A French Bulldog can cost $80–$140 a month to insure. A Maltese Cross can sit at $30–$60. Both fit in an apartment. Only one is a much safer bet for most Australian budgets.
That is the mistake a lot of apartment-dog lists make. They treat "small" as the whole answer. It isn't. In a unit, you need the full package: manageable exercise needs, easier training, decent indoor manners, and running costs that won't blow up the first year.
The housing side matters too. Across Australia, only 15.91% of rentals are advertised as pet-friendly, and those listings cost 7.51% more on average. In apartments, noise, damage risk, and admin friction matter just as much as size. If you're renting, read our full guide to renting with pets in Australia. If you're still working out the money side, start with our first pet budget guide.
What Are the Best Dog Breeds for Apartments in Australia?
The best dog breeds for apartments in Australia are the Maltese Cross, Toy Poodle, Mixed Breed Dog, Whippet, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Cavoodle, Shih Tzu, and Chihuahua.
My top pick is the Maltese Cross. It has the right apartment profile: small size, low exercise needs, easy training, apartment suitability, and relatively low food and insurance costs. If your biggest priority is keeping the entry price down, the Mixed Breed Dog is the smartest budget play.
| Breed | Why it works | Breeder price | Adoption | Food (mid) | Insurance | Exercise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maltese Cross | Best all-round apartment fit | $2,000–$4,500 | $200–$400 | $55/mo | $30–$60/mo | Low |
| Toy Poodle | Tiny, smart, easy to train | $3,000–$6,000 | $200–$450 | $55/mo | $30–$60/mo | Low |
| Mixed Breed Dog | Best budget entry point | $500–$1,500 | $150–$450 | $90/mo | $30–$60/mo | Moderate |
| Whippet | Calm medium dog for units | $2,000–$3,500 | $250–$500 | $75/mo | $35–$70/mo | Moderate |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Excellent temperament indoors | $3,000–$7,000 | $250–$500 | $65/mo | $60–$110/mo | Moderate |
| Cavoodle | Popular, easy, apartment-friendly | $3,500–$7,000 | $200–$500 | $70/mo | $45–$85/mo | Moderate |
| Shih Tzu | Low-energy apartment option | $3,000–$6,000 | $200–$450 | $65/mo | $30–$60/mo | Low |
| Chihuahua | Cheapest to feed | $1,500–$4,000 | $200–$450 | $45/mo | $30–$65/mo | Low |
Why Breed Choice Matters More in Apartments
Apartment life is less forgiving than house life.
If your dog is noisy, hard to settle, or expensive to manage, you feel it faster. You don't have a big yard to hide bad matches. You don't have much margin if the owners corporation, property manager, or neighbour starts pushing back.
The legal side has improved, but it hasn't removed the pressure. In NSW, blanket strata pet bans have been invalid since the Strata Legislation Amendment Act 2023. In QLD, body corporates cannot prohibit pets since May 2024. In VIC, owners corporations can still make by-laws, but they must assess fairly. That's good news. It's not the same as saying any dog suits apartment living.
This is why I favour dogs with low to moderate exercise needs, easy or moderate training, and a smaller daily footprint. If a breed regularly pushes owners into dog walkers at $20–$45 per walk or daycare at $40–$80 per day, apartment living gets expensive fast.
The 8 Best Dog Breeds for Apartments in Australia
1. Maltese Cross
This is my number one pick.
The Maltese Cross is 3–7 kg, easy to train, low exercise, and marked apartment suitable. That's the cleanest apartment profile in the data. Food sits at about $55/month mid-range, and insurance is about $30–$60/month.
The catch is grooming. This breed needs professional grooming every 6 weeks at $55–$95 a session. Even so, I'd still take that trade if the choice is between predictable grooming and the health-risk pricing you get with some other small breeds.
Why it works: small, adaptable, easy to live with, light on food and insurance. Watch out for: dental disease ($500–$3,000) and patellar luxation ($2,000–$5,000).
2. Mixed Breed Dog
If price matters most, this is the best apartment dog for value.
