Your Apartment Is Big Enough for a Great Dane (Seriously)

Stop Googling "Small Dogs for Apartments"

Every apartment living guide tells you the same thing: get a small dog. A Chihuahua. A Shih Tzu. Maybe a French Bulldog if you're feeling fancy.

But ask anyone who's lived with a Jack Russell Terrier in a 600-square-foot studio, and they'll tell you a different story. One involving chewed baseboards, noise complaints from neighbors, and a dog that vibrates with unspent energy at 11 PM.

Meanwhile, in the apartment next door, a Great Dane is draped across a couch like a living blanket, snoring.

The "small dog = apartment dog" equation is wrong. What actually matters is how much energy a dog burns inside vs. outside.

The Couch Potato Spectrum

Some of the best apartment dogs weigh over 100 pounds. Greyhounds are the classic example. They're literally called "45-mph couch potatoes" by their owners. These dogs sprint for 20 minutes at the dog park, come home, and sleep for the rest of the day. They don't pace. They don't bark. They melt into furniture.

English Mastiffs are similar. Despite weighing up to 230 pounds, they're remarkably low-energy indoors. They overheat easily, which means they actually prefer short walks and air-conditioned living rooms. A Mastiff's ideal day is a 20-minute stroll followed by 6 hours of napping in front of a fan.

Basset Hounds are medium-sized but deserve a mention. Stubborn, slow, and content to lay in a sunny spot all afternoon. Just don't leave food within reach.

On the flip side, some small dogs are absolute nightmares in apartments. Border Terriers, Miniature Pinschers, and Australian Terriers were bred to hunt vermin, dig, and chase. They need a job. Without one, your apartment becomes their obstacle course.

The Real Problems with Big Dogs in Apartments

Let's be honest about the actual challenges. They're practical, not space-related.

Elevators. If your building has stairs only and your Bernese Mountain Dog blows a knee at age 8, you're carrying 90 pounds up four flights. Every day. For months. Think about this before signing the lease.

Weight restrictions. Most apartment leases cap dog weight at 50 or 75 pounds. Some buildings are more lenient, especially if the dog is well-behaved. Always ask your landlord before assuming.

The tail radius. A happy Great Dane's tail is basically a whip. In a small space, your coffee table is in danger. Your shins are in danger. Everything below 3 feet is in danger.

Vet bills. Bigger dogs cost more. Anesthesia is weight-based. Surgery on a 150-pound dog costs more than surgery on a 15-pound dog. Budget accordingly.

How to Make It Work

Three daily walks. That's the formula. Morning, midday (or a dog walker), and evening. Each walk should be at least 15-20 minutes with actual sniffing time, not just a quick pee break. Dogs explore the world through their noses, and a "sniffari" (a walk where you let them sniff whatever they want) is mentally exhausting for them.

A tired dog is a good apartment dog regardless of size. Check out our apartment-friendly breeds list for more options filtered by actual suitability ratings.