61 HDB-Approved Dog Breeds (Allowed in HDB flats) 

Living in HDB flats comes with rules and this includes limitations on domestic pets. If you are a dog-lover and plan on getting one for your HDB flat, you should take note that you are permitted to keep only one dog per flat, and it must be from the list of HDB-approved small breeds. This policy aims to maintain a harmonious living environment in high-density housing.

61 Types of Dogs Permitted by HDB

There are a total of 61 dog breeds that are approved by HDB. Additionally, crossbreeds of any of these 2 approved breeds are allowed.

Project ADORE Adoption

Under Project ADORE, short for ADOption and REhoming of dogs, HDB residents can adopt local mixed-breed dogs, commonly known as “Singapore Specials,” provided that the dog fulfils the below requirements.

• Maximum shoulder height of 55 cm
• Sterilized and at least 6 months old
• Passed a temperament assessment
• Undergo mandatory obedience training
• Adopted through approved Animal Welfare Groups

Assistance Dogs in Singapore

For residents with visual or hearing impairments, or physical disabilities, they are allowed to keep a trained assistance dog in their HDB flats if they meet the following criteria:

• Registered with the Ministry of Social and Family Development
• The assistance dog must be trained by a recognised assistance dog training organisation that is verified by Guide Dogs Singapore or K9 Assistance
• The assistance dog must be licensed by NParks’ Animal & Veterinary Service

Under normal circumstances, you should refer to the HDB guidelines and ensure that your pet is HDB-approved to prevent future complications. If your dog is not an approved breed, the consequences include a warning to remove your dog, a fine of up to $4,000 or eviction of your dog. Keeping a pet is a huge commitment and responsibility and should be carefully considered according to your lifestyle and circumstances.

So, what are the 61 types of dog breeds allowed in HDB flats? Beware: cuteness overload ahead!

Toy and companion breeds

These are the most common types of breeds among HDB-dwellers. These dogs are small, easy to take care of and extremely adorable, making them the top choices for dog-owners living in HDBs.

1. Pomeranian

Originating from the Pomerania region of Germany, this breed is typically 1.8 to 3.5kg and 18 to 30cm tall at the shoulder. They have thick double coat fur, giving them the fluffy and puffy appearance.

Pomeranians are well-loved not only because they are cute balls of fur, but they are also very intelligent and quick learners. However, they do require regular grooming due to their long fur and go through seasonal shedding once or twice a year.

2. Maltese

A breed from the Mediterranean, the Maltese typically weighs around 2 to 4kg and stands at 20 to 25cm at the shoulder. They are loved for their pure white fur and sweet expressive faces. Malteses make great indoor dogs, making them the perfect domestic pet for HDB-dwellers.

They are also playful yet gentle which makes them a popular choice among families with kids. Malteses require high grooming if kept with their full coat, and regular face cleaning to prevent tear staining under the eyes.

3. Shih Tzu

A royalty dog that originated from China, the Shih Tzu was historically bred for Chinese royalty. It typically weighs around 4 to 7.5kg and is around 20 to 28cm at the shoulder. Shih Tzu’s distinct feature would be its short and flat nose, giving it the “snub-nosed” face.

It is one of the less aggressive breeds, making it safe and ideal for families with young children. Due to its long, flowing double coat, Shih Tzus require high frequency of grooming. Their flat noses make them sensitive to heat and more prone to trapping moisture and food, hence regular face cleaning is necessary as well.

4. Chihuahua

This Mexican breed is a popular choice as they are very small, weighing only 1.5 to 3kg and 15 to 23cm tall at the shoulder, making them easy to keep in today’s HDB flats. In comparison to their tiny bodies, Chihuahuas tend to have very bold and sassy personalities. They are probably notorious for their snappy barks, but that is because they are fiercely loyal to their owners and wary of strangers.

Low Shedding Breeds

5. Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise is a living cotton ball with its round and white appearance. It is typically 5 to 8kg and 23 to 30cm at the shoulder. It is a well-loved breed not only because it looks like a walking cloud but also for its sociable and friendly personality, making it a true extrovert among the other dog breeds.

Bichon Frise is generally playful and energetic but gentle, making them excellent with children, seniors, and even strangers. To maintain its iconic fluffy look, high frequency of grooming is needed including daily brushing of its fur and professional grooming every 4 to 6 weeks.

