Top 10 Small Dog Breeds to Know About

Top 10 Small Dog Breeds to Know About

If you live in an apartment, have limited space, or just want a small dog to cuddle with, small dog breeds can be the perfect match.

These little dogs are easy to carry and full of personality, making them great for many types of homes and people. Whether you want a playful friend or a quiet lap dog, there's a small breed that's right for you.

This guide looks at the top 10 small dog breeds. It explains their unique traits, how to care for them, and what kind of owners they’re best suited for.

10. Bichon Frise

Bichon Frises are small, fluffy white dogs with happy faces. They used to travel on ships and perform in circuses, so they love to be around people and make them smile. They are kind, gentle, and fit in well in different homes.

These dogs are great with kids and other pets, which makes them good family dogs. They stay playful and fun even as they get older. Bichons don’t bark a lot, but they will let you know if someone is at the door.

However, they are very friendly and not good guard dogs—they might even greet a stranger happily! They don’t shed much, so they’re often okay for people with allergies.

But their fur needs a lot of brushing and care to stop it from getting tangled. Training a Bichon to go to the bathroom outside can take time, so you need to be patient and consistent.

• Personality: Playful, curious, affectionate, and gentle
• Exercise Needs: Moderate; 30 minutes daily
• Grooming Requirements: High; daily brushing and professional grooming every 4-6 weeks

Ideal For:

• Families with children, allergy sufferers, and those seeking a cheerful, affectionate companion who thrives on human interaction.

9. Miniature Schnauzer

Miniature Schnauzers are small dogs with cute bearded faces and alert eyes. They were first used on farms to catch rats, so they still have a little bit of that working energy. But today, they are more focused on being great family pets.

They are smart and usually easy to train because they want to make their owners happy. They stay alert and are good watchdogs, but they don’t bark too much. Miniature Schnauzers are friendly and usually get along well with kids and other pets if they are trained and socialized early.

Their wiry coat doesn’t shed much, which is good for people with allergies. But their coat needs regular grooming by a professional and brushing at home a few times a week to keep it neat and tidy.

• Personality: Friendly, obedient, intelligent, and alert
• Exercise Needs: Moderate; 30-60 minutes daily
• Grooming Requirements: High; professional grooming every 4-6 weeks, regular brushing.

Ideal For:

• Active families, singles, and seniors who want an intelligent, trainable companion with minimal shedding but can commit to regular professional grooming.

8. Maltese

Maltese dogs are small, elegant pets with long white fur. People have loved them for thousands of years because they are gentle, loving, and great companions.

Even though they look delicate, Maltese dogs are brave, playful, and full of energy. They become very close to their owners and like to stay by their side, which makes them great pets for people who want a loyal friend.

• Personality: Gentle, playful, affectionate, and fearless
• Exercise Needs: Low to moderate; 20-30 minutes daily
• Grooming Requirements: High; daily brushing if kept in full coat.

Ideal For:

• Singles, couples, and seniors seeking an affectionate, low-shedding companion who thrives on close human relationships.

7. Boston Terrier

Boston Terriers look like they are wearing tuxedos, so people call them "American Gentlemen." They have nice, friendly personalities that match this name. These dogs are polite, loving, and playful. They have calm behavior, which makes them great family pets.

Boston Terriers can live in many places. They have enough energy for playing and short walks but are usually calm inside the house. They do not need a lot of exercise and are small enough to live in apartments.

They are strong and can enjoy activities with active families. Their short fur is easy to take care of, but their face wrinkles might need some cleaning sometimes.

Because they have flat faces, they do not like very hot weather. They might snore or have trouble breathing when it is hot.

• Personality: Friendly, bright, amusing, and well-mannered
• Exercise Needs: Moderate; 30-60 minutes daily
• Grooming Requirements: Low; occasional brushing.

Ideal For:

• Families with children, apartment dwellers, and first-time dog owners looking for an affectionate, low-maintenance companion with moderate energy levels.

6. Pomeranian

Pomeranians are small dogs with faces like foxes and very fluffy fur. They are tiny but have big personalities. They are curious, smart, and act like they are bigger than they really are.

Even though they weigh less than a bag of flour, Pomeranians are alert and brave like their bigger relatives. They are good watchdogs and will bark loudly if something is wrong. But they need training so they don’t bark too much.

Pomeranians love their owners and often choose one special person to be very close to, but they can also be friendly with the whole family. They are small and easy to carry, but also strong for a small dog. They like short walks and playing.