A Mixed Breed Dog can cost just $500–$1,500 from a breeder or $150–$450 to adopt. It's marked apartment suitable, with moderate training and moderate exercise needs. Food sits around $90/month mid-range, and insurance is about $30–$60/month.
The obvious trade-off is variation. Some mixed breeds are brilliant apartment dogs. Some are not. The upside is that rescue groups can often match you to a calmer dog with proven indoor manners, which is gold if you rent.
Why it works: lowest entry price, lower insurance range, strong shelter option. Watch out for: coat, size, and noise vary more than with a predictable purebred.
3. Whippet
The Whippet is the best medium apartment dog in this list.
That surprises people. It shouldn't. Whippets are 9–19 kg, need moderate exercise, are easy to train, and are marked apartment suitable. Food is about $75/month mid-range, insurance runs $35–$70/month, and grooming is minimal.
For apartment life, the big win is indoor temperament. A Whippet gives you a bit more dog without the giant ongoing footprint of a large working breed. If you want a unit-friendly dog that doesn't feel tiny, this is a very strong pick.
Why it works: reasonable food costs, low grooming burden, better space fit than most medium breeds. Watch out for: MVD treatment can cost $2,000–$10,000, and injuries can run $300–$2,000.
4. Toy Poodle
If you want a tiny dog that's highly trainable, the Toy Poodle is one of the safest apartment bets.
It weighs 3–5 kg, has low exercise needs, is easy to train, and is marked apartment suitable. Food is about $55/month mid-range, with insurance at $30–$60/month.
Like the Maltese Cross, grooming is the trade. Toy Poodles need professional grooming every 6 weeks at $60–$100 a session. Still, I'd rather budget for grooming than deal with a harder-to-manage dog in a small space.
Why it works: tiny size, easy training, low food bill, strong apartment fit. Watch out for: patellar luxation ($2,000–$5,000) and dental disease ($500–$3,000).
5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
If temperament is your top priority, the Cavalier is hard to beat.
It's 5–9 kg, easy to train, needs moderate exercise, and is marked apartment suitable. Food sits around $65/month mid-range. The problem is insurance: $60–$110/month is high for a small dog.
This isn't a cheap apartment option. It's a lovely one. I'd only put it this high because the temperament fit for smaller homes is so strong. If you go this route, I wouldn't skip insurance.
Why it works: easy training, gentle indoors, strong small-home match. Watch out for: MVD is high prevalence with treatment at $2,000–$15,000.
6. Cavoodle
The Cavoodle is Australia's most obvious apartment dog. It's also dearer than people expect.
Cavoodles are 5–12 kg, easy to train, moderate exercise, and apartment suitable. Food sits around $70/month mid-range, insurance is $45–$85/month, and grooming lands every 7 weeks at $65–$110 a session.
So why is it only sixth? Because popularity is doing a lot of work here. Cavoodles absolutely suit apartments, but they're not the cheapest way to get that fit. If you love the breed, fine. Just don't tell yourself it's a low-cost option. For a full breakdown, see our Cavoodle cost guide.
Why it works: popular, trainable, practical in units. Watch out for: grooming is non-negotiable, and MVD treatment can reach $15,000.
7. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is a genuine low-energy apartment option.
It weighs 4–8 kg, has low exercise needs, moderate training difficulty, and is marked apartment suitable. Food is about $65/month mid-range, and insurance is $30–$60/month.
The trade is grooming. Shih Tzus need professional grooming every 6 weeks at $65–$105 a session. If you're fine with that, you get a dog that fits smaller spaces far better than a more active breed.
Why it works: low exercise, compact size, manageable insurance range. Watch out for: eye problems ($500–$3,000) and dental disease ($500–$3,000).
8. Chihuahua
If you want the smallest food bill in the group, this is it.
Chihuahuas weigh just 1.5–3 kg, have low exercise needs, and are marked apartment suitable. Food is only about $45/month mid-range. Insurance sits at $30–$65/month.
