Miniature dogs, despite being small, come with a solid personality. They are fun, quirky, and extremely lively. With their mini paws, they would run after you and follow you wherever you go. Their compact bodies are meant to perform big tasks like making sure you never feel alone, and playing a game of fetch with you for several hours.
No matter whether you keep them in a massive house with a gigantic backyard or in a compact city apartment, these dogs will adjust themselves EVERYWHERE! They will be the most loyal partner you can even dream of. Also, they are super portable. Taking them along for traveling would not be a problem.
From the elegant Pomeranian to the royal Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, these purebred dogs are always bursting with energy. Let’s discuss some of the most phenomenal purebred miniature dog breeds that you can consider to have as your next pet!
Purebred Miniature Dog Breeds
1. French Bulldog
Considered to be one of the smallest dog breeds out there, with a weight of merely 16-28 pounds, the French Bulldog is cute and adorable.
This companion dog is literally at the top of the list of the most desirable dogs for humans. As far as their appearance is concerned, they are small (duh, obviously) but muscular. They are not weak! Rather, they have a heavy structure that gives them a compact appearance.
What really makes them appear so adorable is their unique set of ears that look like those of bats!
Smaller than the regular size, these miniature bulldogs have a chill attitude. They are laid-back and would prefer an afternoon nap over playing a ball game outside. Yet, these toy breed dogs are extremely famous as family dogs owing to being quirky and fun.
The French Bulldog is a companion dog. The breed is small and muscular with heavy bone structure, a smooth coat, a short face, and trademark bat ears.
PetMD says the only downside of having them is that they are prone to developing various health issues compared to other dogs.
2. Dachshund
A Dashund is a purebred dog if it comes from the union of two registered Dashunds. These dogs are miniature in size, with a weight of merely 11 pounds (or even less). They have a long body and their appearance resembles a sausage.
But the small size doesn’t mean they are meek!
These dogs are full of personality, as per WebMD. They know how to make their presence felt. Also, they are highly adaptable. You can expect them to be as easy-going in a rural place as smoothly as they are in an urban apartment.
The short and long-haired dachshunds thrive on companionship. In an active family, they play a major role as a great companion for every member. They also have a long life span and mostly live around 12-15 years.
However, they are prone to health issues that include neurological problems.
These small-breed dogs are really smart. They have an independent thought process. Hence, there are times when you would find training them a bit tough! Positive reinforcement will help you immensely when it comes to teaching them new tricks.
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
With a weight of just 12-18 pounds and a height of around 13 inches, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are some of the most adorable dogs you will ever come across!
Originally bred as a toy dog with a British history, these dogs are loyal to the core.
Having them in your house means having a partner who will never leave your side. They are gentle and extremely sweet. If you have kids, these dogs will soon become their besties and may even babysit them!
These dogs don’t require haircuts. However, you’ll have to give them a regular hair brushing session that should last around ten minutes. It will keep their hair untangled, and it will not form knots. Also, ensure regular teeth brushing and ear cleaning so your dog doesn’t catch any infection.
These mini dogs with floppy ears and super-short legs are extremely friendly, and their affectionate nature surely makes them worth owning!
4. Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are as cute as their name sounds!
These purebred dogs come in two versions that include the long-haired Chihuahuas and short-haired Chihuahuas. Wherever you spot any of them, know that they are the same breed!
With a height of merely 6-10 inches, they are cute-looking dogs. They are extremely portable, thanks to their weight, which is just between 4-6 pounds.
For busy pet parents, these ultimate purse dogs are a treat. They are extremely low maintenance, and there is no need to spend a considerable amount of time and money on their maintenance. Also, as these dogs are small and don’t take up much space in the house, they are easily adjustable EVERYWHERE.
If you are a clean freak, this national dog of Mexico is for you! Being some of the cleanest dogs out there, they don’t smell bad, nor do they appear disheveled.
5. Pomeranian
Pomeranians are quintessentially small dogs that are known for their friendly nature and energetic temperament.
Poms are pretty famous amongst families, especially those with kids. They are super playful and love being around children.
