There may be certain dog breeds that tend to be more suitable to apartment living than others. When it comes down to it, every dog is different and there will always be pups whose behavior doesn’t quite fit the breed standard. A dog from a “lazy” dog breed could be more energetic at times while a dog from a high-energy breed could have a mellow streak. When evaluating a dog for apartment living, consider more than what their breed is known for and take a few things into account. Here are some signs a dog is perfect for apartment living:

1. Low to Moderate Energy Level

The energy level of your dog makes a big difference in whether or not they can handle living in an apartment. This is especially important if the dog will be left alone for long hours. A dog that has a low to moderate energy level and also does not require a ton of exercise is a great fit for an apartment.

A high-energy dog can be a good fit for apartment living as long as they get plenty of exercise throughout the day. If your lifestyle doesn’t allow you to ensure your active pup gets plenty of exercise, they may not be the best fit for an apartment. But, if you’re able to give a high-energy pup plenty of activity, they may be perfect for apartment living.

2. Overall Temperament

When evaluating the temperament of a dog to determine their suitability for apartment living, it’s important to pay attention to how noisy they tend to be, how much attention they require, and how well they deal with strangers and other animals. Usually, apartment dwellers live in close proximity to each other. This means noise travels and you’re likely to run into people your dog may not know, some of whom may have their own pets.

Level of Noise

If a dog is prone to barking, and isn’t easily trained out of it, they may not be a good fit for apartments or close quarters with other people. Excessive noise complaints can result in fines or an eviction, depending on your situation. Plus, extensive noise does not usually build good relationships with your neighbors. A dog who is generally rather quiet, or can be trained not to bark excessively, will tend to be a better fit for apartment life.

Attention Needed

Some dogs are like velcro and need to be with their owner at all times or they stress out. Other dogs enjoy being with their owner, but like their independence as well. A “velcro” dog may not be the best fit for you if they have to be left alone for longer periods of time, especially in an apartment situation where their distress is likely to disrupt the neighbors. But, if a dog can handle being alone for a bit without issue, it’s a sign they could be perfect for living in an apartment.

Other People

Another important consideration when evaluating a dog’s temperament for apartment living is how well they deal with other people and pets. In an apartment setting, your dog is going to come into contact with other people and their pets. They may know some of the residents, but there will be people they don’t know – new residents, guests, service workers, etc.

A dog that is well-suited to living in an apartment will need to be able to handle meeting strange people and pets without issue. They don’t have to be overly friendly, but they can’t be showing signs of aggression, like barking or growling, pulling to get to them, or attempting to give chase to smaller animals

3. Size

Although almost any-sized dog can do well in an apartment as long as they get the exercise they need, you do have to consider size when determining whether a dog will be a good fit for an apartment. Some landlords may have size restrictions on dogs allowed in their buildings. The other thing to consider is noise.

You can’t count on an apartment building to have good soundproofing and you can bet that noise will travel. If you don’t have a first-floor apartment, your large dog may not be a good fit for apartment living as any movement they make will be amplified due to their size. Depending on your neighbors downstairs, this could result in tense relationships and noise complaints.

These are just a few of the major considerations to think about when evaluating a dog for apartment living. Some dog breeds are generally good dogs for apartments, but other dogs can still be a good fit, sometimes even when their breed usually isn’t known for it.