Thinking about bringing a furry friend into your apartment? Not all dogs thrive in smaller spaces, regardless of what well-meaning friends might suggest.
Some breeds need room to stretch their legs, burn off energy, or simply exist without bumping into furniture every time they wag their tail.
Before you fall in love with those puppy eyes, consider whether your living situation is really fair to these space-loving canines.
1. Saint Bernard
Remember Beethoven from the movies? Now imagine that 170-pound slobber machine confined to your studio apartment. Saint Bernards were bred for mountain rescues, not navigating narrow hallways.
Their thick coats shed constantly, covering everything you own in a layer of fur. These gentle giants need space to lounge without taking up the entire living room.
2. Border Collie
Border Collies might be medium-sized, but their energy levels are XXXL. These brainy workaholics were designed to herd sheep across vast hillsides all day long.
Without proper outlets for their physical and mental energy, they’ll redesign your apartment—starting with the couch cushions. A bored Border Collie is basically a furry tornado with separation anxiety.
3. Siberian Husky
Bred to run for miles pulling sleds across frozen tundra, Huskies view your daily walk around the block as a warm-up. Their exercise needs are simply astronomical.
They’re also champion escape artists who view balconies as exciting challenges. Add their tendency to “sing” at all hours, and your neighbors will form a petition committee against you within a week.
4. Irish Wolfhound
The tallest of all dog breeds, Irish Wolfhounds were historically used to hunt wolves—not navigate tiny kitchens. Their sheer height means they can easily rest their chin on your kitchen counter.
Despite their gentle nature, these giants need space simply to exist. When an Irish Wolfhound stretches out for a nap, they’ll take up your entire living room floor.
5. Rottweiler
Powerful and muscular, Rottweilers aren’t just physically imposing—they’re territorial by nature. In a confined space like an apartment, this protective instinct can become problematic when delivery people or guests arrive.
Their deep, intimidating bark travels through walls effortlessly. Without adequate space and exercise, these working dogs can develop behavioral issues that no amount of training can fully resolve.
6. Doberman Pinscher
Sleek and athletic, Dobermans were designed as personal protection dogs, not apartment dwellers. Their long strides need space to stretch out, preferably in a yard where they can patrol their territory.
Highly intelligent and active, these dogs require significant mental and physical stimulation. An under-exercised Doberman can become anxious and destructive, turning your favorite shoes into expensive chew toys.
7. Alaskan Malamute
Malamutes don’t just love the outdoors—they were built for extreme wilderness conditions. These powerful sled dogs have energy reserves that would make the Energizer Bunny jealous.
Their thick double coat sheds so profusely you could stuff a new pillow every week. Factor in their howling communication style and tendency to dig when bored, and your security deposit doesn’t stand a chance.
8. Great Dane
Standing as tall as some adults when on hind legs, Great Danes are basically gentle giants in horse costumes. Their massive frames need space to move without knocking over your coffee table, TV, and possibly a wall.
Despite their laid-back temperament, these dogs can’t help their size. A Great Dane’s tail alone can clear a coffee table in one happy wag!
9. Akita
Proud and dignified, Akitas require more than just physical space—they need psychological room too. These ancient Japanese breeds are naturally aloof and territorial, making apartment hallway encounters with neighbors potentially tense.
Their thick coats shed in spectacular fashion twice yearly, creating fur snowstorms in your limited space. Without proper outlets, their strong-willed nature can become stubborn defiance.
10. Bullmastiff
Don’t let their sometimes lazy demeanor fool you—Bullmastiffs are massive powerhouses that need space simply because of their size. A full-grown male can weigh 130 pounds of solid muscle.
Originally bred to tackle poachers, these dogs have strength that demands respect and room. Their protective nature means they need proper socialization, which is challenging in isolated apartment settings.
11. Cane Corso
With ancient Roman guardian roots, Cane Corsos weren’t bred for cozy apartment living. These muscular powerhouses have an imposing presence that needs space to match their stature.
Their deep, booming barks will have your neighbors filing noise complaints faster than you can say “good boy.” While loyal and affectionate with family, their natural wariness of strangers makes crowded apartment buildings challenging environments.
12. Chow Chow
Behind that adorable lion-like mane lies a stubborn, independent spirit that doesn’t appreciate confined spaces. Chow Chows are naturally reserved and can be territorial about their personal bubble.
Their thick double coats create fur tumbleweeds that will colonize every corner of your apartment. Add their tendency toward aloofness and potential aggression when not properly socialized, and small-space living becomes problematic.
13. Newfoundland
Gentle giants who love water, Newfoundlands can weigh up to 150 pounds of pure muscle and fluff. Their massive frames need room to move without transforming your apartment into an obstacle course.
Famous for drooling, a Newfie shake can splatter walls eight feet away. Their water-resistant coats shed constantly, and their natural swimming instinct makes them eye your bathtub with unhealthy interest.
14. Great Pyrenees
Bred to guard flocks across mountainous terrain, Great Pyrenees have roaming in their DNA. These majestic white giants patrol instinctively, which becomes problematic when their territory is limited to 800 square feet.
They bark with purpose—usually at night when they’re naturally most alert. Their thick double coats shed so dramatically that your vacuum cleaner might file for early retirement.
15. Bernese Mountain Dog
Berners were bred to work on Swiss farms, pulling carts and herding cattle across alpine meadows. Their sturdy frames and thick coats are designed for cold mountain air, not climate-controlled apartments.
While sweet-natured, these tri-colored giants need space to stretch out. A full-grown Berner lying down takes up more floor space than most coffee tables, leaving you to navigate around your canine centerpiece.