Dog Breed Guide

Best Small Dog Breeds

Decision criteria

Weigh these before reading the recommendations below.

• Energy and exercise needs (some small breeds are very active).
• Coat type and grooming routine.
• Trainability and time you can commit to consistent training.
• Health profile by breed.
• Compatibility with children and other pets.
• Lifespan and long-term commitment (small breeds often live 12 to 16+ years).

Small breed categories often considered

Common small breeds with realistic caveats. None is universally 'easy' — match by temperament and care need, not by size alone.

• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

  Breed example

  Small companion breed.

  • ●Typically gentle
  • ●Moderate energy
  • ●Sociable
  Caution: Heart and neurological predispositions documented in some lines.

• Bichon Frise

  Breed example

  Small companion breed.

  • ●Typically friendly
  • ●Low shedding
  • ●Trainable
  Caution: Coat needs regular professional grooming.

• Yorkshire Terrier

  Breed example

  Toy terrier-type companion.

  • ●Very small
  • ●Often alert
  • ●Long lifespan in many lines
  Caution: Vocal tendencies; coat needs grooming; toy build is fragile around active children.

• Pomeranian

  Breed example

  Toy spitz-type companion.

  • ●Small
  • ●Bold temperament
  • ●Long lifespan in many lines
  Caution: Vocal; coat is high-maintenance.

• Dachshund

  Breed example

  Small short-legged hound-type breed.

  • ●Small
  • ●Often sociable
  • ●Distinctive build
  Caution: Documented spinal/back issues — careful handling, weight management, and avoiding rough play matter.

• Pug

  Breed example

  Small companion breed.

  • ●Small
  • ●Typically affectionate
  • ●Compact size
  Caution: Brachycephalic welfare concerns include breathing and eye issues; weight management is critical.

• Boston Terrier

  Breed example

  Small short-coat companion breed.

  • ●Short coat
  • ●Generally trainable
  • ●Compact
  Caution: Also brachycephalic — same welfare concerns as other flat-faced breeds.

• Chihuahua

  Breed example

  Toy companion breed.

  • ●Very small
  • ●Short-coat variety is minimal grooming
  • ●Long lifespan in many lines
  Caution: Fragile around active children; training and socialisation are essential.

Care expectations

• Toy breeds can be fragile around active young children — supervised, gentle handling is essential.
• Small dogs are not necessarily low-exercise — many are surprisingly active.
• Dental care is particularly important in many small breeds.
• Long lifespan in many small breeds means an honest long-term commitment.

Not ideal for…

• People who want a dog they can let 'run itself' off-leash in unfamiliar places.
• People wanting a guarded or working breed (most small breeds are companion-bred).
• Households with very young children who cannot reliably interact gently.