Small, adorable, and portable, tiny dog breeds look like puppies throughout their lives. Small dogs may have a petite stature, but possess big personalities. Having a gentle and kind demeanor, they are incredibly loyal and affectionate to their owners.
Do You Know? A two-year-old female Chihuahua named Pearl holds the Guinness World Record for being the shortest dog alive.
Small dogs usually have minimal exercise needs and are quite adaptable. They adjust well in variety of new environments. Thanks to their size and energy levels, these tiny pooches make wonderful apartment dogs.
Most of them love spending time in their owner’s lap. Many of these super cuddly canines possess soft and fluffy coats that are hypoallergenic and shed minimally.
Have a look at these tiny dog breeds that stay puppy-sized forever.
Tiny Dog Breeds – Forever the Size of Puppies
1. Chihuahua
One of the smallest dog breeds in the world, Chihuahuas are Mexico’s national dog. These alert and amusing canines are often referred to as ‘purse dogs’ because you can easily carry them in a purse anywhere. Chihuahuas can adapt well to a variety of households.
Chihuahuas love to run, play, and do not require lots of space to exercise. Their minimal exercise needs and adaptable nature make them great family dogs for apartment dwellers. These alert little dogs are highly intelligent.
Chihuahuas are playful, lively, and energetic dogs who think they are larger than they are. They do well around children and other pets if introduced properly from an early age, explains PetMD. Chihuahuas form strong bonds with their owners and are incredibly loyal.
They can develop separation anxiety when left alone for extended periods. Chihuahuas are smart and eager to please, so they are relatively easy to train.
2. Bolognese
Also known as Bichon Bolognese, Bolognese is a little white furball with lots of fans. These calm dogs require little exercise for physical and mental stimulation. Having an easygoing temperament, Bolognese dogs bond firmly with their people.
It makes them a good fit for retirees and people who stay at home. They are prone to separation anxiety and should not be left alone for too long. These attention lovers stay small forever and are not very active.
Their alertness and suspiciousness towards strangers mean they make good little watchdogs. Cherry on top, their beautiful white coat does not shed and is hypoallergenic. It makes them good pets for allergy sufferers.
Bolognese dogs get along nicely with kids, but such interactions should always be supervised. They are quite intelligent and learn quickly, explains Purina. Training is a great way to keep them engaged.
3. Yorkshire Terrier
Originally bred for hunting vermin in textile mills and mines, Yorkshire Terriers are toy dogs with big personalities. One of the most popular dog breeds, Yorkies have an affectionate and playful personality. These tenacious canines are incredibly loyal to their humans.
Yorkies are vocal canines with a protective streak, which is why they make great watchdogs. These wonderful companions enjoy pampering and snuggling up to their loved ones. Having a feisty temperament, Yorkies tend to be active.
They need regular exercise for physical and mental stimulation. Take your Yorkshire Terrier for two 15 to 30-minute walks every day. Yorkies cannot tolerate extremely hot or cold temperatures, so try going out during the coolest part of a hot day and prefer indoor play sessions in cold weather.
These hypoallergenic dogs shed minimally, and their long, silky coat needs regular grooming to stay in top-notch condition.
4. Pomeranian
Pomeranians have large personalities in their tiny bodies. Affectionately known as Poms, they are the smallest of the Spitz dogs. They stay small forever, but their fluffy coats make them appear quite bigger than they actually are.
Originally bred as larger sled dogs, Pomeranians are known for their alertness and high intelligence. They have an eager-to-please nature and can be trained easily. They are ideal dogs for families with older children who know how to interact with small dogs.
Pomeranians enjoy being lap dogs and family companions. They enjoy their independence and prefer walking on the ground instead of being carried around. Poms are adaptable dogs who can adjust in variety of households, but pet parents should use positive reinforcement-based training methods to train them.
Their profuse double coat requires frequent brushing to remain healthy and clean. You can use a pin brush or slicker brush once a week to groom your Pom’s fur.
5. Toy Poodle
Toy Poodles are the smallest of all Poodle varieties. While the standard breed stands more than 15 inches tall at the shoulder, Toy Poodles stay small forever. This toy breed is known for its hypoallergenic coat and sharp mind.
Toy Poodles are highly intelligent dogs who excel at various canine sports like agility and obedience despite their small size. Their friendly nature and a strong desire to please their loved ones make them quite easy to train.
Toy Poodles are very social and get along nicely with people of all ages. All Poodle types, including Toy Poodles, have high energy levels. They love to be busy and enjoy activities like swimming, running, walking, and jogging.
According to the American Kennel Club, they are excellent water retrievers and compete in dock diving and retriever hunt tests.
6. Shih Tzu
If you are looking for a small dog who is always up for cuddles, you should adopt a Shih Tzu. These adorable little dogs have a gentle, peaceful, and affectionate nature. They are loyal and loving to their humans and bond tightly with them.
Shih Tzus love being pampered, but are quite adaptable. They do not require extensive exercise to stay physically and mentally stimulated. Short walks and indoor play sessions would suffice. With their name literally translating to ‘little lion,’ Shih Tzus were specifically bred as companion dogs for Chinese royalty.
Shih Tzus are not very vocal and bark rarely. All these traits make them perfect dogs for apartment dwellers. They are very social and get along nicely with kids, seniors, and other pets. Shih Tzus are intelligent but may also have a stubborn streak.
7. Maltese
Gentle and sweet, the Maltese is another toy dog that stays small forever. Maltese dogs prefer staying close to their humans, lounging in their arms, sitting in their lap, or trailing under their feet. These small white dogs bond closely with their owners and are fiercely loyal and devoted.
They can develop separation anxiety if neglected or left alone for extended periods. Maltese possess a playful energy but do not require extensive exercise. Only a few short walks and indoor play sessions provide adequate physical and mental stimulation.
Like some other breeds on our list, Maltese are also hypoallergenic dogs that shed barely. Maltese are smart dogs who pick up new cues easily. They can be easily trained using positive reinforcement methods. Keep the training sessions short and fun, like a game, to keep your dog’s attention.
Conclusion
Some tiny dog breeds stay small forever, just like puppies. Small dogs are loyal and affectionate to their owners and bond closely with them. They have a lively and playful temperament, but are not overly energetic.
These little canines need moderate exercise for physical and mental stimulation. They are quite adaptable and adjust well to different households. Many of them have an alert temperature and make excellent watchdogs.
