Everything Guide

Ten City-Friendly Dogs

Given enough walks (at least three daily) and play (minimum half an hour of toy toss), almost any breed will be okay in an apartment. Here, ten dogs with the temperament to enjoy sidewalks, traffic, and the dog run.

By Rosecrans Baldwin
Published Jan 7, 2007

(Photo: Patricia Doyle/Getty Images (Mixed Breed); Robert Dowling/Corbis (grey hound and King Charles); Yann Arthus-Bertrand/Corbis (Norfolk terrier); Jerry Young/Getty Images (French bulldog); Mary Bloom/Courtesy of the American Kennel Club (Havanese, dachshund, labrador, Portugese water dog); Courtesy of Frank Arrigo (shih-poo))

(1.) MIXED BREED
Pros: You’re saving a life. And a mutt’s diverse genes often mean he’ll have a more middle-of-the-road temperament.
Cons: Without knowing the dog’s lineage, it’s hard to foresee health problems.

(2.) HAVANESE
Pros: One of the hot breeds this season, these are playful, happy dogs.
Cons: Lot of grooming unless you shave them down, and recent litters appearing in city pet stores are showing “fear issues,” according to one trainer.

(3.) DACHSHUND
Pros: Portable, clever, and tenacious. The Napoleons of the sidewalk.
Cons: They can be aggressive and very barky. Spine troubles.

(4.) SHIH-POO
Pros: Soft, curly coat. Playful temperament. The season’s hot crossbreed.
Cons: Almost all Shih-Poos come from pet stores (good breeders generally don’t breed crosses), so you won’t have much assurance about its stock.

(5.) CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL
Pros: Friendly, joyful, and great with children—the golden retriever of small-breed dogs.
Cons: Cavaliers need active exercise (they love playing fetch), they are predisposed to heart problems, and they shed.

(6.) NORFOLK TERRIER
Pros: Hardy, fun dogs with easygoing temperaments. Grooming’s not excessive.
Cons: The Norfolk’s wiry coat may discourage some from snuggling.

(7.) PORTUGUESE WATER DOG
Pros: Smaller than a standard poodle and very fun. Clownish, hardy, excellent for families with kids.
Cons: The “clowning” that’s so cute when he’s a puppy can become out-of-control behavior without strict training.

(8.) FRENCH BULLDOG
Pros: Good, balanced temperament and not too energetic.
Cons: Thanks to that cute pushed-in face, respiratory problems can be an issue.

(9.) GREYHOUND
Pros: The gentle giant of big dogs. Quiet and calm, greyhounds love to hang out.
Cons: That low energy, plus the “sad” look.

(10.) LABRADOR RETRIEVER
Pros: One of the most common city dogs. High energy level, ebullient, athletic.
Cons: Big shedders, and if they’re not trained, they can go a little stir crazy.