All dogs are great. Big dogs, small dogs, even dogs that shed and drool. But occasionally, one of the small dog breeds is all that’s needed. You might want a permanent puppy because you live in a small apartment, you might work a lot and be unable to exercise a large dog. There are many small dogs you can own that only weigh a few pounds, so they’ll always be able to travel with you in the overhead compartment or cuddle up on your lap.
But small dogs arent just fun to cuddle with. Many were specifically bred to fulfill a working dog need. Initially, small terriers were used for hunting to extricate prey from burrows. Others served as “sleeve” dogs for ancient royals to keep warm.
Today, there are many reasons to choose a small dog, the best of which is that they genuinely always appear to be puppies. The following list of 16 small dog breeds would be a wonderful addition to your life.
Yorkies are one of the smallest dog breeds available, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC), weighing in at around seven pounds and standing seven to eight inches tall. As they are small enough to fit in a purse, they have long been a celebrity “accessory.”
Even smaller than the Yorkie is the Chihuahua. According to Vet Street, they are six pounds and five inches tall. Tinkerbell, a Chihuahua companion of Paris Hilton, sadly passed away in 2015.
This dogs nickname is “little captain,” according to the AKC. They weigh between 10 and 16 pounds, which is probably a result of their heavy, fluffy black fur.
This small white pooch can grow long, silky hair. However, if you keep it brief, they appear to be perpetual puppies. According to Vet Street, they are less than a foot tall and weigh between four and seven pounds.
This tiny dog is much smaller than an English Bulldog. According to Dogtime, the former can weigh up to 50 pounds while French Bulldogs weigh 16 to 28 pounds. com. Owning a French Bulldog is a great way to get that classic wrinkled bulldog look in a smaller dog, although they are slightly larger than toy breeds like Chihuahuas or Yorkies.
Dogtime. According to com, these tiny pups weigh between three and seven pounds, the majority of which is just fluff. But even though theyre small, they have feisty personalities. Pomeranians prove that big things come in little packages.
According to the AKC, pugs can weigh between 14 and 18 pounds and stand between 10 and 13 inches tall. The Latin phrase for the pug’s motto, “a lot in a little,” according to the AKC, perfectly describes this small, lovable breed.
The Italian Greyhound, according to Modern Dog magazine, is a much smaller relative of the Greyhound, which can weigh up to 70 pounds. The slim Italian Greyhounds, in contrast, range in size from eight to 18 pounds and stand just over a foot tall. Famous Italian Greyhounds include Jenna Marbles’ dog Kermit and Kylie Jenner’s puppies Norman and Bambi.
The word “papillon” means “butterfly” in French, which fits this delicate dog’s fluffy butterfly ears perfectly. Papillons can weigh three to 12 pounds and stand less than a foot tall, not including those ears of course, according to Vet Street.
With a weight range of just 11 to 20 pounds, the AKC claims that this dog is the smallest of all Schnauzers. The Mini Schnauzer is the best option if you want a small dog as opposed to the Standard or Giant Schnauzers, the latter of which can weigh up to 80 pounds, according to Dogtime. com.
The Toy, Miniature, and Standard varieties of poodles are recognized by the AKC. The largest are the Standard, weighing up to 70 pounds and standing over 15 inches tall. Miniature Poodles are not the smallest of the three breeds despite their name. Toy Poodles are the smallest breed, weighing only four to six pounds and standing no taller than ten inches. They actually weigh ten to fifteen pounds. Choosing a Toy Poodle if you want a small dog is a good idea.
According to Dogtime. The smaller cousins of Smooth Fox Terriers are Toy Fox Terriers. But the toy version weighs only three to seven pounds as opposed to 18 pounds.
These dogs, also referred to as Japanese Spaniels, are smaller than the majority of spaniel breeds. They weigh between four and seven pounds and stand less than a foot tall, according to Animal Planet. Despite being small, they have the name “chin,” which means royalty, which gives them a certain amount of power.
