Who says that big dogs can’t live with us in apartments? Whether we want a dog for companionship or to feel safer, it is manageable to have a big or large dog, even if we don’t have a house and a garden. While not all large dogs are suited to apartment living, the nine breeds I’ll talk about in the article can thrive even without constant access to a yard. These dogs are big, lazy, and often very drooly. Just don’t forget that no matter how lazy they are, they need mental and physical stimulation too. They are not houseplants.

Greyhound

The smallest and least drooly on our list is the Greyhound. They can grow up to 30 inches (76 cm) and weigh up to 70 pounds (30 kg). You might think they would need lots of daily activities because of their origins, but that’s not the case. 

Greyhounds need up to one hour of daily activities. Give them an opportunity to stretch their legs and go for a run, and they will be more than happy to spend the rest of the day lounging on the sofa. As I already mentioned in the article about them, they don’t mind being spoiled and pampered.

Afghan Hound

Another Sighthound on the list is the Afghan Hound. They, too, don’t drool and easily adjust to apartment living. However, the Afghan Hound needs lots of grooming, including daily brushing to keep their coats healthy and beautiful.

Another very important thing to consider before getting an Afghan Hound is that they don’t go very well with very young children or small animals. And don’t forget that they need their daily or weekly runs to keep them mentally and physically healthy.

The Afghan Hound is of similar size as the Greyhound, up to 30 inches (76 cm) tall and up to 60 pounds (27 kg) heavy. Males are slightly larger than females.

Irish Wolfhound

A real giant among dog breeds, the Irish Wolfhound has a long history. They are shaggy-looking dogs that do not drool or shed a lot. These dogs aren’t high-energy and adapt well to apartments. 

What matters is to give them their daily walks and zoomies. But, up to an hour of daily activities is all it takes. Include some in-door games or fun times with your dog, and they will be the happiest. 

The Irish Wolfhound is a big dog, going 32 inches and up (81 cm) and weighing from 105 to 120 pounds (47 to 54 kg) . They are a handful. This also means they’ll eat more and that their vet bills will be much bigger than one of a small dog. 

Great Dane

Another gentle giant that thinks they are lapdogs trapped in the body of a large dog is the Great Dane. These large dogs are similar in height to the Irish Wolfhound, around 32 inches (81 cm) but can weigh much more than 120. Males can go up to 140 pounds (63 kg)!

Great Danes are affectionate drooling giants. They genuinely think they are small enough to fit your lap. But, as with other dogs, I will mention, they need to go for more than just a potty walk.

Give them a nice walk to the park where they can run around and explore, or meet other dogs. Mental stimulation is equally important to the physical. 

Saint Bernard

If you love fluffy large dogs, the Saint Bernard is a dog for you. Not only that, but they are actually great big dogs for first-time dog owners. Of course, they are very big: up to 30 inches (76 cm) tall and up to 180 pounds (80 kg) heavy. 

Saint Bernard is also very famous for the drooling and fluff everywhere. That means you will have to get used to having drools and dog hair all around your apartment. But, because of their size and fluffy fur, which makes them even larger, no one will want to enter your apartment unannounced.

Newfoundland

You want more big fluffy drooling dogs? Look no more! The Newfoundland is another large dog suitable not only for apartments but for the first-time dog owners as well. They are around the same size as the St Bernard, but slightly smaller: up to 28 inches (70 cm) tall and up to 120 pounds (55 kg) heavy.

The Newfs connect very quickly with children in the family and are often referred to as “nanny dogs” or “pillow dogs”. However, even though they can live in an apartment, a Newfoundland needs daily walks and exploration time just like other dogs. 

Bullmastiff

The Bullmastiff, a large and protective dog without aggressive behavior, is the perfect guard dog for inexperienced dog owners. They are defensive, not offensive. As low-energy dogs, they also adjust to apartment living. 

Of course, as you already know, you need to take them out for walks, not just to pee. They need socialization as well. Also, having a large dog that has nothing to do all day long is not a good idea. They need some toys, playtime, and cuddles just like other dogs.

The Bullmastiff is up to 27 inches (68 cm) tall and can weigh up to 120 pounds (54 kg). They also drool, so be ready to find dog slobber around your apartment regularly. 

Bulldog

English Bulldog or just Bulldog is a famous dog, well-known for its stubbornness and goofy nature. But they are also very loyal and affectionate. Bulldog is not as large as the other dogs in the article, but rather fits the medium-sized dog breeds. 

The Bulldog is from 14 to 15 inches (35 to 38 cm) tall and can weigh from 40 to 50 pounds (18 to 23 kg). They also drool, shed, and are prone to making all kinds of grunting noises because of their face type.

They are perfect low-energy dogs for people who live in an apartment. An adult Bulldog needs from 30 minutes to 1 hour of daily walks. Nothing too extreme because they can easily overheat. 

Mastiff

And the last one on our list, but nothing less important, is the Mastiff or The Old English Mastiff. They are also suited not only as apartment dogs but dogs for those who don’t have a lot of experience with dogs.

Of course, every dog needs proper socialization from an early age. They also need proper mental and physical stimulation to keep them happy and healthy. A bored dog leads to misbehavior that can turn into aggression, as well. This is not just the case with the Mastiff, but all dog breeds.

Mastiff is a large dog, weighing from 160 to 230 pounds (72 to 104 kg), and can grow over 30 inches (76 cm) tall. That is a large dog! They will need lots of food and they will need a large bed. But they’ll probably sleep with you on your bed, thinking they’re small puppies that you can scoop up.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, all of the dog breeds mentioned in the article have a couple of same traits: they are big, low-energy, and often drooling. Apart from the Bulldog and Greyhounds, they are all very large dogs that eat a lot of food. But it’s not just the food and enough sleeping space, but how you handle them when you are outside. No matter if they are lazy and friendly, large dogs have to be well-trained and properly socialized. That is the way we ensure they grow into confident and calm adult dogs that won’t cause any harm to others or others to them. 

Read Next: Low Energy Dog Breeds – Big And Small

Cover photo by George Pagan III