Small Dog Breeds: Which Little Dog Suits You?
A friend of ours recently got a long-haired dachshund puppy. And yes, we were on her doorstep in no time, purely to meet that pup. What surprised us most? Her. No dark circles, no chewed-up shoes, no stressed look. She came to the door completely relaxed, the puppy simply tucked under her arm.
That was a world away from the first weeks with a Labrador puppy as we know them: a bouncing ball of energy that is everywhere at once. A small dog isn't automatically easier. But daily life does look different. You pick him up, take him on the train, and he fits right into an apartment.
Torn between small dog breeds? We've lined up the most popular ones: from the smallest dog breed to low-shedding breeds, calm little dogs and breeds from the Netherlands and Belgium. Honest, downsides included. And some of those downsides are more serious than the usual lists suggest.
Small Dog Breeds at a Glance
There's no official cut-off for "small". In this guide we mean breeds that stay under about 10 kilos as adults. That's why the Dutch Kooikerhondje (around 10 kilos, 38 to 40 cm at the shoulder) just misses out (LICG, 2024).
| Breed | Adult weight (kg) | Coat | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chihuahua | 1–3 | short or long | barks quickly, fragile, beware "teacup" marketing |
| Yorkshire terrier | up to 3.2 | long and silky | daily coat care |
| Maltese | 3–4 | long, no undercoat | coat takes a lot of time |
| Griffon bruxellois | 3.5–6 | wiry, trimmed | very short snout |
| Schipperke | 3–9 | dense, with undercoat | watchful, loud barker |
| Bichon frisé | approx. 5 | curly, with undercoat | regular trimming |
| Jack Russell terrier | 5–6 | smooth, rough or broken | needs lots of exercise |
| Cavalier King Charles | 5.4–8 | long, sheds all year | serious hereditary heart disease, read the health section |
| Shih tzu | 4.5–8 | long, keeps growing | short snout |
| Boomer | 4–10 | long | not a recognised breed, watchful |
| French bulldog | 8–14 | short | short snout, breathing problems (BOAS) |
| Dachshund (miniature/rabbit) | varies by type | short, wire or long | sensitive back |
Sources: FCI breed standards and LICG pet information leaflets (see references).
The Smallest Dog Breed: The Chihuahua
The smallest dog breed is the Chihuahua. According to the breed standard it weighs 1 to 3 kilos, with an ideal weight of 1.5 to 2.5 kilos (FCI, 2019). It comes in a short-haired and a long-haired variety.
Small, but definitely not a lapdog that sits still all day. A Chihuahua is active and wants to go out several times a day, though it doesn't need long hikes. It's brave, sometimes a little too confident, and quick to bark (LICG, 2023b).
And that size has real downsides. A Chihuahua is less suited to a family with young, boisterous children, because it's easily handled too roughly. In puppies, blood sugar can drop dangerously low: that's an emergency. In the Dutch population, the most common conditions are loose kneecaps (patellar luxation), a liver shunt (portosystemic shunt) and water on the brain (hydrocephalus) (LICG, 2023b).
Why "Teacup" Is Not a Size
You will see Chihuahuas, Yorkies and Pomeranians advertised as "teacup", "micro" or "pocket size". It is worth knowing exactly what that means, because it is not what most buyers assume.
Teacup is not a breed, not a variety, and not a recognised size class. No FCI standard mentions it. It is a sales term for dogs bred deliberately below the breed standard, or for the smallest puppy in a litter sold at a premium instead of being placed with extra care.
The health consequences are not bad luck. They are predictable. Look again at the list of conditions already associated with the Chihuahua: dangerously low blood sugar, patellar luxation, liver shunt and hydrocephalus (LICG, 2023b). Every one of those becomes more likely the further below standard weight you breed. Add to that an open fontanelle, fragile bones that break from a jump off the sofa, a windpipe that can collapse, and teeth crowded into a jaw that cannot hold them.
A dog bred under 1.5 kilos is not a smaller version of a healthy dog. It is a dog whose body has less margin for everything. If a breeder advertises on size rather than on health tests, that tells you what they optimised for.
