There are many types of small dogs and although they may all be physically tiny, these little guys usually have BIG personalities!
Although they share their diminutive size, small dogs can be totally different in terms of personality, temperament and behavior because they come from a wide variety of breed groups.
Some were bred to hunt vermin like rats, rabbits or badgers (such as the popular Jack Russell Terrier, Manchester Terrier or Dachshund).
Others were bred to be companions and lap-dogs (such as the Pekingese or the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel).
Some were bred as gun/field dogs (such as many Spaniels) or to herd livestock (such as the Swedish Vallhund, or the Corgi).
Another thing that these little ‘uns have in common is that their popularity, and many homes have at least one.
What Size Is A ‘Small’ Dog?
Although individual breeds have recognized (and recommended) height and weight guidelines in their individual breed standards, the term ‘small dog’ is more subjective.
A Chihuahua is a small dog… and the tiniest of them may only weigh a couple of pounds.
Then there are the breeds at the upper end of the ‘small’ scale.
The French Bulldog for example isn’t very tall but can weigh 25 lbs, or even a few more.
There’s no formal size restrictions for the different types of small dogs, but a ‘small dog’ could be one that matures to be under 25 lbs and no more than 16″ tall.
‘Teacup’ breeds are also not a formally recognized group, but are the tiniest of the little guys.
Guidelines (again not set-in-stone) for a teacup-sized dog would be one that matures to weight less than 4 lbs and be no taller than 8″.
List Of Small Breed Dogs
Depending on exactly where you put the cut-off weight/height restrictions there are estimated to be anywhere between 90 and 100 types of small dog breeds.
When you take into account the number of mixed breeds (including the popular ‘designer breeds’) that count probably falls on the low side!
Here’s a list of some of today’s most popular little dogs:
- Affenpinscher
- American Cocker Spaniel
- American Eskimo Dog (Mini & Toy)
- Beagle
- Bichon Frise
- Boston Terrier
- Brussels Griffon
- English Bulldog (Toy)
- Bull Terrier (Mini)
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi
- Cairn Terrier
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Chihuahua
- Cockapoo
- Coton De Tulear
- Dachshund
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- English Toy Spaniel
- Fox Terrier (Regular & Toy)
- French Bulldog
- Havanese
- Irish Terrier
- Italian Greyhound
- Jack Russell Terrier
- Japanese Chin
- Keeshond
- Lhasa Apso
- Lowchen
- Maltese
- Manchester Terrier (Toy)
- Miniature Pinscher (aka MinPin)
- Norfolk Terrier
- Norwich Terrier
- Papillon
- Parson Russell Terrier
- Patterdale Terrier
- Pekingese
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
- Pomeranian
- Poodle (Mini & Toy)
- Pug
- Puggle
- Rat Terrier
- Schipperke
- Schnauzer (Mini)
- Scottish Terrier
- Shetland Sheepdog (Mini)
- Shiba Inu
- Shih Tzu
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Tibetan Spaniel
- Tibetan Terrier
- West Highland White Terrier
- Yorkshire Terrier
Okay, so there are LOTS of different types of small dogs… but is one of them right for you?
Let’s take a look at the pro’s and con’s of adding one of these little guys (or girls) to your family.
