25 Small Dog Breeds

Cute and compact, there’s a lot to love about small dog breeds. But there are also lots of differenttypesof small dogs, and no two are exactly alike. Here are some of the best toy and small dog breeds that can fit into your family.

1. Chihuahua

小灰chihuahua propped up on a person's legs — Photo credit: iStock/Ziga Plahutar

Weight:6 pounds or less

Height:5–8 inches

Chihuahuasare charming little dogs who make adorable companions thanks to their sassy personalities and spunky nature. One of thelongest-living dog breeds, Chis are full of energy and liven up any room they’re in—which is usually whatever room their beloved pet parents are in.

2. Pomeranian

red pomeranian on a leash looking at the camera and smiling — Photo credit: iStock/romaset

Weight:3–7 pounds

Height:6–7 inches

With their cute strut and beautiful coat,Pomeraniansare a popular lap dog. But they weren’t always the little dog breed we know today—Pomeranians are actually descended from sled dogs, and their predecessors weighed around 30 pounds. But once they captivated Queen Victoria and became more popular, Poms were selectively bred to be the tiny, cute dogs we know today.

3. Yorkshire Terrier

small yorkie dog running through grass — Photo credit: iStock/STOWEN SETO

Weight:7 pounds

Height:7–8 inches

TheYorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie, is a playful, energetic, and affectionate dog. Like other small dog breeds, Yorkies don’t handle the cold well and may be prone tohypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

4. Shih Tzu

small gray and white shih tzu with hair in a scrunchie — Photo credit: iStock/vitapix

Weight:9–16 pounds

Height:9–10 inches

Small but mighty, theShih Tzuwas bred by Buddhist monks in Tibet to look like a little lion. These tiny, cute dogs are very attached to their pet parents and their long and luxurious coats need lots of attention to stay tangle-free. This breed does best with an attentive family who will brush them a few times throughout the week.

5. Papillon

small brown and white papillon dog standing in a car seat — Photo credit: iStock/Oleksandra Vyshnova

Weight:5 - 10磅

Height:8–11 inches

Elegant and stylish,Papillonsare named after their wispy ears that resemble butterfly wings (papillon means “butterfly” in French). This small dog is alsohighly intelligentand needs ample activity andmental stimulationto ward off boredom. Some of the Papillon’s favorite pastimes aretaking long walks, running an agility course, and playing with their favorite people.

6. Toy Poodle

small white toy poodle looking at the camera — Photo credit: iStock/gollykim

Weight:4–6 pounds

Height:10 inches or less

Toy Poodlesare the smallest of the Poodle breeds (the other two being theStandardand theMiniature). Like their larger cousins, Toy Poodles are smart and playful, and they probably don’t mindbath night(which should be every two to four weeks).

7. Affenpinscher

small black affenpinscher dog sitting outside — Photo credit: Adobe/Ilona Didkovska

Weight:7–10 pounds

Height:9–12 inches

German for “monkey terrier,” it’s easy to see how theAffenpinschergot their name: Their distinctive flat, bearded face makes this small dog breed look more like a monkey than a pup. Like other little dogs, Affenpinschershave a long lifespanthat can reach 15 years or more.

8. Maltese

small white maltese dog standing on a bed with a person in the background — Photo credit: Adobe/Eva

Weight:7 pounds or less

Height:7–9 inches

TheMalteseis a small white dog known for their straight, sweeping curtain of fur. Despite their long coat, this toy breed isn’t a heavy shedder and is oftenlabeled as “hypoallergenic”(although there’s no truly hypoallergenic dog). Still, Maltese can be a good choice for people with allergies.

9. Bichon Frise

Photo credit: Adobe/Pepsona

Weight:12–18 pounds

Height:9–12 inches

Another small white dog is theBichon Frise. But what these dogs lack in size, they make up for in heart. Bichons are known for being curious, friendly, and eager-to-please, which makes them easy to train in both basic commands and fun tricks.

10. Biewer Terrier

small biewer terrier happily running down a trail — Photo credit: iStock/VSFP

Weight:4–8 pounds

Height:7–11 inches

Pronounced “beaver,” Biewer Terriers are cute dogs that are small and love their family, making them ideal lap dogs. Originating from Germany, they are descendants of Yorkies, but with a unique genetic twist: they carry the rare piebald gene, resulting in white fur with patches of color.

11. Brussels Griffon

brown brussels griffon dog standing in grass and head tilted — Photo credit: Adobe/otsphoto

Weight:8–10 pounds

Height:7–10 inches

Brussels Griffonsare adorable and sociable companions. Their wide-set eyes give them a childlike, expressive face that adds to their endearing “Velcro dog” personality. These small dogs are equally happy to exercise and be a little couch tater tot. Here’s a fun fact: Griffons were the inspiration for Ewoks inStar Wars.

12. Alaskan Klee Kai

small black and white fluffy alaskan klee kai with one blue eye and one brown eye — Photo credit: iStock/Mary Swift

Weight:6–25 pounds

Height:12–17 inches

TheAlaskan Klee Kaiis a small dog breed that comes in three variations: Toy, Miniature, and Standard. They are a new and rare breed that began with one smallSiberian Huskyin the 1970s. Like Huskies, Alaskan Klee Kai dogs have an independent, talkative, and determined spirit.

