The Most Popular Apartment-Friendly Dog Breed by State

From movies to books, dogs have been part of our daily lives as companions for a long time. There were approximately 89.7 million dogs owned as pets across the country in 2017 and that number keeps increasing.

Depending on where you live, certain breeds may be a better fit for you than others when you account for space, your work schedule and any restrictions your apartment complex may have.

Most popular dog breed by state

We looked at Google results over a two-week period at the beginning of March to see which dog breed was searched for the most in all 50 states. We excluded breeds that might show up on a restricted breed list in most apartment communities. Small dogs are most commonly associated with apartment living, but the pup that took the top spot was a little surprising.

The most pup-ular breed in most states? The Shih Tzu!

Shih Tzus have a long history that goes back to the Ming Dynasty during China’s Imperial period. Shih Tzus, meaning lion dog in Chinese, lived the royal life with many emperors with their affectionate temperament. They weren’t known to the rest of the world until the 1930s.

Shih Tzus are great apartment dogs as they’re small and hypoallergenic. This little toy dog breed only goes up to 16 pounds when fully grown.

It’s no surprise that they’re the most popular dog breed in 31 states out of 50. From Florida to Alabama and up the east coast to Connecticut, Shih Tzus have captivated the hearts of folks with their soft manes and minimal exercise requirements.

For the outdoor enthusiasts, Shiba Inu wins it all

Even though they’re highly energetic, Shiba Inus earned a spot for most popular dog breed in a number of states. Most of its fan base is concentrated in areas with outdoor enthusiasts — California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, among them.

With its iconic fluffy, curled up tail and foxlike coloring, Shiba Inus were only brought to the U.S. right after World War II from Japan. A major plus is their love of walks, while their seasonal shedding can be overwhelming for some.

Other popular breeds across the United States

Arkansas, Kansas, North Dakota and Oklahoma have a soft spot for Great Pyrenees dogs that are often used to guard livestock. They can grow up to 120 pounds, which might not be allowed in certain apartment communities. This breed thrives outside with tasks and jobs to do. Its thick coat allows it to survive cold winters while protecting sheep from predators.

Delaware, Maine, Illinois, Minnesota, Montana and Wyoming love Bulldogs and their many wrinkles and rolls. Bulldogs grow to 55 pounds but are low-energy pups with friendly personalities.

Depending on the breeder, bulldogs can face respiratory and other health issues. But that hasn’t stopped folks in these six states from loving up on their bulldogs. We can’t say we blame them.

Adding a dog to your household

The relationship between a dog and its owner is one of the most special ones, especially when done intentionally. Providing the right amount of exercise, a comfortable living space and enough attention is vital for a dog to thrive in an apartment.

Make sure to select a breed that matches your lifestyle, and you’ll have a best friend to share your daily life. There’s nothing better than a loyal pup by your side.