Best Small Dog Breeds: 10 Great Pint-Sized Pets

Small dogs fit apartments, travel easily, and often live longer than big ones. They also come with quirks: tiny bladders, big opinions, and teeth that need more attention than you’d expect.

This guide covers ten of the best small dog breeds, what each is like to live with, and what to watch for. These are editorial picks, separate from our pet food scoring. Sizes are rough ranges, and individual dogs vary.

What counts as a “small” dog?

There’s no official cutoff. Dogs under about 20 to 25 lb (9 to 11 kg) are generally called small, and the smallest of all are often called “toy” breeds. We’ve included a couple of breeds that sit at the top of the range.

1. Chihuahua

Size: up to about 6 lb | Coat: short or long | Grooming: low to moderate

The smallest breed in the world, with a personality to match. Chihuahuas are loyal, alert and often devoted to one person. They can be wary of strangers and bossy with bigger dogs, so early socialisation helps. They’re prone to dental problems, and they feel the cold.

2. Yorkshire Terrier

Size: about 4-7 lb | Coat: long, silky | Grooming: high

Confident, energetic and affectionate, Yorkies have terrier spirit in a tiny body. The long coat needs daily brushing, or a shorter trim to keep it manageable. They can be vocal, and, like many toy breeds, they need dental care.

3. Maltese

Size: about 4-7 lb | Coat: long, white, silky | Grooming: high

Gentle, playful and people-oriented, Maltese are classic lap dogs. The coat mats easily and tear staining is common, so plan on regular grooming. They don’t like being left alone for long stretches.

4. Dachshund

Size: miniature up to about 11 lb, standard about 16-32 lb | Coat: smooth, wirehaired or longhaired | Grooming: low to moderate

Curious, bold and a bit stubborn, Dachshunds were bred to hunt. Their long backs are prone to spinal problems (intervertebral disc disease), so keep them lean and limit jumping on and off furniture. They can be talkative and tenacious diggers.

5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Size: about 13-18 lb | Coat: silky, feathered | Grooming: moderate

Sweet, adaptable and eager to please, Cavaliers get along with most people and pets. The breed is prone to a heart condition (mitral valve disease) and other inherited issues, so ask breeders about health screening, and keep up regular vet checks.

6. Shih Tzu

Size: about 9-16 lb | Coat: long, flowing | Grooming: high

Affectionate, adaptable and happy in small homes. The long coat needs daily brushing, or owners opt for a shorter trim. Their flat faces can cause breathing and heat sensitivity, so keep them cool and ask your vet about the individual dog.

7. Pug

Size: about 14-18 lb | Coat: short | Grooming: low | Shedding: moderate to heavy

Charming, funny and people-loving. Pugs have flat faces, so they can struggle in heat and with exercise, and they’re prone to weight gain and skin-fold problems. Keep them lean and cool, and ask your vet about breathing issues.

8. French Bulldog

Size: up to about 28 lb | Coat: short | Grooming: low

Playful, affectionate and relatively calm indoors, French Bulldogs are popular city dogs. They’re also flat-faced, with a higher risk of breathing problems, overheating and spinal and skin problems. Many need veterinary help for breeding and delivery. Do your research before choosing, and expect higher vet costs.

9. Miniature Schnauzer

Size: about 11-20 lb | Coat: wiry, with a beard | Grooming: moderate to high

Bright, trainable and sturdy, with a terrier’s energy and a watchful nature. The wiry coat needs regular grooming. Some are prone to weight gain and to certain conditions linked to fat metabolism, so keep an eye on treats and ask your vet about checkups.

10. Havanese

Size: about 7-13 lb | Coat: long, silky | Grooming: high

Friendly, social and playful, Havanese tend to bond closely with their families and dislike long periods alone. The coat needs frequent brushing, or a shorter trim. They’re often described as good with children and other pets.

What to know before choosing a small breed

Small doesn’t mean low-maintenance. Many small breeds need daily brushing, regular grooming and plenty of attention.

Dental care matters more. Small breeds are prone to dental disease because their teeth are crowded into small mouths. Plan on regular brushing and vet dental checkups.

Some small breeds have particular health risks. Flat-faced breeds (Pugs, French Bulldogs, Shih Tzus) can have breathing problems. Long-backed breeds (Dachshunds) risk back injuries. Several toy breeds are prone to kneecap problems (patellar luxation). Ask breeders about health testing, and consider pet insurance early.

Small dogs need training too. Barking, house-training and “small dog syndrome” are often the result of owners letting things slide because the dog is small. Start training early and keep it consistent.

They can be fragile. Tiny dogs can be hurt by rough play, jumps and being stepped on, so think about homes with young children.

Adoption is an option. Rescues often have small dogs and mixes, and some are already house-trained.

Feeding a small dog

Small dogs eat tiny amounts, but nutrition still matters, and their size changes a few things:

• Choose a “complete and balanced” food for your dog’s life stage. Small-breed formulas often have smaller kibble that’s easier to pick up and chew. Our guide to reading a pet food label shows what to look for.
• Watch the portions. A small dog needs very few calories, so a handful of extra treats can be a large share of the day’s food. Weigh the food and count treats.
• Don’t let them get overweight. Extra weight is especially hard on small joints and backs, and on flat-faced breeds’ breathing. Ask your vet about your dog’s ideal weight.
• Ask about feeding schedules for tiny puppies. Very small toy puppies sometimes need frequent meals, and low blood sugar can be an emergency, so talk to your vet or breeder.
• Compare cost per day, not bag price. Small dogs eat so little that even premium foods can be affordable per day. Our guide to the real cost of feeding a dog shows how to work it out.
• Match the food type to your life. See our pages on dry food, fresh food, raw food and air-dried food.

If you’re drawn to a fuzzy coat, many small breeds are also on our list of the best fluffy dog breeds.

Final thoughts

The best small dog is the one whose energy, grooming needs and health risks match your life, so look beyond size and cuteness, ask about health testing, and budget for grooming, dental care and vet bills. If you’re adopting, shelters and breed rescues often have small dogs and mixes waiting for homes. When our first food reviews go live, you’ll see how each brand scores on our How we review method.

Frequently asked questions