Video summary
Many people mistakenly believe that owning a dog in the city requires sacrificing companionship or choosing between urban living and pet ownership, but the reality is that specific breeds not only survive but truly thrive in apartment environments. The key to success does not lie in the physical size of the dog, as commonly assumed, but rather in their energy levels, noise tendencies, and adaptability. Studies indicate that a dog's temperament and exercise needs are far more predictive of apartment success than whether they are large or small. By understanding these factors, owners can avoid stress for both themselves and their pets while preventing complaints from neighbors, ensuring a harmonious urban lifestyle.
The video highlights several exceptional breeds that excel in city settings, starting with the French Bulldog, which has become incredibly popular globally due to its low energy, quiet nature, and ability to be content while lounging indoors. Another surprising choice is the Greyhound, often misunderstood as needing vast spaces to run; however, these dogs are famously "couch potatoes" that sprint briefly before sleeping for hours, making them ideal calm companions for apartments despite their larger size. Similarly, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel offers a perfect blend of affection, quietness, and adaptability, thriving in small spaces and bonding deeply with owners without disturbing neighbors.
For those concerned about allergies or shedding, the Bichon Frise is presented as an excellent option because it is hypoallergenic, playful, and easy to train, though early socialization is crucial to prevent behavioral issues common in some small breeds. The classic Pug also makes the list for its affectionate and low-energy demeanor, although potential owners must be aware of health challenges associated with their flat faces, such as breathing difficulties and overheating risks. Both French Bulldogs and Pugs require careful management regarding diet, exercise, and environment to prevent obesity and heatstroke, but with proper care and regular vet visits, they become wonderful, loving city companions.
Ultimately, the secret to a successful dog in the city is matching the breed's energy and temperament to the owner's specific lifestyle rather than focusing on square footage. High-energy breeds like Vizslas or Weimaraners can still live happily in apartments if their owners are committed to providing extensive daily exercise routines, such as early morning runs or frequent park visits. The video concludes by emphasizing that with the right breed selection and dedicated training, city living and dog ownership go hand-in-hand, offering a fulfilling life for both humans and their canine friends regardless of where they reside.
Read the full video transcript
Most people think you have to choose
between the city life and owning a dog.
Now, that's absolutely wrong. The truth
is that some dogs don't just survive in
the city, they absolutely thrive in it.
And if you pick the wrong breed, you're
setting yourself up and your dog for
stress,
>> [music]
>> complaints from your neighbors, and a
whole lot of guilt. But, pick the right
breed and you'll have a happy,
well-adjusted companion who loves urban
life just as much as you do. And trust
me, guys, by the end of this video,
you'll know exactly which dog fits the
urban lifestyle best. So, here's the
thing most people get wrong. They assume
big dogs need a big home, and a small
dog is automatically an
apartment-friendly dog. Nope, that's not
it. What actually matters is the breed's
energy level, their noise tendency,
meaning how much they bark, and
adaptability. In fact, studies on canine
behavior show that a dog's exercise
needs and temperament predict apartment
success far better than their physical
size. So, let's throw out the old myths
and get right down to the real list. So,
again, just because you have a big dog
doesn't mean they need a big, big house.
Let's kick things off with the French
Bulldog. Now, it's no coincidence these
little guys have become one of the most
popular dog breeds in major cities
across the world. Frenchies are low
energy, they rarely bark, and they're
perfectly content lounging around your
apartment while you work. Now, these
little guys only need a couple short
walks a day, and they're pretty good.
Now, here's something that every single
potential Frenchie owner needs to hear.
Because of their flat face, French
Bulldogs are brachycephalic breeds,
which means that they can struggle with
breathing issues, overheat quickly, and
they may rack up some serious vet bills
down the road. Now, I've talked about
this before, they're also prone to
spinal problems and skin fold
infections. So, going into this with
your eyes wide open is really important.
That said, with the right care, regular
vet checkups, and a cool environment,
the French Bulldog is still one of the
absolute best city dogs out there. And
guess what? Millions of happy urban
owners will back me up on that because
the French Bulldog is overly populated
in my opinion in a lot of big cities.
Now, I once had a Frenchie client that
would eat their we feed raw food so fast
that I thought, "Well, maybe this flat
face is good for something." They
literally can shovel their food right in
with that flat face where a lot of dogs
have to throw it up in the air and chomp
on their raw food that way. So, anyway,
next up is the Cavalier King Charles
Spaniel. If you want a dog that's
affectionate, quiet, [music] and
adaptable, this is your match. Cavaliers
bond deeply with their owners and adjust
beautifully to smaller spaces. They're
gentle with their neighbors, they're
great in elevators, and love nothing
more than curling up on the couch with
you. I personally love Cavs. They're
great family dogs, they're great city
dogs, just overall a pretty good dang
dog. Now, remember I promised you breed
number three is going to blow your mind.
