Before we get into talking about the best small dogs, let’s take a moment to acknowledge their undeniable cute factor! These are pets who are just the right size for a cuddle. Plus, what they lack in stature, they often make up for in personality. There are practical advantages to having a pet of a compact, manageable size too, particularly if you live in a small apartment.
Choosing the right dog or puppy for you is a big decision, and what’s perfect for one family might not be ideal for another. Here we take a look at some cute small dogs, from mixed breeds to terriers to spaniels.
The best small dogs are mixed breeds!
It’s important to bear in mind that the best small dog for you might well be a mixed breed. At Pedigree, we firmly believe that every dog deserves a loving home. We also know that many mixed breeds make unbeatable pets! There are lots of misconceptions about rescue dogs, but reputable shelters work very hard to match the right dogs with the right owners. The expert staff will sit down with you and talk to you in great detail about your family and your lifestyle and what you are and aren’t looking for in a pet. This information, combined with their in-depth knowledge of the dogs in their care, makes it easier for you to find ‘the one’. Our handy shelter finder will show you rescue centres near you.
20 small dog breeds and why they might be perfect for you
We’ve looked at twenty of the best small dogs and what you can generally expect from them in terms of temperament, energy levels and whether or not they are hypoallergenic. Do remember though that these are generalisations. Just like humans, all dogs are unique individuals.
Want more of a lowdown on a particular breed? Check out our list of dog breeds.
Jack Russell terriers are lively little dogs who are always on the go. This makes them an excellent choice for active families. They’re known for being very loyal to their owners and will often pick a favourite person! They come in three different coat types, all of which shed. These are smooth (short fur), rough (longer wiry fur) and broken (a combination of smooth and rough).
- Weight: 4 -6 kg
- Lifespan: 12-15 years
- Winning characteristics: Intelligent, energetic and loyal.
- Hypoallergenic: No
A Chihuahua weighs in at just 1.5 -3 kg but they’re proof that good things really do come in small packages. They aren’t prone to disease, making them one of the longest-living dog breeds. Chihuahuas also come in two varieties - smooth coat and long-haired.
- Weight: 1.5 -3 kg
- Life span: 14-18 years
- Winning characteristics: Fun, alert, companionable.
- Hypoallergenic: No
These small balls of fluff are known for being particularly friendly, affectionate and cheerful. They tend to get on with everyone, from children to other pets, and even strangers. They have a curly double coat that is non-shedding and they’re generally easy to train.
- Weight: 5 – 7 kg
- Life expectancy: 13 – 17 years
- Winning characteristics: Easy-going, friendly and affectionate
- Hypoallergenic: Yes
As the Shih Tzu was bred to be companions in Chinese palaces, it’s hardly surprising they’re friendly and sociable. They’re generally a good choice for families with younger kids for this reason. They have a double coat of fur, made of a short undercoat and long silky outercoat.
- Weight: 5 – 8 kg
- Life expectancy: 11 – 15 years
- Winning characteristics: Perky, happy and companionable
- Hypoallergenic: Yes
Yorkies are intelligent and easy to train. They’re extremely loyal to their pet parents and tend to want to be around them at all times (prepare to be followed everywhere!). Their gorgeous silky fur is hypoallergenic.
- Weight: 2 – 5 kg
- Life expectancy: 13 – 16 years
- Winning characteristics: Energetic, feisty and affectionate
- Hypoallergenic: Yes
The Poodle is another breed with a hypoallergenic coat. They make excellent family dogs and come in three sizes: standard, miniature and toy.
- Weight: Miniature: 5 -9 kg, toy, 3 -5 kg
- Life span: 10 to 14 years
- Winning characteristics: Fun-loving and bright
- Hypoallergenic: Yes
When it comes to cute small dog breeds, it’s hard to beat Pomerians. These little balls of fluff aren’t just adorable though, they’re also fiercely loyal, smart and generally fun to be around. They also have double coated fur, consisting of a dense undercoat and longer, silky outercoat.
- Weight: 2 -5 kg
- Life span: 12 –16 years
- Winning characteristics: Smart, curious and bold.
- Hypoallergenic: No
If you’re looking for a dog that will get on well with young children, a Cocker Spaniel makes a great choice. Their coats are flat and silky, and they come in a variety of colours. They’re also known for being gentle and playful and having a strong desire to please. The latter means training is often a breeze.
- Weight: 11 -13 kg
- Life span: 12 –15 years
- Winning characteristics: Gentle, playful and family-friendly
- Hypoallergenic: No
A Corgi makes another great choice of family dog. They’re rarely aggressive and are intelligent, affectionate and willing to please. Although not exactly formidable in stature, Corgis have a loud bark which they’re not afraid to use! This either makes them great watchdogs or plain annoying depending on your point of view. Corgis have a thick double coat, which is generally short, but a “fluffy gene” can mean some grow longer fur.
- Weight: 10 -14 kg
- Life span: 12 –15 years
- Winning characteristics: Loving and keen to please
- Hypoallergenic: No
Beagles are spirited and friendly and love company. They’ll enjoy being involved in whatever is going on in the family and are happy to live in the city or the countryside. They have a smooth, dense double coat that protects them from the elements.
