Small dogs bring big personalities into our lives, offering companionship, energy, and charm without taking up much space. For pet owners with limited room or a preference for portable pups, lightweight breeds are ideal, blending agility with affection.
These tiny companions often excel in apartments and urban settings, providing playful energy and loyalty. Their manageable size makes them perfect for travel, easy handling, and lower maintenance compared to larger breeds. Despite their stature, these dogs can be remarkably brave, intelligent, and loving.
From lively lapdogs to spirited hunters, the diversity among small breeds ensures there’s a perfect match for any lifestyle. In this guide, we explore the top 10 dog breeds weighing less than 22 pounds, highlighting their traits, care needs, and unique appeal.
Top Dog Breeds Weighing Less Than 22 Pounds
1. Affenpinscher
The Affenpinscher is a fearless small dog packed with personality, earning nicknames like “monkey dog” for its expressive, almost human-like face. Standing under a foot tall and weighing just 7–10 pounds, this pint-sized pup approaches life with confidence and mischief.
From Rat-Catcher to Beloved Companion
Originally bred in 17th-century Germany to hunt rats in stables and kitchens, the Affenpinscher quickly won hearts as a devoted household companion. Over time, these agile little dogs evolved from pest hunters to cherished lapdogs and show-ring stars.
Small Size, Mighty Personality
Though compact, Affenpinschers are confident, curious, and loyal, making them perfect for small homes or apartments. Their intelligence and independent streak require patient, positive training, while their playful nature ensures endless entertainment.
2. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a small, affectionate dog with a fluffy white coat and a personality that fills any room. Standing just 9–12 inches tall and weighing under 22 pounds, this lively breed combines playfulness with gentle affection. Their round, dark eyes and inquisitive expression make them instantly endearing.
From Royal Courts to the Circus Ring
Originating around the Mediterranean, Bichons were beloved by Renaissance royalty in Spain, Italy, and France. When fortunes changed during the French Revolution, these clever little dogs found new roles performing with street entertainers and circuses.
Small in Size, Big in Personality
Bichons are affectionate, intelligent, and eager to please, making them easy to train and excellent for families or therapy work. Their compact size and minimal shedding coat make them ideal for apartment living and allergy-sensitive households.
3. Bolognese
The Bolognese is a small, elegant companion with a ruffled, snowy-white coat that stands out in any room. These dogs weigh just 6-10 pounds, making them perfect for lap cuddles or apartment living. Their calm, affectionate demeanor radiates loyalty.
From Noble Palaces to Modern Homes
Originating in Bologna, Italy, this ancient breed charmed aristocrats such as Catherine the Great and Madame de Pompadour. Once gifted between noble families, these little dogs survived near extinction and were revived in the late 20th century by dedicated breeders, earning a place as treasured companion dogs.
Tiny Size, Big Devotion
Bolognese dogs thrive on close bonds with their owners, often choosing a favorite human to shadow throughout the day. Intelligent and quick learners, they enjoy light exercise, playtime, and gentle training, making them ideal for attentive households seeking a loving, low-maintenance companion under 22 pounds.
4. Border Terrier
The Border Terrier may be small, but its energy and curiosity are enormous. With a wiry, weather-resistant coat and a compact frame, this dog thrives on outdoor adventures and interactive play. Their keen eyes and alert expression reveal a pup always ready for action.
From Hill Farms to Loving Homes
Originating along the Cheviot Hills between England and Scotland, Border Terriers were bred to hunt foxes alongside hounds, as per PetMD. Hardy and intelligent, they adapted from rugged farm work to loyal family companions, retaining their determination, cleverness, and affectionate nature.
Tiny Body, Big Personality
Borders form strong bonds with their owners, needing daily exercise, mental stimulation, and positive training to stay happy. Despite their small stature, they are fearless, playful, and endlessly entertaining, proving that a dog under 22 pounds can have the heart and courage of a much larger breed.
5. Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are pint-sized dogs with personalities much bigger than their 5–8 inch frames. Weighing no more than 6 pounds, these alert, loyal companions have expressive “apple” heads, erect ears, and sparkling eyes that convey curiosity and charm. Their long or short coats come in a rainbow of colors.
Ancient Lineage to Modern Lapdog
Descended from the Toltec Techichi and refined by the Aztecs, Chihuahuas have a lineage dating back over a thousand years in Mexico, as per WebMD. Once treasured by civilizations and later popularized worldwide, they’ve evolved into devoted lapdogs, perfectly suited to modern city living or cozy homes.
Compact Body, Big Personality
Chihuahuas are smart, bold, and fiercely loyal, forming tight bonds with their families. Daily playtime, short walks, and positive training keep them happy, while their small size allows them to travel easily and snuggle anywhere. Despite their tiny stature, they embody courage, energy, and endless affection.
