Small Dog Breeds

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.

There is just something about cute small dogs that I can’t resist, and no doubt many other people (both male and female) feel the same way. Of course, medium, large and giant breed dogs have their charming ways too, but for me nothing can compare to the adorable look of the miniature dog breeds. After thinking more about this, I realized it’s not just that toy dog breeds are small and cute, it’s that they’re so versatile and can be taken just about anywhere. That’s not something you can say for many large dogs, unfortunately, well unless they have a role as a service dog.

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.