Small Dog Breeds

Discover the best small dog breeds perfect for apartments and small spaces. These compact companions are ideal for urban living and make excellent family pets.

Why Choose a Small Dog?

Perfect for Apartments

Small dogs are ideal for apartment living and don't require large yards or extensive exercise space.

Lower Maintenance

Generally require less food, smaller crates, and are easier to transport and care for.

Great Companions

Small dogs are often very affectionate and make excellent lap dogs and companions.

Longer Lifespans

Many small dog breeds have longer lifespans compared to larger breeds.

French Bulldog
small

French Bulldog

France
Energy: Low
Adaptable
Playful
Smart
Beagle
small

Beagle

England
Energy: High
Friendly
Curious
Merry
Chihuahua
small

Chihuahua

Mexico
Energy: Moderate
Charming
Graceful
Sassy
Yorkshire Terrier
small

Yorkshire Terrier

England
Energy: Moderate
Bold
Confident
Intelligent
Pomeranian
small

Pomeranian

Germany/Poland
Energy: High
Lively
Bold
Inquisitive
Maltese
small

Maltese

Malta
Energy: Moderate
Gentle
Playful
Affectionate
Shih Tzu
small

Shih Tzu

China
Energy: Low
Affectionate
Playful
Outgoing
Papillon
small

Papillon

France
Energy: High
Intelligent
Energetic
Alert
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
small

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

England
Energy: Moderate
Affectionate
Gentle
Playful
Shiba Inu
small

Shiba Inu

Japan
Energy: Moderate
Alert
Active
Attentive
Boston Terrier
small

Boston Terrier

United States
Energy: Moderate
Friendly
Intelligent
Lively
Dachshund
small

Dachshund

Germany
Energy: Moderate
Clever
Lively
Courageous
Italian Greyhound
small

Italian Greyhound

Italy
Energy: Moderate
Gentle
Affectionate
Intelligent
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
small

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Wales
Energy: High
Intelligent
Alert
Friendly
Shetland Sheepdog
small

Shetland Sheepdog

Scotland
Energy: High
Intelligent
Loyal
Alert
Jack Russell Terrier
small

Jack Russell Terrier

England
Energy: Very High
Energetic
Intelligent
Bold
Scottish Terrier
small

Scottish Terrier

Scotland
Energy: Moderate
Independent
Alert
Bold
West Highland White Terrier
small

West Highland White Terrier

Scotland
Energy: Moderate
Loyal
Alert
Hardy
Australian Terrier
small

Australian Terrier

Australia
Energy: High
Alert
Loyal
Energetic
Basenji
small

Basenji

Central Africa
Energy: High
Alert
Curious
Energetic
Poodle
small

Poodle

Germany/France
Energy: Moderate
Intelligent
Active
Alert
Poodle (Miniature)
small

Poodle (Miniature)

Germany/France
Energy: High
Intelligent
Active
Alert
Pekingese
small

Pekingese

China
Energy: Low
Affectionate
Loyal
Dignified
Lhasa Apso
small

Lhasa Apso

Tibet
Energy: Low
Confident
Smart
Intelligent
Miniature Pinscher
small

Miniature Pinscher

Germany
Energy: High
Fearless
Outgoing
Energetic
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
small

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Wales
Energy: Moderate
Affectionate
Intelligent
Active
Bichon Frise
small

Bichon Frise

France
Energy: Moderate
Playful
Curious
Peppy
Cairn Terrier
small

Cairn Terrier

Scotland
Energy: High
Alert
Cheerful
Intelligent
Smooth Fox Terrier
small

Smooth Fox Terrier

England
Energy: High
Alert
Quick
Intelligent
Wire Fox Terrier
small

Wire Fox Terrier

England
Energy: High
Alert
Quick
Intelligent
Norfolk Terrier
small

Norfolk Terrier

England
Energy: Moderate
Alert
Intelligent
Hardy
Norwich Terrier
small

Norwich Terrier

England
Energy: Moderate
Alert
Intelligent
Hardy
Sealyham Terrier
small

Sealyham Terrier

Wales
Energy: Moderate
Alert
Intelligent
Hardy
Silky Terrier
small

Silky Terrier

Australia
Energy: High
Alert
Intelligent
Energetic
Skye Terrier
small

Skye Terrier

Scotland
Energy: Moderate
Alert
Intelligent
Hardy
Welsh Terrier
small

Welsh Terrier

Wales
Energy: High
Alert
Intelligent
Hardy
Bedlington Terrier
small

Bedlington Terrier

England
Energy: High
Gentle
Intelligent
Loyal
Border Terrier
small

Border Terrier

England
Energy: High
Alert
Intelligent
Hardy
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
small

Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Scotland
Energy: Moderate
Independent
Intelligent
Hardy
Miniature Schnauzer
small

