Are Corgis Apartment Friendly?

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Written By Dane Michael

I am a passionate dog owner for 10+ years. MyFavCorgi is a community of 500,000+ corgi fans with advice to buy, raise and care for your corgi.

If you’ve moved into a new apartment and you’ve spent the last few days, you might now be wondering: how is my corgi going to adapt?

Or perhaps you’re already living in the city in a high-rise, and you’re looking to see if a corgi is going to be the right dog for your home? Here’s the answer:

Corgis are good apartment dogs. As small dogs, they adapt well to small homes. However, they are prone to barking, need lots of exercise, and shed a lot of fur.

Can a corgi live in an apartment?

Corgis are a popular dog breed known for their outgoing and easy-going personalities, as well as their intelligence and loyalty. This makes them great pets for families, even in apartments.

Despite their small size, corgis have lively and energetic personalities, which can make them great companions.

If you’ve been wondering whether this dog can handle apartment living, never fear.

While they were bred to be working dogs, corgis are very adaptable to live in a variety of environments, including city homes and apartments.

Do I need permission to have a corgi in my apartment?

You will need to check with your landlord or building strata before you get a corgi. Some apartment complexes do not permit dogs. This will also depend on your local laws.

As an apartment resident, the first thing you’ll want to check before choosing a corgi is if your complex allows pets. That is, do you need to seek permission to own a dog in your apartment? This is certainly something I had to go through when getting my latest puppy.

Whether or not you need permission to have a dog in your apartment will depend on your rental agreement and the policies of your landlord or building management.

In many cases, landlords and building management companies have policies in place regarding pets, and you may need to get permission before bringing a dog into your apartment.

It’s important to review your rental agreement and any other policies to find out whether you need permission to have a dog in your apartment.

If you do, you should contact your landlord or building management company and request permission in writing.

It’s also a good idea to provide them with information about the breed and size of the corgi you have (if moving in) or plan to buy (if already living there). Some complexes might have size limits on the type of dog allowed to live in your apartment.

It is also helpful to include details about your plans for taking care of the dog and ensuring that it doesn’t cause any disturbances to other residents.

Be aware that this process can take a while, particularly if you are renting, or the building has numerous owners.

Do corgis make good inside pets?

Corgis can make great inside pets, but you must ensure they get enough exercise to keep them physically stimulated.

Corgis are energetic dogs that need a significant amount of daily exercise in order to stay happy and healthy.

Without enough exercise, they may become restless and destructive. This is especially important to consider if you live in an apartment, where space for running and playing may be limited.

It’s a good idea to have a nearby park where your Corgi can get regular exercise. Proper training and socialisation are also key to ensuring that they are well-behaved and happy indoors.

The bigger the apartment, the better it is for your corgi.

Do corgis need a lot of space?

An adult corgi is a small-sized dog. They will stand about 25–30 cm (10–12″) tall and weigh 10–13 kg (22–30 lbs). This makes them suitable for apartment living. They will need space outside the home though for exercise.

Corgis are happy to be an inside dog, and due to their small size, they don’t take up lots of room.

However, they do have a lot of energy. Exercise and play are much more important to a corgi than the amount of living space they have.

This means that what you lack in living space will need to be made up for with lots of time in the great outdoors.

If you have a small apartment, it’s important to make the most of the outdoor areas around you.

This may require some creative thinking and planning, particularly if you live in the heart of the big smoke. With the right approach though, you can make the most of your neighbourhood – no matter the city.

And don’t forget to have plenty of toys ready for those winter days when it’s too cold and wet to go outside. Your corgi will thank you for it.

Do corgis need a backyard?  

While corgis do not need a backyard, a backyard is useful to help them get the required amount of exercise per day. A long walk or time at the dog park can be an acceptable substitute.

Corgis have energetic and playful personalities. They were originally bred to be herding dogs, so they have a strong instinct to run and move around.

In order to stay healthy and happy, corgis need a significant amount of daily exercise. This can include walks, runs, and other fun activities that allow them to burn off their excess energy.

Ideally, corgis should have access to a backyard or other outdoor space where they can play.

However, if you live in an apartment without a backyard, a nearby dog park or other off-leash area can provide the space they need to run.

It’s important to make sure your corgi gets at least a 30-minute walk each day (ideally twice a day) as well as the chance for some off-leash play in a safe and secure area.

Without enough exercise, corgis will get bored and potentially destructive, not something you want in a small apartment.

It’s also important to consider whether there is outdoor space for your corgi to go to the toilet. If there is no grass near your apartment, you may need to invest in a pet potty mat (usually, a fake grass rectangle) for them to use.

While a backyard isn’t a necessity, a grassy area nearby is a great neighbourhood addition for your corgi.

Is it safe to have a corgi in an apartment?

It’s important to consider whether your apartment complex is safe for a corgi. If there is no gate and it’s a busy street, it may not be safe for them to be off leash.

A corgi can certainly live in an apartment, if you’re able to provide the outdoor exercise it needs. The lack of a backyard is not the stumbling block many people assume.

However, what should consider though is making sure that your building is suitably safe for them. You should choose an apartment block that has a gate, so that if they do get out of your apartment, they can’t run away.

You should also consider the traffic and access to the apartment. A busy city street with lots of people is harder to navigate with a dog than a small, secluded side street.

It’s also better if you’re closer to the ground. Corgis are very unlikely to jump from a balcony, but the stairs it can take to get up to your apartment can take a toll on their little legs.

