Small dog breeds are the compact packages; they are the big personalities in small size. Dog breeds under 22 pounds are the perfect blend of manageable size and big character. Whether you live in an apartment or looking for a dog that can be carried everywhere easily, toy breed is the perfect one.
They are the calm lap lovers and adapt easily in any kind of household. Moreover, their small size makes daily care easy, from feeding and grooming to exercise and veterinary care. Some are bold and confident acting as a fearless watchdog, while others are affectionate companions.
A little dog with a right personality can fit perfectly in one’s daily routine. This article will explore such breeds which are small in their size but are wonderful companions to humans.
Best Dog Breeds Under 22 Pounds: Personality and Size
1. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is a small Chinese canine partner with a distinctive flowing, silky coat, short muzzle, large expressive eyes and a confident posture. It was solely bred as a companion dog for emperors and nobles. It typically weighs from 9-16 pounds. Shih Tzus are people-oriented and thrive on human companionship.
Shih Tzu is friendly, outgoing and affectionate in nature. It makes itself a great family dog due to its loyal heart and it is generally good with kids and other pets in the house. It enjoys playtime but equally content relaxing beside its owner. Furthermore, its compact size makes it ideal for apartment living.
However, its long coat requires regular grooming to prevent hair matting. It may suffer from breathing issues due to a flat face.
2. Bichon Frise
Bichon Frise is another toy breed under 10-18 pounds. It has a white, fluffy coat, which gives a cloud-like appearance. Interestingly, Bichon means white, which is why it is amongst the beautiful white dog breeds. It has dark, expressive eyes, a black nose and lively, alert expressions. Its origin is France and it was bred primarily as a companion dog to provide emotional comfort.
It has a happy-go-lucky personality due to which it draws hugs and kisses wherever it goes. It is highly people-oriented and thrives on close human interaction. It gets along easily with other dogs and even strangers.
Being a delightful companion and due to its upbeat personality, it is loved by all. It keeps the pet parents engaged because of its playful nature.
But it can develop separation anxiety if left alone for a longer period of time. It may bark excessively if proper training and socialization have not been done.
3. Affenpinscher
Affenpinscher is a small breed dog of German origin with a black wiry coat, short muzzle, dark eyes and distinctive beard face, and monkey-like expression. As stated by Britannica, that is why it is named Affenpinscher because in German affen means “monkey”. It was originally bred as a ratter. It generally weighs between 7-10 pounds.
The Affenpinscher is alert, curious and a fearless furry friend. It is loyal to family and amiable with them, but it has an independent nature as well. Funny part is that it sometimes behaves like a big dog, making it entertaining and protective.
The expressive face and charming personality of Affenpinscher dogs make it difficult to be ignored.
Due to its strong prey drive, it may chase small animals. It is intolerant of rough handling, so it is not ideal for families with young children. Professional grooming is needed due to the wiry coat.
4. Havanese
Havanese is the other small dog breed with heavy, wavy, silky hair, soulful eyes, and a slightly rounded head. It is the best hypoallergenic dog breed with stunning looks. It was originally bred in Cuba as a companion dog to provide warmth and affection. Its weight ranges between 7-13 pounds.
It has a gentle nature and sociable temperament. It’s small but sturdy build, allowing it to be both playful and agile. It remains calm in any kind of facility, be it an apartment or a larger home. Besides, its sociability makes it ideal for therapy work and as an emotional support animal.
Since it is playful and has high energy levels, therefore, mental stimulation exercises are imperative. It also goes through separation anxiety if not given attention or left alone.
5. Pomeranian
Pom is one of the tiny dogs with fluffy, double coat, fox-like face, adorable ears and bright eyes. It comes in many colours as well as tricolor. It weighs from 3-7 pounds. Despite its little size, it has high energy levels. It was originated from Poland as a human companion to keep people happy.
Pom is lively, alert, bold and a good family dog. It has a fearless attitude despite being small in size. It is quite affectionate towards the owners but wary of strangers. It is also a lap dog and enjoys being adored by its owner. Additionally, it also enjoys interactive games, dog sports and mental challenges.
As this dog sheds, so it demands regular grooming. During training, it can be prone to barking and stubbornness. It has relatively low exercise needs due to its delicate structure.
6. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkie is a toy dog breed with robust personality, compact body, fine, long silky hair coat and pointed ears. It was originated in England as a small working terrier to control vermin. It weighs no more than 7 pounds.
Yorkie is a popular dog breed with high energy and great confidence. It is loyal to the family and always remains kind to them. According to Purina, it is fiercely protective, which makes it a perfect little watchdog.
The Yorkie is full of character, and its playful energy and inquisitive nature make it an engaging companion. Being incredibly intelligent and alert, it can be the best choice for dog lovers.
Since it likes to be close to humans, so it should not be left alone. Its bold personality can make it stubborn at times. Moreover, it has moderate exercise needs but not intense workout.
7. Biewer Terrier
Biewer Terrier is one of the best small dog breeds, having an expressive face, bright eyes and long, flowing coat with tri-colour markings generally white, black and golden. It was bred in Germany as a companion dog for emotional bonding. It usually weighs from 4-8 pounds.
An interesting fact shared by American Kennel Club is that it was previously known as “German Yorkshire Terrier”.
It is affectionate, loyal and a playful canine buddy. It always enjoys being the centre of attention and thrives in households where it is involved in daily activities. It is intelligent and always eager to please its owners.
Furthermore, it loves cuddling and being on the lap of dog enthusiasts. This breed’s characteristics make it stand out among other toy breeds.
It is a delicate dog, so care is needed in a household with other pets and large breeds of dogs. As it thrives on human companionship, it should not be left alone.
Conclusion
In short, dogs under 22 pounds prove that great companionship does not require large frame. From the affectionate Shih Tzu to the lively and fearless Yorkie, toy breeds have wide spectrum of personalities. Some of them are quite intelligent, while some are lively and playful.
What makes these little dogs remarkable is how much personality and charm they have. They can be little watchdogs, playmates and gentle lap companions. They can adjust easily in small households and apartments. Understanding their needs will make the relationship everlasting.
Choosing a dog breed under 22 pounds is not just about convenience but about selecting a friend who can bring joy, charm and warmth in life. They are the true testament of the fact that intelligence and loyalty have nothing to do with size.
