There are lots of advantages of keeping small dogs as pets. Many people are aware of only the common pros such as adaptability, fewer accommodation requirements, and being easier to carry around wherever you go.
But the list does not stop here. Little dog breeds with their gentle disposition and patience become the top choice for different households and different types of people.
Moving forward, if you are planning to add a toy dog breed to your family, it is best to pick a breed that is known for its playful reputation. Any breed you pick can have a great playful time if the owner nurtures it accordingly.
Also, if the breed has to be welcomed in a home where there are small children, they must be taught how to interact with the dog in order to have a healthy bond with your canine companion.
Here we have listed top small dog breeds that live up to their playful reputation and prove to be the best choice for families with kids.
Top Small Dog Breeds That Live Up to Their Playful Reputation
1. Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell is a small and energetic dog breed that is bold, active, fearless, and affectionate. It was bred to hunt foxes, while today it enjoys family adventures. They weigh around 9-15 pounds, and stand 10-12 inches tall, making them suitable for active households, experienced dog owners, and homes with a secure yard.
Hill’s Pet says these are high-energy dogs that must exercise for about 40 minutes daily, followed by long walks, fetch, agility, and scent games. Defined by their determination and stamina, consistent training using positive reinforcement methods is important to keep them mentally stimulated.
Generally, Jack Russell is a healthy and hardy breed, but a few problems must be taken care of on a regular basis, such as: Luxating Patella, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and Legg-Calve-Perthes.
2. Papillon
Papillon is a dainty-looking dog that has gained popularity because of its butterfly-like ears. It is an alert, happy, friendly, and highly intelligent breed. Although it just weighs 5-10 pounds and stands 8-11 inches tall, it demands ample activity and mental stimulation. This bright dog enjoys spending time with its owners.
These are athletic dogs with boundless energy, so they must exercise daily, followed by leash walks, play time indoors, running in a fenced yard, and agility. These outgoing dogs enjoy socializing with cats and dogs, and enjoy learning tricks, especially when kids are teaching them.
Having a Papillon means spending less time on grooming its silky coat, but spending lots of time playing with it. They are good to go with a quick brushing session on alternate days to keep them neat.
3. Miniature Poodle
Poodles are known for their hypoallergenic coat, intelligence, and playful temperament. Originally bred as a water retriever, today we know them as excellent family dogs that demand lots of mental stimulation. They are active, playful, lively, and eager-to-please dogs that weigh 10-15 pounds and stand 10-15 inches tall.
Being social and high-energy dogs, they need to exercise daily to keep their sharp minds busy. As they enjoy spending time with people, they enjoy fun activities like agility competitions, hide and seek, tug of war, and puzzles, etc. These fast learners need to be trained well through obedience training.
They have a low-shedding short coat, which makes them suitable for allergy sufferers, and trimming makes grooming quite easier. And every four to six weeks, they must be given a bath, probably at night.
4. Boston Terrier
With an easily identifiable tuxedo coat, Boston Terriers are fun-loving, determined, spunky, and adaptable dogs. Because of their affectionate and gentle personality, they are also called the “American Gentleman”. They have a lot of energy that they like to burn through moderate exercise and in fun activities like flyball, frisbee, and walking, etc.
Training a Boston Terrier is fun because, being an intelligent breed, it learns new tricks quickly. And once it has mastered the trick, it will repeat the trick and show off to everyone for earning treats and for entertainment.
The average lifespan of Boston Terriers is 11-13 years, but owners have to be careful when they perform any activity or exercise that is extensive because they are sensitive to heat. Other issues are eye problems and Patellar Luxation.
5. Havanese
Havanese is a loving companion dog that has come from Cuba. These small and fluffy dogs are playful, affectionate, intelligent, and ultimate people pleasers. They weigh around 7-3 pounds, making them a perfect choice for apartment living and homeowners. Being an energetic breed, they need to exercise daily.
Havanese enjoy playtime more than exercising session, that is split into 10 minutes of daily walk. Further, training and socialization are extremely important for them. They are easy-to-train dogs that learn best through positive reinforcement methods.