Why are they eighth instead of higher? Because apartment living isn't just about size. Training is moderate, and tiny dogs can become noisy or difficult if owners rely on size instead of structure. A well-handled Chihuahua can work brilliantly. A badly managed one can make enemies fast.
Why it works: cheapest food costs, tiny footprint, strong fit for small homes. Watch out for: dental disease ($600–$2,000) and luxating patella ($1,500–$5,000).
Popular Apartment Dogs I Wouldn't Rank Near the Top
Two breeds fit apartments on paper but miss my best-value list: French Bulldog and Pug.
The French Bulldog is apartment suitable and low exercise, but insurance is $80–$140/month. BOAS treatment can cost $3,000–$10,000, IVDD can cost $4,000–$12,000, and heat stroke is another real risk. See our cheapest and most expensive breeds guide for more on why Frenchies top the cost charts.
The Pug has the same problem in a slightly cheaper package. Insurance is $55–$110/month, and BOAS treatment can cost $3,000–$9,000.
So yes, they fit in apartments. I still wouldn't call them the best dog breeds for apartments in Australia for most people. Not when safer, cheaper options exist.
What Apartment Dog Costs Do People Forget?
The breed cost is only part of it. Every apartment dog also needs the setup basics:
| First-year extra | Cost |
|---|---|
| Microchipping | $50–$80 |
| Initial supplies | $250–$650 |
| Basic training | $120–$300 |
| Flea, tick & worm | $180–$320/yr |
| Toys | $50–$200/yr |
That's before any breeder or adoption price.
And if you pick a dog with higher exercise needs than your space can handle, apartment living can push you into paid help. That's where dog walkers at $20–$45 per walk and daycare at $40–$80 per day start to punish bad breed matches. For more on the sneaky bills, read our guide to hidden pet ownership costs in Australia.
My Apartment Dog Picks by Situation
- Best overall apartment dog: Maltese Cross
- Best budget apartment dog: Mixed Breed Dog
- Best medium apartment dog: Whippet
- Best tiny easy-train option: Toy Poodle
- Best temperament fit: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Most popular apartment choice: Cavoodle
- Best low-energy option: Shih Tzu
- Cheapest to feed: Chihuahua
If you want a side-by-side view, use our compare tool or browse the full breed library. If insurance is part of your decision, read our guide on whether pet insurance is worth it in Australia.
Run Your Numbers
The right apartment dog isn't just the one that fits your floorplan. It's the one that fits your weekly routine, your building, and your budget. Start with the calculator below, then compare your shortlist properly.
Calculate Your Pet Costs
FAQ
What is the best apartment dog in Australia?
My pick is the Maltese Cross. It has the best mix of small size, low exercise needs, easy training, apartment suitability, and manageable monthly costs. Food is about $55/month mid-range, and insurance sits at $30–$60/month.
What is the cheapest apartment dog to own?
For the lowest entry price, the Mixed Breed Dog wins at $150–$450 to adopt or $500–$1,500 from a breeder. For the lowest food bill, the Chihuahua is cheapest at about $45/month mid-range.
Are Cavoodles good apartment dogs?
Yes. Cavoodles are marked apartment suitable, are easy to train, and need moderate exercise. Just don't mistake them for cheap. Food is about $70/month, insurance is $45–$85/month, and grooming every 7 weeks costs $65–$110 per session.
Are French Bulldogs good apartment dogs?
They suit apartments on size and exercise, but I wouldn't rank them among the best for most Australians. Insurance is $80–$140/month, and BOAS treatment can cost $3,000–$10,000.
Do strata rules still matter for apartment dogs?
Yes. In NSW, blanket strata pet bans have been invalid since the Strata Legislation Amendment Act 2023. In QLD, body corporates cannot prohibit pets since May 2024. In VIC, owners corporations must assess fairly. Approval is easier than it used to be, but apartment admin still matters.
How much should I budget before ongoing breed costs?
Budget at least $50–$80 for microchipping, $250–$650 for initial supplies, $120–$300 for basic training, $180–$320 a year for flea, tick and worm treatment, and $50–$200 a year for toys.