Having a dog in an apartment is a challenge – both for the owner and the animal -, but it is not impossible. Nor does it have to be a big deal. The first thing you need to know before choosing the breed you will live with inside your property is the characteristics you need to respect in the personality of an animal that will not live in total freedom. Remember that when you choose your four-legged friend, you must choose an animal that fits your lifestyle and home. Is your home located near the beach? Is it in the city centre? Does it have a common garden or terrace? This is much more important than choosing the colour or hair size of your pet.
LUXIMOS Christie's International Real Estate has consulted several websites specialized in pets and has elaborated a top 5 with the best dog breeds for your apartment, taking into account your preference for the size of the dog.
It is a small companion dog, with little need for exercise. Besides, he barks very little. He's active but not restless. He is from China and can weigh up to 13 kg.
From Italy, although many people think he is from Malta, the Maltese Bichon is a cheerful dog who quickly falls in love with his human family. In fact, he can't stand being alone. However, he doesn't relate well to strangers, so you need to invest in his socialization. He never weighs more than 4 kg.
The Poodle Toy is the smallest dog in his family. He's a calm, intelligent animal and one of the most popular among children. He adapts very well to life in an apartment, but needs exercise. He weighs less than 5 kg.
Here's another miniature dog, this one from China. The Pekingese is a calm, quiet, independent and proud animal. He ignores those who are not part of the family. Legend has it that he results from an impossible love between a tiger and a female elephant. He doesn't bark much and even in adulthood he doesn't exceed 6 kg. His fur needs to be brushed assiduously.
As the name implies, this breed originated in the British county of Yorkshire. Hence, it is extremely popular in the United Kingdom, but not only. He is a very small dog, intelligent, affectionate, great company, but very vain. His long and smooth fur demands a lot of care.
He is from England, but his current appearance results from crossbreeds by French breeders. He is a calm, balanced and sociable dog. However, he is prone to breathing problems, which can lead to increased expenses. He weighs about 12 kg.
If there's one irresistible dog, it's this one. Descended from the companion dogs of kings, everything at Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is highly endearing and desirable. He's a well-educated, adaptable, sociable and tolerant dog. Furthermore, he loves children and the elderly. He weighs between 5 kg and 8 kg and likes both walking and staying at home.
It's one of those cases where prejudice can arise. He is descended from dogs bred to fight bulls, which stains his “résumé”. But that was back in the 18th century. Today, he's just a lazy, slow-moving dog whose best entertainment is to be left alone. He can weigh up to 25 kg.
It's one of the funniest dogs there is, and that's why it's one of children's favourites. That does not mean that he is always agitated, his personality is calm and adaptable. He loves food and you have to learn to tell him no. He weighs just over 10 kg.
Another irresistible, affectionate, loyal and almost comical breed. The Basset Hound is a dwarf dog, his belly and ears almost touch the ground. He is very calm and lazy and does very well on his own. Here, the challenge is to make him exercise, because he's really too sleepy. His size can be deceiving: although small, he easily reaches 40 kg.
This dog grows a lot, up to 80 cm. But in fact, he's just a lazy dog. In his ideal world, he would always be lying down and quiet. So he hardly needs any space. He has one drawback: his life expectancy is short, not exceeding eight years.
It's called the English Greyhound. These dogs are considered the fastest in the world and can do 72 km/hour. But at home they couldn't be calmer, as long as properly walked and trained. They are athletic, elegant and not very easy to find (with the exception of the north of Portugal). The breed is partially endangered.
He's an 80-kg fat dog, but the best guard dog you can have. He's big, so he looks bad. But his muzzle doesn’t fool you: he's sweet, friendly and incredibly loyal. The kind of brave dog who would do anything to save you. He can weigh over 100 kg, which is why he needs a lot of training.
From Russia, it is not very easy to find in Portugal. He can be very stubborn or very calm. His temper will depend a lot on the training and teaching you give him. He does well in low temperatures.
Contrary to what most people think, retrievers are not naturally perfect apartment dogs. They become perfect if they are properly exercised. They are very popular in Japan and can surprise you by their obedience. Within this family, the best options are the Golden Retriever, the Flat Coated Retriever and the Labrador Retriever.