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel traces its roots back to the English Toy Spaniel of the 1600s, with influences from small Asian toy breeds. By the early 1900s, breeders sought to revive the longer-muzzled style of the old King Charles Spaniels, culminating in the official recognition of the Cavalier in 1945, as per the AKC.
Eager Minds and Gentle Hearts
Cavaliers are intelligent and eager to please, making them responsive to reward-based training from an early age. They thrive with consistent guidance, socialization with other dogs and people, and gentle exercises like agility or obedience classes.
Perfectly Petite with Heartwarming Personality
Weighing under 22 pounds, Cavaliers are ideal for those seeking a lap-loving companion without sacrificing playfulness. Their small frame allows them to fit comfortably in apartments or family homes, while their affectionate and loyal dog nature ensures they thrive on close interaction with their owners.
7. Havanese
The Havanese is Cuba’s one and only native dog, born from the elegant lapdogs of European aristocrats and refined over centuries in Havana. Descended from the Bichon family, including ancestors like the Bichon Frise and Maltese, this tiny breed was cultivated to charm and entertain, earning a place in noble households, as per Purina.
Quick Learners and Social Butterflies
Havanese are bright, sociable, and highly trainable, thriving on positive reinforcement and mental stimulation. Known for their playful antics and natural clown-like behavior, they excel in tricks and interactive games.
Petite Size, Big Personality
Weighing under 22 pounds, the Havanese combines compact size with an exuberant presence, making them perfect for apartments, city streets, or country homes. Their silky, flowing coat and affectionate nature make them irresistible lap companions, while their playful energy ensures they stay active and engaged.
8. Japanese Chin
The Japanese Chin is a tiny, elegant companion bred to charm royalty, with roots tracing back to China and Japan, as per Hill’s Pet. Over centuries, these “cat-like” dogs earned their name and reputation for grace, intelligence, and a playful, almost feline personality.
Clever Companions Who Thrive on Company
Japanese Chins are smart, sensitive, and highly social, flourishing in households where they receive constant attention. Affectionate yet reserved with strangers, they require minimal exercise but crave mental stimulation.
Petite and Perfect for Any Home
Weighing well under 22 pounds, the Japanese Chin is compact, yet full of personality and elegance. Their long, silky coat and expressive eyes make them striking lapdogs, while their playful independence ensures they remain endlessly engaging.
9. Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested traces its ancestry to hairless dogs from Africa and became a sailor’s companion for centuries, traveling the world in cargo holds and on merchant ships. These tiny, elegant dogs were traded at ports far and wide, earning a reputation for charm, agility, and playful companionship.
Clever Companions That Love Attention
Chinese Cresteds are lively, intelligent, and devoted, thriving on human interaction and forming strong bonds with their families. Their cat-like personality—perching on furniture, exploring nooks, and charming everyone they meet—makes them endlessly entertaining.
Petite Yet Full of Personality
Their tiny frames and delicate bone structure make them ideal for families who can supervise play, and their low-shedding coats, whether silky powderpuff or hairless, add to their appeal as hypoallergenic companions.
10. Pekingese
The Pekingese hails from ancient China, where it was cherished as a palace dog and even carried in the sleeves of royalty. Nicknamed the “lion dog” for its luxurious mane and brave personality, this toy breed first reached the West in 1860 when English forces brought a few back from Beijing, as per Britannica.
Charming Companions with a Mind of Their Own
Pekes are affectionate yet independent, loyal to their favorite humans while often keeping strangers at a polite distance. Their exercise needs are modest, making them ideal for apartment living, though they enjoy short daily walks and indoor play.
Small Size, Big Personality
Despite weighing under 22 pounds, Pekingese exude character and courage in every movement, from their rolling gait to their alert expressions. Their thick coats require daily brushing and wrinkle care, but in return, owners gain a devoted, low-energy companion perfectly suited for calm households.
Conclusion
Small dog breeds show that dog breeds weighing less than 22 pounds can pack a big personality. These little dogs are perfect for apartment dwellers and pet parents who love affectionate companions. From toy dogs to lap dogs, tiny dog breeds prove that small packages often bring joy and fun-loving energy.
Many tiny dog breeds are easily trainable and eager to please, mastering basic commands, potty training, and even dog sports like agility competitions. Popular tiny dog breeds such as Toy Poodles, Miniature Schnauzers, and Biewer Terriers make life easier for dog owners with minimal maintenance needs.
Originally bred as lap dogs or little lions, these small dogs combine personality traits, playful nature, and big hearts. Whether silky coat or wiry coat, small dogs like Shih Tzu, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Japanese Chin, and lion dog types offer fun-loving companionship. With regular brushing, daily walks, and love from pet parents, these tiny dog breeds prove that small dogs can live longer in our hearts.
