There are clearly many different small dog breeds in existence, and while they are all lovable and special in their own ways, some are clearly more popular than others. Whether these popular miniature and toy dog breeds are prominent because they are cute, easy to train or simply easy to live with depends on the specific small dog breed in question. A benefit of these breeds is that they are usually easier to come by than some of the more rare toy dog breeds, and this can mean less inbreeding and genetic defects . Of course, no matter which breed of dog you choose, you’ll want to ensure to find a great breeder (or better yet, get one from a shelter) in order to minimize your chance of buying a dog that is prone to health issues.

Below I’ve gathered a listing of some of the most popular miniature and toy breed dogs, so hopefully it will help you when choosing a new furry family member for your home. As always, remember that taking a dog into your home is a serious decision and should not be taken lightly no matter how irresistible a puppy’s sweet face is. Now, on with the list:

Chihuahua – Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breed and have definitely become one of the most popular of all breeds over the last decade. Unfortunately this has led to mass breeding (backyard breeders and puppy mills), so it’s very important to research a breeder extensively before buying a Chihuahua. In some areas there are many of these dogs in rescues, so you may be able to find one there. Chihuahuas are tiny tog dogs generally ranging from 2 to 6 pounds.

Papillon – Papillons are among the smartest of not only toy breed dogs, but rank fifth in intelligence in all breeds overall. They weigh an average of five pounds, are are known for their lush long hair and big butterfly ears. Just a warning, these dogs are not usually good for allergy sufferers.

Toy Poodle – Poodles of all sizes are notoriously smart and easy to train. The smallest of the poodle breeds is the toy poodle, which varies in size from four to eight pounds. There are also miniature poodles which range from fifteen to seventeen, however that is likely a little large to truly be considered as one of the miniature dog breeds.

Yorkie – The Yorkshire Terrier Breed, more commonly referred to as simply “Yorkie” has exploded in popularity over the last few years. This miniature breed of dog is known for its small size (five to seven pounds), big terrier attitude and teddy bear like appearance.

Pomeranian – Tiny with a large amount of very puffy hair, the Pomeranian is another dog with a lot of attitude in a small package (three to seven pounds). If you’re up for a lot of grooming, the Pomeranian could be the perfect toy dog breed for you.

Maltese – The tiny Maltese is an entirely white little dog that generally weighs between  four and six pounds. This breed is known for its sweet temperament, sociability and intelligence. They are considered to be one of the most friendly types of small dogs.

If your dog’s needs aren’t met, it is likely that your dog will engage in unwanted behaviors such as chewing up furniture and even harmful behaviors such as excess paw licking (which can also be a sign of allergies). Remember, a tired dog is a happy dog and by meeting your miniature dogs physical and mental needs you’ll tire him out. Also, if you provide size appropriate chews for miniature dog breeds, like bully and beef sticks (never rawhide as it’s not digestible), then your dog will likely keep busy chewing on these and leave your furniture and shoes alone.

For instance, the more people that own these breeds the more it will be learned that not all small dogs are yappy ankle biters, and that most miniature toy dog breeds are actually quite pleasant with great personalities. Dispelling the myths along with the fact that many folks will continue to move into high rises and small homes means that the popularity of small breeds is likely to only continue to rise. And frankly, once you own a miniature dog breed and see how much easier and more convenient they are to own over large breeds of dog, it would certainly be hard to go back.

I mean, while small dogs still need exercise and food, they do tend to need less of these things than their larger counterparts. Also, should you ever need to take your dog to the groomers or vet (the latter of which all responsible owners will do), it’s much easier as they can simply be carried and don’t need to be literally dragged in like some dogs.

However, while we all know of popular tiny dogs like the Chihuahua and Toy Poodle, there are some toy breeds that are actually quite rare. Some are so rare that you may have never even seen one before! Here are some of the tiny miniature dog breeds:

Chinese Crested Dog:  An almost hairless toy dog, the Chinese crested is known to be extremely loyal and becomes attached to one member of the family most of all. While the body is hairless, this breed has some fur on its tail, feet and head.

Russian Toy Terrier: The Russian toy terrier is extremely rare in North America, but as the name would suggest is more common in its homeland of Russia. it’s one of the smallest of the toy dog breeds, ranging from three to six pounds.

Bolognese: A tiny fluffy white dog with only an overcoat, the Bolognese is quite rare and may be mistaken for a Bichon Frise or Maltese. however, it is a completely separate breed that may share some ancestry with the aforementioned breeds full grown.

Border Terrier: One of the smaller of the terrier breeds, the border terrier is known for its wiry coat and black muzzle. It’s an energetic small dog breed, which is sure to keep any owner on his or her feet.

Xoloitzcuintli: The only completely hairless breed, the Xoloitzcuintli is also  frequently referred to as the “Mexican hairless”, and thus you’ll know one of these cute small dogs if you see one. It’s also known for the fact that it almost never barks, and is one of the easier miniature dog breeds to train.

In fact, some owners may notice that their dog has the occasion accident even when they are nearing their first birthday! However, with consistency and an understanding that tiny dogs have tiny bladders that will take time to grow and strengthen, we can ensure that our dogs eventually are one hundred percent housebroken.

As for the method of potty training dogs the quickest, you’ll find that many breeders and dog enthusiasts recommend crate training these days. This is not a method I use, as I work from home and am able to monitor my puppies quite closely. However, for those that do want to consider crate training, it’s definitely a viable option. House breaking your dog, no matter which method you use, is truly all about consistency! Here’s how I go about it:

Feed puppy at regular times: By feeding your puppy only at scheduled times (as opposed to leaving food out all the time aka free feeding), you’ll be best able to determine when your miniature dog needs to use the bathroom. Usually puppies will have to eliminate about half an hour after eating, so it’s a good idea to take them out in that time frame (setting a timer is very helpful to avoid forgetting).

It’s important that you stay outside until your puppy goes, and reward heavily when he or she does. Also, when your puppy is very young, he should be taken out every hour or two for the chance to pee. This, while inconvenient, is a key part of house training dogs and will help to ensure that less accidents happen in the house, and will reinforce the proper behavior. Also, keep in mind that upon waking up from a long sleep or nap, your puppy will need to pee almost immediately – so get him  outside right away!

It’s also important to note that if you do see your dog having an accident in the house, it’s not necessary to scold, but simply to whisk your puppy outside to finish. If you find accidents that you didn’t witness, do not scold the puppy as it will not put two and two together. Simply clean up the mess using an enzyme cleaner and carry on with the plan. With that said, it’s very important to clean up accidents with an enzyme cleaner, as it will stop the pup from wanting to soil that area again.