Like their humans, every canine has its own personality–some prefer the outdoors while others like to chill at home. For the most part, indoor dogs also require less exercise and prefer light activities. If you are a homebody, an indoor dog will make a perfect pet for you.
Though all indoor dog breeds love being at home, each one uniquely adapts to home life. Before choosing a dog as your pet, you need to understand its lifestyle, traits, and preferences so you and your pet can have an enjoyable time together. Let’s look at some of the best indoor dog breeds to find the one that’s best for you.
Pug
With its frowny features and irresistible round eyes, the pug is one of the most well-known breeds of indoor dogs. Pugs are quiet, fun-loving, and rarely get aggressive. They love playing with humans and are trainable.
Pugs are small in size, meaning they need a little exercise. Even 30 minutes a day of activity is enough to keep them slim and active. They hate being overheated and hence avoid vigorous physical activity.
Additionally, pugs also have short fur and require minimal maintenance. If you live in a city or have space constraints, pugs are ideal for you as they adapt to almost all surroundings. Be prepared for some nosy probing and tons of affection from these curious little canines.
Basset Hound
Best described as a lazy homebody, Basset Hounds love lying around indoors. They are small with large ears, giving them an adorable sad look. They are also extremely loyal but also a little stubborn.
Basset Hounds were bred for hunting and hence preferred being independent. It makes them hard to train as they are usually not interested in following commands. If you want to train them, you can conveniently buy dog treats and training equipment from a pet store like PetCareRX.
Dachshund
Dachshunds are small, long, and almost look like an anomaly of dogs. Yet, they are quite athletic and love jumping around. Also known as sausage dogs, these canines are territorial and can get aggressive at times. But they are also highly intelligent, and it is best to start training them young.
Dachshunds come in two sizes: a standard size weighing 16 to 32 pounds and a miniature version weighing nearly 11 pounds. They are affectionate with humans and love being close to them.
Japanese Spitz
Japanese Spitz is your breed if you love keeping your pet spick and span. These dogs have white fur and resemble white Pomeranians but are a little larger. They are also known to have a more affectionate, sweeter nature.
Known for their beautiful appearance, Japanese Spitz has a coat that is easy to clean. The fur repels almost all dirt, even if it is wet. But it must be regularly brushed to keep it free from knots.
These white canines are also excellent with humans. They love learning new things and always want to please their family. Though they adapt to small spaces, they also need regular, moderate exercise.
Beagle
With their small size and happy personality, it is hard to believe that Beagles are actually hunting dogs. Yet, they make excellent house pets with their easy-going and adaptable nature.
Beagles come in two varieties, one with a height of 13 inches and the other standing at around 15 inches. They are also generally clean dogs and rarely get into a mess. However, they shed moderately and need to be brushed once every week.
Though beagles like being indoors, they are also energetic, and an hour of exercise every day is mandatory. They are quite attached to their owners and can get anxious if left alone for a long time.
Mastiff
Mastiffs may appear too large to stay indoors, but they are one of the most laid-back, observant dog breeds. They are big yet calm and prefer snoozing in a single place. Since they weigh a lot, a simple walk inside the house gives them enough exercise.
Mastiffs are pretty easy to groom. They don’t shed a lot and require only a little brushing once a week. As mastiffs get enough exercise through regular activities, they only require short walks every day. However, you must be careful not to walk them too much as they tend to lay down whenever and wherever they feel tired.
Choosing The Right Dog Breed
Even though indoor dogs prefer staying home, they are still a responsibility. Each breed has different maintenance and exercise needs. By understanding these requirements, you can choose a dog species that is perfect for you.