Few decisions are as lovely and life-changing as adopting a dog, but should your square footage limit which pup you give a home? Of course not! The truth is, a dog’s size isn’t always an indication of how big a home it needs. Some little dogs just want to run around all day, while some big dogs are couch potatoes.
As long as you’ve done a bit of research and know that your prospective pup’s breed is a good fit for apartment living, then you can adopt them, big or small, and know they’ll have happy lives. A loving home is much better than another month at the shelter, after all. While this is far from a comprehensive list, here are a few pointers when it comes to large dog breeds for apartments.
The Gentle Giant: Saint Bernards
Beautiful and loyal, Saint Bernards are large fluffy dogs who just love a nap. While every dog deserves a long walk or two a day, Saint Bernards will be more than happy between exercise to lay around with their families. These big guys and gals are calm and loving, so you don’t need to worry as much about stubbornness, tantrums, or home-wrecking behavior.
The Coach Potato: Golden Retrievers
You definitely saw this one coming. This classic dog breed isn’t just cuddly, loving, and calm, but they’re also super dedicated to their families and easy to train. As far as big apartment dogs go, you can’t do much better than a Golden Retriever! Most people will still be able to pick up their Goldens when they’re fully grown (maybe with some effort!) for vet trips and car rides, and when the time comes to binge watch on lazy Sundays, you have a sleepy foot warmer who’s just as excited to relax as you are.
The Sleepy Sprinter: Greyhounds
They’re big, tall, and made to run — but Greyhounds are often recommended as great apartment dogs. Why? Because they love a long nap and family time just as much as you do. Famously low-demand pets, Grey Hounds are great apartment companions. Again, all dogs need sufficient exercise every day, but your Greyhound won’t be nearly as antsy and needy as, for instance, a Husky! They might be fast, but they have low stamina, so a quick jog or park visit will make them super happy to lounge around for the rest of the day.
The Lovable Watchdog: Great Pyrenees
Great Pyrenees are big, white, and fluffy dogs weighing up to (and sometimes over) 150 pounds. These lovable bears are very lazy and very family-oriented, so they’ll be happy hanging out around the house when you’re home and holding down the fort when you’re gone. Like the other breeds on our list, Great Pyrenees are calm and can live happy lives in apartments as long as they get outside for a walk a day!
The Perennial Parent: Bernese Mountain Dogs
This big, classic fluffball is widely known as a smart and loving addition to any family. In fact, when it comes to being gentle around children, Bernese Mountain Dogs are at the top of the list! They love hanging out with kids, long lazy afternoons, and a good walk a day. Better yet, they aren’t really barkers, and they’re super friendly around other dogs — which is great news for apartment dwellers who need to worry about their neighbors.
Help a Dog, Help Yourself
Pets are remarkable at keeping us healthy — they get us off the couch, give us plenty of love, and protect our families. When you adopt a dog, they’re rescuing you too. If you’ve been thinking about getting an emotional support animal, training your dog to become one, or exploring animal-assisted therapy, then I’d be happy to give you more information. Feel free to read more here or contact me.