“Hey, have you seen my hiking boots?” your roommate asks. “My Border Collie and I are going to meet up with my friend who has an Australian Shepherd. We’re going to get in a quick 5-mile summit hike up the new peak trail. Want to come?”
You look over at your English Bulldog, who has her underbite clenched hard and doggy daggers shooting out of her wide-set eyes glaring right at you, and you know she’s thinking, “Don’t you dare!” “No thanks,” you say. “We’ll just stay here and watch ‘Jurassic Bark.’” As if on cue, she trots over to her favorite sunken-in spot on the couch and places her paw on the remote control.
If you’re looking for a canine friend who will watch hours of The Bone Collector, King Arfur and the Knights of the Hound Table, Pup Fiction, or 50 Shades of Grey(hounds) with you rather than watching the sunset from the mountain peak, then you need the best inside dog breed that is more interested in stealing your popcorn than stealing your hiking boots.
What to Look for in a Good Inside Dog
You may be wondering if you’re ready to buy a puppy, so it’s important to consider a few factors to help you determine the best dog breed for indoors. You’ll see there is no right or wrong answer when choosing an inside dog that works best for your family. The choice will come down to the amount of care you can provide, the type of place you live in, and how much training you are willing to give to avoid behavior issues.
Breed Size
The best inside dog breeds come in all shapes and sizes. The honor is not just for the tiny dogs! Because an indoor dog is going to be spending a lot of time inside, think of the interior size of your apartment or house when preparing your home for a new puppy.
If you have a large house with open spaces, you can comfortably house a medium-sized breed or bigger. However, if you’re in an apartment, condo, or smaller home, or if you have lots of people living in your household, you should pick a breed that will fit with your given space for the comfort of both humans and puppies.
Activity Level
When people hear the term “lots of exercise,” they probably think of activities done outdoors. Exercise can be done both indoors and outdoors for puppies. A good inside dog will complete most of its exercise needs indoors. Playing fetch, getting the zoomies, and playing tug of war are all great examples of indoor exercise opportunities.
While all dogs need to get outside, a good indoor dog will not require large outdoor areas in which to roam as part of their daily routine or require over an hour of rigorous outside work. Some great, small dogs for inside can also be on the hyper side, so don’t rule out a dog that isn’t as calm and laidback as others.
Personality
Dog breeds that need people around for their happiness are great choices for inside dogs rather than a breed that’s more independent. If you have children, you’ll also want to consider what are the best dog breeds for kids and families. Focus on how the dog naturally responds to other people, pets, and children sharing your space. Considering these factors before committing to a breed can be the biggest factor that influences the experience you are going to have.
It’s best to choose a dog predisposed to natural friendliness, affection, and companionship since an inside dog will most likely be in close contact with people on a regular basis.
Barking Levels
Ideally, the best indoor family dogs won’t bark a lot if you share walls with someone else or are with them for long periods of time in an enclosed space. However, it’s also nice to have a breed that will alert you if anything is amiss.
Keep in mind that several indoor pet breeds have a higher need than others to stay near their human companions, so excessive barking due to separation anxiety in puppies can disturb neighbors and even violate noise ordinances.
Grooming Needs
Not all of the best dogs for indoors have to be low-maintenance dog breeds. You may enjoy selecting a different bow each time you take your pup to her regular grooming appointment. Others may have a short coat that doesn’t require much upkeep.
Good inside dog options can range from non-shedding to heavy shedders. It’s all about how much time, effort, and finances you have to devote to hair removal and regular grooming appointments.
The 17 Best Indoor Dog Breeds
1. Italian Greyhound
Did you know the Italian Greyhound is one of the fastest dogs in the world, clocking in at up to 25 mph? One might expect such an athletic dog to prefer being outside. However, that’s not necessarily true. An Italian Greyhound puppy for sale is actually very gentle, sensitive, and loves being inside right next to you, and their explosive energy can come in short bursts instead of a constant state of being.
