Small Dog Breeds

The bichon frise is a small non-sporting dog breed with long, curly white hair that makes their dark eyes and nose pop. Many say bichons are fluffy like a cotton ball and resemble a “living stuffed animal.” These are peppy, people-oriented dogs that don’t like being left alone. One of their favorite spots will probably be snuggling in your lap.

The miniature schnauzer is a small terrier dog from Germany who was bred as a farm dog meant to exterminate vermin. Today, these hardy, feisty little dogs—bred down from the larger standard schnauzer—are favorites of allergy sufferers and apartment dwellers.

The Shiba Inu is a small, non-sporting dog breed from Japan that has a short but thick double coat and an overall fox-like appearance. Their ears are upright and triangular, and their bushy tail curls over their back. Shibas were bred for hunting and are still quite muscular and athletic. They also have a reputation for being independent and aloof at times. And they tend to groom themselves much like cats do.

The West Highland white terrier, or Westie, is a small terrier dog breed from Scotland with a medium-length coat that’s typically pure white. Their dark, almond-shaped eyes and black nose pop against their white coat. This dog also has a muscular build with a deep chest, and their tail is fairly short and thick.

The Yorkshire terrier is a small toy dog breed from England, recognizable by its long, silky coat, often black and tan. Known as Yorkies, these dogs have tenacious yet affectionate personalities.

Love Pomeranians? You're in good company, as the toy breed remains a popular choice for people looking to add a pet to their family. Prepare to be in awe of some of the most famous and cutest Poms on Instagram. Here are nine of the best pups out there on social media for you to follow.

The Maltese is a small and affectionate toy dog breed that hails from the Mediterranean region and is known for its trademark silky, white fur that accentuates big, dark eyes. This can make for a charming lapdog, though they still need daily exercise.

Toy poodles, along with standard poodles and miniature poodles, are famously known for their proven excellence in dog shows. Their curly and voluminous coat in combination with a confident strut always seem to steal the show. The poodle originated in Germany but is the national dog of France.

Known as the "little lion," the shih tzu is a small yet sturdy dog with a lush, long, double coat. Their luxurious coat matches their history as an ancient, noble breed, as does their confident, courageous demeanor. Shih tzus are beloved by toy dog enthusiasts. When well-trained and cared for, they make excellent house dogs.

French bulldogs, renowned for their short stature, charming grins, and bat-like ears, have rapidly gained popularity in the United States, soaring from the 76th to the fourth most popular breed over just 20 years.

The Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced show-low-eats-QUEENT-lee), also known as the Mexican Hairless Dog, is a small, lively breed from Mexico with either a short-haired or hairless body in dark colors. The breed name is sometimes spelled Xoloitzcuintle. The Xolo (show-low), as it's affectionately known, comes in three sizes: standard, miniature, and toy. Although the hairless variety is the most famous, the Xolo also exists in a coated variety. Coated Xoloitzcuintlis have a short, smooth coat covering their entire body. Hairless Xolos are completely bare-skinned, although they might have tufts of hair on their head, feet, and the end of the tail. Breeders may focus on one size or coat variety, but all sizes and coat types can appear in the same litter.

The poodle is an extremely smart, energetic, and friendly dog known for their signature curly coat and three size varieties: toy, miniature, and standard. Under the poodle's frilly, low-shedding coat is a powerful athlete and an overall wonderful companion. These dogs typically get along with people very well and can be trained in a variety of tasks, including work as service and therapy dogs.

The Lhasa apso is a small non-sporting dog breed from Tibet that has a long, silky coat, which is touted for being low-shedding. Some pet parents trim the coat short in what’s called a “puppy cut” for easier maintenance. The Lhasa apso’s eyes are typically dark and oval, and their tail curls over their back.

Miniature dachshunds are a small hound dog breed from Germany. They have a long, low body and can have short, wirehaired, or longhaired coats. These dogs are a smaller version of the dachshund dog breed, with mini dachshunds usually weighing 11 pounds or less, while standard dachshunds weigh between 16 and 32 pounds. Known for being spunky and playful, they are excellent little watchdogs.

