14 Best Dog Breeds For Litter Box Training

Are you looking for a dog breed that will take to litter box training?

If you’re ready to get your first dog or you’re adding a second dog to your home, you’ll need to be prepared to dedicate some time to potty training.

For prospective dog owners who live in an apartment where there isn’t easy access to a dog park or green space, a litter box could be your friend.

While you may associate a litter box with a cat, they can be useful tools for pet parents who want their dogs to go inside their home in a designated space.

In this article, we’ll hear from a number of different experts, ranging from experienced dog owners to pet behaviorists, veterinarians to dog trainers.

So with the introduction complete, let’s take a look at the best dog breeds for litter box training.

Maltese

Maltese puppies are incredibly easy to litter box train because they are so intelligent. They understand that they need to go potty in a specific place, and they will quickly learn to use the litter box if you take the time to show them where it is and how to use it. Many Maltese owners find that their dogs will actually start to use the litter box on their own without any prompting from their humans!

Suggested by Dwight Alleyne, DVM And Veterinarian Advisor At Better Pet

English Bulldog

The English Bulldog is the sweetest dog. Dependable and affectionate, the Bulldog is a wonderful family pet. They also love children. Many consider it a people-oriented breed, as they actively sought human affection and attention. Think about the many positives of owning an English Bulldog. They range from minimal shedding to being less vocal. It is no surprise it is among the highest ranked dogs by the American Kennel Club. And the best part is, Bulldogs love sleeping whole day. And they are not much enthusiastic about going outside for potty. So, you can easily train them to do their business inside a litter box. That will allow them to stay inside the whole day. A joy for both of you. More cuddle time!

Suggested by Aleksandar Mishkov, Editor Of The Daily Tail

Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is an intelligent breed that is very quick to learn. They are also very clean dogs and have a natural desire to please their owners. These traits make them the perfect candidates for litter box training. With patience and consistency, most Bichon Frises will have no problem learning to use the litter box.

Suggested by Jennifer Mecham At Reptiles Blog

Miniature Schnauzer

If you are looking for a dog that won’t drive you nuts during house training, this one certainly fits the bill. As soon as he leaves the comfort of his siblings and mother, he can comfortably be house-trained. Miniature Schnauzers also score high on obedience training, meaning they will follow your commands pretty well. As long as you reward him when he goes to the litter box, he will adapt to the changes quite fast.

Suggested by Michelle Henry, CEO and Founder Of Outdoor Dog Fun

Shiba Inu

There are many reasons why Shiba Inu is best for litter box training. For one, Shiba Inu are very intelligent and learn quickly. They also have a strong sense of smell, so they can quickly learn to identify the scent of their waste. Additionally, Shiba Inu is relatively small, so it can easily fit into a litter box. Finally, Shiba Inu is not known to be destructive, so they are less likely to make a mess of the litter box.

Suggested by Jen Jones, Dog Trainer and Canine Behaviorist At Your Dog Advisor

Japanese Chin

If you’re looking for a dog that is naturally clean and polite, there is no better choice than a Japanese Chin. While these pups are not as popular and widespread as some other breeds, I see at least one reason why you should get one, and that is: They are effortless to potty train. In fact, many Japanese Chins will willingly choose to go on pee pads or wait until you go outside as they hate to get their surroundings dirty.

Suggested by Iram Sharma, DVM At Pup Vine

Italian Greyhound

Italian Greyhounds make excellent candidates for litter box training. These small breed dogs are notoriously difficult to house train due to their general dislike of cold temperatures or weather, so litter box training can be a great option for them. They tend to take to it pretty well as an alternative, and since they are a highly food and praise motivated breed, it’s a pretty easy behavior to train.

Suggested by Josh Snead, CEO Of Rainwalk Pet Insurance

Alaskan Klee Kai

Alaskan Klee Kai are a companion-sized Husky-like dog breed that are perfect for apartments. If you don’t have a lot of space in your high-rise apartment but you’re ready to get a dog, Alaskan Klee Kai quick learners so potty training shouldn’t be too difficult. We used litter boxes for both of our Alaskan Klee Kai when we lived in an apartment in San Francisco. It didn’t take long to potty train our Klee Kai using litter boxes before we eventually transitioned them to go outside once we moved into a home with a garden.

Suggested by Yasmin Imam, Content Creator At Life With Klee Kai

Havanese

Havanese (Photo: Adobe Stock)

Playful and child-like dogs, these puppies love to joke around and have fun. They are eager to please their dog owners as much as they can. As highly intelligent puppies, you can easily train them to do most basic commands and adjust their behavior to fit your needs. That means peeing inside a litter box. Thanks to their gentle demeanor, trainability, and playful personality, the Havanese makes a good family dog. They are highly suitable for apartment living, and would love to spend the whole day inside.

Suggested by Aleksandar Mishkov, Editor Of The Daily Tail

Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier is another small breed that is perfect for those looking for an easy-to-potty train dog. Yorkies are highly intelligent and very obedient, making them quick learners when it comes to using a litter box. These dogs are also relatively low-maintenance, which is ideal for those who do not want to spend a lot of time cleaning up after their pet.

Suggested by Tommy Wilde, Founder Of Floofmania

Shih Tzu

Smart, yet small dogs are easy to train via a litter box. One example would be Shih Tzus. This friendly and eager-to-please breed desires to make their pet parents happy. Due to their small stature, they also make great apartment or city dogs who often need a litter box. No matter what breed you go with, make sure you give your dog a lot of positive reinforcement. Litter box training takes commitment and patience.

Suggested by Christian Kjaer, CEO And Co-Founder Of Elle Vet Sciences

Border Collie

By far, one of the best dog breeds for obedience and general training purposes is a Border Collie. They’re known for being very clever dogs and can be taught all kinds of tricks. That’s why they’re very well suited to litter training too. Of course, it will be best to try and train your dog while they’re still young but Border Collies can easily be taught this kind of thing, even as an adult.

Suggested by Erika Barnes, Canine Behaviorist, CEO And Co-Founder Of Pet Smitten

Miniature Pinscher

This small dog is probably the King of Toy dog breeds. Independent and stubborn at times, he may test the limits of his owner. But if you train him properly, this puppy is the most loyal small dog you can find. The only downside is the Miniature Pinscher is known to bark a lot, and usually at larger dogs when he is outside. But if you need a dog that can go potty in a litter box, not many can handle that responsibility like the Miniature Pinscher.

Suggested by Aleksandar Mishkov, Editor Of The Daily Tail

Cockapoo

The best dog breeds for litter box training are naturally those that are most obedient. Furthermore, those with a tendency to please their owners will tend to take to litter box training more favorably. For these reasons, one of the best dog breeds to litter train is the Poodle, or poodle hybrid mixes, such as Cockapoos, for instance. These dogs also possess an intelligence that tends to reduce the amount of time it takes for them to learn the new desired behavior. Equally, Poodles and hybrid poodle breeds tend to be smaller, and have shorter hair, too. All of which makes the process of going via a litter box much more practical, hygienic and effective.

Suggested by Jeremy Willis, Chief Editor Of Pet Educate