Small Dog Breeds
If we look at all the small dog breeds in our breeds of dogs directory whose weight is less than 25 pounds, we end up with a list of small dogs that is composed mainly of the American Kennel Club (AKC) Toy Dog Breeds and small Terrier Dog Breeds. The other small dogs included in this list are small Non-Sporting Dog Breeds with the exception of the Basenji and Miniature Dachshund which are small Hound Dog Breeds.
The AKC breed list is composed of 7 groupings of dog breeds – Toy, Terrier, Hound, Sporting, Non-Sporting, Herding and Working Groups. Our article on “Dog Classifications" describes these groups and the dog breeds that are included. Just to confuse everyone, the AKC includes some toy size terriers in its Toy Group and not in the Terrier Group. Similarly the Boston Terrier does not belong to the Terrier Group so it is classified in the Non-Sporting Group.
Small dog breeds have been increasing in popularity as exemplified by the Yorkshire Terrier, the Dachshund (including the Miniature), the Poodle (including the Toy and Miniature), the Shih Tzu and the Miniature Schnauzer all finishing in the top ten dog breeds registered by the AKC in 2005. Small dogs make great companion dogs that adapt well to our busy schedules. Small dogs tend to live longer than large dogs. These small breeds are cute and attractive and most are welcome wherever you go. Most small dog breeds travel well in your car and many airlines permit small dogs to travel with their owners as long as their carriers can be stowed underneath the seat. Small dogs adapt well to apartment living and most Toy Dog breeds do well with elderly people and shut-ins who can’t get out of doors regularly to exercise their dogs. Many small Terrier Breeds will need more exercise and special hand stripping or plucking of their coats – see individual breed articles for exercise, grooming and health issues.
A list of small dogs selected from our breeds of dogs directory is included below. We have also listed small dogs that make the best family pets and do well with older children, small dogs that are hypoallergenic or non shedding breeds, small dogs that make good watchdogs and small dogs that do best with strangers and other pets.
Toy Dog Breeds
Affenpinscher |
Brussels Griffon |
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel |
Chihuahua |
Chinese Crested |
English Toy Spaniel |
Havanese |
Italian Greyhound |
Japanese Chin |
Maltese |
Miniature Pinscher |
Papillon |
Pekingese |
Pomeranian |
Poodle (Toy) |
Pug |
Shih Tzu |
Silky Terrier |
Toy Fox Terrier |
Yorkshire Terrier |
Small Terrier Dog Breeds
Australian Terrier |
Bedlington Terrier |
Border Terrier |
Cairn Terrier |
Jack Russell Terrier |
Norfolk Terrier |
Norwich Terrier |
Scottish Terrier |
Tibetan Terrier |
Welsh Terrier |
West Highland White Terrier |
Other Small Dogs
Boston Terrier |
Basenji (Hound Group) |
Bichon Frise |
Dachshund(Miniature)(Hound Group) |
French Bulldog |
Lhasa Apso |
Miniature Schnauzer |
Poodle (Miniature) |
Tibetan Spaniel |
Family Pets
Very small dogs and Toy dogs are too easily injured to live with young children and toddlers. Most Toy breeds can survive visits from the grandchildren as long as the dogs have been thoroughly socialized and the children are supervised. The following are sturdier small dogs that do well with considerate older children.
Bichon Frise
English Toy Spaniel
Havanese
Papillon
Pug
The following small dog breeds make good family pets and can survive young children if the toddlers are supervised at all times.
Boston Terrier
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Norfolk Terrier
Norwich Terrier
Poodle (Miniature)
Non Shedding or Hypoallergenic Small Dogs
Many small dogs are low-shed or non-shed breeds and are called “hypoallergenic” if properly groomed. Many terrier breeds are low shedding and need to have the dead hair hand stripped or plucked from their coats. See each individual dog breed article for information on grooming.
Bichon Frise |
Cairn Terrier |
Chinese Crested |
Havanese |
Italian Greyhound |
Maltese |
Norfolk Terrier |
Norwich Terrier |
Poodle (Toy & Miniature) |
Schnauzer (Miniature) |
Tibetan Terrier |
Welsh Terrier |
West Highland White Terrier |
Yorkshire Terrier |
Watchdogs
Many small dogs make good watchdogs. Some can be too barky and may need lots of early socialization and obedience training to control their barking and distrust of strangers.
Affenpinscher |
Bichon Frise |
Boston Terrier |
Brussels Griffon |
Cairn Terrier |
Chihuahua |
Chinese Crested |
Dachshund (Miniature) |
Jack Russell Terrier |
Maltese |
Miniature Pinscher |
Miniature Schnauzer |
Norfolk Terrier |
Norwich Terrier |
Papillon |
Pomeranian |
Poodle (Toy & Miniature) |
Scottish Terrier |
Silky Terrier |
Welsh Terrier |
West Highland White Terrier |
Yorkshire Terrier |
Continue reading here: Australian Shepherd
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