They may be small in size, but they’ve got big personalities! From Dachshund to Pug to Yorkie, meet the cutest small dog breeds, guaranteed to steal your hearts (and your sofas).
1. Affenpinscher
This small breed, also known as the “monkey terrier,” is known for its monkey-like appearance and playful personality. They have a shaggy, coarse coat that comes in a variety of colors. They are hypoallergenic dogs, meaning they’re less likely to cause an allergic reaction. Affenpinschers date back to 17th century Germany, where they were used for hunting vermin.
2. Australian Terrier
The Australian Terrier is a small, sturdy breed known for its lively and energetic personality. Their rough, wiry coat comes in a range of colors. Australian Terriers have a history dating back to 19th century Australia, where they were used as watchdogs and hunters of small game.
3. Bedlington Terrier
The Bedlington Terrier is a small, athletic breed known for its friendly and playful personality. They have a curly, woolly coat that comes in a variety of colors. Bedlington Terriers date back to 19th century England, where they were used for hunting small game and vermin.
4. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a small, fluffy breed known for its cheerful and friendly personality. They have a white, hypoallergenic coat that requires regular grooming. Bichon Frises have a long history, dating back to the Middle Ages when they were popular lapdogs among European royalty.
5. Bolognese
The Bolognese is a small, fluffy breed that’s known for its playful and affectionate personality. They have a thick, curly coat that’s typically white. They’re hypoallergenic dogs, meaning they’re less likely to cause an allergic reactions in allergic people. The bolognese has a history dating back to ancient Italy, where they were kept as companion dogs by the upper class.
6. Border Terrier
The Border Terrier is a small, energetic breed known for its friendly and playful personality. They have a wiry coat that comes in a variety of colors. Border Terriers have a history dating back to 18th century Scotland and England, where they were used for hunting small game and vermin.
7. Boston Terrier
The Boston Terrier is a small, compact breed known for its friendly and energetic personality. They have a short, smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors including black, brindle, and seal. Boston Terriers have a history dating back to 19th century America, where they were developed as companion dogs by crossing the English Bulldog and the White English Terrier.
8. Cairn Terrier
The Cairn Terrier is a small, sturdy breed known for its hardy and independent personality. They have a rough, wiry coat that comes in a variety of colors. Cairn Terriers date back to Scotland, where they were used for hunting vermin.
9. Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is a small, energetic breed that’s known for its feisty and bold personality. They have a short, smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors. Chihuahuas are one of the smallest breeds of dogs and have a history dating back to pre-Columbian Mexico.
10. Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested is a small, hairless breed known for its affectionate and playful personality. They have a short, smooth coat on their body and a crest of hair on their head, tail, and feet. They’re considered hypoallergenic dogs. Chinese Cresteds have a history dating back to ancient China, where they were kept as companion dogs by the upper class.
11. Dachshund
The Dachshund, often referred to as Wiener Dog, Sausage Dog or Doxie, is a small, elongated breed known for its lively and playful personality. They have a short, smooth coat or a long, wiry coat that comes in a variety of colors. Dachshunds date back to 17th century Germany, where they were used for hunting badgers and other small game.
12. French Bulldog
The French Bulldog, also known as the “Frenchie,” is a small, stocky breed known for its friendly and affectionate personality. They have a short, smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors including brindle, fawn, and white. French Bulldogs have a history dating back to 19th century France, where they were developed as companion dogs by crossing the English Bulldog with local toy breeds.
13. Fox Terrier
The Fox Terrier is a small, energetic breed known for its lively and playful personality. They have a short, smooth coat or a wire coat that comes in a variety of colors. Fox Terriers have a history dating back to 18th century England, where they were used for hunting foxes and other small game.
14. Italian Greyhound
The Italian Greyhound, or Iggy, is a small, slender breed known for its elegant and graceful appearance. They have a short, smooth coat that comes in several colors. Italian Greyhounds have a history dating back to ancient Rome, where they were used as companion dogs.
15. Jack Russell Terrier
This small breed, also known as the “Jack Russel,” is known for its energetic and bold personality. They have a short, smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors, including white, black and tan. Jack Russell Terriers have a history dating back to 19th century England, where they were developed as hunting dogs for small game.
16. Maltese
The Maltese is a small, elegant breed known for its affectionate and gentle personality. They have a long, silky coat that’s typically white. Maltese have a history dating back to ancient times, where they were kept as companion dogs by the upper class.
17. Manchester Terrier
The Manchester Terrier is a small, slender breed known for its energetic and playful personality. They have a short, smooth coat that comes in black or black and tan. Manchester Terriers have a history dating back to 19th century England, where they were developed as hunters of small game and vermin.
18. Miniature Pinscher
The Miniature Pinscher is a small, energetic breed known for its lively and playful personality. Their short, smooth coat comes in a variety of colors. Miniature Pinschers have a history dating back to 18th century Germany, where they were used as watchdogs.
19. Papillon
The Papillon is a small, elegant breed known for its friendly and outgoing personality. They have a long, silky coat that comes in a range of colors. Papillons date back to 16th-century Europe, where they were used as companion dogs.
20. Pekingese
The Pekingese is a small, lion-like breed that’s known for its regal and dignified personality. They have a long, straight coat that comes in a variety of colors. Pekingese have a long history, dating back to ancient China, where they were considered sacred and were kept by Chinese royalty.
21. Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is a small, fluffy breed known for its lively and playful personality. Their thick, double coat comes in a range of colors. Pomeranians have a history dating back to 18th century Germany, where they were used as companion dogs.
22. Miniature Poodle / Toy Poodle
Both The Toy Poodle and the Miniature Poodle, are small, elegant dogs known for their highly trainable and intelligent personality. Their curly coat comes in a variety of colors. They are smaller versions of the standard poodle. All poodles are considered to be hypoallergenic dogs. Poodles have a history dating back to 15th century Germany, where they were used as hunting dogs.
23. Pug
The Pug is a small, wrinkly breed known for its friendly and affectionate personality. They have a short, smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors, including black, fawn and silver. Pugs’ history dates back to ancient China, where they were kept as companion dogs by the upper class.
24. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is a small, regal breed that’s known for its outgoing and friendly personality. Their long, silky coat comes in a variety of colors. Shih Tzu have a long history dating back to ancient China, where they were kept by Chinese royalty.
25. (Australian) Silky Terrier
The Australian Silky Terrier is a small, energetic breed known for its affectionate and playful personality. They have a long, silky coat that comes in blue or fawn. Australian Silky Terriers date back to 19th century Australia, where they were developed as companion dogs.
26. Welsh Terrier
The Welsh Terrier is a small, sturdy breed known for its energetic and playful personality. The Welsh Terrier is the miniature version of the Airedale Terrier. Welsh terriers have wiry coats that come in black and tan. They have a history dating back to 19th century Wales, where they were used for hunting small game and vermin.
27. Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie, is a small, feisty breed known for its energetic and adventurous personality. They have a long, silky coat that comes in a variety of colors. The breed dates back to 19th century England, where they were used to catch rats in textile mills.
28. Xoloitzcuintli (Miniature)
The Xoloitzcuintli, also known as the Mexican Hairless Dog or simply Xolo, is known for its unique hairless appearance. They have smooth, hairless skin that comes in a variety of colors, including black, bronze, gray, and red. They come in three different sizes: standard, intermediate and miniature. Xolos are hypoallergenic dogs. They date back to ancient Mesoamerican cultures, where they were kept as companion dogs and believed to have spiritual significance.