Here it is, the Greyhound. Yep, that's
right, the Greyhound. I know what you're
thinking, "Aren't those racing dogs?
Don't they need a ton of room to run?"
Here's the twist about Greyhounds, guys.
They are famously known as actual couch
potatoes. They sprint for a few minutes,
then they sleep for the rest of the day.
They are calm, they are cool, they are
collective, and honestly one of the best
kept secrets in apartment living.
They're a bigger dog that don't require
a ton of exercise. Do they like [music]
to run? Absolutely. Do they need to run?
Absolutely. But, it's for a short period
of time, kind of like a cheetah, then
they're Gucci chilling on the couch.
Now, I've got two more incredible breeds
coming up, plus a resource that will
make raising any one of those dogs in a
city 10 times easier. And speaking of
making city life easier, let's talk
about the single biggest challenge new
dog owners face in apartment living,
which is training. Barking at neighbors,
[music] barking in the elevator, pulling
on a leash during walks, accidents in
the hallway. Does this sound familiar to
you, apartment living dwellers? Here's
the good news. We put together a
complete online training course
specifically designed for busy city
owners just like you. You'll learn how
to stop the reactivity, [music] stop the
leash pulling, Train your dog on all the
five basics that most people don't have
to build not only a really well-trained
dog, but have a really good
relationship. Now, thousands of dog
owners have already transformed their
dogs with all of my dog training
courses. [music] Everything that you
guys need to have a well-trained dog, no
matter where you live, no matter what
dog, no matter what stage you're at with
your dog, is all listed [music] in the
link below. All right, guys, back to the
list. Coming in next is the Bichon
Frise. I'm probably saying that wrong.
Let me know in the comments if I am cuz
you guys usually roast me on it anyway.
Now, this fluffy little charmer is a
fantastic apartment companion. They're
small, and they're cute, they're
playful, but here's a huge bonus for
city dwellers. They are considered
hypoallergenic. That means less shedding
and fewer allergy worries for you and
your neighbors or anybody else who lives
in your building. Bichons are naturally
social and thrive on human company.
These dogs are also really, really easy
to train. Now, I love Bichons, but you
have to make sure that you put in the
work early on because like any small
dogs, a lot people treat them like
little babies and they turn out like
nightmares. And finally, don't overlook
the classic pug. Now, pugs are
affectionate, easy-going, and absolutely
thrive in apartment [music] life.
They're small, they're low-energy, and
they form incredible bonds with their
families. Now, just like the Frenchie,
pugs are also brachycephalic breeds.
Those flat, adorable faces come with
some real health issues, and you guys
need to consider these things before you
move forward with the pug. Now, they're
prone to breathing difficulties, eye
problems, and can overheat fast,
especially in hot summer walks. Obesity
is also a common issue with pugs. So,
keeping their diet in check and their
exercise consistent is an absolute must.
Now, vet bills can definitely add up, so
it's worth going in prepared when you
own a pug or even a Frenchie. But,
here's the bottom line. With a cool
environment, regular vet visits with the
pug, and a little extra attention for
their needs, pugs make wonderful,
loving, and low-maintenance city
companions as long as you get a healthy
one from a good breeder. Now, millions,
and I mean millions of apartment owners
absolutely [music] adore the pug, and
it's easy to see why. So, there you guys
go. You have five amazing breeds proving
that city living and dog ownership go
hand-in-hand. But, remember, the secret
isn't the size of your space. It's
finding a breed whose energy and
temperament [music] match your
lifestyle. And you may say, "Well, I
want a Vizsla. I want a Weimaraner."
Okay, if you want those high-energy
dogs, make sure if you live in a city,
you're getting up before work, you're
running, you're coming home after work,
you're running, getting those dogs
running at the park, etc. Now, I want to
hear from you guys. Which of these
breeds is your absolute favorite? And
are you a proud city dog owner? Drop a
comment below cuz I read all of them,
and let me know where you live, what
city you live in, and what type of dog
you have, and what you do to make these
things successful. And of course, guys,
we put videos out like this multiple
times a week. Of course, also head over
to my No Bad Dogs podcast, where we put
out weekly No Bad Dog podcast episodes
with vet guests [music]
and specialists and other dog trainers,
and sometimes I just get on there and
talk as well. As always, guys, thank you
so much for watching. I will see you on
the next one. Peace.