Tiny dog breeds are loved by dog lovers due to their compact and manageable size. In some cases, their petite stature was helpful in hunting or working, while in other cases, they were simply desired as companions and lap dogs.
Small dog breeds are easy to transport, so you can easily carry them wherever you go. They also have lower food and medication costs and tend to live longer. It means they can stay with you for many years to come.
These little dogs’ delightfully dainty appearance will steal your heart. They compensate for their small size with their big personalities. Incredible loyalty, urge to stay close to their owners, and adaptability are some of the traits of these dogs.
Here are some tiny dog breeds that stay small forever.
Tiny Dog Breeds That Stay Small
1. Chihuahua
Tiny dogs with big personalities, Chihuahuas hail from Mexico. They are loving towards the people they love and form strong bonds with their families. Affectionately known as ‘Chis,’ they make excellent companions and better lap dogs.
They are often referred to as ‘purse dogs’ as they can be easily carried in your purse anywhere you want. These little dogs are very intelligent and eager to please their humans. That is why Chihuahuas can be easily trained using positive reinforcement-based training methods.
With their weight never exceeding 6 pounds, Chis can have a long or short coat and two different skull shapes: apple head and deer head. These small companion dogs are lively, playful, and energetic. They often think they are larger than they actually are.
Chihuahuas are prone to separation anxiety, so make sure you do not leave them alone for extended periods. Daily walks and indoor playsessions are a good way to exercise your Chihuahua.
2. Bolognese
Bolognese is a little dog with lots of fans. These calm and lovely white furballs were originally bred in Bologna, Italy. Bolognese dogs can easily melt your heart with their beautiful, fizzy, long coat and playful nature.
This easygoing and devoted small breed makes gentle and affectionate companions. Bolognese is a relatively rare dog breed. Their compact size and highly adaptable nature make them well-suited for apartment living.
Their faithfulness and devotion towards their owners make them prone to separation anxiety. But don’t worry, they make adept travel buddies and errand partners, explains PetMD. So you can easily carry them with you in a backpack.
Bolognese are very intelligent and eager to please dogs, which makes them relatively easy to train. They respond best to positive reinforcement-based techniques.
3. Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier is one of the smallest Terrier-type dogs from England, recognized by its long and silky coat. They were originally bred to control rodents in textile mills, where they could easily squeeze into tight spaces while capturing their prey.
Their fesity and energetic personality is not reflected in their petite stature. Yorkies are loyal and affectionate dogs with a protective nature. They are very vocal and, despite their small size, make wonderful watchdogs.
One of the world’s smallest dog breeds, Yorkshire Terriers are quite adaptable, so they can adjust well to different living environments, including apartments. However, they bark a lot, so make sure they do not disturb your neighbors with proper training and socialization.
Companions at heart, Yorkshire Terriers love snuggling up and getting pampered. Yorkies are intelligent and eager to please dogs, but they can be a bit stubborn, explains Purina.
4. Pomeranian
Another glamorous and tiny pooch, Pomeranians have a bold and bright temperament. With a fox-like face, Poms were originally bred as larger dogs to pull sleds. They got smaller with time and now weigh no more than a few pounds.
These Spitz-type dogs can fit into many types of households easily, thanks to their high adaptability. Poms are highly trainable companion dogs with a spunky personality. These playful dogs need only moderate exercise for physical and mental stimulation.
However, their fluffy coat requires regular grooming and upkeep to stay in top-notch condition. Poms are intelligent dogs who enjoy learning and positive reinforcement-based training techniques. They tend to have an independent streak.
So they prefer walking on their own instead of being carried. Poms are highly alert dogs who excel at activities like agility, rally, and obedience. According to the American Kennel Club, they have also been working as therapy dogs.
5. Toy Poodle
The smallest of all three Poodle variants, Toy Poodles are loved for their tiny stature and high intelligence. The Toy Poodle is a small dog breed with a big personality. Their playful nature and high energy levels can fill your home with warmth, laughter, and lots of love.
Standard Poodles were originally bred as hunting dogs, and Toy Poodles have descended from them. They are active, athletic, and eager to please dogs who can be trained very easily. These gentle canines get along nicely with everyone, including kids and other pets.
However, interactions with children should be supervised. Toy Poodles bond closely with their families and can develop separation anxiety if left alone for too long. Like their standard counterparts, Toy Poodles also require plenty of exercise for physical and mental stimulation.
Despite their small size, Toy Poodles excel at activities like obedience, agility, tracking, and nose work. A bored Toy Poodle is likely to jump and bark excessively.
6. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is a gentle and affectionate small breed, well-suited for apartment living. Their manageable size, adaptable nature, and moderate exercise needs make them perfect pets for many households. These ‘little dogs’ tend to stay small throughout their life.
These friendly and active dogs look super adorable with their long fur and smooshed faces. Their expressive eyes and floppy ears make them too cute to resist. Having big personalities packed in their little bodies, Shih Tzus are playful, smart, and love to please their owners.
These super cuddly canines make wonderful lap dogs, who can spend hours resting by your side. Shih Tzus are great with other animals and kids who know how to behave with small dogs. These sweet dogs love getting lots of attention.
7. Maltese
Maltese are gentle and sweet toy dogs loved for their small size and fluffy coat. These low-key companion dogs make wonderful family pets. One of the ancient dog breeds, Maltese dogs are incredibly affectionate to their owners and want to stay with them all the time.
These robust little dogs need only half an hour of daily exercise to stay happy and content. With their big dark eyes and alert demeanor, Maltese dogs make excellent watchdogs. Maltese can be a little suspicious of strangers.
They can be a bit stubborn when it comes to training, but their high intelligence and eagerness to please make them relatively easy to train. This hypoallergenic dog sheds minimally and is well-suited as a companion dog for allergy sufferers.
Conclusion
With their adorable looks and super-friendly nature, tiny dog breeds are loved by many. These small dogs are quite adaptable and can be easily carried anywhere in a purse or a backpack. They are deeply connected to their humans.
That is why they can develop separation anxiety when left alone for too long. Due to their small size, they have moderate exercise needs and are content with only a few short walks and indoor play sessions every day.
