20 Best Small Dog Breeds in the World

The most popular small dog breeds include French Bulldog, Toy Poodles, Dachshunds, Shih Tzu, Pugs, Pomeranians, Papillon, Yorkshire Terrier and Chihuahuas, but each is loved for their own unique reason.

Chihuahuas

The Chihuahua is one of the smallest domesticated dog breeds in the world. The name Chihuahua is named after the state of Chihuahua in Mexico. 

With an average weight of just 2½ to 5½ ounces and length of 3 to 4 inches, newborn Chihuahua puppies are small enough to fit inside the palm. For adult Chihuahuas 6 lbs. (2.72 kg) and under are generally 6 to 9 inches tall.

Chihuahuas are excellent companion dogs. They like attention and are loyal to their owners. A common temperament of Chihuahua dog breed is its frequently demonstrated courage.

Chihuahuas dog
Small breed Chihuahuas dog

Yorkshire terrier

Yorkshire Terrier or Yorkie Terrier is native to England. They have the hilarious nickname pocket dogs because of their rather small size.

Yorkshire Terriers should be 8 to 9 inches at the shoulder and weigh no more than seven pounds, with four to six pounds being preferred. Yorkies are inconsistent in size.

The Yorkshire terrier is known for being independent. Like every other dog breed in the world, the terrier also needs to know who the leader of the house is.

Yorkshire terrier dog
Small breed Yorkshire terrier

Pomeranian

The Squirrel Dog is a small pet dog with a lovely appearance, originating from Europe.

Pomeranians are 7 to 12 inches tall and weigh 3 to 7 pounds. Some litters have puppies that are throwbacks to the days when they were larger and grow to be 12 to 14 pounds or more. These puppies can be an excellent choice for families with children.

Pomeranians are generally perky, friendly little dogs. Pomeranians are often good alert and alarm dogs and can be prone to excessive barking.

Small breed Pomeranian
Small breed Pomeranian dog

French Bulldog

The French Cow Dog is a breed of bull dog originating from France but originating from the UK.

Generally a French Bulldog is about 11 to 12 inches tall. Males weigh 20 to 28 pounds, females 16 to 24 pounds.

One of the most common behavioral problems in French Bulldogs is without a doubt separation anxiety. Left alone, they could wreak havoc around the house! Dogs that are very attached to their owners become distressed when left alone, especially for long periods of time.

Small breed French Bulldog dog
Small breed French Bulldog dog

Toy Poodles

Some people believe that the ancestor of the Poodle might have been the curly dog ​​of Central Asia. Toy poodle has been known throughout Western Europe for at least 400 years and depicted in painting in the 15th century.

The Toy Poodle stands up to 10 inches tall, and weighs about six to nine pounds. The Miniature Poodle stands 11 to 15 inches tall and weighs 15 to 17 pounds. The Standard Poodle stands 15 inches and taller (usually 22 inches); males weigh 45 to 70 pounds and females weigh 45 to 60 pounds.

With good training, these dogs will never bite the hand that feeds them. Toy Poodles are also very active and do well with active families. However, with Toy Poodles, if they get enough exercise outside, they will be pretty calm indoors and follow you around, or lie with you.

Small breed Toy Poodles dog
Small breed Toy Poodles dog

Papillon

The Papillon is also known as the Butterfly dog ​​because of its butterfly-shaped ears. Papillon also has a long tail with fluttering feathers always arching on its back, so it is also known as the Soc Spaniel.

The Weight of Papillon adult female varies from 3.2 to 4.1 kg. The Weight of Papillon adult male varies from 3.6 to 4.5 kg.

Known as happy, outgoing dogs, papillons enjoy sitting in laps as much as they like running around the house.

Small breed Papillon dog
Small breed Papillon dog

Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu or Shih Tzu is an ornamental dog native to Tibet, this breed has a gentle face, long shiny fur and a playful nature.

