If you live in an apartment or condominium, there are plenty of wonderful dog breeds that adapt well.

While the size of your living space should be considered, the best choice has more to do with the dog breed's temperament and exercise needs. A dog with the right traits would do well in an apartment despite its size. A good example is the Mastiff, a giant dog breed that is gentle, has moderate energy level and is a notorious couch potato.

You need to think of your neighbors when selecting a dog breed as well. Smaller dog breeds, like the Beagle and Papillon, bark quite a bit. You'll want a dog that does not bark excessively and is friendly when crossing paths with neighbors.

The American Kennel Club recommends these dog breeds for apartment living:

Pug. This toy breed has existed since before 400 B.C. The Pug is so loved there are national clubs that hold events to celebrate the breed. The Pug has a happy-go-lucky and loving disposition, but is known to be mischievous.

Bichon Frise. This non-sporting dog breed originated in the Mediterranean. A peppy and curious dog, the Bichon is playful and ideal for living in small spaces.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. A toy group spaniel that is gentle and affectionate. This breed starred on "Sex and the City" as Charlotte York's dog.

Shih Tzu. A toy breed, the Shih Tzu is believed to have originated in Tibet or China. Shih Tzu means "Lion Dog," as depicted in 800 B.C. Chinese paintings and scripts. The dog breed earned the name because of fierce loyalty and not backing down from threatening animals much larger in size. The Shih Tzu is a social butterfly, affectionate and playful. The breed requires regular grooming or extreme fur matting can result. The breed can be stubborn, so early training is recommended. The breed is hypo allergic.

English Bulldog. A member of the non-sporting dog group, the English Bulldog is calm, social, courageous and has a low energy level. The breed does not bark incessantly, which makes it ideal for living in close quarters.

French Bulldog. One of the most adaptable dog breeds, according to the AKC. In the 1800s, "Frenchies" were developed from a cross between bulldogs imported from England and local ratters in Paris. The breed is playful and smart. Although the breed requires minimal exercise, they like close contact and a lot of attention from their human companion.

Chinese Crested. The breed did not originate in China as the name implies. It is believed to have originated in Africa as the African Hairless Terrier, as noted in many 19th century texts, but there is also genetic evidence of shared origin with the Mexican Hairless dog, reports Discover magazine. Lively, alert and affectionate, the Chinese Crested has a medium energy level perfect for townhouses, apartments and condos. There are two types: hairless with tuffs of hair on the head, tail and feet, or powderpuff. If you want a dog that will strike up conversation, the hairless version is your best choice.

Maltese. Gentle, playful and charming best describes this popular dog breed. The Greeks built tombs for their Maltese, reports the AKC.

Greyhound. A member of the hound group, the Greyhound is a very old European breed of dog. The dog was historically bred for coursing game and, later, Greyhound racing. The breed is independent, gentle-natured, noble and the fastest breed of dog. The Greyhound likes to chase small prey so you may not want to mix with smaller pets. If young dogs are not exercised regularly, you may encounter destructive tendencies and hyperactivity.

Havanese. The Havanese is the National Dog of Cuba. The breed was developed from the country's only native dog breed Blanquito de la Habana. Intelligent, friendly, outgoing and fun, the Havanese has a sweet, non-quarrelsome disposition ideal for apartment complex living.