Getting a dog for the first time is an overwhelming decision in itself. People often feel that big dogs are intimidating or that they can’t handle their high energy levels.
And honestly, trust your GUTS because large dogs ain’t easy for first-time dog owners, though their personality varies individually. Small dog breeds not only click well, but they offer all the companionship, loyalty, and fun.
So yeah, you don’t have to compromise on anything just because they are small.
These compact companions are an ideal choice for anyone looking for low-maintenance and easygoing dogs. They adapt easily to apartments, have less exercise needs compared to big dogs, and make excellent family dogs for seniors and children.
And what else a first time dog parent could have asked for?
We have shared seven cute small dog breeds for first-time pet owners in this guide. We will discuss what makes them suitable, along with their exercise, training, and grooming needs.
Small Dog Breeds Great for First‑Time Pet Owners
1. Maltese
People often call Maltese by different names affectionately, including cotton candy, marshmallow, or walking clouds. And it’s all because of their famous white coats. These tiny dogs are affectionate, gentle, and lively companions with a sweet nature. They were bred to be lapdogs, so they don’t have a prey drive.
Their small size and low to moderate exercise needs make them perfect for first-time pet parents. They just need a few short walks and gentle games of fetch for mental stimulation. In addition, Malteses are highly eager to please and respond best to gentle training and treat incentives, as noted by PetMD.
That said, these white dogs barely shed and have hypoallergenic coats. But they do need daily brushing to keep their coat tangle-free, or you can go for a puppy cut, which reduces the brushing need to 3-4 times a week. Maltese need professional grooming every 4-6 weeks.
2. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers (Yorkies) are brave, feisty, and affectionate companions with a big personality in their tiny bodies. They are fiercely loyal to their owner and keep a keen eye on their surroundings, which makes them good watchdogs, though they were originally bred to hunt rodents in textile mills.
These Terrier breeds are easy to manage in small living spaces and have a perfect balance of entertaining and working personality. However, they require about 30-40 minutes of exercise, including short daily walks and interactive games like chasing, as PDSA shared.
They are highly intelligent and quick to learn but also have a stubborn terrier streak. So as a first-time owner, you need to set clear rules early and focus on socializing and training them. Plus, they have a straight, low-shedding coat but require daily gentle combing if kept long.
3. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are outgoing, affectionate, and happy-go-lucky companions famous for their sweet and gentle nature. They are extremely friendly with family, strangers, and even other pets, which makes them overall perfect for people owning a dog for the very first time. These small breeds are also known as ‘lion dogs’.
They were also the house pets of most of the Ming Dynasty, as the AKC shared. Shih Tzus have zero hunting drive and were cherished lap dogs. They require a couple of short walks and indoor play sessions for mental stimulation. They are naturally eager to please with a slight stubborn streak.
So, use short and fun training sessions with small treats to engage them. That said, they have a dense, long coat that barely sheds but requires daily brushing if kept long. Plus, they have a flat face and are likely to experience breathing difficulties, so keep an eye on them, especially when taking them for exercise.
4. Toy Poodle
Toy Poodles are joyful, exceptionally intelligent, and highly affectionate companions known for their lively and eager-to-please nature. They build strong and loving bonds with their families and usually get along well with other pets. These dogs are also the national dog of France, as Purina shared.
Poodles were originally bred as water retrieving dogs, and then small sizes were carefully bred as pampered lapdogs. They are also famous as the smartest dogs, so these toy breeds are quite easy to train. They are also highly adaptable, which means they adjust well to an urban lifestyle.
That said, daily neighborhood walks and games of fetch are usually enough for them. So first-time owners don’t have to spend hours on their mental stimulation. In addition, they have a dense, curly single coat that barely sheds and traps all loose hair inside, so they require daily brushing to prevent matting.
5. Papillon
Papillons are outgoing, happy, and intelligent dogs that are known for their butterfly-like ears. These petite dog breeds were carefully bred to offer companionship and possess a confident demeanor and a cheerful personality. They pick up good habits easily, which is the cherry on top for first-time owners.
That said, these apartment dogs have moderate energy levels and require brisk walks to meet their energy needs. Papillons are also ranked among the smartest breeds, so training them is relatively easy with small treats and positive reinforcement.
They may also show a stubborn streak sometimes. In addition, these best small dog breeds have a silky coat that does shed, but brushing 2-3 times a week with a pin brush prevents tangles keep their coat clean. You can go for a professional grooming visit every 6-8 weeks depending on their hair growth.
6. Biewer Terrier
Biewer Terriers are whimsical and child-friendly companions known for their happy and quiet charm. They tend to be calmer and less vocal than traditional terriers and prefer to snuggle on your lap. These dogs were specifically bred as easygoing companions.
Biewer Terriers’ non-aggressive temperament makes them wonderful for beginners, families, and seniors. They also adapt well to apartments and small spaces. These small dogs require a couple of brief daily walks and some indoor activity to spend their boundless energy.
That said, they are naturally eager to please with a slight Terrier streak and respond well to soft and small treat rewards. So you should focus on gentle consistency and early house training habits. These Terriers also have a long, flowing, and silky coat that is low-shedding but requires daily brushing.
7. Havanese
Havanese are cheerful, outgoing, and deeply affectionate companions often called Velcro dogs. They are naturally social, highly adaptable, and get along famously well with children, strangers, and other household pets. Havanese are the native lapdogs of Cuba.
However, their gentle and forgiving nature makes them perfect for first-time owners. Apart from this, Havanese are sturdy dogs with a manageable size. They have moderate exercise needs and enjoy games of fetch and fun backyard play sessions to satisfy their physical energy.
That said, these calm dog breeds are smart and sensitive. They respond well to gentle praise and treats to keep them engaged and confident. In addition, these toy dogs have a double coat that barely sheds and require brushing 2-3 times a week to prevent mats and tangles.
Conclusion
The above-mentioned seven pups are ideal for first-time owners. They have low to moderate energy levels, manageable size, and, on top of that, sweet temperaments. Most of them were bred to be lap dogs, so they don’t have chasing instincts, which is a relief.
However, they all differ at individual levels. So read the details above before choosing your first sweetheart.