Shih Tzu are classified in the toy group in most countries, with a height of eight to 11 inches and weight of nine to 16 pounds (four to seven kilograms).  Shih Tzu’s temperaments are: likable, playful, and outgoing.

Small breed Shih Tzu dog
Small breed Shih Tzu dog

Dachshunds

“Dachshund” is a German word meaning “badger dog,” and the breed’s German history goes back some 600 years. The Dachshund is a long-bodied, broad-breasted dog with a hump, active, and muscular with four very short legs. They give this breed a unique appearance and wisdom. The head is elongated, the eyes are slightly convex, a long snout with strong jaws and extremely sharp teeth.

Miniature dachshunds have a typical weight of 8 to 11 pounds in the United States. They also are normally a height of 5 to 7 inches at the withers.

Although most Dachshunds are very affectionate.But Dachshunds were bred to be hunters and as such, they have an even stronger bond toward ‘the pack’. They may be small, but new research found that one in five dachshunds have bitten or tried to bite strangers, and a similar number have attacked other dogs.

Small breed Dachshunds dog
Small breed Dachshunds dog

Corgis

The Corgi Pembroke Wales is a herding dog native to Pembrokeshire, Wales. It is one of two breeds known collectively as the Welsh Corgi.

Adult Pembroke Welsh corgis are about 10 to 12 inches tall and weigh anywhere from 23 to 28 pounds. They reach their full size at about a year of age, although some keep filling out until age two or three.

Above all else, Corgis are friendly, playful, and outgoing, but they can also be stubborn. While Corgis are good watchdogs, there’s a tendency to overdo the barking.

Small breed Corgis dog
Small breed Corgis dog

Pugs

Pug, or bully-faced dog, is a breed of dog native to China, they have a wrinkled face, short snout, and curly tail. This breed has a smooth, glossy coat that comes in a variety of colors, but the most common are black and golden brown.

Pugs typically weigh around 14 to 18 pounds. Of course, some Pugs might weigh more or less than this and still be healthy.

These sensitive dogs hurt their emotions and will not feel motivated to interact with you after the injury. Take special care when taking care of your pug, as these little dogs are fragile.

Pugs are cheerful and affectionate, loyal and charming, playful and mischievous. They are very intelligent, however, they can have a will, which makes training difficult.

Small breed Pugs dog
Small breed Pugs dog

Beagles

Beagles are a small breed in hunting dogs and specialized for hunting rabbits, they are easily recognized by their characteristic smooth calico fur. They are easy to raise, friendly and adorable with humans, able to watch the house and play with children in the house.

They are generally between 13 and 16 inches (33 and 41 cm) high at the withers and weigh between 18 and 35 lb (8.2 and 15.9 kg), with females being slightly smaller than males on average.

Beagles are widely considered to be good with other pets and children. They are cheerful dogs that like affection.

Small breed Beagles dog
Small breed Beagles dog

Affenpinscher

This breed predates and is the ancestor of the dogs Griffon Bruxellois (Brussels Griffon) and the dog Miniature Schnauzer. The Affenpinscher dog has been known since around 1600.

If you have a 12 week old puppy that weighs 24 ounces (1.5lbs) then the closest to that is between 22 ounces (1.38 lbs) and 26 ounces (1.63 lbs) which means your pup probably weighed between 3 – 3.5 ounces at birth and will weigh between 3 – 3.5 lbs when fully grown.

Affenpinscher is curious and adventurous. Affenpinscher by nature seems bold, busy and stubborn, but with it are very playful and naughty dogs but they have a territorial nature.

Small breed Affenpinscher dog
Small breed Affenpinscher dog

Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is a small dog belonging to the Bichon breed. The Bichon Frise is a member of the dog breed in the non-sports team in the US, and a member of the show dog group in the UK.

Size: Males and females stand about 9 to 11 inches tall and weigh 7 to 12 pounds.

A playful, yet gentle dog, the bichon frise doesn’t need much room to romp and is suitable for apartment living.

Small breed Bichon Frise dog
Small breed Bichon Frise dog

Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier is a small breed of terrier originating from the UK. This is one of the first dog breeds to come from America, with an active, intelligent and excellent personality.

