Small dog breeds have become quite popular due to their petite size and super adorable looks. Their tiny stature allows you carry them wherever you want. Apart from all the cuteness, these little dogs have big personalities as well.
Their low to moderate exercise needs and highly adaptable nature make them a good fit for first-time dog owners. Small dogs are incredibly loyal to their owners and form strong bonds with them. Many of these tiny pooches make wonderful lap dogs.
These little dogs’ delightfully dainty appearance will melt your heart, and they will never fail to entertain you with their playfulness. Some small dogs possess luxurious coats, and luckily, these coats are hypoallergenic. It makes them perfect pets for allergy sufferers.
Here are the best small dog breeds that stay petite and adorable.
Best Small Dog Breeds That Stay Petite and Adorable
1. Affenpinscher
Affenpinscher is a small dog breed that can be easily recognized by its monkey-like face. These famously funny dogs have a lively and affectionate nature. PetMD describes Affenpinschers as playful and charming companions.
Affenpinschers have moderate energy levels, so they do not require extensive exercise for physical and mental stimulation. They make great family pets for pet parents with children. However, the kids should know how to interact with smaller pets.
Affenpinschers are clever dogs who learn easily, but they have an independent streak. So, pet parents need patience while training their dog. These furry creatures have a medium-length coat that needs to be groomed at least two times a week to stay free from mats and tangles.
These intelligent dogs have an eager-to-please nature, but easily get bored and tend to lose interest in training sessions.
2. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers, affectionately known as Yorkies, are small dogs with a sprightly and tomboyish personality. Having the heart of an old-time terrier, Yorkies weigh no more than a few pounds. Their compact size and steel blue colored silky coat will simply steal your heart.
Originally bred as ratters to catch vermin in textiles, Yorkies have a playful personality. According to the American Kennel Club, they benefit from moderate exercise, including walks and occasional bursts of activity such as chasing a ball.
Yorkshire Terriers love their humans and have a very strong desire to please them. Despite their small size, Yorkies are very intelligent and excel at various canine sports like rally, agility, and obedience. They are sensitive to human emotions and can easily detect changes in moods and feelings.
It makes them a great choice for therapy work. This affectionate breed does well with kids, but needs to be supervised around rowdy and rambunctious children.
3. Pomeranian
Having an energetic and lively personality, Pomeranians are proof that good things come in tiny packages. These small companion dogs were originally bred as larger dogs and were used to pull sleds. Later on, they were reduced in size through selective breeding.
Pomeranians are Spitz dogs having an alert and protective nature, which makes them great watchdogs. These intelligent dogs enjoy learning and respond well to positive reinforcement-based training. Poms like their independence, so they prefer walking on the ground instead of being carried.
Poms have an adaptable nature, so they adjust well to a variety of households. They form strong bonds with their humans and become prone to separation anxiety when left alone for too long. Their fluffy coat requires lots of grooming to stay free from mats and tangles.
According to Purina, Pomeranians are lively and energetic dogs. They make excellent pets for owners who can take them for short walks and take the time to maintain their coat.
4. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus, often referred to as ‘lion dogs,’ are adorable little lap dogs. They tend to be good with people, kids, and other dogs. These real charmers have an adaptable nature, so they can easily adjust to apartment life.
Shih Tzus are playful little dogs who form strong bonds with their owners. These incredibly loyal canines have low to moderate exercise needs and love spending time with their loved ones. When neglected for too long, Shih Tzus can develop separation anxiety.
Shih Tzus are very friendly and warm up quickly with everyone, including strangers. They get along nicely with other dogs and cats as well. That is why they thrive in multi-pet households. Shih Tzus behave well with kids as well.
However, the children should know how to interact with small breeds. This hypoallergenic breed sheds minimally and requires lots of grooming to stay in top-notch condition.
5. Maltese
Maltese are gorgeous little dogs with snow-white coats. Their expressive eyes and outgoing personalities make them stand out from other breeds in the canine world. Malteses are affectionate dogs loved for their small size and charming nature.
These alert pooches make excellent watchdogs and wonderful family dogs. Maltese dogs form close bonds with their family and prefer to always be on their side. They can develop separation anxiety when left alone for too long.
Maltese dogs are smart dogs who pick up new cues quickly. These highly trainable companion dogs need moderate exercise for physical and mental stimulation. Maltese are playful and lively dogs with a luxurious coat.
Malteses are generally healthy dogs, but like all other breeds, they are also prone to certain health conditions like patellar luxation, dental disease, and heart problems.
6. Toy Poodle
The smallest of all Poodle variants, Toy Poodles are also loved for their high intelligence and hypoallergenic coats. These smart and eager-to-please dogs learn new tricks and commands quickly. These traits make toy Poodles easy to train.
Poodles are relatively calm dogs, but they enjoy playtime and exercise with their family. Despite their small size, these toy dogs excel at dog sports like agility and obedience training. These exceptionally loyal fellows bond tightly with their owners.
Like many other small dog breeds, Toy Poodles also love to stay with their humans all the time. It makes them prone to separation anxiety if left alone for too long. They are gentle with other pets and children. However, all such interactions should be strictly supervised.
7. Papillon
Papillons, recognized by their butterfly ears, are cute little dogs who tend to stay small throughout their life. They are happy, friendly, and alert dogs with long silky coats, plumed tails, and dainty appearances. Paps are highly adaptable dogs who can adjust well ina variety of environments.
One of the smartest dog breeds out there, Papillons are more robust than they look and are eager to join family fun. They have a strong desire to please the humans they have bonded with. Paps make great family dogs due to their energetic and affectionate nature.
They get along nicely with kids as well, but the kids should know how to behave with small dogs. Thanks to their small size and moderate exercise needs, Papillons make great apartment dogs. Their coat needs to be brushed two to three times a week to stay free from mats and tangles.
Conclusion
Small dog breeds are loved for their petite appearance and adorable looks. Thanks to their tiny stature, these loving companions can be carried wherever you go. That is why they cannot tolerate being alone for extended periods.
They have moderate exercise needs, but need daily walks and indoor play sessions for physical and mental stimulation. Some of them make excellent lap dogs and can spend hours lounging with their favorite human.
