Small breeds are a minority, but most of them are about fun, joy, and love. Small dogs can get into trouble just like larger dogs. However, many small dog breeds are a great option for families with children and those new to dog ownership. Here are 24 of the best small dogs breeds for families.
This list of small dog breeds contains the best small dog breeds with a picture of the small dog breeds and the small dogs good with kids.
If you like small dog breeds then you have come to the right place. These little fellows are mainly indoor living dogs but can be taken out for walks if they are held – of course.
The cover boy picture on our list of small dog breeds has to be some kind of Terrier as they dominate this list of small dog breeds beginning with the Australian Terrier, the Border Terrier, and Toto from the Wizard of Oz otherwise known as the Cairn Terrier.
The bearded Cesky Terrier continues the list of small dog breeds and the terrier’s version of the dachshund which is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
The Fox Terriers come in two types with the first being the Fox Terrier Smooth and the second Terrier is the Fox Terrier Wire. Do not leave out the spunky Jack Russel Terrier, not that they would let you anyways, or the fox-hunting Lakeland Terrier, the black and tan Manchester Terrier, and another variation within the Manchester group is the Toy Manchester Terrier.
When it comes to chasing rats the best from our list of small dog breeds is the Norfolk Terrier, not to be confused with the Norwich Terrier and the Rat Terrier can get the job completed.
A classic picture of a small dog breed is of the Scottish Terrier, otherwise known as the “Scottie” who is known for its distinct shape and profile, while the Sealyham Terrier is a small dog that thinks it is a big dog.
Can you tell the difference between the Silky Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier? Think the Skye Terrier can see behind all that hair on its head?
A couple more Fox Terriers are the fox-shaped face Toy Fox Terrier and the fox-hunting Wire Fox Terrier.
Rounding out the terriers in the list of small dog breeds is the West Highland White Terrier also known as a “Westie”.
Featured Small Dog Breeds list :
Affenpinscher
Shedding: Moderate | Height: 10-15in | Weight: 7-8lbs | Life Span: 11-14 yrs
Litter Size: 1-3 | Family Dog: Yes
Living Space: Apartments, condos, and small yards
Small dogs are good with kids, intelligent, loyal, and protective.
Bichon Frise
Shedding: Moderate | Height: 9-12 in | Weight: 7-12lbs
Life Span: 12-15yrs | Litter Size: 1-6 | Family Dog: Yes
Living Space: Apartment-sized living, small fenced yards
Perky, Active, Great Family Dog, hypoallergenic, sensitive
Border Terrier
Shedding: Lite | Height: 13-16in | Weight: 12-16lbs
Life Span: 15 yrs | Litter Size: 4-5 | Family Dog: No
Living Space: Apartments, condos, and fenced yards
Show biz canine, intelligent, big personality, charming
Brussels Griffon
Shedding: Moderate | Height: 7-8 in | Weight: 6-12lbs
Life Span: 13-15yrs | Litter Size: 2-3 | Family Dog: Yes
Living Space: Apartment-sized living, fenced yards
Loyal, Constant Companion, sensitive, low key
Cairn Terrier
Shedding: Lite | Height: 9-13in | Weight: 13-18lbs
Life Span: 12-15yrs | Litter Size: 4-6 | Family Dog: Yes
Living Space: Indoors With Exercise
Happy Energetic, Great Family Dog, Protector, loyal
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Shedding: Moderate | Height: 12-13in | Weight: 10-18lbs
Life Span: 10-15yrs | Litter Size: 2-6 | Family Dog: Yes
Living Space: Apartment-sized living or larger yards
Curious, Playful, Great family dog, loves cuddling, needs human interaction
Chihuahua
Shedding: Moderate | Height: 6-9in | Weight: 6 lbs
Life Span: 14-18yrs | Litter Size: 1-4| Family Dog: Yes
Living Space: Indoors and monitored if outdoors
Intelligent, Lively, Great Family Dog, Loyal, Demands Attention
Chinese Crested
Shedding: Lite | Height: 12 in | Weight: 10 lbs
Life Span: 10-12yrs | Litter Size: 2-4| Family Dog: Yes
Living Space: Inside living
Intelligent, Funny, Great Family Dog, Low Maintenance
Coton De Tulear
Shedding: Lite | Height: 10-12in | Weight: 12-15lbs
Life Span: 14-18yrs | Litter Size: 5 | Family Dog: Yes
Living Space: Apartment or house, not an outdoor dog