Size: Males and females stand about 9 to 11 inches tall and weigh 7 to 12 pounds.

The Bichon Frise is pretty easy to live with. This cheerful, pleasant house dog enjoys playing games, snuggling into laps and pillows. Is suitable for apartment living.

Small breed Boston Terrier dog
Small breed Boston Terrier dog

Brussels Griffon

The Griffon Bruxellois or Brussels Griffon is a breed of toy dog, named for their city of origin: Brussels, Belgium. The Griffon Bruxellois may refer to three different breeds, the Griffon Bruxellois, the Griffon Belge and the Petit Brabançon.

The Brussels Griffon is typically a small breed with a sturdy frame. The average adult Griffon stands from 9 to 11 inches (230–280 mm) tall, and weighs 8 to 10 pounds (4–5 kg).

The Brussels Griffon is smart, alert, sensitive, and full of self-importance. He will keep you in stitches with his antics, prove an excellent watchdog, and rule your.

Small breed Brussels Griffon dog
Small breed Brussels Griffon dog

Cairn Terrier

The Cairn Terrier is one of the oldest hunting breeds, native to the Scottish Highlands and recognized as one of Scotland’s earliest working breeds.

Cairn terriers stand only nine to 10 to inches tall, are about 15 inches in length and weigh about 13 or 14 pounds. They have a broad head and small, erect ears.

That of an active, game, hardy, small working terrier of the short-legged class; very free in its movements, strongly but not heavily built.

Small breed Cairn Terrier dog
Small breed Cairn Terrier dog

Toy Fox Terrier

The Toy Fox Terrier is a small terrier breed of dog, directly descended from the larger Fox Terrier but considered a separate breed.

Size: The AKC standard defines size by height. Height should be between 8.5 to 11.5 inches with 9 to 11 inches preferred. Weight ranges from about 3.5 to 7 pounds.

Dogs that tend to be more sturdy, playful and easygoing around children and more tolerant of children’s behavior.

Small breed Toy Fox Terrier dog
Small breed Toy Fox Terrier dog

Russian Toy

The Russian Pet Dog is a very small Russian breed that originated from the British Terrier. This breed has two types of coat: fine coat and long hair.

The Russian Toy is one of the smallest breeds in the world, measuring between 20 cm and 28 cm and weighing anywhere between 1 kg and 3 kg. It has a small, distinctive head with large eyes and triangular ears.

Russian Toys have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. It’s a common habit during puppyhood, not aggressive behavior.

Small breed Russian Toy dog
Small breed Russian Toy dog

Japanese Chin

The Japanese Chin is also known as an extremely rare Japanese poodle. A small, cute but very intelligent dog.

Weight can vary from a low of 1.4 kg (3 lb) to a high of 6.8 kg (15 lb), with an average of 3.2 to 4.1 kg (7 to 9 lb) being the most common.

Japanese Chin are loving and devoted to their family, but they have a natural shyness.

Small breed Japanese Chin dog
Small breed Japanese Chin dog

Australian Terrier

The Australian Terrier is a small breed of dog of the terrier dog type. The breed was developed in Australia.

Australian Terriers are small but sturdy, self-confident terriers known for a longish torso, distinctive coat furnishings around the neck and forequarters, and a topknot of soft, silky hair that contrasts in texture with an otherwise harsh coat.

The Australian Terrier is a small dog with short legs, weighing around 6.5 kilograms (14 lb) and standing about 25 centimetres (9.8 in) at the withers, with a medium length shaggy harsh double coat that is not normally trimmed. 

hey have superior senses of sight and hearing, making them excellent watchdogs. They are easy to train but can be prone to excessive barking.

Small breed Australian Terrier dog
Small breed Australian Terrier dog

Published by

Henry Mark

Mark is Editor at dognamesbest.com covering Information about breeds, naming dogs. He's a graduate in veterinary medicine at the agricultural academy.