6. Toy Poodle

Toy poodle is the breed among the Poodle family that is the most popular in Singapore. It is also small sized, weighing 2.5 to 4kg and around 24 to 28 cm at the shoulder. It maintains the Poodle’s signature dense, curly, and woolly coat and comes in colours of white, black, apricot, red, silver, gray, brown, blue and cream.

The Toy Poodle is highly intelligent and one of the smartest among all dog breeds, making them easy to train and maintain. Due to its curly fur, the Toy Poodle requires high grooming maintenance and regular professional grooming.

7. Miniature Schnauzer

Part of the Terrier family, the Miniature Schnauzer is the smallest among the Schnauzer family. It typically weighs around 5 to 9kg and stands at 30 to 36cm at the shoulder. Schnauzers are famous for their bushy eyebrows and beard, giving them a distinctive appearance.

Miniature Schnauzers are lively and outgoing, and are highly trainable as they love structured activities, making them easy to keep even within a HDB flat. Besides daily walks, Miniature Schnauzers require puzzle toys, basic obedience training, or games to stay happy. Even though they are a low shedding breed, they still require regular grooming due to the dense overcoat.

Terriers and Hounds

8. Jack Russell Terrier

If we have to use a car analogy to describe a Jack Russell Terrier, it is definitely a racing sportscar! Typically between 5 to 8kg and 25 to 30 cm at the shoulder, the Jack Rusell Terrier has a dense and smooth coat that is suitable for Singapore weather, and an athletic body, making it naturally built for speed and agility.

It is extremely energetic, lively, and playful, adding a burst of energy to the home. Its bold and fearless spirit came from its Terrier roots, and it is very intelligent and fast at learning. However, Jack Russells can be very stubborn, which makes consistent training necessary and important. If you are more of an introvert and find it difficult to keep up with an active lifestyle with your dog, a Jack Russell may not be ideal as they can become destructive such as barking and chewing on furniture if under-stimulated.

9. Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terriers have their origins in Yorkshire, England, and typically ​​weigh around 2 to 3.2kg and are 18 to 23cm tall at the shoulder. The distinct characteristic of this breed would be the long and silky coat that falls straight down, often groomed with a center part.

As a type of terrier, the Yorkshire is naturally curious, energetic, and alert. They thrive on attention and don’t like being left alone for too long, making them more prone to separate anxiety and yappy if not properly trained.

10. Miniature Dachshund

Also more commonly known as the “sausage dog”, the miniature Dachshund is gaining popularity with its long body and short legs look. It has a long muzzle, alert eyes, floppy ears, and comes in many coat colours and coat types. The more common would be black and tan or chocolate with short and shiny smooth coats.

Due to its relations with the Hound family group, miniature Dachshunds are natural hunters and are very curious and adventurous by nature. They are also independent and stubborn in general, but highly trainable with patience and positive reinforcement.

Miniature Dachshund’s smooth and short coat requires minimal grooming, making them easier to maintain. However, because of its short legs, you must pay attention and protect the dog from jumping on and off furniture as too much stress on their spines can cause back problems and health issues.

Other HDB-approved breeds

1. Affenpinscher
2. Australian Silky Terrier
3. Australian Terrier
4. Bohemian Terrier
5. Bolognese
6. Brussels Griffon / Griffon Bruxaellois
7. Bichon Havanese
8. Border Terrier
9. Boston Terrier (Lightweight or Middle weight)
10. Cairn Terrier
11. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
12. Chinese Crested Dog
13. Chinese Imperial Chin
14. Chinese Temple Dog (Classic or Miniature)
15. Coton de tulear
16. Czech Terrier
17. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
18. English Toy Spaniel
19. Griffon Belge
20. German Hunting Terrier
21. Griffon Brabancon
22. Hairless Dog
23. Italian Greyhound
24. Japanese Spaniel / Chin
25. Japanese Spitz
26. Lhasa Apso
27. Little Lion Dog
28. Lakeland Terrier
29. Manchester Terrier
30. Miniature Pinscher
31. Norfolk Terrier
32. Norwich Terrier
33. Papillon
34. Pekinese
35. Pug
36. Schipperke
37. Scottish Terrier
38. Sealyham Terrier
39. Shetland Sheepdog
40. Silky Terrier
41. Small Continental Spaniel
42. Small English Terrier
43. Small Spitz
44. Smooth Fox Terrier
45. Toy Fox Terrier
46. Toy Terrier
47. Tibetan Spaniel
48. Volpino Italiano
49. West Highland Terrier
50. Wire-Haired Fox Terrier
51. Welsh Terrier