Looking for a cute companion dog who you can cuddle and snuggle with? These pocket-sized, little dogs are the ideal choice for you. These pups are paw-some and want nothing more than your love, affection, and attention.
Though small in size, these four-legged friends have fun and affectionate personalities that are hard to miss.
We have gathered 7 of the most popular dog breeds that are known and loved for their tiny size. These small packages have an affectionate nature, get along well with people of all ages, and are fun to be around, making them great family dogs.
Read on to learn more about these tiny dog breeds, their temperament, and how you can take care of their needs to keep them healthy, happy, and satisfied.
Best Pocket Sized Dog Breeds
1. Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier was specifically bred for keeping vermin away from mines and textile mills, but later became a popular lap dog for the English upper class. According to Royal Canin, it may seem like these pint-sized pups are always in the salon because of how charming and presentable they look, but the reality is quite the opposite.
Teacup Yorkies are hardy, resilient, and clever little dogs who are fond of attention and like staying close to their owners. They may be a small dog breed, but they can be quite protective if need be. Teacup Yorkies weigh around 2-4 pounds, which makes them better suited for homes with older kids, or in other words, kids who understand how to behave around tiny dogs.
Teacup Yorkies tend to be suitable for all house types and are a great choice for those living alone. Because of their small stature, they need much more nutrients and energy than an adult dog to grow and thrive, which is why pet parents must take proper care of their diet to ensure optimal health.
2. Maltese
Looking for a loving lapdog who’s also a hypoallergenic dog breed? Teacup Maltese are the perfect pick for you. These teacup dogs may be small in size, but have bold and big personalities. They want nothing more than love and attention from their owners and are very much interested in hanging out with their pet parents.
These pups are also the right choice for all those having an apartment life. Their small size makes them suitable for all types of living situations. These teacup dogs are expensive, but the price varies depending on your area and the breeder. These pups are not different from the breed standard and are equally intelligent, loving, and loyal.
These teacup dogs can be stubborn at times, but with proper training, these tiny dogs will follow all your commands. They are alert and curious, which allows them to understand their surroundings. They may even bark to alert their owners if something isn’t adding up.
3. Havanese
Curious, happy, and intelligent, Havanese are a tiny dog breed that fits perfectly in your lifestyle and home. These pups have a lifespan of 12-15 years, which means they will be your small companion dog for a long time.
These toy dogs are sweet, adorable, and small enough to fit into your bags and go everywhere with you.
Havanese make the perfect house pets for people of all ages and all types of living situations because of their highly adaptable nature. Teacup Havanese are a rare dog breed, which is why breeders may charge you anything from 1400$ to a whopping 10,000$ depending on your area and the breeder you choose.
Havanese are friendly little dogs with a fun-loving temperament. They are easy to train but intolerant of high temperature which is why they do well indoors. These pups have a tiny bladder, and it may take time for them to learn to pee outside, so you need to be patient with them. They are the best dogs to bring home as pets.
4. Pomeranian
The cutest small breed we have ever come across, Pomeranians are known for their fox-like facial features and a fluffy double coat. These petite pups are playful and affectionate towards their owners and thrive on human companionship. Teacup Poms are cute, cuddly, and loyal dogs with a lot of energy.
These teacup dogs love to play and have minimal exercise needs that can be met indoors or with a short walk outside. According to Britannica, because of their small size, these small pups may not be the perfect choice for a watchdog, but they don’t shy away from barking to alert their owners if something seems off.
This small breed is prone to many health issues, which is why proper care and attention must be given to them to ensure they stay in optimal health. These pups can not be left alone for a long time, as they may develop separation anxiety. They may tend to show unwanted behavior if there is a lack of human contact.
5. Shih Tzu
Small size and a sweet nature, Teacup Shih Tzus are the smaller version of the standard ones. Also known as the lion dog, these small pups are friendly and outgoing. Their affectionate nature makes them a great choice of pet for dog lovers.
These pups have a soft, fluffy, long coat which is silky and straight, and require proper grooming to keep in great shape. These small dogs are intelligent and learn things quickly compared to other small dog breeds. They may be mischievous if not get enough attention from their owners.
These are a very small breed, which is great with kids, but be sure to supervise their playtime so children don’t end up hurting the little dog. Dog owners must provide them with consistent training along with physical and mental stimulation to keep them busy, happy, and healthy.
6. Teacup Poodle
Toy Poodles are known for their notoriousness, intelligence, and high trainability. They may be small dogs, but they are not different than standard Poodles when it comes to good traits. According to Hill’s Pet, they are active, fun-loving, and loyal, which makes them the best companion dogs.
Poodles thrive in human companionship and do not do well when left alone for a long time. Early socialization and training are recommended for these small dogs as they tend to be aggressive around strangers and other pets.
This small dog breed is perfect for those people who can give proper attention to their health, grooming needs, and nutrition. They must be given food according to their size and age, as overfeeding may lead to obesity.
7. Papillon
Teacup Papillons are known to be the butterfly dog because of their floppy ears that feel like a butterfly’s wings ready to take flight. According to VCA, they are a loving and entertaining companion dog breed that is very affectionate and gets along well with children. Their playtime, however, must be supervised so the small dog does not get hurt.
This small dog breed is eager to learn and are total people pleaser, which makes them a highly trainable companion dog. They are well motivated, and you might include treats as a reward when training them to ensure they grow up to be well-behaved dogs.
They may be small in size, but they can be alert watchdogs. They can bark to alert their owners if something seems suspicious. They can be taken to dog parks, but it is best to keep them away from other larger breeds. These small dogs have exercise needs that can be met indoors, but they must also be taken outside to fulfill their sniffing needs.
Conclusion
These pocket-sized dog breeds may be small in size, but they have a big heart that is filled with love, loyalty, and affection towards their owners. These pups not only have affectionate personalities but are highly adaptable and fit seamlessly into your lifestyle.
Choosing the right dog breed depends on the dog owners and how much time and care they can give to these pups. These pint-sized dogs prove that you don’t always need a large dog breed to enjoy; tiny dogs also come with a lot of fun, love, and pawsitivity.
