43 Best Small Dog Breeds for Families
These popular small dog breeds may not need a lot of space in your home, but they'll take up plenty in your heart.
Dogs come in all shapes and sizes. If you're looking to adopt a pet dog, you want to choose a breed that will fit comfortably into in your lifestyle — and inside your home! Large dog breeds can be very friendly pups that bring bounds of energy into your home, but if you live in a smaller apartment or have one or more young kids running around the house, then a smaller dog may be the right choice for you and your family. Plus, if this will be your first time adopting a puppy, small dog breeds may feel less daunting to take care of — never mind that they will ultimately cost less to feed given their size. From pups with short legs to teacup doggies, one of these popular small dog breeds might just be the newest (and cutest) member of your family.
Everyone has favorite dog breeds, but there are quite a few pros to adopting a small dog. Not only will you find yourself buying less food and treats, but they may also make less noise (with the exception of the Dachshund and Pomeranian, to name a few). Their smaller stature also makes them ideal companions for seniors. Some of these breeds are even hypoallergenic, and you'll find lots of variety in coat type and color, from hairless breeds to small white dogs.
Small dog breeds are tiny bundles of fur and love, ready to curl up on your lap or play fetch for hours on end, depending on their personality and activity levels. Some of these pups can also be classified as teddy bear dog breeds. Once you've used our list and browsed the best pet adoption sites to help you find your newest family member, be sure to check out our tips for bringing your new dog home.
Alaskan Klee Kai
If you want a husky-like dog at a fraction of the size, the Klee Kai is the pup for you. They run between six and 25 pounds depending on whether they're a toy or standard version of the breed. Just know that with their fluffy coat, they'll need a lot of grooming maintenance.
Affenpinscher
According to the AKC, this toy breed is famously amusing, loyal, and curious. If your family are Star Wars fans, then you'll appreciate this fun fact: Some argue Affenpinschers look like Wookies or Ewoks. They are less than a foot tall and have a dense coat that comes in a variety of colors.
Biewer Terrier
This friendly, spunky dog breed was just recognized by the American Kennel Club early in 2021. It's part of the toy breed group and clocks in at four to eight pounds.
Bedlington Terrier
This terrier breed love to cuddle while you watch TV and are also amazing housemates and watchdogs. The AKC describes Bedlington Terriers as "lithe, energetic Englishmen." These dogs are perfect for a super active family thanks to their charming and fun energy.
Chinese Crested
Chinese Cresteds are partially hairless, which means you have to take care to keep them out of too much sun. They weigh up to 12 pounds and love to snuggle in their owners laps.
Danish-Swedish Farmdog
Just because these dogs are small doesn't mean they're not extremely helpful. As its name suggests, the Danish-Swedish farmdog was bred to help with rural tasks like ratting, herding, and hunting. They run between 15 and 20 pounds.
Lancashire Heeler
Per the AKC, this dog breed may be distantly related to the Corgi and Manchester Terrier — two other small dog breeds. They weigh between nine and 17 pounds, which made them ideal farm dogs in the 17th century and now makes them great small apartment pets.
American Hairless Terrier
The American Hairless Terrier is native to Louisiana and comes in hairless and coated varieties, so if you are looking for an allergy-friendly terrier, these dogs are the breed for your family. They stand 12 to 16 inches tall and always have an extra pep in their step for hours of play with the little ones.
Löwchen
Löwchen is German for "little lion," named for their traditional haircut of a flowing mane, and short-cropped hindquarters. These dogs hardly shed, which makes them ideal for people with allergies. They're also on the tiny side at just 15 pounds.
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Miniature Bull Terrier
A full-grown standard Bull Terrier can weigh up to 70 pounds, but fortunately the miniature versions are way smaller. They weigh just 18-28 pounds. The miniature breed was created for above-ground ratting, but now they make great companions for people without a lot of room for a pet.
Rat Terrier
The Rat Terrier's name comes from how skilled they are at chasing vermin, but they're also not much bigger than rats themselves. They weigh between 10 and 25 pounds.
Toy Manchester Terrier
Standard Manchester Terriers can run up to 22 pounds, but the toy versions have the same look at a fraction of the size. They weigh under 12 pounds and stand just a foot tall.
Schipperke
Per VetStreet, Schipperkes are also known as "little black devils." They're high-energy dogs, so even though they're on the smaller side, they still need lots of exercise. You can expect them to grow to about 10-16 pounds.
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Silky Terrier
Named for their silky smooth hair, these terriers are often confused with the similarly-colored Yorkies. But Silkies are a bit bigger, ringing in at about 10 pounds.
Dachshund
The miniature version of this breed weighs under 11 pounds. They are curious, and extremely friendly. They don't love long distance runs or swims, but other than that, they're ready to play all day long. Also be warned: Dachshunds make great watchdogs due to their loud barks.
Pomeranian
These dogs are basically five-pound fluff-balls. Their adorable faces are hidden in a pouf of fur, and they're a lively breed. They do have a reputation for being a bit chatty, so if you're looking for a quiet, chill dog, a Pomeranian might not be an ideal choice.
Shiba Inu
The Shiba Inu is an ancient Japanese breed that's the most popular fluffy companion in the Asian country and was brought to America in the 1950s. They're alert, sturdy, muscular dogs who have a confident, bold personality and only weigh 23 pounds at most.
Border Terrier
Border Terriers are upbeat, agile, affectionate pups, making them ideal dogs for most owners. They're known for being tough, no-frills workers when needed, but are good-tempered and trainable when home. Border Terriers grow to anywhere between 11 and 16 inches, rarely weigh more than 16 pounds, and adapt well to city life.
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Pekingnese
Originally bred to accompany the ruling classes of ancient China, Pekingese are charming, confident, sophisticated dogs with an undying loyalty to their owners. The stocky, compact breed weighs up to about 14 pounds, standing up to 9 inches high.
Shetland Sheepdog
Shetland Sheepdogs, a.k.a. Shelties, are incredibly smart, quick, obedient herders. These traits make the breed bright and eager world-class competitors. At home, Shelties take on sensitive and affectionate tendencies. They weigh 15-25 pounds.
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
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