Small Dog Breeds
Small dog breeds typically weigh under about 22 lb (10 kg) and stand below roughly 15 inches at the shoulder. Their compact size makes them practical for smaller homes, easier for many owners to handle on lead, and convenient for travel — but size alone is a poor predictor of how a dog will fit your life. A small breed can still be high-energy, vocal, or grooming-intensive. The breeds below are sized-down, but each one has its own temperament profile worth reading before you commit. Use the cards as a starting point and follow through to the individual breed pages for the practical detail.
112 breeds in this category
French Bulldog
From France
Adaptable, charming, even-tempered
Beagle
From England
Cheerful, curious, amiable, determined
Dachshund
From Germany
Lively, clever, bold, sometimes stubborn
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
From Wales
Alert, loyal, outgoing, spirited
Miniature Schnauzer
From Germany
Spirited, friendly, smart, alert
Boston Terrier
From United States
Friendly, bright, amusing, adaptable
Havanese
From Cuba
Affectionate, social, playful, clever
Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie)
From Scotland
Bright, responsive, loyal, sensitive
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
From England
Clever, courageous, affectionate, bold
Basenji
From Central Africa
Smart, curious, independent, poised
Shiba Inu
From Japan
Alert, confident, spirited, reserved
Bichon Frise
From France
Cheerful, affectionate, sensitive, playful
Lhasa Apso
From Tibet
Independent, loyal, alert, dignified
Pug
From China
Charming, mischievous, loving, sturdy
Miniature Pinscher
From Germany
Fearless, curious, lively, bold
Jack Russell Terrier
From England
Bold, energetic, clever, driven
Parson Russell Terrier
From England
Alert, lively, confident, intelligent
Cairn Terrier
From Scotland
Cheerful, alert, independent, tough
West Highland White Terrier
From Scotland
Friendly, confident, spirited, smart
Scottish Terrier
From Scotland
Steady, confident, independent, alert
Wire Fox Terrier
From England
Friendly, bold, quick, assertive
American Cocker Spaniel
From United States
Merry, affectionate, responsive, gentle
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
From France
Merry, bold, curious, vocal
Pyrenean Shepherd
From France
Intense, smart, devoted, agile
Swedish Vallhund
From Sweden
Cheerful, watchful, energetic, bold
Icelandic Sheepdog
From Iceland
Happy, alert, friendly, energetic
American Eskimo Dog
From United States
Bright, alert, playful, affectionate
Norwegian Lundehund
From Norway
Alert, agile, curious, sensitive
Lakeland Terrier
From England
Confident, cheerful, game, independent
Norfolk Terrier
From England
Fearless, friendly, alert, energetic
Norwich Terrier
From England
Affectionate, energetic, fearless, alert
Sealyham Terrier
From Wales
Calm, brave, inquisitive, humorous
Skye Terrier
From Scotland
Loyal, dignified, spirited, reserved
Welsh Terrier
From Wales
Happy, confident, alert, friendly
Bedlington Terrier
From England
Gentle, spirited, intelligent, affectionate
Manchester Terrier
From England
Bright, spirited, observant, loyal
Miniature Bull Terrier
From England
Comical, courageous, stubborn, affectionate
American Hairless Terrier
From United States
Lively, curious, alert, affectionate
Rat Terrier
From United States
Alert, playful, intelligent, tenacious
Australian Terrier
From Australia
Spirited, alert, affectionate, courageous
Schipperke
From Belgium
Alert, confident, curious, mischievous
Alaskan Klee Kai
From United States
Alert, curious, energetic, reserved with strangers
Alopekis
From Greece
Calm, companionable, cooperative, loyal
Alpine Dachsbracke
From Austria
Reliable, determined, sociable, even-tempered
American Bullnese
From United States
Affectionate, playful, easygoing, loyal
Basset Artésien Normand
From France
Sweet, calm, determined, companionable
Basset Bleu de Gascogne
From France
Even-tempered, sociable, persistent, calm
Basset Fauve de Bretagne
From France
Merry, determined, friendly, clever
Bichon Havanais
From Cuba
Affectionate, bright, social, playful
Bench-Legged Feist
From United States
Energetic, keen, loyal, eager
Bohemian Terrier
From Czech Republic
Cheerful, clever, calm, affectionate
Border Terrier
From United Kingdom
Plucky, affectionate, game, trainable
Brazilian Terrier
From Brazil
Alert, cheerful, smart, spirited
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
From Wales
Loyal, clever, watchful, affectionate
Cesky Terrier
From Czech Republic
Calm, courageous, pleasant, loyal
Coton de Tulear
From Madagascar
Happy, affectionate, witty, sociable
Czesky Terrier
From Czech Republic
Calm, brave, friendly, loyal
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
From Scotland
