Although they’re not very big, what these dogs lack in size, they make up for in character.
From Schipperkes to Yorkshire Terriers, here are the eighteen smallest dog breeds on Earth:
18.
Swedish Vallhund - This small herding dog has a big personality.
It has short legs and a long body, just like its relative, the Corgi, and is built for
sturdiness.
It’s Viking origin means its rugged and good in cold weather.
The Swedish Vallhund is just under fourteen inches tall full-grown and weighs between
twenty and thirty-five pounds, so it does perfectly fine in a normal-sized backyard.
They are known for being upbeat, affectionate, and spirited.
They have short, but thick, fur that varies in color.
If you’re searching for a four-legged friend that loves life, this breed should be on the
top of your list.
17.
Icelandic Sheepdog - This long-haired canine was built for herding in cold weather.
These dogs are known for their undying faithfulness to their owners and are incomparably loyal.
They stand up to eighteen inches tall and weigh a maximum of thirty pounds.
They have very fluffy coats and come in a lot of colors, but always have some white
areas.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are beloved for their happy expressions and consistently look like
they’re in a good mood.
If you want an uplifting companion, this peppy pup could be the one for you.
16.
Norrbottenspets - This dog is very tough and extremely athletic.
They were originally bred for hunting and could take on animals as large as bears and
moose.
At only sixteen to eighteen inches in height and weighing just twenty to thirty pounds,
that is a huge feat!
Norrbottenspets, or Nobs for short, have short hair but also have an undercoat for warmth
as they come from colder climates in Finland and Sweden.
Most of these dogs are white with spots of other colors covering parts of their faces
and ears, and sometimes their backs.
Although these pups are courageous and daring, they’re also level-headed and observant,
so they make great family pets.
15.
Schipperke - This small black dog is known for its curiosity, attentiveness, and playful
personality.
Schipperkes cram a lot of uniqueness into a small package.
They are thirteen inches high at their tallest and weigh ten to sixteen pounds.
They have dense, but short, coats that only come in black.
Their ears stand straight up which is indicative of their alertness and comes from their rodent-hunting
origins.
Schipperkes make great friends and will never leave you disinterested.
14.
Shih Tzu - This silky pooch is known worldwide for its striking hairstyle.
They have long straight locks and require a lot of grooming, but their beautiful coats
set them apart from other breeds.
The Shih Tzu is only nine to ten inches tall and weighs between nine and sixteen pounds.
They are social butterflies and enjoy the attention their unique looks draw.
They love playing, crave affection, and are known to be well-behaved around kids.
They make great pets for small living areas too, so if you’re in an apartment, this
breed is one to consider.
13.
English Toy Spaniel - There’s no hiding that this dog is small since it has the word
“toy” right in its name.
They only stand about ten inches tall and weigh up to just fourteen pounds.
Also referred to as the King Charles Spaniel, this little dog used to be a sidekick to kings
in England.
It has long ears that hang almost down to its chest and luscious locks that can be one
of four different color combinations.
They can be completely red, black and beige, white and red, or tan, black, and white.
The different colors are also known as Ruby, King Charles, Blenheim, and Prince Charles
respectively.
These ancestors of royalty aren’t always amicable and can prove to be picky about who
they like.
However, if you’re on its nice list, the English Toy Spaniel makes a fun-loving friend.
12.
Brussels Griffon - Dog lovers often choose this breed over others because of its large
round eyes.
It could also be due to its tiny, childlike face, but there’s something in this pup’s
longing stare that makes people want to take it home.
It also sports a signature silky beard which many find irresistibly charming.
Plus, the Brussels Griffon only tops the scales at around fifteen pounds, making it easy to
house in apartments or condos.
Although they were originally bred for hunting small rodents around stables, nowadays owners
keep these little guys as house-pets.
They don’t like being alone for long periods of time, so if you’re in the market for
a Brussels Griffon, be prepared to have your puppy follow your every footstep.
11.
Havanese - This cheerful, long-haired breed is the national dog of Cuba and is the only
one indigenous to the country.
Havanese are pretty small, weighing thirteen pounds at their heaviest and only standing
up to eleven and a half inches tall.
They have sleek lengthy coats that give them their trademark appearance, and they sport
a wide mix of colors.
They strive to be in the spotlight at all times, so they’re very comical and aren’t
afraid to make new friends.
As dogs that do well in almost any household, Havanese is definitely a breed to consider
when looking for a fuzzy new playmate.
10.
Chinese Crested - These active and loving dogs are known mostly for their interesting
appearance.
Some are without fur over most of their bodies, with long patches only on their faces, ears,
feet, and tails.
Others are covered in a thin coat of long, silky hair, with the same longer patches on
their faces, and are referred to as “powderpuffs.”
Either way, there’s no mistaking this small pup for another breed.
It’s also a great lapdog, reaching about thirteen inches at its tallest and weighing
eight to twelve pounds.
They make terrific playmates and friends and have proven loyal to their humans.
Plus, since they don’t have much fur, they make wonderful pets if you’re concerned
about shedding!
9.
Japanese Chin - Once upon a time, these tiny short-nosed dogs were best buds with ancient
Japanese royalty.
They were bred purely for the purpose of friendship as opposed to most others who were originally
part of the working class.
