Small dog breeds are loved for their compact size and adorable looks. They were bred to be small according to their historical role or working ability. In some cases, they were only desired as lap dogs and loving companions.
Due to their small size, sweet and tiny dog breeds possess moderate and playful energy. They also have minimal exercise needs and dietary requirements. Also, they are highly adaptable and adjust well in variety of new environments.
Remember, not all small dog breeds make lap dogs. Some of them are fiesty canines having a mind of their own. So, they prefer walking on the ground instead of being carried. Small dogs are well-suited for apartment and city life.
Have a look at these sweet and tiny dog breeds you can share your home with.
Sweet Tiny Dog Breeds to Share Your Home With
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small dog breed known for its exceptionally friendly and loyal nature. Thanks to their gentle and affectionate personality, they make loving family pets. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were originally bred as lap dogs, and they love staying close to their people.
These sporting dogs are moderately energetic and need only minimal exercise for physical and mental stimulation. Their small size means these little dogs adjust well in a variety of environments and are ideal for apartment life.
Cavaliers do equally well in active households as well as with shameless couch potatoes. They thrive on human interaction and become prone to separation anxiety when left alone for too long. Cavaliers get along with their family as well as strangers, explains PetMD.
These bright dogs have an eager-to-please nature, which makes them easy to train. Their luxurious, silky coat sheds minimally but needs regular brushing to stay in top-notch condition.
2. Shih Tzu
With their name literally translating to ‘little lions,’ Shih Tzus are fluffy dogs known for their crysanthemum faces. These tiny dogs were bred as companion dogs for Chinese royalty. Their flowing coats and smooshed faces make them look irresistibly cute.
Thanks to their compact size, Shih Tzus are a good fit for individuals living in confined spaces. They are moderately energetic and need only minimal exercise to stay fit. A few short walks and indoor play sessions every day provide adequate physical and mental stimulation.
Shih Tzus are affectionate dogs who get on well with children, other pets, and even strangers. If you are looking for a furry friend who can sit in your lap for hours as you watch TV, you should adopt a Shih Tzu. Training these lovely canines can be an amusing as well as frustrating experience.
Shih Tzus are people’s dogs and respond best to training methods based on praise and rewards. Having a sweet disposition, Shih Tzus need lots of love and attention.
3. Yorkshire Terrier
Originally bred as rat-hunting dogs, the Yorkshire Terrier is one of the best small dog breeds. Under their silky and lustrous coat beats the heart of a typical old-time terrier. Their compact size makes them ideal pets for apartment dwellers.
Yorkshire Terriers benefit from moderate exercise, such as walks with their owners at a steady pace. Occasional bursts of activity, such as chasing after a tennis ball in the backyard. Yorkies love their owners and have an eager-to-please nature, explains the AKC.
These intelligent dogs love taking part in various canine sports like rally, obedience, and agility. Yorkshire Terriers are quite sensitive to human emotions and are well-suited as therapy dogs. They can easily understand subtle changes in your mood.
Sharing your home with a Yorkie means having lots of love, laughter, and companionship. Their coat is similar to human hair and needs to be treated accordingly.
4. Pug
Pugs are one of the most popular apartment dogs. Their small size, laid-back nature, and love for naps make them perfect for pet parents who prefer a sedentary lifestyle. These wrinkly dogs are full of personality and love spending time with their owners.
Pugs were originally bred as companion dogs and love pleasing you with their playful antics. They are brachycephalic, which makes them prone to several breathing issues. So make sure you do not overexercise your Pug or take it out in hot and humid weather.
They also make distinctive snoring and snorting sounds. Pugs have an adaptable nature. They can easily accomodate in various environments and make excellent family dogs. Pugs have a sweet disposition, and they get along well with everyone.
Pugs have a short, smooth, and glossy coat that need minimal amount of grooming. Weekly brushing using a medium-bristle brush would suffice.
5. Maltese
Maltese are one of the best indoor dogs because of their small size and adaptable nature. Their eye-catching and glorious white coat needs lots of grooming to stay in top-notch condition. Since they stay small forever, they produce only a little amount of pee.
So, it can be easily managed through an indoor pee bed. Maltese are full of energy, but need only moderate physical activity and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. These fearless and alert dogs make excellent watchdogs.
Daily walks with their owners and indoor play sessions will suffice to keep them fit. Maltese are intelligent and athletic dogs who make a fun choice for dog sports like obedience and agility. These low-maintenance dogs are a good choice for apartment dwellers.
Maltese are smart dogs who pick up on training cues easily. They respond best to positive reinforcement-based training methods.
6. Pekingese
Pekingese is another toy dog breed that was originally bred as a lap dog in China. This robust and short-legged companion shows the comical side of its personality to its family, but can be reserved towards strangers, explains Purina.
Having a sweet disposition, Pekingese prefer spending their day indoors and need only minimal physical activity and mental enrichment. Extra care is needed as Pekingese are sensitive to both hot and cold temperatures.
Pekes are social dogs who get on well with everyone, including kids, other pets like cats, and even strangers. They thrive on human interaction and do not like being left alone for very long. Pekes are clever in their own way and are well-suited for owners who can keep up with their grooming needs.
7. Poodle (Toy)
The smallest of all three Poodle varieties, Toy Poodles are gentle, calm, and highly intelligent dogs. This hypoallergenic dog is an ideal fit for allergy sufferers. Despite their small size, Toy Poodles are very active and excel at many dog sports, including agility and rally.
These agile dogs need regular grooming to keep their coat healthy and clean. Their high energy levels mean they need an ample amount of exercise every day for physical and mental stimulation. Poodles were originally bred as hunting dogs, so they have a natural instinct to retrieve.
Due to their high brain power and eager-to-please nature, Poodles learn very quickly and are highly trainable. They are affectionate and loyal to their humans and make excellent family dogs. Poodles are highly adaptable and adjust well in variety of new environments.
Conclusion
Swet and tiny dog breeds can easily steal hearts with their adorable looks and loving personalities. Their incredible loyalty and unconditional love make them ideal companions to share your home with. Small dog breeds are ideal for apartment living due to their size.
They are moderately energetic and need minimal exercise for physical and mental stimulation. Many of them are highly adaptable and can thrive in a variety of households. However, most of them need plenty of affection and attention from their humans.