Popular Small Dog Breeds
Shih tzu. Friendly, playful and affectionate, but also stubborn. The standard puts it at 4.5 to 8 kilos; in practice sometimes up to 10. It can learn to stay home alone, as long as you build that up slowly (LICG, 2023d).
Jack Russell terrier. A 5 to 6 kilo terrier with the energy of a much bigger dog. It wants to run, play and use its brain, and it loves digging. Give it too little to do and it will find its own entertainment (LICG, 2022b).
Maltese. A snow-white dog of 3 to 4 kilos, with a long, silky coat and no undercoat (FCI, 2015).
Yorkshire terrier. Weighs no more than 3.2 kilos under the breed standard. Its long coat is glossy and straight, steel blue with golden tan (FCI, 2011).
Bichon frisé. Around 5 kilos and 25 to 29 cm tall, with loose curls over a soft undercoat (FCI, 2016).
Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Gentle, cheerful and usually good with children. It weighs 5.4 to 8 kilos. It is also the breed in this guide that carries by far the heaviest health burden, and we have given it its own section below rather than a footnote.
Dachshund. Our favourite since that visit. It comes in three sizes (standard, miniature and rabbit) and three coats: smooth, wire-haired and long-haired. Its long back makes it prone to disc herniation. So don't let it jump from heights, lift it with its back kept straight and prevent overweight (Royal Canin, n.d.).
Small Dog Breeds That Don't Shed (And Short-Haired Breeds)
First, the honest answer: a dog that truly doesn't shed or is hypoallergenic doesn't exist. Researchers at Utrecht University measured the main dog allergen (Can f 1) in the coats of so-called hypoallergenic breeds. They actually found more of it than in Labradors. In the air at home, they found no difference between breeds (Vredegoor et al., 2012). Allergic? Visit the dog a few times before you decide.
What does vary is how much loose hair ends up on your sofa. Breeds with a long, continuously growing coat, like the Maltese, Yorkshire terrier, Bichon frisé and Shih tzu, usually leave little hair around the house. The trade-off is that you'll spend a lot of time brushing and trimming. The Cavalier, on the other hand, sheds all year round (LICG, 2022a).
Would you rather have a short-haired small dog? Think of the short-haired Chihuahua, the smooth-coated Jack Russell, the French bulldog or the smooth dachshund. They're quick to brush. But short hair falls out too, so your home won't be completely hair-free.
Calm Small Dog Breeds
Calmness depends mostly on the individual dog and its training. Still, some breeds are more relaxed on average than others.
The Cavalier is gentle and friendly, although it finds long stretches alone hard (LICG, 2022a). The Shih tzu is usually an easy housemate too, and with some practice can stay alone for a few hours (LICG, 2023d). And the French bulldog is cheerful and loves company, but definitely doesn't want to sit home alone all day (LICG, 2023c).
Looking for real peace and quiet? Then the Jack Russell, Chihuahua and Schipperke are less obvious choices. They bark quickly or need a lot of exercise (FCI, 2010; LICG, 2022b, 2023b). The Boomer is watchful and likes to bark as well (LICG, 2023a).
Small Dog Breeds From the Netherlands and Belgium
Boomer. Typically Dutch, but officially not a breed. A Boomer is a cross of small breeds, usually Maltese and Shih tzu. It weighs 4 to 10 kilos and stands 20 to 30 cm tall. Energetic, playful and affectionate, but also watchful. Since there's no breed club, checking the breeder carefully matters even more (LICG, 2023a).
Schipperke. A Belgian watchdog of 3 to 9 kilos, with a thick black coat and a striking ruff. It's reserved with strangers, curious and sweet with children. But when it spots something, it lets you know loudly (FCI, 2010).
Griffon bruxellois. The red griffon from Brussels weighs 3.5 to 6 kilos and has a wiry, trimmed coat. Its muzzle is at most 1.5 cm long under the breed standard (FCI, 2003). A charming face, but a short-snouted breed, so read the health section below too.
The Dutch Kooikerhondje is a lovely Dutch breed, but at around 10 kilos it's more medium-sized. According to the LICG, it's also less suited to families with young children (LICG, 2024).
The Health Side Nobody Puts in the Photo Caption
Some of the points below are care tips. Others are consequences of how a breed has been bred, and those deserve to be read before you commit, not after.
