The variety of dogs living in big urban areas like NYC are as diverse as the people themselves. With that said, some dogs are better suited to a city lifestyle and environment than others. How to choose the right dog for you needs to factor in where you live, what your interests are, and what you are able to do to meet the needs of the dog you choose. The traits you find most appealing in a dog may not be the best traits for an easy fit for apartment and city living. You will want to consider the environment your dog will live in, your lifestyle, and how you will fit the daily care your dog will require into your routine. You will need to educate yourself on what dog characteristics will most likely adapt to and thrive in your care. It is not wise to pick your dog based on looks or even size. Rather, it is the dogs temperament along with your ability and willingness to adjust your lifestyle to meet the dogs needs that will help guide you to a dog that is a good fit.

The Issue of Size

Go to any resource providing advice on the best breeds for apartment living, especially for best breeds in NYC, and small dogs will dominate the recommendations. Even if your personal preference leans towards large breed dogs, it is your dogs welfare that is most important. You need to consider the size of your dwelling when selecting your dog. Do you have a small studio apartment, a roomy loft, or a town house? Small and medium size dogs can be perfectly happy in a small apartment provided they receive love, care, and adequate mental and physical stimulation.  Whereas many large and giant breeds need a bit more space for you, your family, and your dog to thrive. With that said, there certainly are some low energy, large breed dogs that do well with apartment living. Furthermore, the size of your living space may be less important than the quality of the daily activities you share with your dog. Realistically, your dog is not running around exercising in the home be it large or small. 

Considering Energy Level and Exercise Requirement

Whether your dog is big or small you will want to consider its energy level and consequent mental and physical exercise needs. Will you be able and willing to meet the dogs needs in a city environment. In reality, many of the New York City dog owners we have had the privilege to work with devote an impressive amount of time and consideration to meeting their dogs needs. The city dwellers commitment to their canine companion often exceeds that of the suburban dog owner who has the ease and convenience of a yard for their dog to potty and roam in unattended. 

City dog activities include street walks, park walks, the mental stimulation of an ever changing environment, as well as access to ongoing dog training classes and events. Diligent city dog owners go to great lengths to plan their dogs week in order to meet the its needs and insure a good quality of life. Effort needs to be made when you have a dog in the city. For the vast majority, there is no sliding door that opens to a fenced yard. In other words, there is no easy way out when it comes to taking care of a city dog. It requires an investment of time and to varying degrees, an alteration of lifestyle.

With this in mind, consider what your lifestyle is and how much effort you want to put into accommodating a dog. If you are going to be a first time dog parent it is critical that you recognize that bringing a dog into your life and home is going to change it (in many ways for the better) for years to come – so consider how much impact you want and can handle when selecting the type of dog you will get.

Dog Energy Level – Couch Potato or Energizer Bunny

Small dogs tend to be a better choice for urban living because they can adapt to small spaces, enjoy playing and getting fulfillment without an expansive area to run, and get the exercise they need with less exhaustive walks than many medium and large dogs. However, a factor that may be even more important than size would be the dogs activity and energy needs. You can have a super laid-back giant dog (Newfoundlands and Great Danes come to mind). You can also have a small dog that requires a lot of mental and physical enrichment in order to thrive (Jack Russel Terriers and Pomeranians come to mind). In choosing a dog to be your companion it is important to honestly access if you have the interest, willingness, and the means to accommodate a high maintenance dog. Many city dwellers will do better with a dog that has an easy going temperament, and a low key activity level.

Shhhh … Other People and Pets Live Here Too

A breed characteristic we can all agree is not a good trait for a city dog is barking and howling. Dogs that live in rural and suburban environments can get away with being chatty. Barking to announce an intruder may even be desirable in those settings. Barking, howling, and whining is never a good trait for city dwellers. An excessively vocal dog will make neighbors very unhappy and you very stressed out.

Some breeds are more inclined than others to be vocal, so it is a characteristic to pay attention to when researching for dogs that will be a good fit for you. Raising a puppy and training a dog to be comfortable in their surroundings, to be at ease being left alone, to know there is no need to alert bark to every sound in the hallway, and to not seek your attention via vocalizations is mandatory to having a happy dog and happy neighbors. All dogs may sound off occasionally and most landlords and neighbors can tolerate the periodic noise within reason. To make everyones life manageable, steer away from dogs that are described as barkey – training helps but why make life harder than it needs to be.

