Are you looking for a furry friend that stays little forever? Small dog breeds usually never grow more than a few pounds. They are loved for their super cute and adorable looks and bigger-than-life personalities.
Small dogs are usually very adaptable and adjust well to their surroundings. Thanks to their compact size, moderate energy levels, and minimal exercise needs, they make excellent pets for apartment dwellers.
These little dogs make incredibly loyal companions who bond tightly with their humans. They love spending time with their pet parents. Many small dogs make wonderful lap dogs. However, some have independent personalities, and they tend to have a mind of their own.
Have a look at the top 7 small dog breeds under 10 pounds.
Top Small Dog Breeds Under 10 Pounds: A Complete Guide
1. Chihuahua
Hailing from Mexico, Chihuahuas are charming little dogs with a big-dog attitude. Having a spunky nature, they weigh no more than a few pounds. Chihuahuas are one of the longest living dog breeds. So they will stay with you for many years to come.
Chihuahuas have an adaptable nature which enables them to adjust well in vriety of new environments. They love to run and play, but can get adequate exercise in a small space, explains the American Kennel Club. These traits make Chihuahuas well-suited for apartment life.
Despite their small size, Chihuahuas are very intelligent. They have an eager-to-please nature and respond well to positive reinforcement-based training methods. Chihuahuas can happily spend their day resting in their owners’ laps.
Chis come in two coat varieties: smooth and long. Smooth-coated Chihuahuas need occasional brushing and regular baths. Longhaired dogs also need to be brushed at least once a week.
2. Pomeranian
Poms are loved for their beautiful coats and smiling faces. These little doggos look like a ball of fur walking on the ground. Smallest of all Spitz dogs, Poms have smiling faces. They were once loved by Queen Victoria. At one time, she had 35 Poms in the royal kennels, as per Five Minutes History.
These popular lap dogs were initially bred as large dogs that used to pull sleds. Later, Poms were reduced in size through selective breeding. The cute and tiny Poms that we know today are very intelligent, having big personalities.
According to PetMD, they make wonderful companions for many homes. Poms respond well to positive reinforcement training methods. They love their independence, and because of this, they prefer walking on the ground instead of being carried in laps.
Despite their small size, Pomeranians excel at a variety of canine activities like agility, obedience training, fetch, and puzzle toys.
3. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkies can be easily recognized by their flowing long coats that resemble human hair. Originally bred as ratters, Yorkshire Terriers make loyal companions and loving lap dogs today. They have a playful, energetic, and affectionate nature.
Yorkshire Terriers form strong bonds with their humans and do not like being left alone. These toy dogs require regular exercise every day for physical and mental stimulation. A short walk twice a day is enough for this pooch to burn excess energy.
Having the heart of a typical terrier, Yorkies are feisty canines. These intelligent and eager-to-please dogs participate and excel in a variety of dog sports like rally, agility, and obedience. Yorkies are even perceptive of how their owner feels.
That is why Yorkshire Terriers make excellent therapy dogs. These hypoallergenic dogs need daily brushing to keep their hair free from mats and tangles.
4. Maltese
Maltese is another small breed, best known for its luxurious coat. The floor-length coat makes them look like a cotton ball. Maltese dogs are compact in size and very adaptable. They get on well with everyone, including kids, other dogs, and even strangers.
Maltese are lively and playful dogs who enjoy learning new tricks, according to Hill’s Pet. Despite being small-breed dogs, Maltese are very alert and make excellent watchdogs. They are affectionate and incredibly loyal to their humans.
Maltese have hypoallergenic coats, which make them well-suited for allergy sufferers. The hair needs regular brushing to stay free from mats and tangles. These tiny dogs are full of energy but need only moderate exercise every day for physical and mental stimulation.
Only a few daily walks and indoor play sessions would suffice for them. Maltese are very intelligent and love learning new things. These athletic dogs also take part in canine sports like obedience or agility.
5. Toy Poodle
Toy Poodles are the smallest of the three Poodle varieties. The other two include the Standard and Miniature Poodle. They are loved for their high intelligence and hypoallergenic coats. This tiny dog breed is full of energy and needs regular exercise for physical and mental stimulation.
Poodles are incredibly loyal and playful dogs who love spending time with their families. These furry friends are quite social and friendly and tend to be gentle around kids and other pets. However, all such interactions would be strictly supervised as they can easily get hurt by rambunctious kids.
Poodles bond very closely with their humans. They can develop separation anxiety when left alone for an extended time. Having an eager-to-please nature, Toy Poodles can be trained very easily. When it comes to training, positive reinforcement methods are the best for them.
Their curly coat needs daily brushing to stay in top-notch condition. Toy Poodles make wonderful family pets for apartment dwellers.
6. Papillon
Instantly recognizable by its butterfly ears, Papillon is another toy dog breed. These long-living tiny companions are incredibly loyal to their humans and love spending time with them. They are very intelligent and listen to new commands easily.
Their affectionate and eager-to-please nature makes them great family dogs. These playful pups need regular exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy and content. Paps are quite adaptable and adjust well to new environments, including cozy apartments.
Papillons are always up for cuddles and make wonderful lap dogs. This ancient breed is one of the smartest pooches out there. Paps bond tightly with their humans and can develop separation anxiety when neglected for too long.
7. Brussels Griffon
Brussels Griffon is another toy breed that makes delightful companions. Their wide-set eyes give them child-like expressions. Brussels Griffons are compact in size and can adapt to new situations. They also have minimal exercise needs.
Due to these traits, Brussels Griffons are a perfect match for apartment dwellers. They truly are ‘Velcro dogs,’ who want to stick by their human’s side all the time. Lack of attention and affection can lead to destructive behaviors and separation anxiety.
These happy dogs have a playful nature, and they will love sleeping with you in bed. Brussels Griffons never miss a chance to be a part of the family. They do best in homes with children above five years of age, according to WebMD.
Conclusion
Small dog breeds usually have big personalities packed in a small package. Their tiny size combined with their adaptable nature and moderate exercise needs make them well-suited for a variety of living environments, including apartments.
These little dogs are immensely loyal to their humans and love spending time with them. Many of them establish inseparable bonds with their humans and make wonderful lap dogs. Some of them also have hypoallergenic coats, making them a perfect choice for allergy sufferers.