Dachshund, according to Mental Floss, translates to “badger dog” in German because this lanky dog was bred to chase badgers out of their burrows while on a hunt. They needed to be small enough to fit into burrows as a result. According to the AKC, a miniature version of this breed weighs about 11 pounds and measures half a foot in height.
As its name implies, this is a miniature dog breed. According to Dogtime, larger Pinscher breeds include the German Pinscher, which can weigh up to 45 pounds, and the Doberman Pinscher, which can weigh up to 80 pounds. com. But according to the AKC, Min Pins only weigh eight to ten pounds.
According to Vet Street, these silky pups are eight to eleven inches tall and weigh nine to sixteen pounds. And they may be small, but they are mighty. In fact, according to Animal Planet, their name is Chinese for “lion.”
Continue reading to learn about 15 of the smallest dog breeds and what to expect from them.
A small dog may eventually cost less to own because they consume less food than large hounds. Small dogs do generally live longer than large breeds. You still have a few more years with your best friend as a result. Additionally, smaller dog breeds may be easier to walk and more enjoyable for seniors.
Poodles of all sizes are extremely smart and highly trainable. They are excellent family pets because of this, as well as their willingness to participate in any activity. Grooming can be time-consuming and expensive, but they are hypoallergenic.
The Maltese may have a beautiful snow-white coat that exudes ostentation, but they are athletic and content to go with the flow. Maltese puppies typically bark to warn of intruders or friends, but they are happy and playful at heart.
The Pekingese, a breed already proud of itself, now has even more reason to be so after being named Westminster’s Best in Show in 2021. A Pekingese can be identified by its loyalty (more barking at strangers) and self-assurance (a long, fluffy coat and short muzzle).
What is Considered a Small Dog for Apartments?
When it comes to dog residents, apartment communities typically have their own rules, regulations, and restrictions.
The majority of times, apartment buildings that permit dogs have general weight restrictions on dogs per apartment home.
That limit is often set at 75lbs.
The weight limit for dogs in apartments can vary, but it’s typically less than 75 pounds.
For the purposes of renting a home, apartments typically do not divide dogs into small, medium, and large breeds.
In general, nothing else matters as long as your dog is under their suggested weight limit.
Unfortunately, many apartment buildings do have breed restrictions, but “small dog breeds” as a group are typically not included on those lists.
An apartment, condo, or other housing community will probably accept your dog if it weighs less than 22 pounds or even up to 75 pounds.
However, there are frequently benefits to owning a small dog if you live in an apartment.
A small dog can often thrive in an apartment because there is space for the dog to play fetch and tug of war.
However, watch out for yappers; apartment neighbors won’t like a dog that barks excessively.
Toy poodles are long-lived and intelligent.
Poodles come in a variety of sizes, but toy poodles typically stand no more than 10 inches at the shoulder and they typically weigh between four and six pounds, according to the AKC.
Due to their short lifespans of up to 18 years and vivacious personalities, these tiny dogs are well-liked show dogs. They do need special care and frequent brushing; many owners choose to have them professionally clipped every four to six weeks.
FAQ
How small a dog can be?
Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breed in the world. According to the AKC, these tiny dogs are the smallest in the world and typically weigh less than six pounds and stand five to eight inches tall at the shoulder.
What is the smallest dog you can get?
Chihuahua. The Chihuahua is frequently regarded as the world’s tiniest dog breed. Miracle Milly, a Chihuahua, was the tiniest dog ever. She was 3. 8 inches tall, weighing approximately one pound.
What are the 4 smallest breed of dogs?
- Number 1 — Chihuahua.
- Number 2 — Yorkshire terrier. …
- Number 3 — Pomeranian. …
- Number 4 — Maltese. This breed is a member of the Toy Group of Dogs and is best known for its silky white coat.
What is the smallest cutest dog?
- papillon.
- bichon frise.
- boston terrier.
- havanese.
- italian greyhound.
- norfolk terrier.
- pomeranian.
- japanese chin.