The Best Large Dogs For Apartments

People often wonder if the canines that are larger in size can fit into their cozy apartment homes. We have good news because the answer is yes! However, you must consider a few things before choosing the breed you want to be your new best friend.

Consider These Points Before Bringing A Large Dog Home

Do You Have Ample Yard Space?

Numerous shelters and pet stores ask you such a question before you can get yourself a dog. They want to know if you can play with your pup and ensure it is happy. Even if you do not have a yard, you should have a park or playground nearby to take your dog for regular exercise.

Can You Spend Time With Your Pup?

Keep in mind that dogs require love, attention, and playtime. You are ready to bring home a large pup if you have positive answers to both questions. However, remember that not all big canines are suitable for apartment life.

Large Dog Breeds That Can Live The Apartment Life

Here is a list of the top big canines suited to live in an apartment.

1. Saint Bernard

You may have heard about big cuddly giants, namely Saint Bernard. They are pretty fit and can even walk for hours in the snow to search for and rescue humans.

In addition, these dogs are simple and do not want to take up too much space in your apartment. However, they prefer having a dedicated space just for themselves, which can amount to around two-thirds of your living room couch.

Remember that Saint Bernard has a massive jowl. Therefore, you may need to follow it around to wipe off its drool. However, most do not tend to create a mess as much.

2. Clumber Spaniel

The largest breed of Spaniels is the Clumber Spaniel. It may surprise you to know this, but these dogs have a height of only 20 inches and can weigh up to 85 pounds!

They are a rare dog breed, which makes them even more special. But their friendly and adaptable nature and ability to get along well with families is a huge plus.

3. American Staffordshire Terrier

Are you searching for a dog that is well-known for its loyalty? Then you do not need to look further than the American Staffordshire Terrier; it has a loving and gentle nature. It is not as big as most breeds on this list but is big enough to require considerable space.

Luckily, these pups can participate in several sports and enjoy outdoor activities. But make sure to balance their mental exercise needs as well.

4. Dogue de Bordeaux

Dogue de Bordeaux is pretty intelligent, so you can efficiently train them according to your lifestyle. They require tons of physical activity and socialization. It is well-known that these canines are loyal to the humans they love and have a very calm and gentle nature.

5. Afghan Hound

A tall breed, the Afghan Hound, has a standing height that ranges between 24 to 29 inches and can weigh somewhere around 44 to 60 pounds. They have an aristocratic appearance, which might make them look aloof. But that is not true at all. Under that elegant build is a caring and sensitive dog, eager to please its human.

If you have older children in the house who know their way around pups, then an Afghan Hound is bound to make good friends with them in no time. They are also friendly with various pets due to their laid-back nature.

It is not an exceptionally large dog but requires comparatively more exercise than the rest. You will have to spend adequate time training it, so be sure to display kindness and patience.

6. Irish Wolfhound

A dignified, generous, and thoughtful dog, the Irish Wolfhound has been used for various purposes over the years.

Back in the day, they took on the role of sighthounds and would pursue the game at top speeds. It stands to reason that your pup will require a lot of physical activity, so should you bring this canine home?

7. Bernese Mountain Dog

A heavy and oversized dog, you can easily tell the Bernese Mountain Dog apart from the rest due to its distinct coat. Its chest is black and white and has rust-colored marks on either side of its mouth, which are also visible at the front of this pup’s legs and above its eyes.

If you bring home a male, you should know that it can grow to a height of 25 to 27.5 inches and weigh somewhere between 80 to 120 pounds. On the other hand, females can grow up to 23 to 26 inches and weigh between 75 to 100 pounds.

A Bernese Mountain Dog is popular for its cheerful, kind, and friendly personality. It is also quite affectionate and patient with children, so your little pal will have a furry friend. These canines also get along well with various pets and can socialize easily.

Another good thing about the Bernese Mountain Dog is that it is sensitive and intelligent, which means it is a fast learner in training.

8. Boxer

The Boxer boasts a dynamic personality. It can be calm and quiet in various situations and a complete ball of energy in others. If you want an intelligent dog that does not give you trouble in training and easily adapts, you do not need to look further than this furry fellow.

