Can Big Dogs Live in Apartments?

When it comes to animals in apartments, there are a lot of factors to consider, but the two biggest are whether or not dogs are allowed in the apartments in question and if the dog should live in an apartment.

Not all dog breeds are the same, and some big dogs can live in a small apartment with absolutely no problems. Other large breeds will struggle with the confined spaces and be a bit stir crazy. Before buying a large-breed dog and bringing it into an apartment, you should do some research to see if the breed is suited for life in an apartment and make sure your apartment complex or landlord doesn’t have any restrictions against large dogs.

The first step to seeing if you can bring a large dog into your apartment is to check with your landlord or the apartment complex. Many apartments have breed or size restrictions that may prevent you from bringing in a massive dog. Once you have the go-ahead, there are some other things to consider.

If you are looking to bring a big dog into an apartment, there are certain breed characteristics you should look for when choosing a large-breed dog. While size is one factor, you should also consider the personality of the dog you are considering moving into your apartment. Large dogs with high levels of energy are not well-suited for apartment life. One sign that a large dog is going to do well in an apartment is that they are mellow.

Dog breeds that are naturally loud probably won’t do well in an apartment—or at least you will catch a lot of flack for your dog.

Dogs that are unhappy in their living situations will display certain body language, and you need to be in tune to what makes your dog unhappy. If you see your dog displaying any signs of depression or stress, that is a good sign that your dog isn’t getting the exercise and doesn’t have the space they need to be happy.

Many large or giant breed dogs were bred to perform specific tasks for their owners. While many of these breeds are now nothing more than companion animals, their instincts have them yearning for certain activities, which may include long walks or fetch. Since dogs are highly adaptable creatures, they are fine in many living situations as long as their owners provide them with exercise that satisfies those natural instincts.

Some people believe that the dog’s size is the only thing that matters when choosing a pet to live in an apartment. In reality, the breed is much more important than the dog’s size. Any breed that falls into the herding or sporting category is going to have a hard time living in a small area, as they were bred to run and work. Breeds in the guarding and sighthound groups are just fine in small homes or apartments because they were only bred to work in short bursts and then rest for the remainder of the time.

If you are looking for a large breed dog that will fit in with the apartment lifestyle, consider a Mastiff, Standard Poodle, or a Greyhound (crazy, but Greyhounds are notorious for their couch potato lifestyles when they aren’t running).

When it comes to determining a dog breed that is suitable for an apartment, you need to look at the origin and temperament of the breed. Certain classes of dogs aren’t going to enjoy being confined without a yard to run in. Other breeds are known for making a lot of noise, which is a sure way to annoy all your neighbors in an apartment. There is a lot to consider when bringing a new dog into your home or apartment, but the size of the dog is one of the least important considerations.

A dog that is bred for herding or sport is going to have a hard time staying inside for an extended period of time. Choosing a more docile dog breed will ensure that your pooch is happy with your lifestyle. Since working dogs are hard-wired to do a job, it is very difficult for them to be in an environment where they can’t perform. These dogs are best suited in a home with a yard.

You should also remember that guard dogs may naturally bark when they hear loud noises, so it is a good idea to avoid a guard dog breed if you don’t want to take the time to work with it.

If you want to bring a large dog into your apartment, make sure you can provide them with an outlet for all of their energy. Remember to focus on quality, not quantity. You want to ensure that you aren’t just taking your dog to an empty dog park and letting them roam around. Instead, you need to take your dog on a brisk walk or play a couple good games of fetch or tug-of-war each day to be sure that your dog is getting enough exercise.

For extremely busy apartment-dwelling dog owners, consider bringing your dog to daycare or hiring a dog walker. Not only will this break up your dog’s alone time, but it will also enable you to get your dog what it needs regardless of your time restraints.

You should also choose a breed with an energy level that matches your personal lifestyle. If you are more likely to lounge around than go on a hike, you need to choose a dog breed that would rather lounge around with you.

Loud dogs are also likely to annoy your neighbors. Many large breed dogs are known for being quiet, so you may want to consider one of these dog breeds for apartment living. You will need to train a large dog that is loud to not react to noises in the confinement of your apartment.