Meet the Portuguese Podengo Pequeno, a small hunting dog native to southern Europe with a slim build, pointed ears, and either short and smooth or long, wiry fur. This breed is quick, sweet, and energetic, and it's the smallest of Portugals’ three Podengo breeds.

The basenji is a small hound dog breed from central Africa known for its short, smooth coat that neither sheds heavily nor has a strong odor. These dogs feature upright ears, almond-shaped eyes, a wrinkled forehead, and a curled tail over their back. Their build is square and athletic.

The Bedlington terrier is a small-sized and unique English dog breed that looks like a lamb with a touch of poodle. This dog is known for their lamb-like tufted face, pear-shaped head, curly coat, and gracefully arched back. Though unique and endearing, this is a rare breed, in part because of an inherited liver disease which impacted many of these dogs in the 1970s and 1980s.

The Scottish terrier is a small dog breed from Scotland distinguished by its medium-length, wiry coat with a signature beard and longer hair around its legs and lower body. They have a sturdy build and short legs, making them excellent at exterminating vermin. Scotties are often spunky, confident, and somewhat independent, yet remain loyal to their favorite humans.

The American hairless terrier, sometimes known as AHT, is a small- to medium-sized dog breed that's grown in popularity since its development in the 1970s. The dog is recognized for their usually hairless body, but they have eyebrows and whiskers, along with their signature erect, alert ears.

The Cairn terrier is a small dog breed from Scotland, recognized for its round head, short legs, coarse fur, and small, pointed ears. Renowned for their intelligence, energy, and affection, these dogs have cheerful personalities that embody classic terrier traits. Cairn terriers rose to prominence when one played Dorothy's dog, Toto, in the classic movie The Wizard of Oz.

The Parson Russell terrier is a small dog breed from England with a short double coat and a big personality. Originally bred to hunt foxes, these terriers have instant appeal thanks to their petite size and lively expressions. They make excellent pets—if you can stay one step ahead of these clever little dogs who can be independent thinkers and strong-willed.

The pug is an instantly recognizable and incredibly lovable dog who's popular for good reason—but some pug mixes are just as popular. A few popular pug mixes include the chug, puggle, and bugg. We talked with Amy Attas, DVM, and author of Pets and the City, on what potential pet parents can expect from a pug mix.

Puggles are a cross of the pug and beagle dog breeds. This small dog breed is popular as a companion to families and individuals alike; they tend to be loving pups with a bit of a stubborn streak. Of course, every Puggle has a unique personality. You never know which parent breed they’ll take after the most.

Maltese mixes are hybrid dogs that result from crossing a Maltese with another dog breed—like a Yorkshire terrier (morkie) or a dachshund (mauxie). Since designer dogs can inherit a mix of traits from both parents, they can be a bit of a wild card, both in terms of appearance and temperament. But, one thing is for certain: All Maltese mix dogs are adorable, good boys and girls who are guaranteed to enrich your life.

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a medium-sized herding dog breed from Wales with signature short legs, a water-resistant double coat, pointed ears, and a long tail. Lesser-known than its cousin, the tailless Pembroke Welsh Corgi, the Cardigan breed is full of fun antics. These dogs are adaptable, utterly devoted to their family, and ready to do anything you'd like—just as long as you’re together.

The Shetland sheepdog, or Sheltie, is a small herding dog breed from Scotland with a long, straight, thick coat that comes in a variety of shades. Shelties look like a miniature version of the rough collie. They have upright ears that slightly bend over, an alert expression, a low tail, and an agile build. Bred to herd livestock, Shelties are quite intelligent and athletic. They also can be very loving and loyal companions.

The Pembroke Welsh corgi is a small- to medium-sized herding dog of short stature and sturdy build. Known for their low-set body, large erect ears, and stubby tail, the Pembroke also has a reputation for being a wonderful companion. Pembroke Welsh corgis are achondroplastic, a dwarf breed with shortened legs. They are the shortest breed of the herding dog group.

