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7 adorable small dog breeds that stay tiny

Posted January 9, 2022

Small-sized dog breeds graphic.
Small-sized dog breeds stay tiny and adorable for their entire lives. If you want a perpetual lap dog, consider choosing one of these breeds.

For dog-lovers, dog maintenance can be a prime issue. As dogs grow older, they get bigger, and so do their needs.

Puppies are adorable, and dog owners often wish their dogs could stay small forever. Most dog breeds grow quickly. 

But if you want a puppy that will stay small, consider choosing from one of these seven small-sized dog breeds.

Don’t get us wrong. We’re not discriminating. You surely cannot base your choice of breed solely on how well the dog fits on your lap.

But there are other reasons you might want to consider small-breed dog breeds. They need less food and often make great pets for the elderly and children. 

Here are our favorite small-sized dog breeds:

Toy Poodle

Gray and black poodles in a box. Poodles rank high on lists of popular dog breeds.

Well, as the name goes, a toy poodle looks like a toy. It’s furry, small, and almost toy-perfect.

At a glance, you might mistake it for a furry teddy. These tiny dogs weigh 6 to 9 pounds, and you can easily carry one in your hands.

Its coat is curly, and you’ll find this small-sized dog breed is primarily brown, apricot, blue, grey, silver, and cream. The dog’s coat requires more maintenance. But since the dog is small, weekly grooming sessions won’t take long.

Yorkshire TerrierYorkshire terrier puppy on white background. Yorkshire terriers may think they are big and scary, but in reality they are tiny and not threatening. They do, however, bark, which can alert you to intruders or other danger.

The Yorkshire terrier is amongst the tiniest small-sized dog breeds. The breed originated from England. Its got long hair, pointed ears, and a flat but softly expressive face.

The dog weighs around seven pounds and has a life expectancy of about 11 to 15 years. Its height reaches a maximum of 7 to 8 inches.

Apart from regularly brushing its hair, the dog is relatively low maintenance.

PugHappy Pug on couch. Pugs are loyal, loving, calm dogs.

The Pug originally comes from China.

The dog’s distinctive features include a short-muzzled, wrinkly face on a short, thick body. It’s a mini-size bulldog!

These dogs are excellent picks for anyone who’s just starting on your dog-keeping journey. That’s because they adjust well and like loads of attention. Plus, they adapt well to apartments and compact spaces.

Their height can reach up to 10-14 inches, and they may weigh up to 14-18 pounds. As for their lifespan, these dogs live about 12 to 14 years, which is longer than other small-sized dog breeds.

Chihuahua 

Happy Chihuahua puppy. Chihuahuas have been popular pets since "Legally Blonde."

Most people think Chihuahuas are difficult dogs to keep. But that’s a common misconception. Chihuahuas require no extra care. 

Chihuahuas typically stand 6 to 10 inches tall and weigh 6 to 10 pounds. Some Chihuahuas have short-haired coats, while others have long coats. 

With that said, you ought to know that there are long-haired Chihuahuas too out there. So, it depends on you which one you wish to keep.

Chihuahuas are classy, sassy, and super elegant!

Havanese

Puppy-proof your home to keep your new havanese puppy safe.

The Havanese is the national dog of Cuba, and it’s super cute!

Apart from its long hair and short height, it’s got super-expressive eyes and long drooping ears. One plea for play, and we tell you, you’re taking it home!

What’s more, the Havanese has a super friendly and cuddly nature. Its also known as a velcro dog because they stick close to their owners at all times.

The dogs reach a maximum of 8.5 to 11.5 inches and weigh a maximum of 13 pounds.

Pomeranian

celebrity Pomeranian ownersPomeranian is not only one of the best small-sized dog breeds; it also has a cute short name, i.e., Pom. And these dogs are what their name says: they are mini living pom poms!

These tiny furballs have fluffy coats and fox-like faces, making them appear even fluffier. They weigh 3 to 7 pounds and reach a maximum height of about 7 to 12 inches.

The average lifespan of these super inquisitive dogs is about 12 to 16 years.

Shih Tzu
The shih tzu is considered a non-shedding dog breed.

The Shih Tzu originates from Tibet.

These dogs are best suited to colder climates, and their long hair helps insulate them and keep these tiny dogs reasonably warm.

The Shih Tzu can reach a maximum height of 11 inches and weigh 8 to 16 pounds. This popular small-sized dog breed lives up to 16 years.

Final thoughts on small-sized dog breeds

While there are more small-sized dog breeds, these seven are the best-loved. And that’s because they are super easy to maintain and adorable!

We highly recommend beginning your journey with any of these small-sized dog breeds and exploring other types later. Good luck!

Shawn Mack is a content writer who offers ghostwriting, copywriting, and blogging services. His educational background in the business and technical field has given him a broad base from which to approach many topics. He is also fond of writing engaging articles on technology & digital marketing-related topics.  

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