Temperament and Adaptability

Living in a city can be an intense experience for people not raised there. The same can be said for dogs. Some breed type have a temperament that is more suited and adaptable to city living. All dogs will do better and benefit greatly if they have been properly socialized and desensitized to city living when they are young pups. This isn’t to say that older dogs such a rescues and relocations can’t adapt, but the prognosis for success will rely on the individuals temperament and having a good training plan in place. If your dog is not described as “easy going” it would be a good idea to enlist the help of an experienced dog trainer to work with you on acclimating your dog to city life.

Try to select a breed that is responsive to training, comfortable around people, and adapts well to different environments. City dogs will need to be comfortable in confined spaces, crowded streets, hallways, and elevators.They also need to be handle loud noises, and the hustle and bustle of city life. Avoid choosing a breed type that is prone to be easily spooked, anxious, fearful, or aggressive. The city is too intense and too unpredictable to have a dog that is easily put on edge or on the defensive.

Before bringing your new canine family member home, educate yourself about positive training, socialization/desensitization, and ways to provide your dog with the mental and physical stimulition they will need to be a good companion to you and you to them. A great resource is AndreaArden.com. Enlist the help of a professional dog trainer to design a plan for raising and training your new puppy or adult dog to thrive in an urban environment.

How to Even Begin Choosing the Right Dog?

Whether you are looking to bring home a pure breed, a hybrid, or a mix breed there are some generalizations that can help you to filter for desirable VS. less desirable traits for city living and your lifestyle. It is important to note that that there is a lot of variation in temperament even in a pure breed. Every dog is an individual. They do not always match up to the said breed standards. Whether you are selecting a pure breed puppy, or going to the shelter to find the right rescue dog for you, using breed characteristics can provide you with an educated starting point in your quest to choose a dog. 

You can find almost any breed in NYC from commonly known to extremely unusual, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. There are plenty of dogs you wouldn’t think would do well in the city that are doing great. It can also be said that dogs that we would typically consider a good fit for city life are not doing well at all. City dogs of all types can struggle with anxiety, boredom, fear, separation issues, destructive behavior, excessive barking, even aggression. Do not hesitate to contact an expert dog trainer if you and you dog are struggling in any way. https://andreaarden.com/ . Getting expert advice and designing a plan for behavioral improvement can make a significant difference in the quality of life for your pet.

Although it would be difficult to list the best breeds for city living as this could be somewhat subjective, lists of the dogs most common and typically found in US cities do exist. This incomplete data base is generally collected from AKC and other kennel club registrations. This resource will not take into account the many mix breed dogs that in 2024 make up the majority of companion dogs in our homes. Currently the top pure breed for both NYC and the country is the French Bulldog. After that, Typical city breeds would include but are not limited to (listed in no particular order other than grouped by size):

• Chihuahua
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Maltese
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Shih Tzu
• Pug
• Bichon Frise
• Chinese Crested
• Dachshund
• Scottish Terrier
• West Highland Terrier
• Bulldog
• Basenji
• Corgi
• Shiba Inu
• Beagle
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Basset Hound
• Golden Retriever
• Labrador Retriever
• Grey Hound
• Bull Mastiff
• Boxer
• Newfoundland
• Great Dane

Final Words 

New York City being primarily an apartment dwelling habitat for its human residents is well suited to small dogs. Therefor, small dogs of all kinds are generally more popular than large and giant breeds. With the rise of “designer breeds” or hybrids crosses, and the ever popular tendency to adopt pets in need of a home from the many shelter and rescue organizations, it is the mix breed dogs of all sizes that make up the majority or our urban dogscape. It is possible however, to encounter remarkable, rare, and unusual breeds from all over the world residing in the big apple. Some individuals and types will require more specialized care, but all will require love, health care, training, and exercise. Choosing wisely so you can comfortably meet the needs of your individual dogs is key to