Colorado is amazingly pet friendly, from happy hours and dog meet-up groups to dog parks and tons of accessible dog-friendly activities. So now that you’ve moved into your apartment getting a four-legged friend seems like a logic next step. But where to start?

Here’s Vita’s advice on finding just the right apartment dog for you.

Criteria use for finding the best apartment dogs

Size

Whether you live in a cramped condo, an spacious apartment or closeted quarters, there’s a dog that will fit into your living space. But for each space, size matters.

Personality & temperament

Personality is also key to finding the right apartment dog. Many breeds require lots of attention, activity, and stimulation so might not be a good fit for an apartment dwelling or someone who isn’t able to give them a lot of exercise. In additions, some dogs are also easy to train while others, not so much.

Bark

Living in the close quarters of apartment living means that a dog’s bark can be worse than its bite. Finding a pet that rarely or occasionally barks is preferred.

Breed

Lastly, many apartments restrict the breed of dog based on size, temperament or other factors. Vita Locators took this into consideration when putting together the best apartment dogs for Denver.

Best apartment dog breeds

Affenpinscher

Although Affenpinschers need to be groomed often to maintain their coats, they shed minimally, so you won’t have to worry about dog hair as much as other breads.

Basenji

This barkless dog is great for citydwellers but does require attentive training, so they might be a challenge for first-time dog owners. They’re also not recommended for those living in cold climates so they might be better suited for downtown urbanites where there is less snow.

Boston Terrier

This breed is ideal for apartment living because it doesn’t need much exercise. Add in low maintenance grooming and minimal shedding and the Boston Terrier is a very owner-friendly dog.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

These dogs love to cuddle. Owners are expected to deal with moderate shedding and grooming with this breed, and because it’s not hypoallergenic, it’s not recommended for those with allergies.

Coton de Tulear

Cotons are happy-go-lucky dogs that are well-fit for living in small apartments. This breed is small in size, have easy to care for coats, are exceedingly friendly and require less exercise than most breeds. The Coton loves to play fetch and go for walks, but won’t suffer from being inside for a day either.

English Springer

These dogs can adapt to basically any dwelling. While a family dog first and foremost, the English Springer has a happy and lively personality. They are best known for their versatility, making them popular for dog sports and  hunting.

English Cocker Spaniel

The English Cocker Spaniel is a relatively high maintenance pet, as it sheds regularly while needing consistent grooming and exercise.

Flat-Coated Retriever

These easily-trainable dogs are very friendly and sweet.  However, apartment dwellers should only adopt these retrievers if they can give him at least an hour to run every single day.

Havanese

Let’s just say there’s a reason why the Havanese breed is so popular with the general public. They’re affectionate and very friendly. These bouncy pups love to play, as long as their owners are near. Standing only about a foot tall, these dogs makes a great apartment pet for someone with plenty of energy.

Greyhounds

Greyhounds, though traditionally known for their high energy and lanky legs, make surprisingly great apartment pets. Their energy needs are well-satisfied with a daily brisk walk and their friendly, calm nature makes them a great choice even for smaller apartments.

Great Dane

Another surprise for the list is the Great Dane, but this  majestic animal is such a natural loafer so that while your sofa may be fully occupied, he’ll take up far less space than you might think. These dogs are also known for being easy to train, with a calm, friendly and quite nature.

Portuguese Water Dog

These dogs are require a lot of exercise, but if that is something you can provide they make great roommates. These energetic dogs are also friendly and highly intelligent. Originally bred to help Portuguese fisherman there is a reason “water dog” is in their name — they’ll love traipsing through the Colorado rivers and creeks.

Silky Terrier

A small dog with low exercise needs is an ideal candidate for young professionals looking to add a dog to the family. These dogs were bred to hunt snakes, so don’t be fooled by their cute façade. They’re more than capable of holding their own in sticky situations.

Whippet

Whippets  (which look like a small Greyhound) are also known for their sprinting abilities. But, like their bigger cousins, they  tend to tire out quickly due to a lack of endurance. Regular walks and occasional trips to the park to tire them out with games of fetch should be enough to satisfy their need to be active.