep a Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd or Beagle in your 600 square foot apartment if you can ensure they are properly trained and they get their required exercise every day! Dogs are meant to expend most of their energy outdoors – walks, dog parks, or doggy pools.
Here are the 3 key points you need you pay attention to if you want your dog to thrive in an apartment:
- Proper socialization from puppyhood
- Consistent training with positive reinforcement
- Daily outdoor exercise and mental activities
Your dog’s well-being is more about routine, attention and care than square footage. If you’re willing to invest time and love, your dog – no matter the breed – will love your apartment just as much as you do.