30 Most House Friendly Dogs

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Looking for a furry friend that thrives indoors? Picking the right dog breed makes a huge difference in a house. From gentle giants to pint-sized pals, here is a list of the 30 most house-friendly dogs. Each breed has unique traits, making them perfect for home life.

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Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers give you the best of both worlds. This breed is known for its loyalty and friendly nature and is great with families. They can be anything you want, a loving family pet, a capable service dog, or a reliable companion for outdoor adventures. But you need to be mindful of them gaining weight too easily. Take them for regular walks and feed them a healthy diet.

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Golden Retriever

Equally friendly and tolerant, Golden Retrievers are patient with children and make excellent indoor companions. They are fun to be around, friendly, bubbly, and always fond of cuddles and pats. But you should not underestimate their intelligence for their warm nature. These dogs are extremely intelligent and have problem-solving skills.

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French Bulldog

French Bulldogs are easygoing and full of life. They have low energy levels and a love for snoozing. These dogs are also extremely affectionate and love to play around the house. They are perfect for families with or without children. They have a controlled temperament and are great around other dogs, too. But they can sometimes be stubborn, so it is better to train them when they are small.

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Pug

Small, cute, and lovable, that is what pugs are. Extremely well-natured and adaptable, these dogs require minimal outdoor exercise, making them great for apartment dwellers. Pugs are super easy to train, too, so you can teach them house commands yourself. These dogs are also very friendly and love meeting new people.

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Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are tiny but full of personality, perfect for indoor living. These dogs can form really strong bonds with their families. But do not take them lightly for the size. They will alert you when there are intruders or strangers. They need little exercise and are easy to carry around.

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Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise are not commonly adopted as house dogs, but little do we know how carefree and affectionate these dogs can be. These fluffy balls of energy are highly sociable and great for allergy sufferers due to their hypoallergenic coat. They are playful yet do well in small spaces.

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Shih Tzu

We could give you a hundred reasons to bring a Shih Tzu home. These dogs were originally bred for royalty, but they do equally well lounging in apartments. They are friendly, social, and extremely playful. Shih Tzus has a long lifespan and enjoys human company more than anything else. So, if you have children in the house, Shih Tzu will be your best bet.

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Pomeranian

Pomeranians are the lively ones. Super adaptable and easy to bond with, these dogs make great house dogs. Although these dogs have a cheerful nature, they are extremely alert and can be easily trained. But take note that these dogs can be prone to separation anxiety. So consider a Pomeranian only if you have someone around the house most times of the day.

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Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkies have forever been known as apartment dogs. They are spirited dogs and love attention. The best part is if you are someone who is allergic to fur, these dogs have hypoallergenic coats. This means you will not find them shedding fur all around the house.

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Dachshund

Dachshunds are friendly but equally protective dogs. They are great around children and do not need a lot of space in the house. These dogs are considered one of the most low-maintenance breeds, so you do not need to worry about taking them for regular exercise or grooming sessions.

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Siberian Husky

Siberian Huskies are known for their cheerful and playful nature. They are one of the most loved dog breeds in the world. These dogs are high-energy and naturally clean. So they do not demand a lot of grooming. But they need regular exercise.

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Maltese

If you are a first-time dog owner, there cannot be a better breed than the Maltese. These dogs are known for their gentle nature and being one of the best great companions to humans of all ages. They are also quick learners. But these dogs need exercise, such as a short walk every day or once in two to three days.

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Boston Terrier

Playful, affectionate, and extremely sociable, Boston Terriers are great for families living in small or medium-sized houses. These dogs are easy to train, playful, sweet, and smart. These are all of the qualities you would want in a pet friend.

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Havanese

Havanese dogs are active dogs who enjoy play sessions and love to learn your commands. They are generally quiet and not very vocal. And you can also train these dogs not to bark. They are well-behaved and do extremely well around children and older people.