The shih tzu–poodle mix, often referred to as a shih-poo, is a hybrid breed created by crossing the shih tzu with a poodle. The two smaller poodle varieties—toy and miniature poodles—are used to cross with the shih tzu, which is also a small breed. Standard poodles are not crossbred with shih tzu because mixing very large breeds with small breeds is a risky practice that can result in complications with the mother or puppies. With any crossbreed or mixed breed, physical traits and personality are highly variable, and each puppy or dog is an individual. Shih tzu–poodle mixes are generally small, weighing between 7 and 20 pounds on average, but other physical characteristics may vary wildly.

The Boston terrier is a small non-sporting dog breed from the United States bred to serve as a companion dog. Nicknamed the "American Gentleman," these well-mannered, bright, affectionate canines make wonderful four-legged friends and family dogs. Boston terriers have a short, smooth black and white coat that resembles a tuxedo jacket, giving them an undeniably adorable and dapper appearance.

The dachshund (pronounced dahks-hund) is an energetic and lovable small dog breed from Germany. It is known for its varied coat textures and colors, short legs, floppy ears, and prominent chest.

The French bulldog (Frenchie) is a small, muscular dog with their trademark bat-like ears. Along with their adorable looks, Frenchies are lively, lovable, and playful companions. It's no wonder they became the most popular dog breed in the United States.

Doug the Pug is one of the most famous pets on the internet. Even if you don’t follow Doug on Instagram or Facebook, you’ve likely seen him in celebrity photos, music videos, and award shows. The pug from Nashville, TN, first became popular on Instagram because of the adorable photos his owner posts of him in precarious situations. Doug now has 4 million followers from across the globe.

The Chinese crested is a small breed in the toy group that somewhat resembles the well-known Chihuahua, however, these native Chinese dogs have mostly hairless bodies with large poufs of hair on their heads, paws, and tails. Not many breeds turn more heads than this one thanks to its eye-catching appearance. About half of Chinese crested dogs are actually “powderpuffs," a variation of the breed that has fur throughout their bodies.

The pug is a small dog breed from China with a short, smooth coat in black or fawn, a short snout, a wrinkled face, and a curled tail. They are sturdy little dogs that pack in a lot of personality. Pugs are sweet and good-natured with a little bit of spunk. They are adaptable little dogs and do well in many different living situations, including homes with kids, older adults, and other pets, in the city or the country.

The papillon dog is a petite yet hardy toy breed with an alert, active, and friendly demeanor. This is one of the smartest dog breeds, and papillons great companions and family pets. The breed originated in France which is where they got their name—papillon means butterfly in French. Though named for the butterfly-like appearance of their erect ears, these dogs can also be seen in a drop-eared variety.

The Cavalier King Charles spaniel is one of the largest and most popular toy dog breeds, often called the perfect lap dog. This affectionate, active, and family-friendly dog is known for its silky, wavy coat, short legs, floppy ears, and distinctive feathered features. Although only officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995, they have a long, noble, and royal lineage.

The Chihuahua is a tiny but confident dog that loves giving and receiving attention. Despite its petite and fragile appearance, the breed is quite bold—even brave. Chihuahuas boast distinct features, such as wide eyes and ears that are usually erect and very large in relation to their small head and body. The Chihuahua has a unique personality and can be an affectionate and loyal companion as long as it doesn’t feel threatened.

The Havanese is a toy breed and the national dog of Cuba. Their playful, affectionate personalities accompany good-natured temperaments and intelligence, making them lovely family dogs. Plus, they're quite cute, with round faces and floppy ears.

The Pomeranian is a tiny dog—a toy breed weighing just 3 to 7 pounds—with a long coat and distinctive neck ruff that harken back to their spitz heritage. Poms are typically friendly but can be bossy and barky, so they're not the dog for everyone.

Miniature poodles are small, non-sporting dogs with curly hair that originated in Germany. They’re one of three sizes of poodles, along with standard (the largest) and toy (the smallest).