Their appearance is as unique as their personalities. They resemble foxes and have small but erect ears. These fluffy dogs are some of the most loyal pets you can have. They have been around for hundreds of years, and their popularity hasn’t ever died down.
They are highly portable and you can take them around anywhere, anytime.
6. Brussels Griffon
If you think that with a weight of merely 6-16 pounds, these dogs are easy to ignore, you are wrong!
Brussels Griffons are small, but they come with a massive personality. They are fierce and quirky. These dogs surely know how to make their presence felt.
Griffons are really intelligent. These little dogs can sense the change in situation and act accordingly. However, their smartness is a double-edged sword as it can make them difficult to train with their independent thought process and somewhat stubborn attitude.
As per Omlet, they make excellent watchdogs. For families, they are great pets as they keep them protected and entertained!
They would love to cuddle with you for several hours. However, it is important to take them out for daily walks to keep them active. They have moderate grooming requirements.
7. Shih Tzu
Originally bred to be a companion for families, the Shih Tzu is one of the most sought-after dogs for homeowners. They are small and compact, and know how to keep everyone in the house entertained.
Historically, they are connected to ancient China. They are ancient, and their origin dates back around a thousand years. With their expressive eyes, they appear adorable and innocent.
Shih Tzus don’t need much exercise. You can just take them for a quick, short walk, and they will be done for the day. They have a happy temperament, and even if they are losing in a game of fetch, they would still appear excited.
No matter you live in a small house or a big one, they will adapt well to the situation. They thrive in loving homes and in the company of family members. However, training them may be a bit tough. Use positive reinforcement training methods, and you’ll be good to go!
8. Affenpinscher
Originating from Germany, the Affepincher is a unique breed that is super-small in size.
Despite being small, these dogs are courageous. They are feisty and showcase a bold attitude. With them, you can only rely on positively reinforced obedience training and lots of rewards.
These dogs have a great sense of smell. Originally, they were used to sniff out mice and rats and get after them. Today, they are great watchdogs, thanks to their alert nature.
These dogs are super-vocal. They would bark and alert you whenever they saw a stranger or sensed something unusual. When compared to other dogs that are bigger in size, these ones appear to be a lot more confrontational.
9. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
In the herding group of dogs, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is pretty popular.
With a height of merely 10-12 inches, these small dogs are known to become good friends of small children. They love playing with them and going after them in chasing games.
However, with strangers, they tend to get a bit shy and avoid any interaction.
Super sharp dogs with an overactive brain, these are dwarf dogs that easily adapt according to the situation. They are obedient and have good showmanship.
Thanks to their herding instincts, they are good at watching over family members while they are asleep. If you are considering this dog to be a couch potato, you’re wrong. They are super active and would rather play with you than sit idly.
10. Italian Greyhound
Known for its gorgeous appearance and elegance, the Italian greyhound is a great companion dog that is purebred.
These dogs are playful, fun-loving, and extremely affectionate.
They are not hairless dogs but rather wear a stunning coat that is pretty glossy in appearance and has silky hair. Also, it comes in different shades, and each one of these shades is prettier than the other.
The miniature version of the Greyhound is generally a healthy dog. They live for a long period, mostly around 15 years. If you take them to a vet regularly and provide them with nutritious food, they will stick around for many years.
These dogs thrive on attention. If you don’t provide them with that, they may exhibit somewhat hostile behavior. With strangers, they tend to be completely aloof and ignore them like divas!
Conclusion
Purebred miniature dogs are a treat to have! Despite their small size, they are fun-loving and never let you have a boring day with their sassy personalities. They are bursting with energy and are super active.
We gave you a list of the top ten, while many other small dogs, like miniature pinscher, toy poodle, biewer terrier, yorkshire terrier, and monkey terrier, are also selectively bred and make great pets.
No matter whether you prefer playing in the yard with them or having them on your lap while you watch a Netflix season, they are up for everything!
Life with a purebred small dog is full of adventure, love, and lots of snuggles!