The Cavalier's Heart
If you take one thing from this guide, make it this. The Cavalier King Charles spaniel has a rate of mitral valve disease around twenty times higher than other breeds. Roughly half of all Cavaliers have a heart murmur by the age of five, and by ten years almost every surviving dog has at least a low-grade one (Swift, 2009, in UFAW, n.d.).
For comparison: in most other breeds, the same condition is typically diagnosed from six or seven years onward. In Cavaliers, males are often diagnosed at three to four years and females at four to five (Häggström, 2004, in UFAW, n.d.).
It is also what most of them die of. Mitral valve disease accounts for 42.8 percent of all Cavalier deaths (Kennel Club and BSAVA, 2008, in UFAW, n.d.). Early stages often cause no visible problems, and medication can control early heart failure for a while. But once severe congestive heart failure develops, average survival is around seven months.
None of this makes a Cavalier a bad dog. They are famously sweet, and many live good years before the disease takes hold. But it does mean you should go in with your eyes open, budget for cardiac care, and only buy from a breeder who screens both parents annually and can show you the results.
If you already have a Cavalier, the practical advice is simple: have the heart checked once a year from age three, and see your vet promptly if you notice coughing, breathlessness after mild exercise, or reduced stamina.
A Short Snout
Snoring is not normal for a French bulldog. It is a sign of obstructed breathing.
The French bulldog, Shih tzu, Cavalier and Griffon bruxellois all have a shortened skull. That can cause breathing difficulties, snoring and rapid overheating, a cluster known as brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, or BOAS (LICG, 2023c).
The Netherlands took a position on this. Since 2019, short-snouted dogs may only be bred if they meet six criteria, including calm breathing at rest and a workable ratio between skull and nose. The Dutch food and product safety authority (NVWA) can impose a fine of 1,500 euros (Rijksoverheid, 2023). Rules like that exist because the breed as commonly bred could not breathe properly.
A Sensitive Back
Dachshunds and French bulldogs are prone to disc herniation and back problems (LICG, 2023c; Royal Canin, n.d.). A healthy weight and no jumping off the sofa really help. Ramps for the couch and the car are worth the small effort.
Teeth, The Problem Nobody Mentions
Here is the one that affects almost every small dog owner and almost never appears in a breed guide. A small dog has the same 42 adult teeth as a Labrador, but in a jaw a fraction of the size.
The result is crowding. Teeth sit tightly packed or rotated, food and plaque collect in the gaps, and gum inflammation and tartar follow much faster than in larger dogs. Left alone, it progresses to periodontal disease, which is painful, costs teeth, and sends bacteria into the bloodstream where they put strain on the heart and kidneys.
Daily brushing is not a luxury for a small dog, it is basic maintenance. Starting in puppyhood, when the whole thing is still a game, is far easier than starting at four.
The Breeder
A careful purchase removes more risk than anything you can do afterwards. For a short-snouted breed, ask for the parents' veterinary statement and insist on seeing the mother together with the puppy in the home where they live (Rijksoverheid, 2023). Be aware that a pedigree on its own proves nothing about snout length (LICG, 2023c), and ask for health test results for both parents in writing.
Walk away from cheap puppies sold online, from anyone offering several litters at once, and from anyone who leads with size or colour rather than health. Sign a purchase contract and check the registration and the EU pet passport before you take the dog home (LICG, 2023c).
And Now the Good News
After all that, a genuine advantage. Small dogs generally live considerably longer than large ones. Where a giant breed may reach seven or eight years, many small breeds comfortably pass twelve and plenty reach fifteen or sixteen.
That is a long time together, and it is the strongest argument in favour of choosing carefully now. A well-bred small dog from health-tested parents is a companion for well over a decade.
Which Small Dog Suits You?
Don't choose on size alone, or on that one adorable photo. Look at what you can offer every day: time for exercise, time for coat care, time for teeth, and how much barking you and your neighbours can handle. A Jack Russell asks for something completely different from a Cavalier.
We still think back to our relaxed friend with her dachshund puppy under her arm. With the right match, it can look like that. Still unsure about the type of dog? Read our guide Which dog suits me?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which small dog breed is the calmest?