At only up to eleven pounds and eleven inches high, Japanese Chins make perfect lap dogs.
Plus, these silky pooches prefer to be inside.
They’re very high-maintenance, which isn’t surprising considering their noble roots,
but they’re also elegant and don’t bark very often.
Chins have long fur that’s primarily white with a secondary color of either black or
red.
They’re commonly compared to cats in how they clean themselves and enjoy lounging off
the ground.
So if you’re looking for an independent pocket-sized dog, a Japanese Chin may be the
one for you.
8.
Miniature Dachshund - Also known as the wiener-dog, this breed has a very iconic image.
It has short legs, only reaching a height of six inches and a long sausage-like body.
The Miniature Dachshund only gets to be eleven pounds full-grown, so its loud bark can be
deceiving.
It is very brave and can be headstrong, but is also friendly and inquisitive.
They require daily walks to ensure muscle-growth but prefer to be inside with their owners.
So if you have a small house in a good neighborhood for strolling around, this quirky dog would
make a great fit for you.
7.
Affenpinscher - Another member of the toy group is the Affenpinscher.
This dog only weighs up to ten pounds and stands less than a foot tall.
It is often called the “Monkey Terrier” because of its strange primate-like face.
This breed of dog puts on quite a show and is known for its crazy antics.
They are very playful and loyal, so they make great family pets.
However, they’re also known for being a little stubborn, and they require a lot of
attention and repetition when it comes to training.
Affens come in all kinds of colors but often have black fur that is dense and shaggy, and
beards similar to their descendants, Brussels Griffons.
Even though their coats are long, they’re said not to shed much, which is perfect for
keeping a tidy home.
6.
Papillon - Considering that this breed’s name is the French word for “butterfly,”
it shouldn’t be a surprise that its ears are very large in comparison to its overall
size.
This Dumbo of the dog world only gets to be eleven inches tall and weighs five to ten
pounds.
These fuzzy pups are known for their unique looks, agility, and cheery personalities.
Their coats come in all different colors with white as the primary.
Although they’re small, Papillons are very versatile and can easily adapt to living in
various conditions.
They’re also quick learners and are able to pick up all kinds of neat tricks.
So if you’re in the market for a dog with a lot of charisma in a tiny package, a Papillon
could make a great addition to your family!
5.
Bolognese - This breed is small, stout, and most importantly, fluffy.
If you’re looking for a laid-back companion, a Bolognese is the dog for you.
It has a very nonchalant attitude and prefers lounging about with its owner by its side.
This little furry pup gets sad if it’s by itself for too long, so if you have a busy
schedule, you may want to look into different breeds.
However, if you have a lot of spare time, Bolos are a great option because they don’t
require much play room.
At its tallest, it is only twelve inches and weighs less than ten pounds.
Just keep in mind, that you’ll probably need to give it a lot of baths because these
four-legged friends have pure white fur.
4.
Yorkshire Terrier - These silky smooth canines are instantly recognizable from their lengthy
super-straight hair.
The Yorkshire Terrier’s coat hangs down to the floor and is a shiny tan and grey.
At only seven to eight inches in height and weighing just seven pounds, they’re tiny
but get a ton of attention.
They look fragile, but these petite pups are known for their high energy levels and spunky
attitudes.
They make great friends, and they’re hypoallergenic.
So, if you want a dog but usually can’t be around them without Benadryl handy, a Yorkie
would make a perfect match for you!
3.
Pomeranian - These popular dogs are known for their adorable appearance and playful
personalities.
They’re very fluffy, which gives them their signature look, and also minuscule.
The Pomeranian only grows six or seven inches in height and weighs just three to seven pounds.
Poms’ coats come in many different colors ranging from black to white and everything
in between.
These fuzzy pups make great pets for urban or suburban life since they’re so small
and don’t require a tremendous amount of exercise.
So, if you’re searching for a loving companion, a Pomeranian could be the cute friend for
you.
2.
Russian Toy - These slight dogs make wonderful pets if you’re looking for a very loving
and loyal friend.
The Russian Toy isn’t very temperamental and generally just wants companionship from
its owner.
They like to play but don’t require much exercise as they’re also happy lounging
around with their human counterparts.
Russian Toys are great dogs for smaller houses because they only stand eight to eleven inches
in height and weigh about six and a half pounds.
These pups have mostly short coats with patches of long hair on their already-large ears,
giving them a very unusual image.
Their long slender legs add to their curious appearance.
Their silky coats come in four variations of color including tan with black, blue, or
brown, and red.
If you have a lot of time to spend with your furry friend, a Russian Toy is the pooch for
you.
1.
Chihuahua - Although most of these dogs don’t have a Taco Bell meal to offer up, they do
have tons of charisma for such small animals.
There is a large variety of Chihuahua colors and hair types.
They can be beige, white, black, or a mixture of all three, and they may have long or short
hair that’s curly or straight.
This breed is very popular because of its large ears, small head, and big eyes, a look
a lot of people want in a new pet.
Plus, the Chihuahua only reaches up to six pounds and is well under a foot tall full-grown,
so they’re great for toting around in cute carriers.
Just remember, even though this dog is tiny it requires strict guidance.
Make sure you train it well, or it will think it’s the leader of the pack!