Interacts Great With Children Or Elderly, Intelligent
Dachshund
Shedding: Moderate | Height: 14-18in | Weight: 9-20lbs
Life Span: 12-15yrs | Litter Size: 1-3 | Family Dog: No
Living Space: Indoors, Will Dig If Outside
Clever, Lively, Destructive If Bored, Protective, Big Dog Mentality
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Shedding: Lite | Height: 8-12in | Weight: 18-24lbs
Life Span: 12-15yrs | Litter Size: 2-4| Family Dog: Yes
Living Space: Apartment Sized Living
The great family dog, Loving, Affectionate, Intelligent, Playful
English Toy Spaniel
Shedding: Moderate | Height: 10 in | Weight: 8-14lbs
Life Span: 10-12yrs | Litter Size: 1-3 | Family Dog: Yes
Living Space: Indoors
Loving And Sweet, Timid, Great Family Dog, Quiet, Playful
Fox Terrier Smooth
Shedding: Moderate | Height: 13-16in | Weight: 13-20lbs
Life Span: 15-17yrs | Litter Size: 4-7 | Family Dog: Yes
Living Space: Apartments if well exercised
One of the oldest Terrier breeds, Bonds with family, Loves attention
Fox Terrier Wire
Shedding: Lite | Height: 13-16in | Weight: 13-20lbs
Life Span: 15 yrs | Litter Size: 3 – 6 | Family Dog: No
Living Space: Indoors or outdoors they will adapt
Happy, Excitable, Eager to please their owners, Will chase animals
Havanese
Shedding: Lite | Height: 8-12in | Weight: 7-13lbs
Life Span: 14-15yrs | Litter Size: 1-9| Family Dog: Yes
Living Space: Indoor Living
Playful, Great family dog, Clever Attention Getter, Performs Tricks, Not Yappy
Italian Greyhound
Shedding: Lite | Height: 12-15in | Weight: 6-10lbs
Life Span: 12-15yrs | Litter Size: 4 – 8 | Family Dog: Yes
Living Space: Smaller dwellings if they get exercised
Gentle, Submissive, Affectionate, Great for families, Playful, Loves to run at high speeds
Jack Russel Terrier
Shedding: Moderate | Height: 10-12in | Weight: 14-18lbs
Life Span: 15 yrs | Litter Size: 4-8| Family Dog: Yes
Living Space: Apartment-sized living only if given proper exercise
Devoted, Loving, Great Family Dog, Stranger Friendly, independent
Japanese ChinJapenese Chin
Shedding: Moderate | Height: 7-11 in | Weight: 4-15lbs
Life Span: 10-12yrs | Litter Size: 1-3 | Family Dog: No
Living Space: Apartments and condos
Great Japanese Dog Breeds, Happy, Lively, Aloof With Strangers, Small Children Must Be Gentle With This Breed
Lakeland Terrier
Shedding: Lite | Height: 14 in | Weight: 15-17lbs
Life Span: 12-16yrs | Litter Size: 3-5 | Family Dog: Yes
Living Space: Indoors if properly exercised
Adventurous, Energetic, Enjoys their family, Intelligent, Easily trained
Lhasa Apso Lhasa Apso
Shedding: Lite | Height: 9-11 in | Weight: 12-16lbs
Life Span: 12-18yrs | Litter Size: 4-5 | Family Dog: Yes
Living Space: Apartments, houses, or farms, will adapt
Happy, Devoted, Small dogs good with kids, loves people, intelligent, sensitive
Lowchen
Shedding: Does Not Shed | Height: 10-14in | Weight: 10-18lbs
Life Span: 12-14yrs | Litter Size: 1-3 | Family Dog: Yes
Living Space: Can live in tight spaces or in rural areas
Loving and affectionate, Clever, Relaxed, Not a good watchdog
Maltese
Shedding: Lite | Height: 9-10in | Weight: 4-6lbs
Life Span: 12-14yrs | Litter Size: 1-3 | Family Dog: Yes
Living Space: Indoors only
Affectionate, Playful, Loving, Enthusiastic, Good for first-time dog owners
Manchester Terrier
Shedding: Lite | Height: 15-16in | Weight: 17-18lbs
Life Span: 15-16yrs | Litter Size: 2-4 | Family Dog: No
Living Space: Apartments or houses with a large yard
Great companion for active owners, Agile, Athletic, Need to be watched around small children and animals
Miniature Pinscher
Shedding: Moderate | Height: 10-12in | Weight: 8-10lbs
Life Span: 15 yrs | Litter Size: 1-3 | Family Dog: No
Living Space: Need yard space to burn off energy
Can Be demanding, Courageous, Big dog in a small dog’s body
Have you found the little canine you were looking for in our list of small dog breeds?
Did you find a breed in our list of small dog breeds even though they are supposedly not one of the best small dog breeds and you were surprised how compatible they would be with your lifestyle?
That is why our list of small dog breeds is so extensive so you can make an informed decision on what small dog breed works for you and not rely solely on a cute picture of a small dog breed.
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