Dogs are the cutest and the loveliest creature on the planet. They are the most loyal pets one can have at home. Dogs emotionally connect so well, that you won’t ever feel depressed. As per studies, dogs can help their human friends cure stress, anxiety, and depression. Among all the dog breeds, small dog breeds are the cutest because of their size. It’s like a sudden rush of happiness when you look into the eyes of these dogs. Here, we will introduce you to such small dogs that you can bring home as pets.
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Small dog breeds
Here is a list of the world’s most popular small dog breeds. These dogs live in a variety of environmental setting. It is tough for some of these dogs to survive when they are moved to an unaccustomed environmental setting. Know all about them to bring a few of them home, depending on where you stay and how you can cater to them:
1. Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed in the world which belongs to South America or Central America region. This breed is the successor of Techichi, which doesn’t weigh more than 6 pounds. The average height of a Chihuahua is generally six inches. Chihuahua has the attitude of big dogs even though it is small in size. Wherever you see a Chihuahua, you will see them ruling the entire space. They love to be loved by their owners. Cuddles are the favorite snack for Chihuahua. The Chihuahua needs a lot of protection from weather changes and viruses. It is recommended to keep them vaccinated regularly and in a warm place. Apart then this, they are a very friendly pet at home.
2. Pomeranian
Pomeranian, also known as Pom is one of the smallest dogs in the world. Even though when compared to Chihuahua, they are bigger than them, still it is small when compared to other dog breeds. Pomeranians are so cute that you just cannot keep yourself from cuddling with them. Moreover, an angry Pomeranian looks like a little small lion. Another reason which contributes towards the Pom looking like a lion is the double coating of fur on their body. In general, Pom weighs something in between 3 pounds to 8 pounds and 7 to 8 inches in size. Pomeranians belong to the Spitz family of canines. Apart from Pomeranians, Alaskan malamute, Norwegian elkhound, and Samoyed are also a part of this family.
3. Affenpinscher
Affenpinscher is also popularly known as the ape terriers and monkey dogs. These names have been given for a reason which is their serious expressions. Affenpinscher is a sturdy and robust kind of pet. They weigh something in between 7 to 10 pounds and the size varies from 8 to 11 or 12 inches maximum. This breed originated in Germany and the reason behind their breeding was killing rats. This was the reason for raising this breed back then but now, they are a part of the family.
4. Yorkshire Terrier
Another sweet little noble dog is the Yorkshire Terrier. The royal silky coated Yorkshire terrier is a fun-loving little dog. The average weight and size of this small breed are 6 to 8 pounds and 7 to 9 inches respectively. This small dog breed is loaded with big dog attitude, bravery, and energy. During the evolution of this breed, they were mostly used to kill rats. Later on, this breed turned out to be a royal treat for a lot of people. You can have a Yorkie at home but needs a lot of supervision, especially when there are children. Also note that their Terrier tendencies give Yorkies a hunting instinct, and thus generally love a pleasant walk. The Kennel Club suggests that you exercise with your pet for up to 30 minutes a day to keep them healthy.
5. Russian Toy
The Russian Toy is one of the smallest dog breeds in the world. Belonging to Russian aristocracy, these minuscule dogs are loaded with energy, playing and heartwarming creatures. Having a Russian Toy at home is like having a living being of happiness. They are so much energy that at times you might need to pace up with them. On the contrary, they also love to sit by their owners and cuddle with them. They love to have human companionship. Also, they will make you feel the vibe if you neglect them. Russian Toys are such kind of dogs that they come in a variety of colors with a short and long coat of fur. Generally, a Russian Toy is of 4 to 7 pounds in weight and 8 to 11 inches in size.
6. Toy Fox Terrier
Another fun-loving and eager to learn dog is the Toy Fox Terrier which is the part of small dog breeds. Toy Fox Terrier is whip-smart and they have a long history as rat hunters. They are a huge source of endless energy and this helps them to catch rats and other small animals easily. Although they are very intelligent, if you own one, you need to supervise them a lot. Normally, a Toy Fox Terrier weighs 7 pounds and the size limits to 10 inches.
7. Japanese Chin
As the name suggests, this noble dog has a royal lineage. Japanese chin has a plumed tail and thick curls. It has irresistible round eyes and short muzzle. These dogs are quite, exotic, graceful and usually love to cuddle. This small dog breed is also known as the feline of dogs. They have a calm nature and are very sensitive to the emotions of their owners. Japanese Chin is 8 to 10 inches in size and weighs around 6 to 9 pounds. They are happy dogs and a great companion in your dull days. They will never make you feel neglected and will always usher love on you.