• Personality: Intelligent, vivacious, bold, and sometimes bossy
• Exercise Needs: Moderate; 30 minutes daily
• Grooming Requirements: High; brushing 2-3 times weekly.

Ideal For:

• Active singles, couples, and seniors who want a small but spirited companion with the personality of a much larger dog.

5. Shih Tzu

The name "Shih Tzu" means "lion dog," and while they have long, pretty fur like a lion, they are not fierce at all. These cute dogs were bred to be pets for Chinese royalty, and they are great at being loving and friendly family members.

Shih Tzus are known for being kind and trusting. They usually get along well with people of all ages and with other pets.

Their cheerful and easygoing nature makes them a good fit for many homes, whether it's a small apartment or a big house.

Their long, beautiful fur needs a lot of brushing and care if kept long. Many owners choose to give them a short "puppy cut" to make grooming easier.

Their little underbite and big, shiny eyes give them a sweet look that many people love.

• Personality: Affectionate, playful, outgoing, and friendly
• Exercise Needs: Low; 20-30 minutes daily
• Grooming Requirements: High; daily brushing if kept in full coat.

Ideal For:

• Families, singles, and seniors looking for an affectionate, low-exercise companion who loves everyone they meet.

4. Dachshund

Dachshunds are easy to recognize because they have long bodies and short legs. People often call them "wiener dogs" or "sausage dogs." They were first bred to hunt animals like badgers, which is why they are brave and have a strong sense of smell.

Dachshunds come in two sizes, standard and miniature, and have three types of coats: smooth, wire-haired, and long-haired. They are smart and curious, but sometimes a little stubborn, so training them may take some time and patience.

They are loyal and can be protective, making them loving pets that are very close to their families. They usually get along well with other pets at home but might be shy around new people at first.

• Personality: Clever, curious, courageous, and sometimes stubborn
• Exercise Needs: Moderate; 30-60 minutes daily
• Grooming Requirements: Varies by coat type; smooth coats need minimal grooming, while long-haired varieties require regular brushing.

Ideal For:

• Families, singles, and seniors who appreciate a dog with character and can provide consistent, gentle training and proper handling to protect their backs.

3. Yorkshire Terrier

Don’t be fooled by their small size and fancy looks—Yorkshire Terriers have big personalities in their tiny bodies. They were first bred to catch rats in factories and still have the brave and strong spirit of working terriers.

Even though they weigh less than a gallon of milk, Yorkies act like much bigger dogs. They are alert, curious, and sometimes a little bossy.

They make great watchdogs and will bark to let you know if someone comes or if something is unusual. But inside, they are loving lap dogs who become very close to their owners.

• Personality: Brave, determined, investigative, and affectionate
• Exercise Needs: Moderate; 30 minutes daily
• Grooming Requirements: High; daily brushing if kept in long coat.

Ideal For:

• Singles, couples, active seniors, and families with older children seeking a small but spirited companion with minimal shedding.

2. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a friendly and loving small dog with some energy like a sport dog. They have soft, medium-length fur and big, expressive eyes that make them look royal.

These dogs love being with people and are happiest when they are near their family. They enjoy walks and playing outside, but they also like to relax on the couch with you. They are friendly with kids, other pets, and strangers. They are not good watchdogs but great pets for families.

People who want a Cavalier should know that this breed can have some health problems with their heart and spine. Good breeders work to reduce these health issues.

• Personality: Gentle, affectionate, graceful, and adaptable
• Exercise Needs: Moderate; 30-60 minutes daily
• Grooming Requirements: Moderate to high; brushing 2-3 times weekly.

Ideal For:

• Families with children, multi-pet households, and individuals seeking an affectionate, adaptable companion who's equally happy being active or lounging at home.

1. French Bulldog

The French Bulldog is very popular in America, and for good reason. These small dogs have big bat-like ears and cute, expressive eyes that make them special. French Bulldogs, or "Frenchies," can live happily in apartments or houses and don’t need a lot of exercise, so they are great for city living.

They are loving dogs who like to sit on your lap or follow you around the house. They don’t bark much but make funny sounds like yawns and gargles that many owners enjoy.

Because of their flat faces, French Bulldogs can have trouble breathing, especially when it’s hot or humid. They also don’t swim well, so you need to be careful around water.

• Personality: Playful, alert, adaptable, and affectionate
• Exercise Needs: Low to moderate; 30 minutes daily
• Grooming Requirements: Low; weekly brushing.

Ideal For:

• Apartment dwellers, singles, seniors, and families with older children who want an affectionate, low-maintenance companion that doesn't require extensive exercise.