have a canine companion at home and it's no wonder.

Owning a dog has been shown

to lower blood pressure and cholesterol,

reduce the risk of asthma and allergies in kids,

and lower stress levels.

Now you might think the size of your home

should determine the size of your ideal dog,

but that's not always true.

Turns out, tiny dogs, like the Yorkshire Terrier,

tend to have a big set of pipes

with an even bigger attitude.

- A lot of small dogs, they're naturally

really good alert dogs,

they're good little watch dogs,

and they're going to bark

when they hear people walking down the hall

or talking in the lobby passageways.

- [Narrator] Not a great attribute if your neighbors

live a few feet away.

So what should you look for

in an apartment-friendly pooch?

- Dogs sleep about 16, 17 hours a day

and as long as you can provide a dog

with the right amount of mental and physical

stimulation and exercise,

even a big dog can be happy in a small place.

- [Narrator] For starters, you want a dog

who's not a big barker,

is sociable with new humans and other dogs,

and is comfortable with loud noises and crowded streets.

Mixed breeds can make an amazing apartment pet,

but if you're looking for purebreds,

here are the blue ribbon winners for apartment living

according to the American Kennel Club.

First up is the Greyhound.

That's right.

They may be the world's fastest canine

but these guys often spend

16 to 18 hours sleeping every day.

Just make sure, in addition to regular exercise,

they have the chance to sprint

two to three times a week.

Next is the Bolonka.

You may have never heard of it,

but these guys were actually bred

to be the ultimate apartment pet.

They don't need hours of daily exercise.

In fact, the American Kennel Club

suggests a long walk a few times a week

in addition to their daily routine.

They're also excellent at learning new tricks,

but they do like to alert their owners

of goings-on in the neighborhood

so it's best to teach them proper barking manners early on.

Now if you had your heart set on a Yorkie,

you might want to try a Biewer instead.

They were bred from Yorkshire Terriers.

They're more mellow and easy going.

They enjoy the outdoors,

but will also play catch inside

and are easy to teach new tricks.

Next up is an especially popular breed

among city dwellers: the French Bulldog.

Despite it's name, this breed actually came from England.

A short daily walk is typically sufficient

to keep them in shape.

They also enjoy canine sports,

like obedience and agility,

but the flat-faced breed often has difficulty breathing.

So make sure your Frenchie doesn't overexert itself in the hot weather

Last but no least is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

That flashy title isn't a coincidence.

These guys were the breed of choice

for 17th century British nobility.

They're known for their smarts,

they're easy to train,

and readily adapt to new people and environments.

Now it's important to note that breed

doesn't guarantee anything.

- Each individual dog within a breed

is going to have its own temperament,

its own personality.

A good owner spends time with their dog

and figures out what makes their individual dog most happy.

- [Narrator] And if your looking for more than just a walk around the block,

places like the American Kennel Club

offer local activities.

- [Gail] One's called scent work.

It's an event type that just tests a dog's natural ability to use it's nose,

and we have a whole series of events and competitions

where you're just training your dog to find scents

that are hidden in different areas.

It's fun to do things with your dog

and by spending more time with your dog,

your bond increases.

- [Narrator] Want more options?

Here are some other apartment-friendly dog breeds

that the AKC recommends.

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