Bringing home a small dog isn’t just an adorable idea; it’s a lifelong love story waiting to happen. These tiny companions may fit in your lap, but they’ll fill your life with a warmth that’s larger than life. Whether they’re curling up beside you during a quiet evening or showering you with tail-wagging joy each morning, their presence becomes an irreplaceable part of your everyday.
And the best part? Many miniature breeds live longer than their larger counterparts, some even reaching up to 20 joyful years! Their strong immune systems and resilient nature mean more time for cuddles, memories, and unconditional love.
Small in size but mighty in heart, these dogs are bursting with personality and charm. If you’re looking for a forever friend packed into a pint-sized package, these breeds are worth every wag and woof. Let’s dive in and meet your next tiny best friend!
Small Dog Breeds With Long Life Expectancies
1. Chihuahua
Life Expectancy: 12 to 20 years
Chihuahuas are energetic dogs that weigh a mere 2 to 6 pounds, and they are one of the smaller breeds. These cute breeds are alert and extremely loyal dogs. The amazing fact about Chihuahuas is that they are one of the longest-living dog breeds, and most of them can live up to 20 years.
Thanks to their tiny stature, these dogs tend to age more slowly than larger breeds, often enjoying long, lively lives. While they are generally healthy, they can be prone to eye issues and heart conditions, making regular vet check-ups and a safe, loving environment essential for their well-being.
Chihuahuas make excellent family companions; they’re devoted, affectionate, and absolutely adore being by their humans’ side. Plus, their petite size makes them ideal travel buddies, whether you’re headed to the park or on a cross-country adventure.
2. Toy Poodle
Life Expectancy: 15 to 17 years
The Toy Poodle is one of the best dog breeds that are loyal, affectionate, and sensitive to the feelings of their owners. These little dogs have a height of 9 to 11 inches and hold a healthy weight of less than 10 pounds, and are filled with wisdom. They are long-living dogs that can live a minimum of 15 years.
Toy Poodles are small dogs that are agile, extremely intelligent, and easy to train, according to the American Kennel Club. They are the perfect fit for apartment living because they are compact-sized dogs.
They are challenging dogs that need physical and mental stimulation to keep their mind and bodies active. Toy Poodles need regular grooming to look presentable, and they are always eager to please their owners until the last decade of their lives.
3. Dachshund
Life Expectancy: 12 to 16 years
Dachshunds are a dog breed that stays lower to the ground, but are high-spirited dogs. These small-sized dogs have an average lifespan of 12 to 16 years, but some of them have reportedly lived 20 years. They have short legs and longer backs and normally weigh 11 pounds.
The appearance of the Dachshund often appears to be comical, yet they look adorable. Although people need to be careful in their training, as it can aggravate the spine of this breed. Proper diet and frequent walks enable these wiener dogs to live a healthy and active life.
Nevertheless, they are a very loyal breed, suitable as family dogs due to their extremely playful nature. Dachshunds will keep the whole family amused with their silly behaviors and lively personalities.
4. Shih Tzu
Life Expectancy: 11 to 16 years
Shih Tzu are bred as royal lap dogs that have a weight of 9 to 16 pounds. They have a reputation for being very sweet and affectionate, unlike other breeds. They are regal in appearance due to their long coats that fall down.
They are happy to live around the family, senior citizens, and even children. For their longer, happier life, they need regular exercise and proper care. The easygoing breeds are adjusted to an apartment lifestyle.
Shih Tzus thrive on human attention and shower their owners with unconditional love, often expressed through happy tail wags and constant companionship.
They typically get along well with people of all ages, other dogs, and even different types of pets. Though they’re best known for their sweet and gentle demeanor, their playful charm makes them a joy to have in any household.
5. Maltese
Life Expectancy: 12 to 14 years
Graceful and soft Maltese are toy breeds that have a flowing white coat and a heart that is filled with love. These dogs are light, though energetic, with a weight ranging from 4 to 7 pounds.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition states that they are trustworthy, playful, and responsive. Despite their size, they are fearless and determined.
Maltese have a lifespan of 12 to 14 years, which requires additional veterinary care to live longer than other pets. Maltese are prone to dental diseases and eye problems.
The temperament of the average Maltese dog is friendly and loving, but each puppy is unique. Although they make wonderful family companions, interactions between them and small children need to be watched closely because some enthusiastic kids could accidentally injure this little dog.
6. Pomeranian
Life Expectancy: 12 to 16 years
A Pomeranian is a little fluff ball full of life, cuteness, and attitude. These small dogs weigh between 3 and 7 pounds, but surprisingly, they have huge personalities, and they are long-living dogs.
WebMD states that Pomeranians can live up to 12 to 16 years, which is more than a decade. With good care, the Pomeranian has managed to live to the age of 18 years, but this is an exceptional case.
They are not shy, but they are smart, curious, and watchful, and can create a strong bond with an individual. They are loving pets that are very social and energetic breeds.
Pomeranians may be tiny and fluffy, but their delicate frame makes them prone to injuries. Rough play, accidental falls, or being dropped can easily result in sprains or even broken bones, so gentle handling is a must, especially around young children.
7. Papillon
Life Expectancy: 13 to 15 years
Papillons are a popular dog breed that has unique, big, wing-shaped ears that have a butterfly-like grace. They are the oldest dogs that belong to the Toy Spaniels and have a very active lifestyle.
Unlike large breeds, these tiny dogs live more than 13 years. These dogs are great family pets that love to stay close to their owners.
Papillons are social, and their exuberant nature keeps them in good shape, making them popular as one of the healthiest dog breeds. They are fond of learning tricks and playing games.
Although all dogs bark, Papillons are known to bark frequently. However, this behavior will be less frequent if you exercise your dog, give them enough mental stimulation, and teach them to stop barking.
8. Yorkshire Terrier
Life Expectancy: 13 to 16 years
Yorkshire Terriers are brave and spunky breeds. These tiny dogs can weigh up to 4 to 7 pounds. These dogs’ lifespans are longer, reaching up to 16 years, which is more than the larger dogs.
Yokies are very dedicated and attractive. They need regular grooming and moderate exercise, as they commonly face the issues of dental diseases and tracheal problems. For the pet’s health, it requires routine veterinary care.
Yorkies are known for their loving nature. They get along well with strangers, kids, and other pets. Getting used to other pets may take a little longer for your Yorkie. When it comes to other animals, they might be a little possessive of you because they are devoted companions.
9. Lhasa Apso
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
Lhasa Apso is a very old breed that was originally bred to protect. These dogs are grand, independent, and have incredibly long lifespans. The majority weigh 12 to 18 pounds and have an average life span of 12 to 15 years, but most can easily live beyond that.
Lhasa Apsos are a dog breed that is quite observant, with the reputation of being aloof around strangers, and they are extremely loyal to their families. They face the hereditary health problem of renal dysplasia, which involves issues related to the kidneys.
Despite being loving toward those they know and trust, these dogs can be distant from strangers. The owners need to spend more time on their training.
Lhasa Apsos flourish when they receive the training of socialization and interaction with their human.
Conclusion
When you are selecting a small dog, you are not only picking a pet, but you are also adopting a lively companion that will stay by your side forever. These listed small dogs can relatively live more than 12 to 15 years, and some of the dog breeds can easily live beyond that.
You might think that the small breeds will not make a big impact in your life, but you are wrong. They stay in your life and surround you with numerous memories and milestones.