Determined, gentle, dignified, friendly
Danish-Swedish Farmdog
From Denmark
Friendly, lively, attentive, willing
Drever
From Sweden
Even-tempered, determined, friendly, calm
Dutch Smoushond
From Netherlands
Friendly, lively, affectionate, alert
German Hunt Terrier
From Germany
Tenacious, bold, intelligent, energetic
German Spitz (Medium)
From Germany
Lively, attentive, affectionate, bold
Glen of Imaal Terrier
From Ireland
Spirited, patient, loyal, brave
Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen
From France
Happy, determined, friendly, independent
Hungarian Puli
From Hungary
Lively, smart, vocal, loyal
Indian Spitz
From India
Alert, playful, intelligent, loyal
Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier
From Ireland
Gentle, courageous, patient, game
Jagdterrier
From Germany
Tenacious, bold, intelligent, energetic
Japanese Spitz
From Japan
Lively, affectionate, alert, intelligent
Japanese Terrier
From Japan
Clever, lively, loyal, alert
Kokoni
From Greece
Lively, cheerful, smart, loyal
Kooikerhondje
From Netherlands
Friendly, attentive, agile, sensitive
Kromfohrlander
From Germany
Friendly, lively, affectionate, intelligent
Kyi-Leo
From United States
Affectionate, calm, playful, alert
Lancashire Heeler
From United Kingdom
Alert, smart, cheerful, confident
Lhasa Apso
From Tibet
Aloof, loyal, lively, confident
Lucas Terrier
From United Kingdom
Friendly, cheerful, steady, affectionate
Lundehund
From Norway
Alert, curious, affectionate, independent
Löwchen
From France
Friendly, lively, affectionate, outgoing
Löwchen (Little Lion Dog)
From France
Happy, affectionate, sociable, playful
Löwchen (Little Lion Dog, Alt)
From France
Affectionate, playful, alert, friendly
Manchester Terrier (Standard)
From England
Bright, spirited, loyal, keen
Markiesje
From Netherlands
Friendly, calm, intelligent, alert
Miniature American Eskimo
From United States
Alert, playful, intelligent, friendly
Miniature American Shepherd
From United States
Smart, energetic, loyal, biddable
Miniature Poodle
From France
Bright, eager, athletic, people-focused
Mountain Feist
From United States
Alert, lively, loyal, keen
Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
From Netherlands
Friendly, attentive, agile, affectionate
New Guinea Singing Dog
From Papua New Guinea
Alert, curious, independent, vocal
Norrbottenspets
From Sweden
Alert, friendly, agile, lively
North American Miniature Australian Shepherd
From United States
Energetic, devoted, intelligent, responsive
Patterdale Terrier
From England
Fearless, tenacious, lively, loyal
Pembroke
From Wales
Affectionate, smart, bold, friendly
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
From Wales
Outgoing, smart, bold, loyal
Perro Ratonero Andaluz
From Spain
Alert, cheerful, agile, affectionate
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
From France
Merry, bold, friendly, curious
Plummer Terrier
From United Kingdom
Bright, alert, determined, self-confident
Poodle (Miniature)
From France
Intelligent, eager, lively, affectionate
Portuguese Podengo Pequeno
From Portugal
Playful, alert, friendly, hardy
Puli (Pulik)
From Hungary
Lively, smart, loyal, vocal
Russell Terrier
From England, Australia
Alert, lively, active, keen
Russian Spaniel
From USSR, Russia
Hard-working, enduring, intelligent, contact-seeking
Scottish Terrier (Scottie)
From Scotland
Courageous, dignified, spirited, loyal
Smooth Fox Terrier
From England
Alert, fearless, friendly, quick
Sussex Spaniel
From England
Happy, gentle, steady, affectionate
Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
From United States
Lively, loyal, smart, playful
Telomian
From Malaysia
Alert, loyal, intelligent, active
Tenterfield Terrier
From Australia
Cheerful, alert, affectionate, bold
Tibetan Spaniel
From Tibet
Gay, assertive, intelligent, alert
Volpino Italiano
From Italy
Lively, affectionate, alert, playful
Westphalian Dachsbracke
From Germany
Faithful, friendly, serious, alert
How we choose breeds for this list
Breeds categorised as "small" in the dataset, typically below 22 lb adult weight.
Frequently asked questions
Are small dog breeds easier for first-time owners? +
Smaller dogs are often physically easier to manage, but training needs, exercise requirements and grooming all vary widely between small breeds. A small terrier and a small companion lap dog can have very different needs.
Do small dogs need less exercise? +
Not always. Many small breeds were bred for active work and still need substantial daily exercise. Always check the specific breed page for exercise expectations.
Are small dogs better for flats? +
Often yes, but apartment suitability also depends on noise tolerance, energy level and how much time the dog spends alone. Several larger breeds adapt better to flat life than some small ones.