The Best Small Dog Breeds - All About Dogs

The Best Small Dog Breeds

The Best Small Dog Breeds

Small dog breeds are ideal for a family. They are curious, playful, and affectionate towards children, strangers, dogs, and all other pets. They need a lot of attention and love. Since small dogs take up less space, many apartment dwellers prefer the smaller types.

Here is our list of the best small dog breeds:

Chihuahua

Chihuahua

Chihuahuas, the smallest of the dog breeds, are named after a state in Mexico. There are two varieties: the long-coat and the smooth-coat, which is also referred to as shorthaired. The coats can be of any color solid, marked, or splashed. Chihuahuas have a life expectancy of 14 to 18 years. This small dog is ideal for apartments. The Chihuahua is devoted to its owners and as such, it needs a lot of attention. From its point of view, it’s only fair – since your dog is devoted to you, you’d better be devoted to it too.  So if you can give your dog this much attention, the Chihuahua is for you. To keep your Chihuahua happy, it will need to be around you all the time.

Pug

Pug

This is a small breed of dog with wrinkly, short, muzzled faces and curled tails. Pugs were initially bred to adorn the laps of the Chinese sovereigns during the Shang dynasty in approximately 400 BC. This breed typically lives for around 12-14 years. Pugs enjoy lounging around and can be relatively quiet compared to a lot of breeds of similar size. If you have children, you’ll find that Pugs and children often get along famously. Since Pugs don’t grow very large, the breed also seems to be in a permanent state of puppies, which is enjoyable for children of all ages. This is a perfect apartment dog.

Havanese

Havanese

A toy dog straight from Cuba, the Havanese is a lapdog, performer, and companion. Happy to be the center of attention at all times, the Havanese are curious, playful, and affectionate towards children, strangers, dogs, and all other pets. Havanese dogs have a life expectancy of 14 to 15 years. This breed will work to please everyone and are quick learners. A perfect pet and a wonderful companion for the entire family, the Havanese does better in a warmer climate and will spring into action at the first sign of fun. This breed isn’t aggressive or territorial and is always a pleasure to have around.

Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise is small dogs with black noses and dark round eyes. Their white hair consists of a curly outer coat and a silky undercoat. They are popular pets, similar in appearance to the Maltese. Living around 12-13 years with a healthy life is typical of this kind and size of the dog. Cheerful and energetic, the Bichon Frise was a favorite with old European sailors just as they are in homes across Europe and America today. This is a small dog appropriate for laps and if you notice your dog feeling a little bit too cumbersome on your lap while you’re watching television, then you can be pretty sure that you’ll want to give your dog more exercise.

Papillon

Papillon

The Papillon is a small, friendly, elegant breed of the Spaniel dog variety, distinguished from other breeds by its large butterfly-like ears. A life expectancy of around 13-16 years is a side effect of its small stature and a great bonus if you want to raise a dog like this along with your children. Known as athletic, capable of plenty of exercises, and being a big dog in a little dog’s body, these dogs might have a high tolerance for exercise but it’s best to remember just how far a few miles can be for one of these dogs as opposed to a dog with longer legs. The Papillon is easy to get moving and is playful and active, so a good exercise regimen will be key.

Pomeranian

Pomeranian

The Pomeranian is a compact, short-backed, active toy dog of Nordic descent. The heavily plumed tail is one of the characteristics of the breed. He is alert in character, exhibits intelligence in expression, is buoyant in deportment, and is inquisitive by nature. The Pomeranian is cocky, commanding, and animated as he gaits. He is sound in composition and action. Pomeranians are intelligent dogs, respond well to training, and can be very successful in getting what they want from their owners. They are extroverted and enjoy being the center of attention but can become quite aggressive and dominant if not well trained.

Japanese Chin

Japanese Chin

Japanese Chins are the lap and companion dogs of Japanese royalty. Chins have straight, silky, profuse long hair that is most often black and white or red and white. The Japanese Chin lives for around 11 to 15 years. Considered one of the closest personalities to cats that exist in the dog world, these dogs can be pretty independent and relatively friendly to strangers. If you’re a cat lover who’s looking to compromise with a spouse on buying a dog, you might want to consider suggesting a Japanese Chin as a sort of middle ground. Like any dog, it can be a bit hostile to strangers. Be sure to socialize your Chin early.

Maltese

Maltese

Malteses are bred to be cuddly companion dogs. They are extremely lively and playful, and even as Maltese ages, their energy level, and playful demeanor remains fairly constant. Some Maltese may occasionally be snappish with smaller children and should be supervised when playing, although socializing them at a young age will reduce this habit. They also adore humans and prefer to stay near them. The Maltese are very active within a house, and, preferring enclosed spaces, does very well with small yards. For this reason, the breed also fares well in apartments and townhouses and is a prized pet of urban dwellers. Some Maltese may suffer from separation anxiety.

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