Many small dog breeds do not grow any larger than 15 inches (38 cm) which allows them to be classified as a small dog breed. If you are looking to get one of these small dog breeds or are curious as to what small dog breeds are out there, we have compiled a list of the smallest dog breeds in the world, along with the information on each breed to help you consider which one is right for you. Let’s look at some of the smallest dog breeds in the world:
Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is arguably one of the most popular small dog breeds in the world. They grow no larger than 9 inches in size and are known to be devoted, protective, and alert lapdogs. They are suitable for apartment living and are known for their loyalty to their owners. The Chihuahua does have a reputation for barking a lot, however, this can be managed by proper training and preventing your Chihuahua from getting bored.
Maltese
The Maltese are a small, designer dog breed that has a fine, silky long coat that comes in various colors. This small dog breed is known for being affectionate and playful and makes excellent lapdogs. Maltese are easy to train because they are highly intelligent dogs. They have high grooming requirements to help keep their fur looking good and prevent the long fur from becoming tangled.
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers are lively dogs that are known for their long fur that is super soft to the touch. These affectionate and playful dogs are loyal to their owners and enjoy playing with toys and zooming around the house when they are not cozying up to their owners during naptime. The Yorkie is a brave dog that will alert its owners with a high-pitched bark if something has their attention.
Shih-Tzu
Shih Tzu is a designer dog breed with a very fine and soft coat. These dogs are one of the best lapdogs and their grooming requirements are more manageable than other toy dog breeds. Shih Tzu can be quite stubborn and regal, but they are also known to be affectionate companions that are sociable.
Pug
Pugs are small dogs that have a distinctive flat brachycephalic snout and barrel-shaped body. They are described as stubborn and playful dogs that love engaging with their owners in a game of fetch, but they will also gladly accompany their owners on the sofa when it is rest time. Pugs can be very vocal and will often bark to get their owner’s attention.
Papillion
The Papillion is a highly energetic dog that has a cheerful personality. They have long ears and a short snout with long fur that frames their small bodies. The Papillion is a regal and dainty dog that is a great lapdog for people in apartments. They have a yappy bark that they use when they become excited or to get their owner’s attention and do best when provided with plenty of love and affection from their owners.
Pomeranian
Pomeranians are small dogs that appear to be round and fluffy with short legs and ears. They are very playful and affectionate dogs that have fun personalities. The Pomeranian is known to bark excessively and becomes vocal during playtime when they are excited, so they need to be trained from a young age to help control this behavior. Their fluffy coat has high grooming requirements, and you need to groom them often to ensure they are looking their best.
Miniature Dachshund
Miniature Dachshunds or “wiener dogs” have long bodies with very short legs that can make their build seem unusual. They are very friendly dogs that are notorious for being stubborn and naughty, which is likely linked to their high intelligence. Miniature Dachshunds make great dogs for apartment living and enjoy being with their owners.
Toy Poodle
Toy Poodles are obedient dogs that are highly intelligent and active. They are eager to please their owners and can easily learn new tricks. These dogs can be very agile and need plenty of exercises to release their energy in the form of games like fetch or playing with toys. Toy Poodles may be small, but the amount of activity stored in their small bodies will surprise you.
Pekingese
The Pekingese is a loyal small dog breed that enjoys spending time with their owners, and they do not do well if they are left alone for a long time. These dogs have a soft coat that requires plenty of grooming to keep it soft and shiny, and they should be kept busy with toys and playtime to keep their minds stimulated.
Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a small toy dog breed that is known for being playful and smart. Their high intelligence allows them to learn new tricks quickly and they are patient with their owners. The Bichon Frise has a curly coat that is usually white, and they have an appearance of a teddy bear with a cheerful temperament.
Affenpinscher
The Affenpinscher also known as the Monkey Terrier in German is an unusual small dog breed that has a wiry coat. They make excellent apartment dogs thanks to their small size, but they do require plenty of moderate exercise and playtime with their owners to prevent them from becoming bored.
Havanese
The Havanese is a small dog breed that was originally bred to be a lap dog. They have a cheerful and playful personality that rarely bark a lot, which makes them suitable for apartments. They have low exercise requirements, but they still need to be trained and kept busy with plenty of toys to keep them stimulated. The Havanese’s coat does not require much grooming as other small dog breeds.
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Dogs fall under the “small dog category” if they grow no larger than 15 inches (38 cm) in height and weigh less than 30 pounds (13 kg). There are many small dog breeds that are considered to be lap dogs and can be kept in apartments. Small dogs are known to be feisty yet full of energy and are commonly described as a toy dog breed.