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Beagle

Beagles are small and even-tempered dogs. These dogs are known for their loyalty and are very playful and high-energy by nature. They have a long lifespan and love to be around people all the time. But they also have a habit of chewing things to relieve anxiety and stress.

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Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniels used to be bred as gundogs at first. But now they have adapted to become excellent house dogs. Smart, intelligent, and instinctive, Cocker Spaniels ranks 20th among the smartest dog breeds in the world. But at the same time, these dogs are very gentle, loving, and adaptable.

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Papillon

Known for their intelligence and friendly demeanor, Papillons are active indoors and are satisfied with short outdoor activities. They are lively and fun-loving and do not bark a lot. So, if you want a house dog that is quiet and peaceful, Papillons do great.

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Bulldog

Unlike what people like to believe, bulldogs are actually great house dogs. They are low-energy, not demanding, and like their own space. Bulldogs are also extremely gentle, loyal, and calm. They are great around kids, too.

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Italian Greyhound

Highly affectionate and warm, Italian Greyhounds fit very well into most kinds of families and homes. They do not need a lot of attention but love cuddles every now and then. Given their moderate energy levels, you may have to take them out for walks every day.

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Miniature Schnauzer

Energetic yet small, Miniature Schnauzers are great for families. They are not at all aggressive and get along very well with kids as well as other dogs. But they can be a little stubborn sometimes, so it is best to train them at an early age.

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Shetland Sheepdog

Shelties are like little balls of energy, always ready for a game of fetch or a romp in the yard. They do great in homes with yards, but if you keep them busy indoors, they will adapt just fine to apartment life.

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Australian Terrier

Do not let their small size fool you, these terriers are tough cookies. Australian Terriers are the perfect companions for indoor living. They are small, sturdy, and affectionate, making them great for cuddle sessions on the couch.

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Lhasa Apso

Originally bred as guard dogs for Tibetan monasteries, Lhasa Apsos are independent yet loving. They have a bit of that watchdog spirit in them but are also total sweethearts when they are part of a family. They are ideal for apartment living and are happy to keep you company indoors.

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Whippet

If you are looking for a calm and low-maintenance indoor companion, the Whippet might be your match. These elegant dogs require minimal grooming and are as affectionate as can be. They are content with peaceful indoor environments and will gladly snuggle up with you on the couch.

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Scottish Terrier

Scotties are the epitome of confidence and independence. While they have that terrier spirit in them, they are also quite adaptable to indoor living. They enjoy being part of the family and will happily curl up by your feet while you binge-watch your favorite shows.

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Brussels Griffon

If you want a small dog that is loyal, intelligent, smart and good around people, Brussels Griffon it is. These dogs are super easy to train and are fiercely loyal to their owners. Their fur is also hypoallergenic, so these dogs are great for anybody who is allergic to fur. Although they are the sensitive kind, they do well with children and around people.

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Norfolk Terrier

Sweet-looking but super sturdy, the Norfolk Terriers are athletic dogs who love play and activity sessions. They are also extremely intelligent and witty and easy to train. Given their friendly and affectionate nature, these dogs are great with children.

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West Highland White Terrier

Westies are like little bundles of joy, ready to brighten up your home with their lively personality. They are hardy, independent, and adapt effortlessly to indoor living. With their friendly demeanor, they quickly become beloved members of your household.

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Toy Poodle

If intelligence and trainability are what you are after, look no further than the Toy Poodle. These little dynamos are perfect for apartment living, thanks to their hypoallergenic coats and adaptability to indoor environments. Plus, they are always up for learning new tricks to impress you and your guests.

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Basenji

Last but certainly not least, we have the “barkless dog” himself, the Basenji. Quiet and clean, these dogs are a dream come true for apartment dwellers. They are independent souls who enjoy their alone time but will also appreciate some quality snuggle sessions with their favorite humans. Plus, their regular exercise needs will keep you both active and entertained.