Italian Greyhound puppies have very thin skin, so they need to be in a climate-controlled environment so they don’t get too cold or overheat. They are very clingy with their owners, earning the nickname “velcro dogs.” If you are browsing Italian Greyhound puppies for sale, they really do need to be around people quite a bit, so consider them if you are home for large portions of the day.
2. Mini Dachshund
Known affectionately as the “wiener dog,” a Mini Dachshund is a great choice for an indoor dog. While they may be very short with their small legs and long body, their huge personalities are way larger than their bodies! Mini Dachshund puppies for sale are bold, courageous, and brave. They have to be kept busy because they can get into mischief. It’s also vital to train and socialize your Miniature Dachshund puppy to avoid jealousy of other attention and to reduce unwanted barking.
3. Basset Hound
Those velvety soft, drooping ears! That sad face! A Basset Hound puppy for sale sometimes looks like it just received bad news, but the good news is that they’re amazing inside dogs. They’re people-oriented and are used to being part of a pack by nature, so Basset Hounds get along really well with other animals and children. It’s so nice to have an easygoing, relaxed canine friend in a Basset Hound puppy. A bonus to their pleasant personalities is that Basset Hound puppies can be clownish with an amusing sense of humor.
4. French Bulldog
With their bat-like ears and soulful eyes, a French Bulldog puppy for sale is an automatic choice for a great inside dog in several ways. Their even, friendly temperament makes them suitable for lots of different people and living situations. French Bulldog puppies get along well with children and will be favorite playmates. They don’t require much exercise beyond a daily walk, so they’re a nice choice for staying around inside.
5. Shiba Inu
Dare we say that Shiba Inu puppies for sale are a bit like cats? Hear us out. They’re one of the cleanest indoor dog breeds, won’t bother you too much since they’re independent, and prefer a comfortable living environment. A Shiba Inu puppy’s sweet, fox-like face and friendly disposition make the Shiba Inu the number one companion dog in Japan.
Shiba Inus do like a moderate amount of exercise, so it’s not the laziest dog on our list by any means. However, they’re very adaptable to apartment settings, are easily housebroken, don’t bark a lot, and enjoy being affectionate with their people.
6. Coton de Tulear
A Coton de Tulear puppy for sale looks like a little cotton ball with legs, eyes, and ears! You’ll appreciate the fun personality of a Coton de Tulear puppy. They love to play and do tricks, and some were used to perform in circuses for delighted audiences. As social butterflies, Coton de Tulear puppies tend to get along with everyone including strangers and form close bonds with their families.
7. Cavapoo
A Cavapoo puppy for sale is a cross between a Poodle and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Whether you're looking for a cuddly companion or an active playmate, a Cavapoo is sure to fill the bill. Cavapoo puppies will only get up to about 25 lbs., but they do have lots of energy and can be hyperactive.
Cavapoo puppies will need lots of exercise and attention, but all that can happen indoors. You’ll not have to worry about allergies or vacuuming since a Cavapoo puppy’s coat is hypoallergenic and doesn’t shed a lot.
8. Toy Poodle
As the smallest of the 3 types of Poodles, a Toy Poodle for sale is just darling! Growing only up to 4-6 pounds and standing 10 inches or shorter, snuggling with a Toy Poodle is like cuddling with a real-life teddy bear! Their intelligence is definitely bigger than their size, as Toy Poodles are quick to learn new things and are very easy to train because they like pleasing their owners. A Toy Poodle puppy is also extremely agile, and you’ll have so much fun setting up tiny obstacle courses for her to complete.
9. Pomsky
A mix between a Siberian Husky and a Pomeranian, a Pomsky puppy is the best of both worlds. With intelligence and trainability from their Siberian Husky side and curiosity and boldness from their Pomeranian side, Pomskies are always up for a good time no matter the situation. If you have frequent schedule changes, they’re very adaptable and will go with the flow. A Pomsky puppy for sale doesn’t need a large indoor space to thrive and only has moderate exercise needs, so it’s a great choice for smaller dwellings.