9. Rhodesian Ridgeback

The Rhodesian Ridgeback wears the title of a lion hunter, but that does not mean it has hunted these predators. Instead, these canines have only assisted humans in tracking and sometimes in trapping them. It is a sign that the breed you are about to bring to your apartment is fearless and determined.

Keep in mind that these puppies enjoy exploring and physical activity. So, you should take it out for walks to the park or a nearby playground and ensure it is satisfied. The Rhodesian Ridgeback can be wonderful if you are searching for a hiking companion.

10. Bull Mastiff

You can easily identify Bull Mastiffs because of their solid and short muzzle. This breed is a cross between the old English Bulldog, which has gone extinct, and the English Mastiff.

You may not be aware of this, but these canines can grow up to around 25 to 27 inches and weigh between 110 to 130 pounds. But female pups of this breed are comparatively smaller, standing somewhere between 24 to 26 inches and weighing somewhere between 100 to 120 pounds.

Once you bring a Bull Mastiff to your apartment, you will quickly realize that it has an affectionate, calm, and docile nature. Thus, they will be faithful pets keen to satisfy and guard you and your family. Moreover, they adore children and are well-known for getting along with various other animals. So, if you have other pets, there is a high probability that they will make friends with a Bull Mastiff soon.

11. Shar Pei

The blue-black tongue and the deep wrinkles are the first things you will see when you look at the Shar Pei. These are independent dogs that come from various kinds of breeding programs. Once you bring home this pup, you can enjoy being showered with cuddles and love.

12. Golden Retriever

You will often see Golden Retrievers as the pets of choice in numerous households across the globe. It requires ample exercise and cannot be left alone in the apartment but showers you with cuddles when it is happy. It is the right choice if you can commit to playing with your puppy and taking it along on adventures.

13. New Foundland

You will often see New Foundland being used in therapy with kids. It has a goofy nature and can win hearts with its gentle vibes. Another benefit to bringing home this canine is that you can easily train it compared to the rest of the big dogs. Moreover, if you are searching for a well-balanced dog that brings joy into your life, you can bring home New Foundland.

14. Greyhound

A Greyhound may be a racing dog but enjoys a calm environment. However, you need to take it for walks and allow it to socialize with other four-legged tail waggers as well. They have short fur, making them easy to maintain, and they can grow to 26 to 30 inches.

But there is more to a Greyhound than meets the eye. They have excellent manners, are pretty independent, and sometimes quiet down. It makes it easier for these pups to adapt to life in an apartment.

While these canines may have loyal, affectionate, and lovable personalities, they can often be shy. Therefore, you need to ensure that it receives ample socializing opportunities, so it does not become a hermit.

15. Great Dane

As its name suggests, the Great Dane is a large dog, one of the largest breeds on this list. They are suited for apartment life, given that you can take them out for physical activity. Keep in mind that these pups require a healthy diet and a lot of mental stimulation, so it is your job to ensure they are satisfied.

16. English Mastiff

The English Mastiff is massive and known to be one of the largest and heaviest canines. Therefore, you can guess that it has substantial exercise needs, which you can provide by taking your pup for walks. It also falls on you to ensure that your puppy receives ample mental stimulation to stay content.

These four-legged tail-waggers are popular for being family dogs and can easily fit into your cozy apartment.

The Worst Dogs You Can Bring To Your Apartment

Now that we know about the best large dogs for apartments, let us look into the worst ones too. Most livestock guardian dogs cannot adapt to life in a small space. Below are some of these canines.

• Caucasian Shepherd
• Anatolian Shepherd
• Spanish Mastiff
• Tibetan Mastiff
• Kuvasz
• Great Pyrenees

The Final Word

You must consider the size of a dog and its ability to adapt before bringing one home to your apartment. While most large dogs do not take up much space despite their size, they require plenty of physical activity to stay happy.

Therefore, browse through this list of the best big-sized canines for apartments. Undoubtedly these dogs are friendly and trained easily but ensure to keep an eye on their physical and mental stimulation needs so that you do not have to face any challenges.