5 Pets That Are Best for Apartment Living

Have you been dreaming of getting a dog ever since you watched the classic dog movie, Hachi? Do you find yourself constantly scrolling through cute dog memes on Instagram?

Owning a dog can truly be a wonderful, often life-changing experience.

But in these days of urban living, the choice of having a pet depends on the space we have.

This choice is easier if you live in a villa or bungalow, but becomes so much more difficult if you are staying in an apartment.

When it comes to apartment societies, the size of the dog does matter. Giant paws and long legs aren’t exactly made for tiny living spaces.

“The general thumb rule here is to go for relatively smaller breeds, such as Beagle, Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund, Indian Spitz, Indie, Pomeranian, Terrier, and some other miniature breeds. These kinds of breeds wouldn’t demand too much of space for themselves and be happy with what you allocate them,” explains Balaji Ramesh, Founder and CEO of TailsLife.

However, the size of your dog isn’t the only thing that matters. “One must also take into account your lifestyle before finalising the breed,” Balaji adds. Apart from that, in a confined space, it is advisable to choose dogs that do not bark too loudly or those that need less exercise.

In an exclusive interview, Balaji sheds light on some of the best apartment dogs that could be a great fit for city-dwellers with cramped spaces. We asked him to rate all the dog breeds on three parameters – age, adaptation quotient, and amount of shedding. (Note: For the ratings, 1 is the lowest and 5 is the highest)

1) Cocker Spaniel

Age span: 12-15 years | Adapts to apartment living: 4 | Amount of shedding: 3.5

The American animated film, Lady and the Tramp, made the Cocker Spaniel famous back in 1955. Since then, the breed has been popular.

Cocker Spaniels enjoy being a part of a human family and are easily adaptable. They make for good apartment dogs as they can socialise easily. Moreover, they are physically sound and usually weigh up to 15kg.

Pro-tip: Cocker Spaniels need daily grooming — washing and brushing — to keep their soft and lustrous coats in prime condition. Clean their ears regularly to prevent infection. Since they are the smallest of the sporting dogs, make sure you take them out on walks twice a day.

Health concerns: Cocker Spaniels can be affected by common health issues like glaucoma, cataracts, spinal problems, and skin problems.

2) Dachshund

Age span: 13-14 years | Adaptability to apartment living: 4 | Amount of shedding: 2

The second on our list is Dachshund – a lively and charming breed that is perfect for apartment owners. Often kept in pairs, these are known for their friendly and loyal behaviour. They also make for a perfect watchdog.

However, Dachshunds like to do things their own way, and one may find them a bit stubborn.

Pro tip: Despite being known for their loyalty to owners, Dachshunds can take time to get used to strangers. Anyway, they will bark at every possible entry of strangers at your household, making them an extremely handy guard dog.

Health concerns: Dachshunds are prone to back problems, especially due to their long spinal column and short rib cage.

3) Beagle

Age span: 13-14 years | Adaptability to apartment living: 3.5 | Amount of shedding: 2.5

Beagles are third on our list for their convenient size and adorable looks. This extremely loyal breed loves to play and is good-natured with everyone. Their coat is easy to maintain.

However, they need much more exercise than most people give them, which is why you see so many fat Beagles.

Pro-tip: Beagles need regular exercise to maintain their fitness as well as a healthy state of mind. Never leave them alone for too long. Some Beagles can be stubborn and tough to train.

Health concerns: Beagles are prone to itchy skin conditions, ear infections, eye disease, joint problems, diabetes, epilepsy, and heart disease.

4) Indian Spitz

Age span: 13-15 years | Adaptability to apartment living: 4 | Amount of shedding: 2.5

Remember ‘Tuffy’ from the hit Bollywood movie, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun? That was an Indian Spitz who is fourth on our list.

The Indian Spitz is marked by great zeal, loyalty, and a friendly attitude. They are flexible to Indian climatic conditions. They mingle with the family very easily and in fact, act as an awesome watchdog.

The small-sized Indian Spitz weighs around 5-7kg, while the large-sized weigh around 12- 20kg. This Indian dog breed is found in several colours, including white, dusky brown, and black.

Pro-tip: The Indian Spitz is a low maintenance breed, with a silky texture. Its coat does not trap or gather mud or dirt easily. Thus, regular brushing of the coat will keep it tangle-free and ensure it does not have any dirt trapped in it.

Health Concerns: A common health issue with the Indian Spitz is the floating kneecap. It can be due to obesity as well.

Age span: 13-17 years | Adaptability to Apartment Living: 3 | Amount of Shedding: 2

Indies are excellent guard dogs for the Indian subcontinent.

“Foreign breeds like Saint Bernard’s, Great Danes, and Huskies cannot tolerate warm climatic conditions. Similarly, Dalmatians and Dobermans find Indian winters too cold,” explains Balaji. However, “an Indie will be in the pink of health throughout the year,” he adds.

Indies have amazing immune systems, and they rarely need any grooming. Regular walks and playtime keep them upbeat. This breed is intelligent and highly sensitive.

Pro-tip: All Indie breeds are low on maintenance and not fussy eaters. They need regular exercise to keep fit.

Health Concerns: This breed has no major health issues but may suffer from minor skin disorders.

Few other breeds worth consideration are miniature dogs, French Bulldog, Shih Tzu, and Terriers.

(Disclaimer: The above suggestions may vary depending on every individual dog’s health conditions and behavioural patterns, as well as the pet parent’s methods of raising.)