10. Havachon
If you’re looking for a cheerful, loyal house companion, a Havachon puppy for sale is the perfect fit. Only weighing 9-16 pounds, Havachon puppies won’t take up much space inside. They’re a cross between a Havanese and a Bichon Frise, so they don’t shed much and are a great choice for someone who suffers from allergies. Havachon puppies can be sprightly and energetic when you are in the mood to play, but they equally love hanging out with you cheering you on while you rack up points in Jeopardy!
11. Great Dane
Are you surprised to see this gentle giant on our list? A Great Dane puppy for sale may grow to be 200 lbs., but they’re actually a great choice for an indoor dog! They thoroughly enjoy stealing the couch space or fancy themselves as lap dogs. If you have the space for a Great Dane puppy, you’ll enjoy how patient and friendly your canine companion is with visitors and children. It’s also interesting to note that while they do like running around in a large yard, too much exercise can be detrimental to their growing bones.
12. Morkie/Yorktese
Morkies, also called Yorktese, have huge personalities in such tiny bodies! While they may seem cute and cuddly, a Morkie/Yorktese puppy for sale has too much energy to be a typical lap dog. They’re feisty, spunky, and have silly attitudes when they think they’re a big dog in that little package. As a combination of a Maltese and a Yorkshire Terrier, they inherit both the cuteness and the sassy personalities of their parents. It’s crucial to keep a Morkie/Yorktese puppy busy and tired; otherwise, they become bored and destructive quite easily. Even though it’s a good dog to house indoors, having room for them to play and burn off that high energy is crucial for the Morkie to stay healthy and happy.
13. Shih-Poo
As a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Poodle, a Shih-Poo puppy for sale loves being a smart companion dog. They’re quick-witted and funny, so their clever antics will have you laughing all the time. Shih-Poo puppies can also be a bit stubborn, but they are eager to please you in general. Just make sure to keep some really good treats around, and they’ll be trained in no time.
14. Boston Terrier
A Boston Terrier puppy for sale hails from – you guessed it – Boston and is nicknamed the “American Gentleman” both for its personality and tuxedo-like markings. Boston Terriers are extremely popular family dogs due to their affectionate tendencies and comical feats. Boston Terrier puppies are easy to train and have fantastic inside manners. This lively puppy is fun to play with and does have quite a bit of energy, so they do require enough interaction to satisfy their spirited nature.
15. Maltipoo
A Maltipoo puppy for sale gets its sweet disposition from the Maltese side and intelligence from the Poodle side. They’re little, easy to train, and even easier to love! This little ball of fluff won’t stay still for long though. Maltipoo puppies love going on walks and playing games with their owners. This little bundle of joy won’t set off an allergy attack because its soft coat is hypoallergenic.
16. Pug
A Pug puppy for sale was originally bred to be the lap dog of royalty, so you can rule as King or Queen of your household with your noble Pug snuggling on your lap! You won’t have to worry about a Pug wearing you out because although they may have bursts of energy, the intensity doesn’t last too long, making them one of the best indoor dogs if you don’t want too much physical activity from your pet. If you’re looking for a quiet dog, a Pug would not be the first choice. Even though this dog may be tiny, Pug puppies make a huge range of funny noises, including snorting, squeaking, groaning, and even tooting!
17. English Bulldog
The English Bulldog may appear to be fierce-looking, but underneath those powerful muscles and protruding underbite is one of the laziest couch potato dogs you’ll find! An English Bulldog puppy for sale has no interest in being your hiking buddy and instead will be asking where the remote is. Too much exercise, especially in the heat, can cause breathing problems. Even though they can be lazy and slow-moving, English Bulldog puppies absolutely love being right next to their owners.
Pawrade Knows the Best Inside Dog Breeds
If you have any questions about the best inside dog breed for your lifestyle, we can discuss our available puppies for sale to help you find the best fit. We’ve hand-picked and pre-screened breeders so you don’t have to. Get started on our Pawrade Process of owning your very own inside dog.
