Best dog breeds for apartment living

How we ranked them

Only breeds rated 4 or 5 for apartment living make the list. We then score each one by doubling its apartment rating and adding points for being quieter (a lower barking rating) and calmer (a lower energy rating). The highest score ranks first. All ratings come from our breed profiles and describe the typical dog of a breed, so every dog is an individual, and your neighbors may still hear a chatty one.

See how we research and rate breeds.

Before you choose

Plan for noise first. Practice leaving for short stretches so your dog learns that quiet is normal when you go. Reward calm behavior instead of scolding barking; veterinary behaviorists recommend reward-based training. If your dog howls or whines whenever you leave, talk to your vet rather than punishing it, because distress is often behind the noise.

Build exercise into the day rather than hoping a small home is enough. Our guide to how much exercise a dog needs explains how to match walks and play to your dog. Sniff walks, puzzle feeding and short training sessions help on bad-weather days.

Think about the bathroom routine too, especially on a high floor. A predictable schedule makes life easier, and a crate-training plan can help a puppy learn it. If noise is your main worry, compare this list with our quiet dogs.