15 Dog Breeds That Stay Small Forever
Every dog is awesome, no matter the size! Big dogs, small dogs, and everything in between! But there’s something special about dog breeds that stay small—they don’t even realize they’re tiny. Most small dogs have the courage of a lion and the attitude to match. Here are 15 dog breeds that stay small forever!
Chihuahua
Standing at just 5 to 8 inches tall and weighing up to 6 pounds, these dogs are tiny! But don’t let their size fool you—they have big personalities. Chihuahuas can be a bit bossy if they’re not properly trained and are not the best fit for homes with small kids. However, with all their energy and sass, they make fun and loving buddies!
Maltese
Maltese dogs have been around for ages, though their exact origins are a bit of a mystery. There’s strong evidence that they may have come from spitz-type dogs in south-central Europe. When it comes to hairstyles, the Maltese really knows how to rock the latest looks. Some of the most popular styles for this small breed include the regular cut, bob cut, puppy clip, and adorable teddy bear cut.
Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier is a hypoallergenic breed with the tiniest terrier dogs. They’re small, with a breed standard of no more than 7 pounds, but they still have that classic terrier attitude. Yorkies are naturally brave, feisty, and a bit bossy. There’s also the Teacup Yorkie—which is even smaller. These little pups weigh between two to four pounds and stand just five to seven inches tall.
Papillon
The Papillon is a small but sturdy toy dog known for its alert, active, and friendly personality. They are among the smartest dog breeds and make excellent companions and family pets. This breed originated in France, which is how they got their name—”papillon” means butterfly in French. While they’re named for their butterfly-like erect ears, you can also find Papillons with drop ears.
Shih Tzu
Known as the “little lion,” the Shih Tzu is a small but sturdy dog with a luxurious, long, double coat. This beautiful coat matches their history as an ancient and noble breed, and their brave personality reflects that, too. Shih Tzus are still a favorite among toy dog lovers. When properly trained and cared for, they make great house pets.
Pomeranian
Royal attention, especially from Queen Victoria, helped make Pomeranians popular, thanks to their cute, dainty look and friendly personality. This small breed is extremely loyal to its owners, which makes them great watchdogs and cuddly companions who love to play indoors. Did you know that Pomeranians weren’t always this tiny? Early records show they averaged around 30 pounds—ten times heavier than the typical weight of today’s Pomeranians!
Affenpinscher
The Affenpinscher is a tiny toy dog breed from Germany. It is known for short to medium-length wiry fur and a face that many people say looks “monkey-like.” The name comes from the German word for “ape” or “monkey.” While they are usually black—they can come in other colors too. They have a short nose and shaggier fur around their head that gives them a cute mane.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
This gentle and loving toy-sized dog breed is truly the heart of a family. They crave attention and affection. A King Charles can easily adapt to any living condition, and these miniature sporting spaniels are both friendly and easy to housetrain. Although the American Kennel Club only officially recognized them in 1995, they have a rich history with nobility and royalties.
Pug
Originally bred as lap dogs during the Shang Dynasty, Pugs have been beloved companion dogs for over two thousand years. Like Pomeranians, they weren’t always this tiny. After being imported from China to the Netherlands, breeders intentionally made Pugs smaller. They have a short muzzle and a tightly curled tail. It is squarely built with a muscular body, a large head, dark eyes, and small drooping ears.
Havanese
The Havanese is a bichon-type dog, also called the Havana Silk Dog. The breed first arrived in the United States during the Cuban Revolution, which sparked interest among American breeders. The AKC recognized the Havanese breed in 1996. While they are commonly seen as a toy dog breed, these pups are used for various kinds of work—including therapy, assistance, and signal work.
Pekingese
While Pekingese are kind and intelligent toy dogs, they can also be pretty stubborn and challenging to train. Using harsh training methods won’t work, but they respond well to consistent training when started at an early age. Pekingese make great family dogs and are good watchdogs, as they tend to bark at anyone they don’t recognize.
Brussels Griffons
Brussels Griffons often look like pugs with long beards, but their personalities are totally different. In Europe, they’re known as Griffon Bruxellois and share many typical traits of small dog breeds. These canines are very alert and make great watchdogs. While they may take some time to warm up to strangers—they are very loving toward their family and other pets in the house.
Italian Greyhound
The Italian Greyhound is a small sighthound, also known as the Italian Sighthound. Like all Greyhounds, this tiny breed is very athletic. Their high intelligence can make training a bit tricky, but they are incredibly loving dogs. Even though they are small, these pups need more exercise than many other breeds to stay healthy.
Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested is a hypoallergenic dog that comes in a hairless variety. While these hairless dogs aren’t completely bald, they have hairless bodies with fur on their face, paws, ears, and tail. Although they were originally bred as lapdogs—there isn’t much known about the breed’s history. This pup was recognized by the AKC in 1991, making it one of the newer breeds.
Miniature Pinscher
Also called the Min Pin, Miniature Pinschers come from Germany. The earliest Min Pins were likely bred from Dachshunds, Italian Greyhounds, and German Pinschers. These little pups are about half the size of German Pinschers. Min Pins can be protective of their toys and food so you may need to put in some extra effort in those areas.
