If you’ve never heard of a dog fashion show, you probably live under a rock, away from dog heaven. We’ve all seen adorable teacup breeds, sometimes on Insta reels or on sidewalks strutting by their owners, but did you know many of these breeds are popular contestants in fashion shows?
That’s right! Teacup dog breeds aren’t just portable and apartment-friendly; they’re too pretty and Insta-worthy. According to PetMD, teacup dogs are small dogs, tinier than what’s expected of their breed. They might not actually fit in a teacup, though!
So, if you’re looking for a little pet that’s not just great for apartment or dorm living and is very portable, but will also make your neighbor or flatmate envious with its adorable appearance, explore these 7 breeds and find your perfect match.
Teacup Dog Breeds Favored In Fashion Shows
1. Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier is like a waterfall of silky hair walking on four tiny legs. This toy dog isn’t just happy-go-lucky and cheerful; it can win dog pageants with its adorable face and Insta-worthy coat.
Though they look very luxurious, especially when well-groomed, Yorkies started as ratters in mines, as per the AKC, and later became favorites of Victorian ladies. You can still catch the aristocratic vibe in these spunky and feisty little dogs, and they look divine walking on runways.
These pups have huge personalities to go with their tiny bodies, and they can make decent watchdogs due to their alert nature. They live with easygoing owners happily, but they also need regular play sessions, and enjoy chasing objects like balls.
2. Havanese
Being the national dog of a country is no small honor for a doggo, and the Havanese have this under their belt. The national dog of Cuba is one of the cutest little pups and makes a great companion for people living in small and shared spaces.
Havanese are loved for their joyful nature as well as their cute, floppy ears, sweet faces, and luxurious coats. They walk on runways with an air of self-importance and attitude, like this little Havanese with its cute necklace and floppy ears.
When they’re not busy killing the competition in fashion shows, Havanese live with their pet parents in their homes happily and enjoy cuddling on couches, as well as their indoor games.
Havanese dogs are the best pets for people who don’t have an event calendar crammed up every day. They are prone to separation anxiety and need a considerable amount of time with their owners to stay happy.
3. Japanese Chin
Teacup Japanese Chin is a breed first-time dog owners should definitely consider, especially those who don’t have a lot of time or space to keep a bigger, high-maintenance dog.
Though they are commonly bred, Japanese Chins can have different genetic conditions; make sure to always connect with a reputable breeder to adopt these pups.
While this breed has a disputed origin (some think they were originally bred in China, others think in Korea), they have undoubtedly spent time with the Japanese nobles. They bring a gentle nature and loyal companionship to homes and live well in cities and apartments.
What makes this pooch runway-worthy is its adorable face, regal attitude, and fluffy, silky coat that can look out of the world after some conditioning.
4. Papillon
When a Papillon is in a dog fashion show, it’s definitely going to get noticed, even among the other dogs, due to its cute butterfly-like ears. One of the smartest toy breeds, the Papillon is a world-famous small dog that makes a great family pet.
From snuggling into its owner’s lap to rocking the center stage in fashion shows, Papillon is a doggo with many perks. It’s a friendly but clownish pooch that can bring any home with laughter, and loves its family dearly.
Papillons are small but not lazy; they can make amazing partners for brief exercises and outdoor walks. Some physical and mental stimulation is essential for these pooches; as they’re small dogs, they are injury-prone and should be watched when they’re playing with kids.
These gorgeous dogs have inspired artists historically; they’ve been found in some classic paintings from Spain and Italy. They were also adored by royals like the French Queen Marie Antoinette and King Louis XIV.
5. Pomeranian
Pomeranians are pretty little teacup doggos with a wolf-like face and pointed ears. They are playful and gentle pups, but their personality is anything but timid, as they will let you know they are in the room.
They are full of spunk and confidence; no wonder Pomeranians were picked for the 2025 Pet Gala along with Maltipoos, as noted by Vogue.
Poms can be reserved with strangers and sometimes can be quite stubborn, but they’re still quite trainable. Britannica mentions that they prefer moderate weather compared to too hot or too cold. They require some daily play sessions in a fenced yard, and preferably on leash.
These pups come in the ‘teacup variety’ because Queen Victoria was said to have bred these pooches into a size smaller than their usual variety. Their thick coat needs to be brushed at least once a week and more frequently during their heavy shedding period.
6. Poodle (Toy)
Poodles are undoubtedly one of the most loved dogs, especially for owners who want a dog with style. These curly-coated dogs are hypoallergenic and suitable for owners who suffer from allergies. Toy Poodles are the smallest ones in the Poodle family; the other two sizes being Standard and Miniature.
High-spirited and confident, Poodles are all about a life full of fun and games with their favorite humans. Poodles are water dogs and make great swimming companions; though it’s advisable to be careful with the little dogs in water.
Poodles look absolutely royal in dog fashion shows.
Toy Poodles also need the same kind of professional grooming as the standard ones; their thick coats look super fashionable for the runway after getting styled.
7. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are a Chinese breed that’s been called “little lion” due to their lion-like long hair. These sociable and lively pets can adapt to different living environments; from staying chill indoors to trotting by your side in the parks and on sidewalks, they’re a joyful companion.
Shih Tzus enjoy human attention, which explains their popularity as runway doggos. They are affectionate pets and need their humans’ companionship; otherwise, they might get separation anxiety.
These pups are also hypoallergenic, but also smooshed-faced (brachycephalic dogs), which means they can suffer from breathing difficulties and might snore.
These muffins have hair that keeps growing and doesn’t shed a lot; it means you might want to get their coat trimmed, or tie it above their heads. This cascading long hair is something that can be an asset for them in fashion shows, though.
Conclusion
Small but glamorous, these dogs are definitely worthy of all the attention and their places on the runway. Most of them don’t just come with looks but also with intelligence and a personality full of charm.
It’s important to know your dog’s individual temperament and engage them in mental and physical stimulation accordingly.
However, there is one important thing to notice here: these teacup dog breeds that are favored for fashion shows need a lot of training and thrive on the love and attention of their owners.
Some other dogs, like Maltese, Pekingese, Beagle, Dachshund, and Chihuahua, may also prove to be the best option for fashion shows.
