Since much of the Brazilian population already lives in apartments, small dog breeds are becoming increasingly popular. In addition to more easily adapting to confined spaces, many small dogs can also take less time away from their tutors with their daily care routine.
Likewise, you should be vigilant before deciding to adopt a puppy, since all animals need the attention and dedication of their tutors to lead a healthy and happy life. So, regardless of size, a dog is always a responsibility, even if you know they will be our best friends.
- But if you’re already convinced that you want to adopt a puppy and are looking for the best breeds of small dogs for apartments.
- Keep reading this new article by Animal Expert to discover our Top 18 of small dogs with various tips.
Then look at our ranking with these 18 breeds of small dogs ideal for apartments:
In previous articles we have already talked about the best apartment dogs of all sizes and features. But today we want to focus on small dogs, which are usually the most suitable for living in apartments with limited space.
Of course, whenever we write a text about “the best or the best”, it is important to note that these concepts are always subjective. The perfect animal for one person will not necessarily be perfect for another … Therefore, when we have to choose a puppy to share our home, it is essential to think about the type of partner we seek based on our personality and expectations.
In the list we will present below, we are guided by certain features that people normally prefer when choosing a small dog for an apartment. For example: be easier to maintain, lose little hair, easily adapt to a small space, bark little, etc.
With this brief explanation, we can now move on to our 18 best breeds of small dogs. Ready to get started?
The poodle is one of the small breeds of dogs that never go out of style in Brazil and is no coincidence. In addition to being super charming with their curly hair and cheerful appearance, poodles are among the 5 smartest and easiest dogs to train.
However, they need daily exercise and good mental stimulation to avoid behavioral problems that may be common in this breed, such as possessive behaviors and excessive barking. As a result, they are better suited to active individuals and families and are not recommended for those looking for a more independent pet.
Many people think that the chihuahua is one of the best apartment dogs simply because it is the smallest dog in the world. But in fact, these little ones have many other qualities that position them among the “chouchous of Brazil”. One of them is the preferred life expectancy, as Chihuahuas can live up to 20 years!
Likewise, this breed is very sensitive and has a genetic predisposition to develop various conditions, such as hydrocephalus and epilepsy. Therefore, they need specific care and a positive environment to prevent these diseases and lead healthy lives with their families.
The brave Yorkshire terrier is also one of the most popular and popular puppies in Brazil and the world. Their fame is well deserved: with a beautiful appearance and playful behavior, these furry animals are usually excellent companions for children and also for allergic people, because it is one of the breeds that does not lose hair.
If you decide to adopt a Yorkshire dog, remember to socialize it from the first months of life to avoid certain driving problems, such as excessive barking and separation anxiety. At Animal Expert we tell you everything you need to know to educate your yorkshire terrier
Anyone who looks at the sweet face of a shih tzu, can hardly imagine it as a watchdog … However, these beautiful puppies were bred in Tibet, where they used to be trained as guardians of the interiors of Buddhist monasteries. That is why, even today, many puppies of this breed tend to be suspicious or a little shy in the presence of strangers.
Socialization will be the crucial factor in helping your shih tzu live positively with others and manage their protective instinct, avoiding aggressive or possessive behaviors. Do not doubt that a socialized shih tzu is one of the best breeds of small dogs to share your home.
The adorable Lulu of Pomerania is the smallest member of the family of spitz type dogs, the vast majority of which have been trained for hunting. But unlike its “parents”, the Pomerania was created to be a real pet dog. Therefore, his temperament is much more docile and affectionate, distinguishing himself as one of the best small dogs for apartments, even for families with children.
However, the lulus of Pomerania require a lot of time and attention from their guardians, without dealing at all with loneliness. When they spend many hours alone at home or if they are not properly socialized, they may suffer separation stress and anxiety. For all these reasons, they are not suitable for those looking for a more independent companion.
Although it is similar and was bred in the same country (Japan) as the Akita inu, the shiba inu is a small dog with a compact body. Although its popularity is not yet so great in Brazil, it is one of the best small dogs for those looking for a more independent breed, thanks to its calm and confident temperament.
However, you should also consider that shiba inu has a strong personality and will need a little more dedication and patience when learning the basic commands of canine training. To help you, we have prepared a special article with the best tips for educating a shiba inu. Don’t miss anything!
Of course, our beloved sausage could not be excluded from the ranking of the best breeds of small dogs! The dachshund or dachshund is a small short-haired dog that adapts very well to the apartments and can coexist with tutors of different personalities, being also an excellent companion for children.
Because they have enough energy, they must walk every day and have an enriched environment so they can exercise and have fun when they are alone at home. Also, you should know that salshicha is prone to spinal problems due to the shape of your body. Therefore, it is important that you perform exercises tailored to your physical context and receive appropriate care to maintain good health.
The butterfly is famous for being one of the most elegant breeds of small dogs in the world, but its popularity in Brazil is still very low. In addition to their striking beauty and silky fur, butterflies are among the easiest dogs to train, showing great intelligence and versatility when it comes to learning.
With good socialization, the butterfly becomes an ideal apartment dog, proving to be an excellent companion for children and other pets, as well as being very alert and protective of your home.