Can corgis climb stairs?

Corgis can climb stairs. But lots of climbing is not good for their spine or joints, due to their small size. If you have the option, a ground floor apartment is the safest choice for a corgi.

It’s a fact that small breeds with short legs and long spines are at more serious risk of injury with prolonged stair usage.

Corgis may have difficulty using stairs frequently, which can increase their risk of developing joint problems such as hip dysplasia.

If your apartment is on a higher floor and you don’t have access to an elevator, it may be best to choose a different breed of dog that is better suited to using stairs.

You may also need to consider installing a small ramp if your apartment has steps inside, particularly if you corgi has joint problems or is getting old.

Apartments with big sets of stairs like this are not recommended for corgis.

Will my corgi disturb my neighbours?

Corgis have a loud bark, and this can disturb your neighbours. You should train your corgi not to bark and give them plenty of exercise to limit their barking.

Many apartments share one or more walls with neighbours, and this can be a problem when your corgi starts to bark.

If you are planning on getting a corgi, you should have a conversation with your neighbours and let them know. Then you can address any problems before they arise.

It’s important to train your corgi not to bark excessively and to provide them with enough mental and physical stimulation to stop them getting bored.

This can help to minimise the amount of barking they do and reduce the risk of disturbing your neighbours.

To be a good neighbour you should particularly limit your corgi’s bark at times that may disturb them, such as during quiet hours in the evening or early in the morning.

Can corgis be left alone during the day?

Corgis can be left alone during the day, but they will feel less anxious if they are trained and get enough stimulation while you are around.

Corgis are social dogs that thrive on human interaction and need regular exercise of both their body and their brain.

When left alone for extended periods of time, corgis can become bored and anxious, which can lead to destructive behaviour such as chewing or digging (floor scratching), as well as excessive barking or whining.

In extreme cases, separation anxiety can cause corgis to become stressed and depressed. However, there are some things you can do to help make them feel more at home in your apartment while you’re not around.

First, make sure your corgi gets plenty of exercise before you leave. Take them for a long walk or run in the morning, or play a few rounds of fetch to tire them out. This will help them relax and sleep while you are away.

Next, make sure your corgi has plenty of toys and other distractions to keep them entertained while you are gone. Kong toys filled with treats or puzzle toys that dispense treats can provide your corgi with hours of mental and physical stimulation.

You can also leave the TV or radio on at a low volume to provide some background noise and prevent your corgi from feeling too lonely.

Finally, make sure your corgi has access to fresh water and a comfortable place to rest. Leave a bowl of water in an easily accessible location, and make sure your corgi has a cosy bed or crate to relax in. This will help them feel safe and secure while you are away.

Corgis will feel better left alone if they have been trained and supported through any anxiety.

What breeds make good apartment dogs? 48 breeds to consider.

There are lots of dogs that are good if you live in an apartment, including terriers, chihuahuas, corgis, poodles, and pugs. Generally, the smaller the dog, the more likely it is to be an appropriate breed for living in an apartment.

After scouring a number of top lists for indoor dogs, I’ve come up with one of the biggest, most comprehensive lists of apartment-friendly dogs.

Most of the dogs on this list are smaller dogs. However, there are a few surprises like the Great Dane, which makes a great apartment dog due to its docile nature.

Here’s a list of 48 dogs for you to consider getting if you live in an apartment

  1. Affenpinscher
  2. American Eskimo Dog
  3. American Hairless Terrier
  4. Australian Terrier
  5. Barbet
  6. Basenji
  7. Basset Fauve de Bretagne
  8. Basset Hound
  9. Bedlington Terrier
  10. Bichon Frise
  11. Biewer Terrier
  12. Bolognese
  13. Border Terrier
  14. Boston Terrier
  15. Brussels Griffon
  16. Bulldog
  17. Cairn Terrier
  18. Cardigan Welsh Corgi
  19. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
  20. Cesky Terrier
  21. Chihuahua
  22. Chinese Crested
  23. Cocker Spaniel
  24. Coton de Tulear
  25. Dachshund
  26. French Bulldog
  27. Great Dane
  28. Greyhound
  29. Havanese
  30. Japanese Chin
  31. Keeshond
  32. Lhasa Apso
  33. Lowchen
  34. Maltese
  35. Manchester Terrier
  36. Mastiff
  37. Miniature Pinscher
  38. Pekingese
  39. Pembroke Welsh Corgis
  40. Pomeranian
  41. Poodle
  42. Pug
  43. Schipperke
  44. Shiba Inu
  45. Shih Tzu
  46. Silky Terrier
  47. Toy Fox Terrier
  48. Yorkshire Terrier


This list of 48 best apartment dogs includes a wide variety of breeds that are well-suited to living in smaller spaces. These dogs are friendly, low-maintenance, and adaptable, making them the perfect companions for apartment dwellers.

Whether you’re looking for a small and energetic companion or a calm and cuddly lapdog, there’s a breed on this list that’s sure to fit your lifestyle and personality. So, if a corgi isn’t quite what you’re after, surely one breed on this list will be.

Final thoughts on whether corgis are apartment-friendly dogs

As a small breed, corgis are well-suited to apartment living in terms of size. However, while they are cute, they are an energetic dog, so they need more exercise and mental stimulation than other small breeds.

It’s also important to make sure the apartment allows dogs and to discuss any potential restrictions or requirements with the landlord.

This will help make your corgi’s transition to your apartment a much smoother, and less secret, affair.

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