Items9The creator’s order
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GreyhoundBig on paper, but a retired racer spends most of the day asleep and is usually content with two short walks, which is why so many do well in flats with room for a large bed. Dogs from racing kennels are used to a fixed routine, and that often helps them settle while you are out, though stairs and…0i - 2
WhippetThe Greyhound's smaller cousin keeps the same habit of sleeping through the day, in a body that fits a two-seater sofa. Indoors a Whippet is quiet and rarely barks, then wants a daily chance to sprint flat out somewhere safely enclosed, so find a secure field or park near you before committing. The…0i - 3
Tibetan spanielBred as a companion and lookout in Tibetan monasteries, this small dog behaves more like a cat than most breeds: it likes a high perch by the window, keeps itself occupied and is less clingy than many toy dogs. That window habit has a downside in a block of flats, because it will announce visitors…0i - 4
Lhasa ApsoA good choice for someone who wants a small dog with its own mind rather than a shadow. Lhasas were kept as indoor watchdogs in Tibet, so they are self-possessed, happy to doze while you are out and wary of strangers, which can mean a bark at the door that needs early training.
The long coat is…0i - 5
PoodleChoose the Toy or Miniature size for a flat; the Standard is a bigger, busier dog. Both smaller sizes are clever, low-shedding and adaptable, and the brain needs as much work as the legs: ten minutes of training or a puzzle feeder before you leave does more to head off boredom barking than an extra…0 - 6
Shiba InuThe most independent dog here, and the one to think hardest about. A Shiba is clean, quiet most of the time and usually copes well with a few hours alone, which makes it tempting for anyone working long days. It is also stubborn, rarely reliable off the lead and given to a piercing scream when it…0i - 7
Italian GreyhoundPicture a Greyhound shrunk to around five kilos, with the same love of sleep and soft furnishings and a short coat that barely sheds or smells. It is quiet and light enough for a top-floor flat, but it is not the toughest dog here: young dogs can break a leg jumping off a sofa, the teeth need daily…0i - 8
Chihuahua (dog breed)Around half an hour of exercise a day is enough, the lowest need on this list, and many live well into their teens. A Chihuahua is bold and loyal and can learn to accept time alone, but it often bonds hard with one person and barks at noises, so socialise it early with neighbours and other…0i - 9
Shih TzuBred for centuries purely as an indoor companion, a Shih Tzu is calm, sociable and undemanding about exercise, and many settle happily into a home with quiet hours in the day. The flat face is the honest caveat: breathing, eye and dental problems are common, and the breed is now part of the Royal…0i
