12 Best Small Dog Breeds — our top picks
Toy Poodle
Toy Poodle: very small-sized and very high adaptability — small enough to travel with and welcome in more homes. Smallest variety of Poodle with intelligence and athleticism in a tiny package. Hypoallergenic and highly trainable. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Toy Poodle needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Maltese
Maltese: very small-sized, medium energy and high adaptability — small enough to travel with and welcome in more homes. Ancient toy breed with flowing white coat and gentle demeanor. Playful and affectionate companion dog. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Maltese needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Pomapoo
Pomapoo: very small-sized, medium energy and high adaptability — small enough to travel with and welcome in more homes. Pomeranian and Poodle cross creating tiny companion with big personality and reduced shedding. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Pomapoo needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
French Bulldog
French Bulldog: small-sized, low energy and very high adaptability. Muscular flat-faced breed with bat ears and adaptable personality. Excellent apartment companion.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Pembroke Welsh Corgi: small-sized, medium energy and very high adaptability. Short-legged herding dog with fox-like face. Intelligent and affectionate companion, royal favorite. Worth knowing before you commit: the Pembroke Welsh Corgi sheds heavily enough that cleaning becomes a daily routine.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: small-sized, medium energy and very high adaptability. Gentle toy spaniel with silky coat and sweet expression. Perfect family companion with sporting dog heritage. Worth knowing before you commit: the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel does badly left alone all day.
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu: small-sized, medium energy and very high adaptability. Flowing-coated toy breed bred to be a companion. Friendly and outgoing with all people. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Shih Tzu needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Boston Terrier
Boston Terrier: small-sized, medium energy and very high adaptability. American Gentleman with tuxedo markings and friendly disposition. Intelligent and easy-going companion.
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier: very small-sized and high adaptability. Small terrier with silky coat and big personality. Brave, determined, and sometimes bossy despite their tiny size. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Yorkshire Terrier needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Havanese
Havanese: small-sized, medium energy and very high adaptability. Cuban toy breed with silky coat and cheerful disposition. Adaptable and social companion dog. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Havanese needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Chihuahua (Smooth Coat)
Chihuahua (Smooth Coat): very small-sized, medium energy and high adaptability. World's smallest dog breed with huge personality. Alert, confident, and devoted to their family despite their tiny size. Worth knowing before you commit: the Chihuahua (Smooth Coat) is vocal, which matters if you share walls.
Chihuahua (Long Coat)
Chihuahua (Long Coat): very small-sized, medium energy and high adaptability. Long-haired variety of the Chihuahua with soft, flowing coat. Same bold personality as smooth coat variety. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Chihuahua (Long Coat) needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
How this ranking works: each of DoggyQ's 321 breeds is scored on the traits that decide this particular question — the same trait ratings shown on each breed's own guide page, so you can check the reasoning rather than take a ranking on faith. Read more about our methodology, or take the free quiz for a ranking based on your own answers.
Popular breeds that are a poor fit for small-dog lovers
English Mastiff
The English Mastiff is a popular choice, but giant-sized and low adaptability put it at odds with small-dog lovers. On top of that, the English Mastiff drools enough to notice.
Great Dane
The Great Dane is a popular choice, but giant-sized put it at odds with small-dog lovers. On top of that, the Great Dane does badly left alone all day.
Belgian Malinois
The Belgian Malinois is a popular choice, but large-sized and very high energy put it at odds with small-dog lovers. On top of that, the Belgian Malinois needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
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Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- What is the best small dog breed?
- Based on temperament and care needs, the Toy Poodle ranks as the top choice for small-dog lovers, followed by the Maltese and Pomapoo.
- How was this list of dogs for small-dog lovers chosen?
- Each breed is scored on the traits that matter most for small-dog lovers — such as energy, size, grooming and temperament — using DoggyQ's breed database. For a recommendation tailored to your exact situation, take the free quiz.
- Which popular breeds are a poor fit for small-dog lovers?
- The English Mastiff, The Great Dane, The Belgian Malinois all rank near the bottom for small-dog lovers despite being widely chosen — usually because the traits that make them appealing elsewhere work against them here.