Before bringing a new puppy home, you need to consider various factors, and size is one of them. If you are an apartment dweller or live in a small space, toy dog breeds can be a great fit for your home. Weighing less than 12 pounds, these wonderful canines have big personalities in a tiny package.
Many toy dog breeds are known for their sweet and gentle nature. Generally, they are incredibly loyal and affectionate to their owners. Many of these small dogs require constant physical contact with their loved ones and make great lap dogs.
They establish unbreakable bonds with their humans. Thanks to their moderate exercise needs and adaptable nature, they can adjust well to different environments. They are well-suited for homes with kids, but need to be supervised around rambunctious small children.
Here are some wonderful dog breeds under 12 pounds.
Wonderful Dog Breeds Under 12 Pounds: Tiny and Sweet
1. Chihuahua
These graceful canines are typical “purse dogs,” easily recognized by their apple heads and erect ears. Chihuahuas are loving dogs with an affectionate nature. Having sassy personalities, they are incredibly loyal to their owners and form strong bonds with them.
A Chihuahua named “Heaven Sent Brandy” holds the Guinness World Record for the smallest dog. These little dogs can meet most of their exercise needs simply by following their pet parents around the house. Chihuahuas are quite adaptable and can happily spend hours on their preferred lap.
Chihuahuas are very intelligent and make excellent watchdogs. They are eager to please their owners and respond well to positive reinforcement practices. These sweet-natured dogs have the charm and personality of a big dog.
However, Chihuahuas cannot withstand cold temperatures, so make sure to buy a doggy sweater for your Chihuahua before winter begins.
2. Pomeranian
Pomeranians are bold and lively dogs having a luxurious coat, a smiling foxy face, and a vivacious personality. Their almond-shaped eyes, pointy ears, and high intelligence make them valued among dog lovers. These Spitz-type dogs have a sweet and spunky temperament.
Having the confidence of a big dog, Pomeranians can be trained easily and make great watch dogs. This toy breed is active and excels in various dog sports like agility, rally, and obedience training. Indoor play sessions and short walks provide adequate physical and mental stimulation.
Although Poms can master tricks and games easily, their favorite activity is to provide companionship and laughs to their favorite human. However, they like their independence and prefer walking on the ground instead of being carried around, explains PetMD.
Fun Fact: Poms were originally bred as large working dogs in Pomerania. Later, they were bred to be smaller in size using selective breeding.
3. Biewer Terrier
Biewer Terrier is an elegant, long-haired small dog breed with a signature ponytail. You may confuse a Biewer Terrier with a Yorkshire Terrier, but they differ in their coat color. These sweet, highly affectionate, and social dogs thrive on human interaction.
Biewer Terriers are fun-loving pooches with a childlike attitude. They make wonderful companions for homes with older children and other pets. These little dogs have sharp minds and an eager-to-please nature, which makes them easy to train.
Biewer Terriers are active but not overly energetic. They don’t require extensive exercise to stay healthy. Only a short daily walk combined with some playtime provides sufficient exercise. These curious dogs love exploring their surroundings and discovering new things.
These cute dogs have lively and playful personalities. Biewer Terriers are quite easygoing and love tagging around their favorite humans, making true Velcro dogs.
4. Toy Fox Terrier
This smart and playful pup is known for its elegance and class. The unique appearance of a Toy Fox Terrier features expressive eyes, pointy ears, and a short and smooth coat that comes in a variety of color patterns. These affectionate pups make excellent watchdogs but are not aggressive.
They are smart and know when to fight off an intruder. Despite their small frame, Toy Fox Terriers are full of energy. They need regular exercise to stay happy, explains WebMD. Properly trained Toy Fox Terriers are kid-friendly, but are better suited for homes with older kids.
These intelligent and spirited dogs love to please their owners and make a good fit for apartment dwellers. Toy fox terriers do not require extensive regular grooming. Weekly brushing using a small shedding comb will suffice.
Toy fox terriers are loaded with energy and capable of engaging in outdoor activities, including hiking, running, and playing games of fetch.
5. Papillon
This small dog breed is known for its high intelligence. Papillons are playful and cute dogs, easily recognized by their butterfly ears. These sweet little dogs possess upbeat athleticism and are known for their happy and friendly personality.
Paps form strong bonds with their owners and are companions at heart. They become prone to separation anxiety when left alone for extended periods. As a result, this small breed howls, barks excessively, cries, or exhibits destructive behaviors.
Being one of the smartest dog breeds, Papillons can be trained easily as they love to please their humans. They respond well to obedience training. However, their long coat requires daily brushing to stay in top-notch condition.
They enjoy cuddling sessions with their humans, but are not couch potatoes. Paps are active, playful, and need regular exercise for stimulation.
6. Maltese
Maltese dogs are loved for their affectionate personality and beautiful, silky coat. These little dogs have a gentle, sweet, and like staying close to their humans. This hypoallergenic dog breed hails from the Mediterranean region and makes a wonderful pet for allergy sufferers.
These hardy and adaptable dogs make great companions for pet parents living in apartments. This ancient breed is loving and trusting and gets along nicely with children. However, they are not recommended for homes with small kids as they may accidentally hurt the pup.
Maltese are very smart and eventually learn how to get exactly what they want from their owners. They have high energy but require only moderate exercise to stay happy and healthy, thanks to their small size. They can be stubborn at times, but respond well to positive reinforcement-based methods.
7. Bolognese
These serene dogs have a loving nature and make wonderful family pets. Bolognese dogs love attention and are very sensitive. They are not very active and make excellent companions for older people. Bolognese are quite alert and skeptical of strangers. So they make excellent watchdogs.
They form a strong bond with their owners and do not like being left alone for extended periods, explains the American Kennel Club. Bolognese are prone to separation anxiety, which makes them highly unsuitable for people who work a nine-to-five.
Bolognese are calm and easygoing dogs who require only moderate exercise for physical and mental stimulation. They are happy with indoor activities like hide-and-seek, chasing a ball, or learning new tricks to please their owners.
Conclusion
Many small dog breeds serve as wonderful companions due to their sweet and loving personalities. Their petite frame and short legs make them look super adorable. Moreover, their low exercise needs compared to larger dogs make them ideal pets for apartment dwellers.
These little pooches form strong bonds with their owners and tend to accompany them everywhere. Many of them can develop separation anxiety when left alone for extended periods. Other dog breeds that are tiny and sweet include Cocker Spaniel, Shih Tzu, Italian Greyhound, Boston Terrier, French Bulldog, and Bichon Frise.