Miniature Schnauzer

Germany
Energy: High
Alert
Intelligent
Energetic
Affenpinscher
small

Affenpinscher

Germany
Energy: Moderate
Alert
Intelligent
Energetic
Brussels Griffon
small

Brussels Griffon

Belgium
Energy: Moderate
Alert
Intelligent
Energetic
Havanese
small

Havanese

Cuba
Energy: Moderate
Affectionate
Intelligent
Energetic
Japanese Chin
small

Japanese Chin

Japan
Energy: Low
Gentle
Intelligent
Loyal
King Charles Spaniel
small

King Charles Spaniel

England
Energy: Low
Gentle
Affectionate
Intelligent
Lowchen
small

Lowchen

France
Energy: Moderate
Affectionate
Intelligent
Energetic
Tibetan Spaniel
small

Tibetan Spaniel

Tibet
Energy: Moderate
Alert
Intelligent
Independent
Toy Fox Terrier
small

Toy Fox Terrier

United States
Energy: High
Alert
Intelligent
Energetic
Yorkshire Terrier (Long Coat)
small

Yorkshire Terrier (Long Coat)

England
Energy: Moderate
Bold
Confident
Intelligent
Zuchon
small

Zuchon

United States
Energy: Moderate
Affectionate
Intelligent
Energetic
American Cocker Spaniel
small

American Cocker Spaniel

United States
Energy: Moderate
Intelligent
Energetic
Loyal
Norrbottenspets
small

Norrbottenspets

Sweden
Energy: High
Alert
Intelligent
Energetic
Swedish Vallhund
small

Swedish Vallhund

Sweden
Energy: High
Intelligent
Energetic
Loyal
American Hairless Terrier
small

American Hairless Terrier

United States
Energy: High
Energetic
Alert
Intelligent
Basset Fauve de Bretagne
small

Basset Fauve de Bretagne

France
Energy: Moderate
Friendly
Energetic
Intelligent
Bolognese
small

Bolognese

Italy
Energy: Low
Gentle
Affectionate
Intelligent
English Toy Spaniel
small

English Toy Spaniel

England
Energy: Low
Gentle
Affectionate
Intelligent
German Spitz
small

German Spitz

Germany
Energy: Moderate
Alert
Intelligent
Loyal
Staffordshire Bullterrier
small

Staffordshire Bullterrier

England
Energy: Moderate
Friendly
Loyal
Intelligent
Pug
small

Pug

China
Energy: Moderate
Friendly
Loyal
Intelligent
Puggle
small

Puggle

United States
Energy: Moderate
Friendly
Loyal
Intelligent
American Terrier
small

American Terrier

Various
Energy: Moderate
Friendly
Loyal
Intelligent
Andalusian Terrier
small

Andalusian Terrier

Various
Energy: Moderate
Friendly
Loyal
Intelligent
Dandie Terrier
small

Dandie Terrier

Various
Energy: Moderate
Friendly
Loyal
Intelligent
Fox Terrier
small

Fox Terrier

Various
Energy: Moderate
Friendly
Loyal
Intelligent
Kerryblue Terrier
small

Kerryblue Terrier

Various
Energy: Moderate
Friendly
Loyal
Intelligent
Lakeland Terrier
small

Lakeland Terrier

Various
Energy: Moderate
Friendly
Loyal
Intelligent
Patterdale Terrier
small

Patterdale Terrier

Various
Energy: Moderate
Friendly
Loyal
Intelligent
Russell Terrier
small

Russell Terrier

Various
Energy: Moderate
Friendly
Loyal
Intelligent
Toy Terrier
small

Toy Terrier

Various
Energy: Moderate
Friendly
Loyal
Intelligent
Westhighland Terrier
small

Westhighland Terrier

Various
Energy: Moderate
Friendly
Loyal
Intelligent
Wheaten Terrier
small

Wheaten Terrier

Various
Energy: Moderate
Friendly
Loyal
Intelligent
American Eskimo Dog (Miniature)
small

American Eskimo Dog (Miniature)

Germany
Energy: Moderate
Friendly
Alert
Reserved
Chinese Crested
small

Chinese Crested

China
Energy: Moderate
Affectionate
Sweet-Tempered
Lively
Cocker Spaniel (American)
small

Cocker Spaniel (American)

United States
Energy: Moderate
Outgoing
Sociable
Trusting
Coton de Tulear
small

Coton de Tulear

Madagascar
Energy: Moderate
Affectionate
Lively
Playful
English Toy Terrier
small

English Toy Terrier

England
Energy: Moderate
Stubborn
Alert
Companionable
Griffon Bruxellois
small

Griffon Bruxellois

Belgium
Energy: Moderate
Self-important
Inquisitive
Alert
Japanese Spitz
small

Japanese Spitz

Japan
Energy: Moderate
Affectionate
Obedient
Playful
Kooikerhondje
small

Kooikerhondje

Netherlands
Energy: Very High
Benevolent
Agile
Alert
Lancashire Heeler
small

Lancashire Heeler

England
Energy: Moderate
Clever
Friendly
Alert
Miniature American Shepherd
small

Miniature American Shepherd

United States
Energy: Very High
Energetic
Loyal
Intelligent
Pumi
small

Pumi

Hungary
Energy: Very High
Lively
Reserved
Intelligent
Rat Terrier
small

Rat Terrier

United States
Energy: Moderate
Affectionate
Lively
Inquisitive
Russian Toy
small

Russian Toy

Russia
Energy: Moderate

Caring for Small Dogs

Exercise Needs

While small dogs need less space, they still require daily exercise and mental stimulation.

Health Considerations

Small dogs can be prone to dental issues, patellar luxation, and hypoglycemia.

Training

Small dogs can be just as intelligent as larger breeds and benefit from consistent training.

Socialization

Early socialization is important to prevent small dog syndrome and fear-based aggression.