8. Chinese Crested
Quite similar to the Japanese Chin, the Chinese Crested is a loving, lively and alert breed of dog. This small dog breed can be found in a coat of hair or hairless. They have a variety of colors too. So, if you have more than one Chinese Crested, it won’t be tough to point out who spilled the bowl of water. There is this one minute issue with Chinese Crested that if you own a hairless one then you won’t have to face the bad odor and hair shedding problem. Apart from this, there is one thing which is the cold factor. Chinese Crested cannot tolerate cold so you need to keep them warm. If you can handle these factors then there isn’t much to worry about them.
9. Shih Tzu
This too is one of the Chinese small dog breeds also known as the lion dogs. They are a toy dog breed with royalty and cuteness stuffed in them. The Shih Tzu is a mischievous breed of dog who will keep you and your family entertained most of the time. They need proper grooming and care to live a healthy life. Weighing around 10 to 16 pounds they have a dainty look. The length of lion dogs varies between 9 inches to 11 inches. They are so full of energy that they can keep on dancing, running and cuddling with you all day. Shih Tzu is fond of love and you will feel the warmth of their affection every time they jump on your lap for cuddles. On the contrary, you need to train them well and supervise at times when there are young kids in the house.
10. Miniature Pinscher
Miniature or mini Pinscher is a smaller version of Doberman. Although they are small in size, they are not the smallest dog in the world. They are pretty fearless when compared to the other breeds of similar size. Pinscher can be a great watchdog as well. Besides they are territorial at times when it comes to their owner cuddling with other dogs. Miniature Pinscher is called the King of the Toys and this is so because of their smart and energetic behavior. The mini Pinscher is a sturdy dog that loves to have fun and can be a great entertainer as well. It is tough to groom a Pinscher as they have a small coat of hair and weighs around 8 to 12 pounds. The normal size of a Pinscher is little more than one foot.
11. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a pampered breed of dog with a royal lineage. They are graceful and at the same time, they are down to earth as well. In certain situations, they can be stubborn and proud of their aristocracy too. Even though they don’t blend well with everyone but they are pretty much fond of their owners. If you wish to own a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel then keep in mind that they weight nothing more than 20 pounds and the normal size lies between 10 to 13 inches only.
12. Boston Terrier
Boston Terrier is the only dog in the small dog breeds which originated in the US. This breed of dog is categorized as a fighting dog but in the current scenario, they can be a heartwarming house pet as well. They can be a loving member of your family as they are very passionate in nature. Their smartness and fighting instincts will make you feel secure at home. At times, this fighting instinct makes them stubborn as well so you need to train them with extreme care and attention. They have a lot of love to usher on you if you take good care of the Boston Terrier.
13. Havanese
Hailing from Cuba, this ting breed of dogs was brought in by the Spanish explorers during the 18th century. Having a height of 11 to 12 inches and weighing something in between 8 to 12 pounds, this sweet little furball is a pure entertainer. Their long hairs help them cope up with extreme weather conditions and require lots of grooming. If you train them to swim, they can turn out to be a great swimmer in time. Havanese is a welcoming kind of breed and can blend well with visitors. They will keep you entertained most of the time. It is not possible that you will feel depressed when a Havanese is around.
14. Italian Greyhound
The Italian greyhound is the one among small dog breeds that own an athletic structure. They are a great companion with a hint of royalty in their behavior. With a height of 15 inches, they are a mini version of their large counterparts. Their muscular body helps them to run at a speed of 25 miles per hour. Even though they have shy behavior but are extremely intelligent and have a box full of love for their owners. Italian Greyhound is all good but at the time of training, they can give you a very hard time. It is recommended to train them at an early stage to keep a hard time offshore.
15. Miniature Schnauzer
The mini Schnauzer is the tiny little shadow of love and care. Anyone would crave for such warm gestures. They have a nature of royalty in them which they love to show off. A mini Schnauzer is the king of the house wherever they stay. These dogs are the clown of the house where they love to entertain and make people happy. Having this little sweet piece of furball around you will never make you feel sad or neglected. They can cuddle with you all day.
16. Pekingese
Among all these small dog breeds, the Pekingese is a fluffy bundle of cuteness. This too belongs to the Chinese royalty and has a sturdy personality overall. Pekingese are of an independent mindset and will do whatever suits them the most. They can adjust to any surroundings and can usher you with all the love they have for you. This breed of dog can be excellent watchdogs and give a hard time to strangers. Pekingese have an extremely long coat of hair and generally are brachycephalic in structure. They can make you happy even in the saddest and depressing situations. Grooming is an important aspect of Pekingese and it is recommended to keep them away from children
Final thoughts
These were some of the smallest breeds of dogs from every corner of the world. You can own any of these if you can set the required ambiance to keep these dogs healthy. Further, you also need to keep in mind that these dogs need medical assistance such as regular vaccinations. All these dog breeds are so cute that you would love to own all of them. In some cases, these dogs might not be suitable for children if there is any at your home. Check all the pros and cons before adopting one of these lovely creatures.
