Cute and compact, small dog breeds are loved for their adorable looks and distinctive personality traits. They may have a petite stature, but possess big personalities. These little dogs are incredibly loyal to their owners.
Small dog breeds are generally easy to transport, so you can easily carry them wherever you go. Their low to moderate exercise needs make them well-suited for apartment dwellers. No matter how small a pooch is, they require daily physical and mental stimulation to stay fit.
Small dogs also have lower medication costs compared to some larger dogs. Some of these endearing little fellows make wonderful companions and lap dogs. However, not all small dogs make lap dogs. Some prefer to walk on their own instead of being carried.
Here are 7 wonderful small dog breeds under 18lbs to consider.
Wonderful Small Dog Breeds Under 18 Lbs to Consider
1. Affenpinscher
Famously funny little dogs, Affenpinschers are fearless and confident dogs. Their monkey-like face has earned them the title of ‘monkey terriers’ and ‘ape terriers.’ Affenpinschers are loyal, affectionate, and entertaining dogs.
These compact canines are loved for their expressive faces and lively nature. Having moderate energy levels, Affenpinschers are lively dogs who enjoy playtime and short walks through the neighborhood. Affenpinschers are clever dogs, but may be a bit independent.
So, owners need to be patient while training them. Affenpinschers are brachycephalic dogs; their flat faces make them prone to overheating. Avoid taking your dog out in hot and humid weather. Also, do not over-exercise your dog.
The American Kennel Club recommends obedience training for these courageous, bold, and feisty canines. They are very intelligent and eager to please dogs, but they can easily lose interest in training and get bored.
2. Italian Greyhound
Italian Greyhounds are playful and sensitive dogs with a sweet and gentle temperament. This small dog breed is known for its affectionate nature. Resembling a Greyhound in appearance, these cute little scent hounds rely on vision, speed, and agility to track their prey.
These sprinters possess light and lean bodies love nothing more than cuddling up on the couch with their humans. Italian Greyhounds have a friendly and gentle personality, enabling them to fit well into most families.
Their moderate exercise needs make them well-suited for apartment living. Italian Greyhounds do well with children who know how to interact with dogs. They are sensitive by nature, so you need to use positive reinforcement methods to train this breed.
Thanks to their history as hunters, Italian Greyhounds have a prey drive, explains PetMD. So they may not be better suited for homes with smaller pets.
3. Bolognese
Hailing from Italy, Bolognese are toy dogs with a calm and loving personality. Bolognese is a simple dog and not very high energy, but is intelligent and witty. These easygoing canines love people and are very playful.
Bolognese dogs form strong bonds with their humans and become prone to separation anxiety if left alone for too long. These small and stocky dogs have a fluffy coat that sheds minimally. The coat is also hypoallergenic, making the breed an ideal pet for allergy sufferers.
Bolognese are laid-back dogs, packed with love, and like hanging out with their people. They do not need much space and thrive well in confined spaces like apartments, thanks to their lower exercise needs.
Bolognese dogs are relatively high-maintenance in terms of grooming. These small white dogs require regular brushing and combing to prevent mats and tangles.
4. Border Terrier
Border Terrier is a small yet perky dog breed hailing from the United Kingdom. These friendly and affectionate dogs, like other terrier breeds, can be vocal and stubborn. Border Terriers are loving towards their families.
Properly trained and well-socialized, Border Terriers behave well with children and make great family dogs. These active dogs need daily exercise for physical and mental stimulation. Thanks to their adaptable nature, they are well-suited for city life and apartment living.
However, their strong prey drive makes them unsuitable for homes with smaller pets. Border Terriers are smart and playful. They are moderately trainable and tend to be a bit strong-willed. Their double coat sheds seasonally and requires regular grooming to stay free from mats and tangles.
Border Terriers enjoy participating in a variety of dog sports like tracking, lure coursing, agility, and earthdog.
5. Chihuahua
Known for their charming and sassy personality, Chihuahuas are little dogs who adapt well to small spaces and apartments. This toy dog was originally bred in Mexico and possesses loyalty, charm, and a big dog attitude.
These ideal city pets have an alert nature and make excellent watchdogs. Chihuahuas are devoted and loyal companions who love to run and play. Indoor play sessions and a few short walks provide adequate exercise for this breed.
Thanks to their small size, Chihuahuas can be carried anywhere in a purse or a backpack. That is why Chihuahuas are often called ‘purse dogs.’ Despite their petite stature, they are very intelligent and have an eager-to-please nature.
Chis respond best to positive reinforcement-based training methods. They excel in obedience training and other canine sports.
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are gentle, affectionate, and graceful dogs who get along nicely with children and other dogs. Big round eyes and sweet and melting expressions are the hallmark of this breed.
Cavaliers have a loving nature, and they are highly adaptable. They adjust well with active owners as well as couch potatoes. These laid-back dogs have moderate energy levels, as per Britannica. Due to their friendly nature, Cavaliers do not make good watchdogs.
Their lustrous, silky coat requires daily brushing to stay healthy and clean. Cavaliers also need professional grooming at least a few times a year. These intelligent dogs have an eager-to-please nature, so they can be trained easily.
They excel at many dog sports like obedience, agility, and rally. Cavaliers are sensitive dogs and are well-suited for therapy work.
7. Havanese
Hailing from Cuba, these cheerful little dogs have an outgoing and fun-loving personality. Their small yet sturdy bodies, combined with their adaptable nature and social skills, make them perfect pets for city dwellers.
Havanese are smart and trainable dogs who make great watchdogs. One of the best small dog breeds, the Havanese needs moderate exercise for physical and mental stimulation. They benefit from daily brisk walks and fun playtime in the backyard.
This hypoallergenic dog has a low-shedding coat that requires regular grooming to stay in top-notch condition. You can clip your Havanese dog’s coat to a short trim to reduce grooming time. Havanese have a strong desire to please their humans and make wonderful lap dogs.
Conclusion
Small dog breeds under 18lbs may seem tiny, but they are packed with personality. Their little bodies require low to moderate exercise to stay fit. Many of them have beautiful, low-shedding, hypoallergenic coats, which make them look even more adorable.
They are sweet, gentle, and loyal by nature and form incredibly strong bonds with their owners. Thanks to their adaptable nature, they can adjust well to a variety of environments, including apartments. Like all other breeds, small dogs also need regular exercise for stimulation.
