Little dogs just like little women who have their own coming of age story, but will never grow like the lost boys of Neverland. Originally bred by breeders to be smaller than their regular breed standard as designer dogs.
These pooches are smaller versions of bigger dogs and come in unique tuxedo-coated dashing varieties (ode to the dashing Boston terrier). If we align them in a single gala, it will be the cutest event of the century. These dogs literally seem like they were transported from a different realm, like Alice in Wonderland.
However, these beautiful pooches filled with life and energy are toy-like yet alive, which makes them even more special. These forever puppies make a perfect living gift for a special someone, just like forever roses, and also a joyful Christmas present for kids and the elderly.
Cutest Pocket-Sized Dog Breeds
Here are some of the most popular dog breeds that are pocket-sized family dogs and lap dogs fit for the elites and royalty.
1. Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is the national dog of Mexico. This small dog breed is available in two types of coats: longhaired, soft and silky, and shorthaired, shiny and smooth coats. They are known to have three types of head shapes: apple-headed or pear-headed, and deer-headed chihuahua.
Chihuahuas are known to be territorial and possessive of their turf and owners. They don’t like to share the love of the owners unless you bring in a puppy from their own pack, with whom they’ll bond perfectly well.
PDSA says their personality is more like a miniature tyrant because they can be dominating and assertive. They need a firm and fair hand to train them. These loyal to a fault and vigilant doggos make good watchdogs. But they are not tolerant of kids.
They form strong bonds with individuals rather than the whole family. Hence are more ideal for young singles and the elderly who are looking for a low-maintenance and long-lived dog breed. Weighing only about 2 to 6 pounds, they can be fragile and should be protected from larger aggressive dogs, birds of prey, and cold temperatures (will need expensive jackets to ward off the cold)
2. Maltese
These dogs are another ancient dog breed that originated in Malta around 3,000 years ago. This completely white pup rose to popularity in Europe during the Roman Empire and was cherished by many royals and aristocrats during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance as a symbol of status and elegance, but then saw a turn of fate when its owners were imprisoned or faced the guillotine to be executed.
Pawlicy Advisor says the Maltese is nowadays an easy-to-own and low-energy dog, which was originally bred to hunt rodents like mice and rats and was developed from spaniel or spitz-type dogs.
These fluffy white dogs are now cherished for companionship. This incredibly loved toy breed has a hair-type coat that sheds less often than fur; they have a long-haired, silky coat and look strikingly beautiful like mini snow-white pups.
These pups have a joyful personality and will often be found playing around the house on their own. They make wonderfully effective therapy dogs and cuddle buddies that stay home alone for a considerable amount of time. And also make great pets for apartment and small house dwellers.
3. Shih Tzu
Surprisingly, these Chinese “lion dogs” are revered and venerated due to their resemblance to a snow lion, which is a sacred symbol in Tibetan Buddhism. The monks believed these dogs brought good fortune and used them as watchdogs and companions in monasteries.
According to WebMD, nowadays, the Shih Tzus make playful and happy family pets that bring joy and positive energy into the lives of their owners. They are quite sociable in nature, versatile, adaptable, and friendly. They also make good watchdogs because of their alert and vigilant attitude, and are quite tolerant of kids and small pets.
Weighing around 9 to 16 pounds, the Shih Tzu is the cutest dog that is also quite compact and smart in size. These dogs have a soft, cloud-like, fluffy, and silky coat that can grow quite long if not trimmed.
Hence, they need proper grooming every now and then. The Shih Tzu can sit alone for several hours; thus, if you are a person with a demanding career, this fluffy pup is ideal for you.
4. Yorkshire Terrier
We all know about the smallest of the terriers, the Yorkies, but have you ever seen pocket-sized teacup Yorkies? You will be surprised to know they only weigh 2 to 4 pounds, like an ice-cream tub! Compared to the standard size of a Yorkie, which is 8 to 9 pounds, it is about half the size and height of a common Yorkshire terrier.
However, it is definitely transportable and easy to carry. This toy breed carries the name Yorkshire because they were developed in the English county of Yorkshire.
Britannica states that the Yorkshire terriers are known for their bold and confident personality, combined with energetic, playful, and affectionate nature. These dogs have a high prey drive because they were originally bred to chase and hunt.
These small in size and large in personality pooches are alert and filled with energy. Hence can be a challenging breed to raise and own. But if you are looking for a therapy dog or a cuddle buddy, then a Yorkie is a perfect fit for your lifestyle. These mini dogs with soft, wiry, and silky coats survive and thrive on human interaction and are a great part of your family and life.
5. Brussels Griffon
The griffon is the national dog of Belgium, and the painting of 1434 by the Flemish painter Jan Van Eyck depicts a picture of a small dog that perfectly resembles the Brussels griffon. These dogs with a fringed beard were originally bred for hunting mice and vermin on farms. These dogs were used to kill rats in the stables of horse-drawn hansom cabs.
Orvis says the Brussels griffon is the most human-like dog in looks, and that loves to stick close to their human companions. These pooches are gentle, calm, and adorable. They are so easy to train, and alert pups that are filled with wonder. Weighing around 8-10 pounds, this gentle and fun pup is so adoring.
A Brussels griffon’s personality is showcased differently in different dogs; they are often outgoing and active, but can also be reserved and shy. These pups are sociable and friendly around people but also wary of strangers.
A Brussels griffon is a high-energy dog breed that needs constant mental and physical stimulation, or exercise, to keep them happy and healthy.
