When choosing the perfect pet, where you live should be a big factor in your decision.

If you live on a busy street, hunting dogs like Weimaraners, Beagles, or any type of bloodhound are poor choices, as they tend to follow your nose rather than your wits. If you live in an apartment complex, your landlord may have a size limit for pets, which rules out larger breeds. If you don’t have a garden, you will want to stay away from breeds that need a lot of exercise. And if your home is small, you will want a dog that is not too hyperactive indoors.

With all of this in mind, I have compiled a quick list of the top five races for city life based on the following:

– Indoor activity level

– Instinctive tendencies

– Cleanliness

– Amount of exercise required

– My personal experience

– Typical breed standards

Here are my picks, listed by size – smallest to largest.

Italian greyhound

If you have older children or no children, the Italian Greyhound may be perfect for you. Some people think that GIs are too fragile, but this is not true. They are only delicate when they are puppies (like most breeds), but they are very hardy when they are adults. They prefer to lead a quiet and peaceful life, so if you have a busy home, an IG will get too stressed out. They are very loyal to their family and bond very closely. GIs can be a bit reserved around strangers, but never loud. Although they are usually very submissive, they are also very intelligent, so they need firm and constant training. They don’t need a yard, but one of their many joys is running freely; owners should give them this opportunity whenever they can. GIs are sensitive to cold climates, so wearing a sweater or fleece is recommended during these months. GIs can weigh up to 10 pounds and live up to 15 years. They do not need to be bathed unless absolutely necessary, although they do shed.

Bullmastiff, Bichon Frize or Maltese

All of these breeds come from the same line, and they are the classic lap dog. They are generally well behaved, loyal, calm and submissive. They are easy to train, hypoallergenic and do not shed. They can weigh up to 13 pounds and live for about 14 years. They are perfect for apartment living and are content to exercise indoors. They are not very athletic, so they need a quiet family. They are a long haired breed so a ‘puppy cut’ is easier to maintain (as seen in the photo). Although they all make excellent indoor pets, the Havanese is best around children. If you are looking for a lovable, compact, and perpetual puppy, then one of these breeds might be right for you.

Cockapoo

The Cockapoo is one of my favorite breeds because even though they are small, they are quite athletic. They don’t need a patio, they can get enough exercise at home with a game of fetch. Cocker spaniels and poodles are sporting dogs, so the cockapoo loves to swim, go camping and boating, hunting, running, playing Frisbee, etc. To satisfy these traits, weekly trips to the park or taking them on vacation are recommended. Cockapoos are not nervous or scared, but they do best when they are around family members. They are attentive to their masters, very easy to train, and adore children and other pets. They are also hypoallergenic and do not shed. They can weigh between 6 and 25 pounds, depending on whether the poodle’s parent was a toy or a miniature. Life expectancy is about 14 years. They come in many colors and their coats can be shaggy or curly. Some breeders will dock their tails, but will ask yours not to – they have the most beautiful, feather-shaped tails!

Boston Terrier or Pug

These breeds are little bundles of joy. They live to learn, love people of all ages, require little effort to groom and require little exercise. They are perfect for indoor life, happy to work out with a game of fetch or shoot. They are extremely loyal and love to be hugged. Although they do not need daily exercise outdoors, it is recommended to take them on a weekly trip to the park or on vacation with you. The joys of watching a Boston or Pug play outdoors are endless. They weigh up to 20 pounds and live up to 15 years. They do well with other pets and love to be where the action is. Their coats are short so they are very easy to groom, but they do fall off. Bostons and Pugs have very short snouts, so they can breathe heavily, snore, or drool. Due to the difficulties of childbirth (often by cesarean section), I recommend finding your Boston Terrier or Pug at a local rescue rather than a breeder. There are several available for adoption on petfinder.com.

Wheaton Terrier

If you’re in the mood for a larger breed, try the Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier. They weigh between 30 and 45 pounds and can live up to 15 years. Unlike other large breeds like Labs or Golden Retrievers, they don’t need a garden as long as they take a good walk once a day. They are quite inactive indoors and will be content to simply lie at your feet. They are sensitive to hot climates, so they perform better in colder climates. Even though they are a long haired breed, they are still good for allergy sufferers as they don’t shed too much. For easy grooming, keep your hair short in a puppy cut (as shown in the photo). If their coat is kept long (making them look like a sheepdog), it is recommended to comb them daily. Because they tend to bond so closely with their family members, they can be a bit antisocial. This can be corrected by taking them to obedience classes, dog parks, or just making sure they are around other people and dogs frequently. They don’t do well with other small pets, so if you have a cat or rabbit, the Wheaton may not be the dog for you.

Remember: there may be exceptions for each litter, so do your research!