A dog’s size is not measured by how big they are but by how big their HEART is. Owning a big dog breed comes with a lot of restrictions, weight limits, lease approvals, and requirements for fenced yards.
Honestly, not everyone can meet them, especially those living in apartments, compact homes, and rentals.
Therefore, small dog breeds just make excellent companions for them. These tiny dogs may look delicate, but they are loyal, brave, and deeply loving inside their little bodies.
However, their small size does not mean small PERSONALITY.
These precious toy dogs are full of character, charm, and affection. They can adjust to almost every home and owner. There are active dogs for active owners, and there are also lazy pups for homebodies that just accompany you in whatever you do.
They are best for first-time owners and are relatively easier to maintain than large dogs.
We will share seven such small dog breeds that are perfect for companionship at home. We will also discuss their behaviors with family members, along with their exercise, training, and grooming routines.
Precious Toy Dog Breeds That Make Excellent Pets
1. Maltese
Malteses are among the oldest toy breeds that were bred to be pampered lap dogs. They are gentle, affectionate, playful, and charmingly fearless. These white dogs bond closely with their owners and are super gentle with children and other dogs. Maltese rarely show aggression and like to play with them.
However, these small dogs carry a big personality and also make good watchdogs, as they alert to any new sound or visitor, according to the AKC. They require 20-30 minutes of daily walks along with indoor games of fetch or chasing toys for mental stimulation.
Their eager-to-please nature makes training a lot easier, though they may have a mild stubborn streak. Maltese are well suited for first-time owners, apartment dwellers, and seniors. They have a long single coat that is hypoallergenic and require daily brushing when kept long.
2. Toy Poodle
Toy Poodles are intelligent, proud, lively, and deeply intuitive dogs that were bred as water retrievers. And that’s where their love for water begins. However, they are also called the ‘Canine Einstein’ because they rank among the smartest dog breeds in the WORLD. Poodles are famous for their agility and goofy sense of humor.
They are highly affectionate and understand their owner’s emotions quickly. These companion dogs make the best emotional support animals and stay patient and friendly with children or other pets. Plus, they also worked as circus performers.
That said, they have moderate exercise needs and enjoy long walks, agility courses, and puzzle toys for mental stimulation. They are super easy to train and are perfect for first-time owners. Toy Poodles barely shed but require daily brushing.
3. Pomeranian
Pomeranians are extroverted, vivacious, intelligent, and fiercely loyal of the smallest dog breeds. They are big dog personalities in tiny bodies and always curious about their surroundings. Poms possess a famous lion-like ruff around their neck and a fox-like face.
They gained massive popularity in the 19th century when Queen Victoria fell in love with the breed and established her own breeding club. Poms love laps or sitting beside you like a fluffy shadow. They do well with children and other animals but require supervision.
That said, Pomeranians have moderate energy levels and require 30 minutes of activity for mental stimulation. They learn commands quickly but also show their stubborn streak. Poms are best for active pet parents and apartment owners. They have an average-shedding double coat.
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are gentle, graceful, and affectionate dogs that rarely get aggressive and are known for melting in your arms the moment you pick them up. These little dogs were bred as companions, as PDSA shared, for British nobility.
These are great dogs for families with children and other animals due to their sweet temperament. Cavaliers hate being left alone and match your energy and mood. They got their name after King Charles I and his son because they rarely went anywhere without them.
They require about 30 minutes of short walks, sniffing around the yard, and games of fetch to spend their boundless energy. Cavaliers are very easy to train due to their sensitive and eager-to-please nature. They respond best to soft tones and positive reinforcement.
5. Pug
Pugs are charming, mischievous, loving, and playful little dogs with a motto of a lot in a little package. They were also bred as prized lapdogs for Chinese emperors and lived in lavish luxury. Pugs are natural comedians who love being the center of attention and stay happy around their family members.
These calm dogs are excellent with kids of all ages and also do well with other dogs due to their social and easygoing personality. And that’s what makes them perfect companions. However, Pugs have relatively low energy levels and require around 15-20 minutes of light activity.
These friendly dogs have a stubborn streak and need gentle pet parents. They have a short double coat that sheds heavily year-round and requires regular grooming and brushing. That said, Pugs are brachycephalic breeds, as PetMD shared, so they may experience breathing difficulties.
6. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are affectionate, outgoing, and playful dogs. They were originally bred as good companions and lap dogs for royalty. Shih Tzus were reserved as sacred house dogs in places during the Ming and Manchu Dynasties, as Pedigree described.
These toy dogs are also called ‘Lion Dogs’ or ‘Crysanthemum Dogs’ due to the way their facial hair grows outward in all directions like flower petals. They are famously sweet-natured, arrogant, and cute, and bond closely with their owners and stay gentle with kids.
They require 30 minutes of light activity for mental stimulation. Shih Tzus can be easily trained with consistent training and positive reinforcement. They have a flowing double coat that sheds minimally and require frequent brushing to prevent knots and tangles.
7. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers (Yorkies) are brave, bossy, confident, and full of big dog energy. They have an affectionate nature and were bred to hunt vermin and rats in textile mills and coal mines. Yorkies are fearless, highly vocal, and spirited dogs, which makes them great companions and watchdogs.
These small breeds form strong bonds with their owners and are best suited for households with older and respectful children. They are generally confident around other pets and require around 20-30 minutes of daily activity to spend their boundless energy.
They learn commands quickly and possess a stubborn terrier streak. So they require extra patience and consistent training. In addition, Yorkshire Terriers have fine straight hair that sheds minimally but requires daily brushing if kept long. You can also go for a teddy bear cut to reduce brushing to 2-3 times a week.
Conclusion
The above-mentioned seven dogs are great companions for active first-time owners and even calm households. They form strong bonds with their family members and also do well with other pets and children.
However, these toy dog breeds differ in their exercise, training, and grooming needs. So read the details before choosing ONE.