On average the Cavalier and the Shih tzu are the most relaxed of this group, though both dislike long stretches alone. Calmness depends more on the individual dog and on training than on the breed.
Are small dogs easier than large dogs?
Not automatically. They need less space and are easier to carry, but coat care, dental care and barking often take more attention, not less. A Jack Russell needs more exercise than many medium-sized dogs.
Are there small dogs that don't shed?
No dog is genuinely non-shedding or hypoallergenic. Breeds with a continuously growing coat leave less hair around the house, but they need far more brushing and trimming in exchange.
What is a teacup dog, and is it a breed?
No. Teacup is a sales term, not a breed or a recognised size class, and no FCI standard uses it. Dogs bred below the breed standard carry a much higher risk of low blood sugar, fragile bones, a collapsing windpipe and dental problems.
How much exercise does a small dog need?
Less distance than a large dog, but just as much regularity, and mental work matters as much as kilometres. A puppy of any size needs noticeably less than people assume, because joints and growth plates are still developing. Build it up gradually and let your vet guide you.
Do small dogs live longer than large dogs?
Yes, generally considerably longer. Many small breeds pass twelve years and a good number reach fifteen or sixteen, where large and giant breeds often do not get past eight to ten.
What should I ask a breeder of a short-snouted breed?
Ask for the veterinary statement showing the parents meet the six Dutch breeding criteria, see the mother and puppy together in the home, and get health test results in writing. A pedigree alone says nothing about whether the dog can breathe comfortably.
A small dog fits into an apartment, travels easily and will probably be with you longer than a large one would. That is a genuinely good deal. It just works best when you choose the dog for what it will need for the next fifteen years, rather than for how it looks in the photo. 🐾
References
Fédération Cynologique Internationale. (2003). Griffon bruxellois (FCI Standard No. 80). https://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/080g09-es.pdf
Fédération Cynologique Internationale. (2010). Schipperke (FCI Standard No. 83). Norsk Kennel Klub.
Fédération Cynologique Internationale. (2011). Yorkshire terrier (FCI Standard No. 86). https://dev.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/086g03-en.pdf
Fédération Cynologique Internationale. (2015). Maltese (FCI Standard No. 65). https://dev.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/065g09-en.pdf
Fédération Cynologique Internationale. (2016). Bichon frisé (FCI Standard No. 215). https://dev.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/215g09-en.pdf
Fédération Cynologique Internationale. (2019). Chihuahueño (FCI Standard No. 218). https://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/218g09-de.pdf
Landelijk InformatieCentrum Gezelschapsdieren. (2022a). Cavalier King Charles spaniël [Pet information leaflet]. LICG.
Landelijk InformatieCentrum Gezelschapsdieren. (2022b). Jack Russell terriër [Pet information leaflet]. LICG.
Landelijk InformatieCentrum Gezelschapsdieren. (2023a). Boomer [Pet information leaflet]. LICG.
Landelijk InformatieCentrum Gezelschapsdieren. (2023b). Chihuahua [Pet information leaflet]. LICG.
Landelijk InformatieCentrum Gezelschapsdieren. (2023c). Franse bulldog [Pet information leaflet]. LICG.
Landelijk InformatieCentrum Gezelschapsdieren. (2023d). Shih tzu [Pet information leaflet]. LICG.
Landelijk InformatieCentrum Gezelschapsdieren. (2024). Nederlands kooikerhondje [Pet information leaflet]. LICG.
Rijksoverheid. (2023, August 24). Strengere regels fokken kortsnuitige honden. Rijksoverheid.
Royal Canin. (n.d.). Teckel. Royal Canin.
Universities Federation for Animal Welfare. (n.d.). Cavalier King Charles spaniel: Mitral valve disease. Retrieved from https://scienceforanimalwelfare.org/species/dog/cavalier-king-charles-spaniel-ckcs/mitral-valve-disease-mvd/
Vredegoor, D. W., Willemse, T., Chapman, M. D., Heederik, D. J. J., & Krop, E. J. M. (2012). Can f 1 levels in hair and homes of different dog breeds: Lack of evidence to describe any dog breed as hypoallergenic. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 130(4), 904–909.e7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2012.05.013