Finding the right dog for your living situation is a quest not taken lightly. Research is a valuable tool in choosing the right breed for you, and if you live in the inner city, it can be difficult to find the right dog for your home.

If you live in the city, we’re guessing you also work in the city— so it’s likely your dog will be a housedog for most of the time. For this reason it’s best to choose a small dog, for your benefit as well as the dog! Big dogs have big energy and need lots of space to run around. If you live in an apartment, it’s not fair to keep a big ol’ dog closed up all day.

Small dogs are more manageable, have less energy (and tire themselves out easily) and are the perfect size to sit in your lap after a long day at work. We’ve listed five breeds you might consider for inner-city living.

Bichon Frise

These little, white, fuzzy pups only grow to about the size of an adult cat. They are a very playful breed, known for their friendly and non-aggressive nature. And because they don’t shed, a Bichon Frise is the perfect pal for an allergy sufferer. They are extremely intelligent and social dogs, but they do not do well being left alone for long stretches of time, and some do voice their cooped-up frustrations with a high-pitched bark.

Professional grooming is a must; it takes a lot to maintain that gorgeous fluffy white coat! A Bichon Frise is a great dog to get as a buddy for another small dog, so the pair could keep each other company if you have to work for a large portion of the day.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

A floppy-eared, long-haired little dog that is well-known for its love for people and for chasing its own tail. It’s commonly thought that Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s do not make good guard dogs because they are just too darn happy to meet new people! This is a very adaptable breed of dog suited for older owners and young families.

Cavaliers are housedogs, they are not meant to live outdoors, so they are perfect for inner-city living. Cavaliers have gorgeous coats that need regular brushing. Be warned: they will shed, especially following winter.

Unfortunately there are a few genetic diseases that are common in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s, such as hip dysplasia and mitral valve disease. If you decide to get a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, make sure you are well informed of the possible problems your pup might come with so you can be on the lookout for symptoms. Reputable breeders test for these genetic disorders in their dogs in order to breed healthy and happy puppies, so be sure to buy your Cavalier from a quality breeder.

Poodle

The toy and miniature variety of poodle are just perfect for an inner-city home! Poodles are thought to be a little dim-witted at times, but they are actually quite intelligent and very trainable. If you chose to get a Poodle, invest the time and money into good obedience training because Poodles are eager and fast learners. But be careful, because they can learn bad habits just as quickly as good ones! Though they don’t shed, Poodles coats grow quite fast so your Poodle will need frequent clipping (every six weeks or so) to keep him or her comfortable.

Australian Silky Terrier

This patriotic little breed is a great choice for inner-city living. Australian Silky Terriers are very loyal and trainable, but they can be defiant so attending obedience classes is probably a good idea. Australian Silky Terriers are little dogs with the hearts of lions and have strong guarding instincts. They are known for taking on dogs much, much bigger than themselves with no fear at all.

Australian Silky Terriers are very alert, bouncy and playful dogs with a lot of energy, but it shouldn’t take more than a half hour of playtime to tucker them out. A walk in the morning or evening or after work or to and from a local store should suffice as exercise for an Australian Silky Terrier.

Maltese Terrier

This breed is a well-known companion pup with a sweet nature who is always loyal to their owner. Think about it; it’s not often that you see a Maltese owner without their Maltese, is it?

Maltese generally like to be clean and dry and they don’t require a great deal of space, so they are perfect for inner-city apartment living and are quite happy to laze around the house. They are also very happy being the centre of attention so it’s not uncommon for a Maltese to be the only dog in the family! Because of their small stature, Maltese are prone to problems with their joints so make sure to have them checked regularly by your vet.

Do you know of a breed of dog that’s perfect for city dwellers?