13. Cairn Terrier

black cairn terrier dog standing on a tree stump — Photo credit: Adobe/ksuksa

Weight:13–14 pounds

Height:9–10 inches

Cairn Terriersare shaggy, athletic dogs bred in Scotland to hunt foxes and other small mammals. The breed saw a boost in popularity after 1939, when a Cairn Terrier named Terry starred as Toto inThe Wizard of Oz.

14. Japanese Chin

brown and white japanese chin standing in front of a red door — Photo credit: Adobe/jenngarcia

Weight:7–11 pounds

Height:8–11 inches

An ancient dog breed with a noble past,Japanese Chinwere once popular among Japanese aristocracy. With a long, silky coat and expressive eyes that give them a look of wonder, Chin are regal and elegant while still being tiny, cute dogs.

15. Bolognese

white bolognese dog sitting in grass — Photo credit: Adobe/SasaStock

Weight:6–10 pounds

Height:10–12 inches

Hailing from Bologna, Italy,Bologneseare small, fluffy dogs with wild white hair. Another ancient breed, these pups were often given as gifts among European nobility. Today, they’re a good-natured, easygoing lap dog.

16. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

brown and white cavalier king charles spaniel face — Photo credit: iStock/Nigel Wiggins

Weight:13–18 pounds

Height:12–13 inches

TheCavalier King Charles Spanielis a toy dog bred to keep laps warm. These sweet puppies were especially beloved by King Charles I and his son, Charles II, and were eventually named after them. Clever, friendly, and eager to please, CKC spaniels are the perfect choice for first-time pet parents.

17. Italian Greyhound

woman holding a gray italian greyhound wearing a sweater — Photo credit: Adobe/veera

Weight:7–14 pounds

Height:13–15 inches

Don’t be fooled by their name—unlikeGreyhoundsthat can reach 70 pounds,Italian Greyhoundsare a little dog breed. Standing just over 1 foot tall at the shoulders, Italian Greyhounds are sociable and sensitive. They are best suited for families with older children who know how to safely play with these small, slender dogs.

18. Chinese Crested

hairless chinese crested looking up — Photo credit: Adobe/SuperStock

Weight:8–12 pounds

Height:11–13 inches

TheChinese Crestedsis an ancient breed that comes in two varieties: powderpuff (with silky hair all over their little body) and hairless (with hair only on their head, tail, and ankles). With either type you choose, your Crested will need a lot of care to stay in tip-top shape, with powderpuffs requiring attentive grooming and hairless dogs needing special skincare.

19. Havanese

havanese dog standing outside — Photo credit: iStock/Dorottya_Mathe

Weight:7 - 13磅

Height:8–12 inches

The only dog native to Cuba,Havaneseare small, fluffy dogs who bounce through life. They are highly affectionate and get along well with children and other dogs, making them excellent family pets. These happy dogs are very sociable and love the company of people, so pet parents should be ready to give them lots of attention.

20. Lhasa Apso

white lhasa apso dog looking out a window — 图片来源:iStock / Capuski

Weight:12–18 pounds

Height:11 inches or less

Lhasa Apsoroughly means “bearded lion dog,” and it’s not hard to see why. With their graceful mane-like coat, these elegant toy dogs resemble small lions. Lhasa Apsos originated in Tibet, where they were bred to be watchdogs and are considered sacred and symbols of good fortune. These dogs are affectionate and loyal to their family but may be wary of strangers due to their breeding history.

21. Miniature Schnauzer

salt and pepper miniature schnauzer posing in a park — Photo credit: Adobe/everydoghasastory

Weight:11–20 pounds

Height:12–14 inches

Of the three types of Schnauzers, theMiniature Schnauzeris the smallest. These intelligent and charming dogs need lots of exercise due to their history as farm dogs. Give them a job, and these bearded puppies will have the time of their life. Mini Schnauzers also don’t shed much, making them good pets for families with allergies.

22. Border Terrier

border terrier puppy playing in grass — Photo credit: Adobe/bob

Weight:11–16 pounds

Height:12–15 inches

The scruffy and scrappyBorder Terrieris the smallest of the long-legged terriers. These little dogs are bursting with energy and will thrive with at least an hour of exercise every day. Border Terriers have a distinctive “otter head” that pet parents may find irresistibly cute.

23. Miniature Pinscher

black and brown miniature pinscher wearing a denim jacket — Photo credit: iStock/mgstudyo

Weight:8–10 pounds

Height:10–13 inches

Hailed as the “king of toy breeds,” theMiniature Pinscherdoesn’t let their small size slow them down. The Min Pin packs a bold personality despite their stature and needs plenty of action to stay happy. This German toy breed sports a short coat that needs minimal maintenance.

24. Toy Fox Terrier

tricolor toy fox terrier standing in grass — Photo credit: Adobe/Vincent

Weight:4–9 pounds

Height:8–12 inches

Standing less than 1 foot tall, theToy Fox Terrieris feisty and playful. Their mischievous antics are typically a great source of entertainment for pet parents. These terriers overflow with energy and will benefit from regular outdoor exercise before coming home and running around your living room.

25. Silky Terrier

gray and tan silky terrier looking up — Photo credit: Adobe/Dixi_

Weight:10 pounds

Height:9–10 inches

Though they look a lot like Yorkies, theSilky Terrieris a separate breed that is native to Australia. This little dog is surprisingly energetic for their size and loves having a job to do. Pet parents need to provide Silkies with plenty of exercise to keep them happy, and Silkies also have a long, luscious coat that needs to be brushed every day.

Featured Image: Adobe/annaartday