When adopting a furry friend for your home, there are plenty of factors to weigh, but size is often the biggest one. Small dog breeds are especially well suited for owners living in tighter spaces or apartments.
These breeds never grow more than a few inches tall and pretty much stay puppy-sized their whole lives. Thanks to that manageable size, you can easily bring them along wherever you go, and their small bodies do just fine with low to moderate daily exercise.
What these little dogs lack in size, they more than make up for in personality. They’re loving, affectionate, and fiercely loyal. And just like any other breed, small dogs still need proper training and early socialization to grow into well-behaved family companions.
Here are 7 ideal small dog breeds that stay little forever.
Ideal Small Dog Breeds That Stay Little Forever
1. Pug
Pugs are loyal, affectionate dogs with an easygoing, low-maintenance personality. These small, sturdy dogs are instantly recognizable thanks to their wrinkly faces, short muzzles, and expressive eyes, and their adaptable nature means they can thrive in all kinds of environments.
With a friendly, laid-back demeanor, Pugs thrive on companionship and love being part of family activities. They tend to get along well with everyone, including kids, other pets, and even strangers. Their small size also means minimal exercise needs, easily met even in a smaller living space.
Most Pugs do well with just a few short walks and some indoor playtime with their people. Their short coat is low-maintenance too, needing only minimal grooming to stay in great shape. That said, Pugs are brachycephalic dogs, meaning they have flat faces, so it’s important not to over-exercise them or take them out in extremely hot or humid weather.
These mischievous little dogs are also food-motivated, which tends to make training a bit easier than you’d expect.
2. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers are full-sized companions in small bodies. Originally bred as ratters and watchdogs, they never really outgrow that adorable puppy size. Their crowning glory is a floor-length, silky coat in steel blue paired with rich golden tan.
These days, Yorkies are best known as loving lap dogs, and thanks to their gentle, affectionate temperament, they make wonderful family companions. They thrive on togetherness and don’t do well when separated from their people for too long.
The American Kennel Club recommends moderate daily exercise to keep them stimulated both physically and mentally. Two short daily walks or some engaging indoor play sessions usually do the trick.
Getting involved in dog sports like obedience and agility is another great outlet for their energy. And since Yorkies are eager to please and highly intelligent, training tends to come pretty easily with this breed.
3. Pekingese
Originally bred to live in palaces, Pekingese are loyal, affectionate dogs with a serenely independent streak. Famous for their “lion-like mane,” they stay small forever, and while Pekes generally carry themselves with confidence and a bit of an opinionated streak, they tend to be pretty laid-back at home.
Pekingese are deeply loving dogs, though they can develop separation anxiety if left alone too often. Despite their small size, these alert little dogs make wonderful watchdogs, using their insistent bark to let you know when something seems off.
PetMD describes Pekes as smart, highly trainable dogs. They can be a bit strong-willed at times, but they respond well to positive reinforcement training. Early socialization also goes a long way in curbing their tendency to bark.
Pekingese shed seasonally, and their thick double coat needs regular upkeep to stay looking its best; plan on brushing your Peke for at least an hour a week to keep loose hair under control.
4. Japanese Chin
Japanese Chins are aristocratic, elegant little dogs with a beautifully profuse coat. Compassionate and energetic, they make ideal indoor companions, and as one of the rare dog breeds, they tend to stay small forever. Their wide-set eyes, short muzzle, and silky fur give them an irresistible look.
Japanese Chins are affectionate with their family but can be a bit reserved around strangers. They generally get along well with children too, though interactions should always be supervised. As for energy levels, Chins fall somewhere in the moderate range.
They do best with short daily walks and some playtime in a fenced yard. And while they were originally bred purely for companionship, don’t assume they’re content just sitting on the couch all day; they still need some activity to stay balanced. Japanese Chins are deeply people-oriented and can develop separation anxiety if left alone too often.
They’re highly intelligent, though not always the easiest to train. That said, positive reinforcement techniques tend to work well with this breed.
5. Shih Tzu
These little furry companions were originally bred to be royal companions. Playful, affectionate, and outgoing, Shih Tzus are quick to alert their humans to visitors with a sharp bark. They’re loved for their petite stature and warm, companionable nature.
Thanks to their adaptability and moderate exercise needs, Shih Tzus fit apartment life well and make wonderful family pets. According to Purina, they enjoy learning and have an eager-to-please personality, which makes training relatively easy.
These hypoallergenic dogs have a luxurious double coat that’s prone to mats and tangles, so regular brushing is a must to keep it healthy, and professional grooming may be needed from time to time too. Some owners opt for a shorter “puppy cut,” which tends to be a lot easier to maintain.
With such a sweet disposition, Shih Tzus thrive on attention and affection from their favorite people, and they generally get along well with both kids and other dogs.
6. Papillon
Papillons are the only toy breed to make the list of smartest dog breeds around. Bright, spirited, and lively by nature, they stay small forever and are instantly recognizable thanks to their signature butterfly ears and long coat, which comes in a variety of colors.
Despite being full of energy, Papillons don’t actually need a ton of exercise to stay physically and mentally satisfied. They make wonderful indoor pets and enjoy daily walks paired with playtime with their humans. They’re people-oriented dogs, though not exactly your typical lap dog.
While Papillons love cuddling up with their favorite humans, they also like having their own space from time to time. They thrive on attention, are highly trainable, and respond best to positive reinforcement. Papillons also love exploring their surroundings and tend to excel at canine activities like obedience training and agility.
7. Maltese
Maltese dogs are lively, friendly, and cuddly companions who thrive on human attention. Best known for their luxurious, floor-length coat and playful personality, these tiny dogs are highly adaptable and make charming pets, especially for apartment dwellers.
Maltese form strong bonds with their people and prefer to stay close by at all times. They love joining in on family activities and only need moderate daily exercise to stay physically and mentally satisfied.
With an eager-to-please nature, Maltese dogs tend to be quite easy to train. That said, their beautiful, eye-catching coat does need plenty of grooming to stay looking its best. The good news is that coat is also hypoallergenic, making Maltese a great choice for allergy sufferers.
Conclusion
Small dogs are loved for their petite size, and the way they never quite outgrow that puppy look. Their little bodies need less food and only minimal daily exercise to stay physically and mentally happy. They’re generally low-maintenance overall, though some breeds do call for more intensive coat grooming.
What these adorable pups lack in size, they more than make up for in personality. They’re incredibly loyal to their people and often make the sweetest lap dogs. With the right training and socialization, they can make wonderful pets for any fun-loving family.
