One of the biggest quandaries for dog lovers is choosing a dog that fits in their lives – figuratively and literally. Anyone with a sprawling house and plenty of yard space doesn’t have much to worry about. But, for apartment renters, size matters. Some breeds are perfect dogs for apartments while others aren’t necessarily a good fit.

Although a Great Dane can do well in an apartment, they are huge dogs that simply can’t fit in a 500 sq ft loft. Aside from size, behavioral aspects also come into play. For example, a dog with a strong penchant for barking or darting outside or territorial marking won’t always be welcome – or permitted – in an apartment building.

To help dog lovers out, we’ve made a list of some of the smallest, most adaptable dogs out there. Sometimes, they’re both! Take a look so you won’t have to deprive yourself of a puppy companion just because you live in an apartment. Here are a few perfect dogs for apartments:

6 Small Dog Breeds Perfect for Apartments

These pups tend to be on the smaller side, and are well equipped to handle apartment living:

1. Toy Fox Terrier

Toy Fox Terriers are tiny little athletes, these pups will run a few laps in the apartment and then fall asleep.

2. Silky Terrier

True to their name, Silky Terriers have luxurious, soft fur and prefer playtime to couch time.

3. Shih Tzu

These Tibetan beauties are friendly, but they are also stubborn. A Shih Tzu will take a little more effort during training, but are a good size for an apartment.

4. Pomeranian

One of the top 20 most popular breeds, Pomeranians are tiny powerhouses. They also tend to bark due to their defensive nature, so specific training may be necessary for them to integrate seamlessly into an apartment lifestyle.

5. Pekingese

The “lion dog” comes with a shortened nose and flatter facial features. Pekingese are little lap dogs and just love the attention.

6. Maltese

Maltese pups are mostly hypoallergenic and are content in small spaces despite having high energy. They tend to bark, however, and may develop separation anxiety if their owner leaves the apartment often or for extended periods of time.

5 Highly Adaptable Dog Breeds Perfect for Apartments

The breeds below are very slightly larger, but are adept at training and are also highly adaptable:

1. Yorkshire Terrier

Affectionate, but wary of strangers, this dog breed can be trained early on to control barking. They work well in apartment and small homes. Yorkshire Terriers do have bouts of high energy, however, so they will need moderate exercise to remain relaxed and calm.

2. Pug

This is an adorably wrinkly companion whose small size, and general inactivity, makes for a perfect apartment dog. Pugs do tend to shed, so regular brushing is important to keep their coat healthy and your apartment relatively fur-free.

3. Toy/Miniature Poodle

Toy and Miniature Poodles are highly intelligent and hypoallergenic. Their intelligence makes them a breeze to train, although they do need mental stimulation often.

4. Havanese

Havanese pups live for attention, and even though they start out shy, they will show anyone affection. Their coat requires regular brushing to remain tangle-free and their energy level is relatively low, making them compatible for apartment living.

5. French Bulldog

Small in size, and low in activity, French Bulldogs are perfect for apartment living. They are easily trained and require a moderate amount of exercise.

These are just a few perfect dogs for apartments. Many dogs can adapt to apartment living as long as they get the mental stimulation, exercise, and attention they need to be happy and healthy. So, there are plenty more dogs to choose from, but this list should give you a head start on finding the perfect dog for your apartment!