Thanks to its extremely friendly, playful and familiar temperament, the broken bichon is a mandatory presence among the best small dogs. Although it is a brave and protective dog of your home, this breed is characterized by being quite silent and silent in everyday life, barking only when it perceives a change around it. It is also an easy to socialize dog, which even fits small apartments and generally coexists very well with children and other pets.
If you are thinking of adopting a puppy of this breed, we recommend that you know the most common diseases of the pig frieze to learn how to care for your best friend!
Owner of an admirable dexterity, the pinscher is one of those puppies that seems to have no idea of their own size. These furry animals will do their best to protect and defend their homes and families, which can be quite dangerous.
To prevent this courage from becoming a problem, remember to socialize your pinscher from puppy to teach him to have positive relationships with other animals and people, as well as avoid some behavioral problems common to this breed, such as barking. protection from excess, jealousy and resources.
In recent years, the French bulldog has caused a furore in Brazil because of its charming appearance and sociable and extremely docile temperament. In addition, it is usually one of the best small dogs for apartment because it barks very little and, as it is not hyperactive, it is quite simple to provide the necessary physical activity to maintain a healthy weight and balanced behavior.
It should be noted that, although the dog is sociable by nature, the French bulldog also needs a good socialization so as not to become fearful or shy in the presence of animals and strangers.
Our list of the best puppies also has a very Brazilian representative! The So Paulo fox, also known as the Brazilian terrier, is one of the breeds bred in Brazil that has gained greater fame on the international scene.
It is a hyperactive dog, intelligent and curious, with a very cheerful and perceptive temperament. When given a good positive education, the paulistinha fox can learn various functions, tricks and canine sports very easily. But it is also an independent dog with a strong personality, and can become stubborn and territorial when its owners do not have the right experience to train and socialize it from puppy.
The miniature schnauzer is a breed of small dog that is characterized by dense eyebrows and beard. formed by thick, hard hairs. His adorable appearance is combined with an energetic, curious and daring temperament, making him an excellent companion for children and active people.
Although small, the miniature schnauzer needs to do a lot of daily physical activity to expend energy and maintain stable behavior. They are also intelligent and learn easily, so don’t miss our tips for training a schnauzer and enjoying the company of a super obedient puppy.
The Maltese bichon is one of the most charming small breeds of Italian dogs, which is characterized by its smooth, long and completely white fur. This toy-sized puppy shows a friendly and calm temperament, forming a very special bond with its guardians, which requires a lot of attention.
Therefore, they do not like to be alone and may develop separation anxiety with some ease. However, when they receive a good education and are properly socialized, they learn to manage loneliness and respect the rules of the house even in the absence of their guardians. Here at Animal Expert, you will find several tips for training a Maltese animal.
Whippet is the smallest known breed of greyhounds, measures only 30 centimeters and weighs less than 5 kg when it is adult. Its appearance is very similar to that of the English greyhound or the English greyhound, however, in a much more compact body.
With his family, the whippet maintains a docile, quiet and very gentle behavior, but is usually a little reserved in the presence of unknown people or animals. Socialization will therefore be a crucial aspect in the education of this mini-galgo, avoiding problems of shyness and feeling more confident.
Due to its compact size and hyperactive and playful behavior, beagle is one of the best dogs for children. However, if you live in an apartment, you’ll need to exercise a lot every day and have a rich environment to be able to expend energy and maintain balanced behavior.
Physical activity will also be essential to maintaining a healthy weight, as beagles are very prone to obesity. In addition, you’ll need to pay attention to the quality and quantity of the daily meal you offer your best friend to avoid being overweight.
The King Charles Cavalier Spaniel is a docile, gentle and sociable dog who enjoys playing and walking, and can be an excellent companion for children and the elderly when he is well educated and socialized. As they are not yet very popular in Brazil, it is common for them to be confused with cockeras, however, they are small dogs that do not grow and their snout is more square and less pronounced.
Your long hair, a little more curly in the ears, should be brushed regularly to remove impurities and prevent the formation of knots or lumps. It will also be important to take your dog for a walk every day and provide an environment enriched with toys and intelligence games to keep your mind well stimulated.
The pug or carlino is a small dog with short hair that usually adapts easily to the apartments and can live very well with children and other pets. This breed experienced a boom in popularity mainly after its appearance in the films “MIB: Men in Black”, but in fact the pug is a very old breed of dog that was raised in China.
The plump body of the pug loses its charm only because of its playful, docile and fun personality. In addition to requiring little space and being less active, pugs are easy to socialize, do not bark much and are usually excellent companions for children. With all these qualities, the pug always has a reserved place among the best breeds of small dogs.
If you are looking for an obedient and friendly apartment puppy, you can be sure that no breed will offer you as much versatility and dedication as crossed or cross dogs. Mixed breed dogs are unique in appearance and temperament, showing an ease of adaptation to the guardians of different personalities, ages and lifestyles. They are also perfectly able to learn and can be easily trained, as long as they have a dedicated tutor who knows how to use positive reinforcement to stimulate their cognitive and emotional abilities.
Want to know another advantage of adopting a bastard? They have a low genetic predisposition to develop inherited diseases very common in breed dogs. Therefore, when they receive the right care and love, they are generally healthier and can live longer than any breed of dog.
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