PetMD states that separation anxiety is a serious matter for these pint-sized pups, so owners need to be careful in this regard. They have a hypoallergenic coat which requires regular grooming, but you can give them a puppy cut for easy maintenance.
6. Bichon Frise
Bichons are intelligent and loving companions that are playful, affectionate, confident, and eager to please. This star breed is considered to be one of the happiest because of its temperament and confidence. It was bred to be the star in circuses and travelling shows, while today, with its playful nature, it has become the star of every household that owns it.
It is a highly trainable and energetic breed that must exercise daily for about half an hour. Followed by regular games like playing tug of war, fetching toys, and lounging in their people’s lap, because they like being the center of attention.
As they learn basic commands and tricks quickly, socialisation is equally important for them as it helps them get along with other pets, new people, and stay comfortable at new places.
7. West Highland White Terrier
Westies are confident, cheerful, and entertaining dogs that weigh 15-20 pounds and stand 11 inches tall. This cheerful companion is enjoyed by the whole family and thrives in a household that is active and willing to spend time playing with it. It was bred to hunt rodents, whereas today, it makes a loyal and lively family pet that goes on entertaining for hours.
Their moderate exercise needs must be fulfilled on a daily basis, and they enjoy activities like scent walks, chasing balls, and puzzle games, etc. Another positive trait of the Westie is that it is highly tolerant of other pets. Therefore, training and socialisation must not be compromised.
But sessions must be short to avoid boredom and make them effective. In general, it is a healthy breed with a lifespan of 13-15 years. But some health problems require monitoring: bladder cancer, dental issues, and dry eye, etc.
8. Miniature American Shepherd
Miniature American Shepherd is a lively and loyal herding dog that makes a great family dog because of its affectionate, highly intelligent, and hardworking nature. These small to medium-sized dogs weigh between 20-40 pounds and stand 13-17 inches tall. Orvis says that because of the breed’s working history, it makes a good guard dog for the family that is highly protective and remains alert.
Their energy levels demand daily exercise and mental stimulation that can be provided through dog sports, walks, jogging, hikes, and puzzle toys, etc. Socialisation and training are extremely important for the breed. They act strange in front of strangers, but around familiar people they warm up and enjoy.
They have a dense double coat that demands minimal grooming. With a weekly brushing routine and occasional trimming, the breed looks neat and shedding can be controlled.
9. Miniature Pinscher
Miniature Pinscher is a compact breed that is highly intelligent, athletic, bright, and outgoing. Because of its personality traits, this breed is hailed as the “King of Toy breeds”. This small package of fun and boundless energy is a great addition for families that enjoy having a playful dog.
These high-energy dogs demand ample exercise, consistent training, and socialization. Around kids and other pets, they need attentive supervision. However, along with an hour of exercise, they must be engaged in activities like obedience training, agility courses, and field trials, etc.
Although these are small dogs, they are fearless and highly energetic; keeping aside the playful nature, they are not ideal for first-time pet parents. Among small breeds, it is one of the long-living breeds with a lifespan of 12-16 years.
10. Shetland Sheepdog
Shetland Sheepdogs are known for their affectionate and energetic temperament. Shelties were bred as herding dogs, but today we see them as intelligent and eager companions. Further, they are just small in size, but possess energy equal to large dogs. Daily 20-40 minutes of exercise is important to keep them active.
They enjoy fun activities like agility, herding, tracking, and they understand human emotions so well that they thrive as therapy dogs too. You will always find them up for a dog game like fetch and a snuggle session.
They have a thick double coat that sheds heavily, and to control shedding, they need brushing twice a week, followed by bathing occasionally.
Conclusion
Mostly playful dogs are smart and enjoy being around their people. But some of the small dogs tend to have a stubborn streak. Having them as a pet might be problematic for the owner in terms of training, exercising, and accommodating them with other dogs or pets.
While all dogs crave human companionship, if you solely look for playful mates, the above-listed dogs suit well. With gentle handling and consistent training, they turn out to be wonderful family dogs.
