Small dog breeds are known for their adorable looks, compact size, and boundless love for their human companions. These affectionate dogs form deep bonds with their owners and thrive on companionship. Their loyalty knows no limits.
If you are a dog lover, nothing can fill up your life with warmth, joy, and love more than a happy dog breed. Happy dogs have a gentle and loving nature. They are highly adaptable to different living situations.
These easygoing companions make ideal pets for families with kids and first-time owners. These kind pooches will bring a smile to your face with their playful antics. They are also a good fit for therapy work.
Here are the 7 happiest small dog breeds.
Happiest Small Dog Breeds
1. Bichon Frise
Known for their hypoallergenic coat, Bichon Frise are outgoing and friendly dogs having a happy disposition. These incredibly gentle and cheerful pooches love getting spoiled. Their small size and moderate exercise needs make them well-suited for apartment living.
Bichons have an outgoing personality and are social butterflies who get along nicely with everyone. They are highly adaptable and are content in all sorts of living environments. According to Purina, Bichon Frises are lively dogs who adore family life.
These toy dogs happily accompany you on all outings, but you can also teach them to stay alone at least for some time. Bichons form strong bonds with their owners. They need at least an hour of physical activity and mental stimulation every day.
Bichons are playful canine companions loved for their intelligence and trainability. They are eager to please and respond well to positive reinforcement methods.
2. Biewer Terrier
Biewer Terrier is a rare toy dog breed having an energetic and loyal personality. They were initially known as German Yorkshire Terriers. Maintaining a whimsical attitude, they like to love and to be loved. Biewers are happy-go-lucky dogs who seem to be smiling when asked if they are happy.
Having a child-like personality, Biewer Terriers are hearty and athletic dogs. They are smart and enjoy indoor play sessions as well as long walks outside. Biewer Terriers are affectionate pups who get along nicely with their family members as well as other dogs.
Biewer Terriers are happy in every living situation as long as they get to spend a lot of time with their owners and have space to play. Their playful attitude provides them with a natural way to self-exercise. Biewer Terriers’ long and silky coat requires daily brushing.
Biewers are naturally alert and curious about everything. They are always eager to investigate new things. They can be easily trained using positive reinforcement methods and praise; however, you need to keep training fun.
3. Maltese
One of the popular small dog breeds, the Maltese thrives on human interaction. These active pooches have been warming laps for several decades and make playful companions. Blessed with a silky, long coat, Maltese are the friendliest dogs known for their outgoing nature.
Malteses tend to follow their owners from room to room and are always eager for cuddles and games of fetch. These happy dogs are surprisingly lively and like having a good romp in the yard. Being gentle and good-natured, Malteses make great family dogs.
Due to their happy demeanor, they also make great therapy dogs and cheer up people at hospitals, nursing homes, retirement homes, and hospices. Always willing to please their owners, Maltese only need occasional exercise to stay happy and content, as per the AKC.
Maltese are highly intelligent and can be stubborn and determined at times. Positive reinforcement methods work the best for training these dogs.
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Often regarded as the friendliest small dog breed, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were bred to warm laps in royal castles. Even today, they make loving and affectionate dogs. Cavaliers love staying with their owners all the time and are true “Velcro dogs.”
These happy little dogs are versatile and active, yet exhibit a calm demeanor as well. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels thrive on human companionship and should not be left alone for extended periods. This toy breed is great with families as well as strangers.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do well in almost all living situations. These smart dogs excel at various canine sports like obedience, rally, and agility. According to PetMD, Cavaliers are eager to please and highly trainable canines who always respond to positive reinforcement-based training.
5. Brussels Griffon
These adorable and affable little dogs can be the most empathetic friend you’ve ever had. These curious little monsters connect deeply with their family members and do not like being alone. Brussels Griffons are happy dogs who love nothing more than warm snuggles.
They cannot tolerate being alone. So if you own a Brussels Griffon, be prepared to take them along wherever you go. These small companion dogs tend to follow you everywhere, even on your bathroom trips. They even love sleeping in bed and have rightly earned the title of Velcro dogs.
Their moderate energy levels mean they need at least half an hour of exercise every day, including daily walks and playing fetch. Brussels Griffons’ small size makes them ideal for indoor living, and they are happiest when they are with their people.
6. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers, also known as Yorkies, are feisty little canines with an affectionate nature. This small dog breed has earned a reputation as a purse dog due to its petite size. Originally bred to chase rodents on farms, Yorkies make loving and wonderful companions.
Yorkies are happy, assertive, and playful dogs who love being surrounded by people. These fun-loving canines love to chase and are better suited for families with older children, as younger kids may knock down these fragile dogs.
Yorkshire Terriers are naturally eager to please and learn quickly, but they can be slow to housetrain like many other small dog breeds. Good training and socialization help bring out a sociable and even more affectionate Yorkie.
7. Havanese
Native to Cuba, the Havanese is a happy little dog, tending to stay close to its humans all the time. It earns them the title of Velcro dogs. Their beautiful, silky coat requires occasional professional grooming and can be left shaggy, brushed smooth, or even corded.
Moreover, the coat is hypoallergenic, which means you can hug it without having to worry about an allergy. Their willingness to please and clingy nature make them the center of your world. These playful and sociable dogs have a knack for making you laugh and providing constant companionship.
Havanese have an easygoing temperament and tend to be great with kids and other pets. Their petite size, gentle personality, and moderate exercise needs make them well-suited for apartment living. Lonely or bored Havanese are prone to separation anxiety.
Conclusion
Humans love small dog breeds due to their adorable appearance, small stature, and irresistible cuteness.
With their bright personalities and joyful energy, these little dogs have an incredible gift for bringing smiles to everyone around them. Naturally social and endlessly playful, they turn ordinary moments into bursts of laughter and pure happiness.
Their moderate energy levels, lively personalities, and minimal exercise needs make them a good choice for individuals who prefer apartment living. They form strong bonds with their humans and are prone to separation anxiety when left alone for too long.