- Weight: 9-13 kg
- Life span: 12 –15 years
- Winning characteristics: Intelligent, spirited and playful
- Hypoallergenic: No
The Cairn Terrier is a bold, fearless and entertaining companion who knows exactly what they do and don’t like. They can be quite feisty which can cause problems with other dogs, cats or young children. While they have a double coat, made up of a wiry outer coat and soft undercoat, cairn terriers are considered hypoallergenic as they don’t shed much.
- Weight: 4 – 7kg
- Life Expectancy: 12 – 15 years
- Winning characteristics: Affectionate, intelligent and loyal
- Hypoallergenic: Yes
Italian Greyhounds make the perfect little lap dogs, as these dainty creatures love human companionship. They’re also easy to train and love to play, but must be protected from boisterous play styles, as they are prone to injury. Italian Greyhounds have a soft thin coat that sheds very little, making them hypoallergenic.
- Weight: 2 - 4 kg
- Lifespan: 12 - 14 years
- Winning characteristics: An intelligent and affectionate companion
- Hypoallergenic: Yes
Miniature Pinschers are spirited, fearless little creatures that make the ideal watchdogs due to their alert nature. They’re outgoing and incredibly fun to have around. While they have a short, smooth coat that doesn’t shed much, they’re unfortunately not considered hypoallergenic.
- Weight: 4 - 6 kg
- Lifespan: 12 - 14 years
- Winning characteristics: Loyal and full of personality.
- Hypoallergenic: No
Maltese are an extremely popular small dog breed, with a white, silky coat that is considered hypoallergenic. They’re also known for being lively and playful. This is a breed so loveable, the ancient Greeks built tombs in their honour! Be warned though, they can be quite stubborn.
- Weight: 3- 5 kg
- Lifespan: 14 – 15 years
- Winning characteristics: Playful, gentle and lively.
- Hypoallergenic: Yes
Strong-willed, intelligent and loyal, the typical Lhasa Apso is often playful but calm. They can be suspicious of strangers and have a bark that belies their small size. They have a beautiful long silky coat that is low shedding and considered hypoallergenic.
- Weight: 5 -8 kg
- Lifespan: 12 – 14 years
- Winning characteristics: Loving, playful and spirited
- Hypoallergenic: Yes
Lakies are lively, feisty little dogs who thrive on company. They’re cheerful, energetic and confident and many of their pet parents claim they have an excellent sense of humour! Lakelands have a thick bushy wiry outer coat and a soft undercoat.
- Weight: 7 -8 kg
- Lifespan: 12 – 16 years
- Winning characteristics: Confident, intelligent and friendly.
- Hypoallergenic: No
The typical Schnauzer has a gentle disposition, making them an excellent choice for an older person or a family with young children. Schnauzers tend to be very protective of their pet parents and make good watchdogs. They come in three sizes: miniature, standard and giant; and three coat types: wire haired, super coat (silkier and finer fur) and mega coat (soft and luxurious feel).
- Weight: 5 -8 kg (miniature variety)
- Lifespan: 12 – 14 years
- Winning characteristics: Courageous and loyal
- Hypoallergenic: No
Norfolk Terriers are lovable, alert, inquisitive and sometimes a little foolhardy! As a true terrier, they love to run, dig and hunt and so they’re a good choice for an active family. They have a double coat that consists of a soft and fluffy undercoat, and a wiry outercoat.
- Weight: 5 - 6 kg
- Life expectancy: 12 -16 years
- Winning characteristics: Cute, confident and game for adventure
- Hypoallergenic: No
The dog that’s immortalised as one of the game pieces in Monopoly, the Scottish Terrier is independent and self-assured. They tend to be one-person dogs and can be tricky to train. They’re a double coated breed, with a soft undercoat and medium length wiry outer coat.
- Weight: 8 - 10 kg
- Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
- Winning characteristics: Independent and intelligent.
- Hypoallergenic: No
Westies, as they’re affectionately known, typically have a sunny disposition and make easy-going, laidback companions. They’re one of the few terrier breeds who are known for getting on well with other pets. Plus they’re considered hypoallergenic thanks to their low-shedding double coat, made up of a soft undercoat and wiry outer coat.
- Weight: 7 - 10 kg
- Lifespan: 13 to 15 years
- Winning characteristics: Upbeat, fun and loveable
- Hypoallergenic: Yes
What’s the calmest small dog?
If you’re looking for a calm small dog, one of your best options is to go to a reputable shelter and get their advice on which of their dogs are the most mellow (this could well be a mixed breed). Breeds that are generally considered calm include the Cocker Spaniel and the Lhasa Apso.
What’s the easiest small dog to take care of?
It’s difficult to say what’s the easiest small dog to take care of as it depends whether by that you mean a dog that doesn’t require loads of exercise or a dog that needs minimal grooming. Either way, getting a dog from a shelter means you can get expert advice about specific dogs.
So there we have a round-up of some of the best small dogs. Ultimately, which dog is right for you is a very personal decision and it’s affected by all kinds of factors, from how active you are to how much space you have. One thing that’s key in any decision is whether or not you have small children, and it’s important to bear in mind that, just because a dog is small, that doesn’t necessarily make them the perfect playmate for a little person. Check out the best dog breeds for families and children.
