Small dogs are loved for their compact size, easy portability, and a unique charm that will captivate your heart. Some small dog breeds have a short coat and wrinkly skin. Others are endeared for their adorable, fluffy coats.

Small fluffy dog breeds do well in small homes with limited space. Many of them are low-energy dogs having moderate exercise needs. Unlike some big fluffy dog breeds, they are happy and content with short walks and indoor play sessions.

However, they make up for their small size with their big personalities. It is worth mentioning that not all small furry companions are lapdogs. Some of them are more energetic than some larger dogs. Having a teddy bear-like appearance, no wonder they have been royalty’s favorite for centuries.

Here are the best small furry dog breeds you may need right now.

Best Small Furry Dog Breeds You Need Right Now

1. Coton de Tulear

Hailing from Africa, Coton de Tulear is often called “the Royal dog of Madagascar.” Their beautiful white coat is as soft as cotton and makes them look like a little cotton ball. Their small size means they are perfectly suited for apartment living.

The thick and dense coat requires a decent amount of grooming to stay in top-notch condition. Brush your Coton de Tulear’s coat at least three times a week using a pin brush. Take extra care around ears, legs, and elbows.

These small, fluffy dogs have a friendly and affectionate nature. They are so loving that they become prone to separation anxiety if their pet parents leave them alone for too long, explains PetMD. Cotons have a clown-like personality.

They live to play with their owners and are quite adaptable. Sometimes, they may bark at strange noises or surprising movements.

2. Bichon Frise

Looking like a teddy bear, the Bichon Frise is the most fitting example of small, fluffy dog breeds. This pooch exudes glory in its white hypoallergenic coat. Their jet-black eyes and nose complement their coat, and their plumed tails are curved over their backs.

Plush and velvety to the touch, Bichons’ coat needs to be brushed at least three times a week, but the more the better. The loose fur gets caught in their thick double coat, so the breed sheds very little. Originally bred for companionship, the cheerful little dogs love to play and are full of mischief.

Their petite and manageable size makes them great family pets for apartment dwellers. Bichons are high maintenance in terms of grooming, but have moderate exercise needs. Minimum half an hour of daily exercise would suffice, as per Purina.

Bichons adore family life and are quite sociable. They do well in the company of other dogs and pets. Bichon Frise are remarkably smart and highly trainable, so they can be easily trained for obedience and agility.

3. Pomeranian

These energetic little puffballs are known for their charmingly foxy faces. Queen Victoria was in love with this small, fluffy dog breed. Pomeranians are known for their small size, vivacious personalities, and high intelligence.

Their keen smartness, easy trainability, and protective instincts make them excellent watchdogs. Poms need regular grooming to maintain their fluffiness and shine. They also need professional grooming every four to six months. Use this calculator to determine the tip for your dog groomer:

Pomeranians have an independent personality, and they will not do everything you want them to do. They do not like being left alone for too long. Poms are highly alert and love being part of a busy family. These energetic dogs have a lively personality.

Poms love spending time with their family and make gentle and affectionate companions. Having an enthusiastic approach towards life, Poms are tiny but fragile.

4. Maltese

Maltese is a fluffy dog breed having a flowing, long coat. With dark eyes and nose complementing their coat, these small white dogs make great family dogs. They may be little in size, but they are fearless and make excellent family pets and watchdogs.

Their long coat requires some grooming and maintenance. Brush your pup’s coat every day and give them routine baths. While they are playful and energetic, they don’t need to run for miles. Tiny size and moderate exercise needs make them well-suited for living in confined spaces and apartments.

Malteses have a hypoallergenic coat, making them great companions for allergy sufferers. They form strong bonds with their family. Royal Canin describes Maltese as easy-going and friendly dogs. However, they become closely attached to their families and are prone to separation anxiety.

5. Poodle (Toy)

Toy Poodles look super cute with their curly coat and button noses. These small, fluffy dogs have a beautiful hypoallergenic coat that comes in a variety of different colors. Although the coat is relatively easy to maintain, but requires regular brushing.

Professional grooming every four to six months is recommended to have a healthy coat. Keeping the coat short with a “puppy cut” or “teddy bear cut” makes it easy to maintain. Toy Poodles are well-suited for apartment living and people living in smaller spaces.

Toy Poodles may be small in size, but they are spunky, athletic, and super intelligent dogs. They excel in a variety of canine sports, including swimming, fetching, agility, obedience, and tracking. Poodles are people-oriented dogs; if you keep their training routines positive and fun, they love to please you.

6. Shih Tzu

Looking like little lions, Shih Tzus are good-natured and friendly dogs with a luxurious coat. It is a small, fluffy dog breed that has been serving as companions and lapdogs for several decades. These regal dogs have glorious locks that are often cut short for easy maintenance.

Use a good quality wire brush to groom your Shih Tzu’s coat daily. Professional grooming and trimming are required; otherwise, the coat grows beyond the feet and drags on the ground. Being a small dog, they have moderate exercise needs and are happy spending their day indoors.

Britannica highlights that owners should note that in this breed, the hair can grow long enough to hang in front of the eyes and reduce vision, and thus should be cropped or styled in a topknot.

Shih Tzus are lively, courageous, and affectionate dogs, but are known to nip and bark at younger children. These alert pooches are eager to learn and do well with positive reward-based training methods.

7. Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier is a popular toy breed loved for its straight, silky coat. Yorkies are hypoallergenic dogs and do not shed as much as some other breeds. The reason is that they lack an undercoat. This small, fluffy dog breed is ideal for individuals who don’t have enough time to exercise their dog.

However, their fluffy coat is a big responsibility as it needs regular brushing to prevent mats and tangles. Yorkies also need regular bathing to stay clean. They become so attached to their owners that they can develop separation anxiety when left alone for too long.

These energetic dogs require a daily walk and an interactive play session for physical and mental stimulation. Despite their small size, Yorkshire Terriers are bossy and brave. They are affectionate with family and strangers alike.

Conclusion

Small fluffy dog breeds are adored by dog lovers due to their luxurious fur and petite appearance. Their moderate energy levels, minimal exercise needs, and high adaptability make them ideal for apartment-dwellers and people living in confined spaces.

Their hypoallergenic coats require lots of grooming to stay healthy. If you are looking for a small dog breed that requires minimal maintenance apart from coat care, one of these breeds may be the right fit for you.