6. Japanese Chin
Are you a cat lover like Taylor Swift and never indulged in the mini world of forever puppies? We dare you go out today and search for a Japanese Chin which so freaking adorable and sweet looking that you’ll first question your loyalty to felines and then disregard the thought and let it fly out the window because you’ll instantly smitten by this soulful and touching doggo who loves to climb and rest on high perches and window sills.
Continental Kennel Club describes the Japanese chin, with its feathered ears and wide-set eyes, as looking and behaving the most like a cat among all dogs. Hence, it is a great option for feline enthusiasts who haven’t explored the diverse canine realm of mighty dogs and magical pooches. You’ll often find these dogs washing their faces and wiping themselves with their paws like cats.
These smart and mischievous toy dogs originated in Japan and were known to be lap dogs for ladies of the upper elite class. But nowadays, these sensitive dogs are cherished companions.
These pups are playful and affectionate but also stubborn and determined. They make super watchdogs due to their vigilant nature and are quite easy to train and raise.
7. Miniature Pinscher
Don’t confuse this black and tan miniature pinscher with a Manchester terrier or a Doberman because these pups aren’t related but separate breeds entirely. These daring, smart, and stubborn pups exhibit protectiveness for their owners and families, which may lead to aggression if these small dogs aren’t socialized.
Purina says these high-energy ball chasers with their large pointy ears and big dog attitude can be tough to handle for some owners. But they are efficient barnyard ratter and vermin hunters that originated in Germany several centuries ago. Weighing only 8 to 10 pounds, these affectionate and loyal pups are good family pets and children lovers in the modern day.
The mini pins have a short, shiny, and smooth coat with straight hair that needs little to less grooming and is quite easy to maintain. These miniature pinschers make quite good watchdogs and often alert owners with their loud and daunting bark, which is surprising compared to their size.
8. Papillon
This butterfly-eared pup also has the personality of a lovebug who loves to prance in the garden, gaze at flying bugs like butterflies and moths, and spin around in circles. These toy spaniels have high-pitched barks and are known to obsessively follow the footsteps of their owners, which showcases their loyalty and affectionate temperament.
PetMD explains you’ll also find this unique dog asleep under covers or atop high perches because they like to climb and survey their surroundings. This adorable tail-wagging puppy was originally bred to be companions for European nobility and was famous in the royal court of France.
Nowadays, they are cherished house pets and family dogs, which are quite low-maintenance and easy to train lap dogs. The Papillons are intelligent, perceptive, and have a lively demeanor.
These unique noble companions excel at agility competitions and exhibit swiftness and dexterity. These small pooches weighing only 4–9 pounds are quite vibrant and joyful to raise and own.
9. Pomeranian
Netflix lovers will definitely recognize this iconic dog that was featured in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, where King George gifts this small pup to Charlotte as a redeeming and apology gift.
VCA Animal Hospitals says this spunky extrovert can get a little cocky for a dog not much bigger than your shoe. The Pomeranian has always been a royal favorite, but their story isn’t what it seems; the poms weren’t small when they were first developed.
It originally belongs to the spitz family of dogs that contains the large and mighty Alaskan malamutes, Akitas, Siberian huskies, Samoyeds, and the majestic Chow Chow.
But they were selectively bred to be show dogs and lap dogs for royalty. Queen Victoria found a red sable Pomeranian named Marco on her visit to Italy and brought it back to England and modified and popularized the breed so much that they are now known worldwide. For their thick double coat, strength, vigilance, and assertive attitude.
They make great guard dogs and watchdogs, even for their small size, and are also extremely affectionate and loyal pups. Their personality is regal, elegant, and playful. However, these tiny dogs do need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy.
10. Affenpinscher
The Affenpinscher is a German dog breed that is also referred to as a monkey dog or a dog with a monkey face. This pup was developed in the 1600s and is not a terrier, but just like terriers, they were originally bred to be ratters and mice catchers.
Affen translates to monkey in German, and these full of energy and zealous dogs are quite exuberant and lively like their namesake. They don’t always want to comply with training, because of their stubborn nature, but are loving family pets. The Affenpinscher is quite an amusing, loyal, and curious puppy who can also be mischievous.
Omlet says these dogs are active (always want to be busy) and also tend to be quite adventurous and love to explore new things. They love to chase the high and their favorite toy all day long. These pooches are territorial to a fault and will even get into trouble with the big dogs and animals when it comes to protecting you. Hence, it’s better to keep a check on your affenpinscher, or it might get hurt.
Amusingly enough, these small dogs weighing around 7 to 10 pounds tend to shake a lot, filled with excitement or fury. Thus, they are adorable to look at, but make sure to not choose this pup if you have small children around, cause these bossy pups can scare your toddlers.
Conclusion
These pint-sized glorifying creatures and members of the teacup society, where only small-sized pups can register themselves to get a part in the famous packs. They are not only easy to carry and transport but also come with many unique features. They are loyal, alert, gentle, cute, playful, affectionate, surprisingly fearless, and smooth pups. They will sit with you or cuddle with you all day in a cat-like manner, respond in the funniest ways, steal doggie treats and exhibit hoodwinking, surprise you with their exceptional athletic prowess, show flexibility, perform tricks, and eventually be your soft, cushy pillows whom you can hold and cherish forevermore.
P.S. These mini pets might need the vet more often than usual because most unethical breeders use harmful techniques to keep these wonderful warriors tiny. Most of the time, the weakest in the whole litter, the runts, are used to develop these unique small dog breeds. Hence, beware of these breeders and make sure you get your pooch from a reputable rescue organization, shelter, or AKC-recognized breeders. Also, buy some viable pet insurance to get your pocket-sized teacup puppies treated well.
