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
small French Bulldog
From France
Adaptable, charming, even-tempered
small Beagle
From England
Cheerful, curious, amiable, determined
small Dachshund
From Germany
Lively, clever, bold, sometimes stubborn
small Pembroke Welsh Corgi
From Wales
Alert, loyal, outgoing, spirited
small Miniature Schnauzer
From Germany
Spirited, friendly, smart, alert
small Boston Terrier
From United States
Friendly, bright, amusing, adaptable
small Havanese
From Cuba
Affectionate, social, playful, clever
small Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie)
From Scotland
Bright, responsive, loyal, sensitive
small Staffordshire Bull Terrier
From England
Clever, courageous, affectionate, bold
small Basenji
From Central Africa
Smart, curious, independent, poised
small Shiba Inu
From Japan
Alert, confident, spirited, reserved
small Bichon Frise
From France
Cheerful, affectionate, sensitive, playful
small Lhasa Apso
From Tibet
Independent, loyal, alert, dignified
small Pug
From China
Charming, mischievous, loving, sturdy
small Miniature Pinscher
From Germany
Fearless, curious, lively, bold
small Jack Russell Terrier
From England
Bold, energetic, clever, driven
small Parson Russell Terrier
From England
Alert, lively, confident, intelligent
small Cairn Terrier
From Scotland
Cheerful, alert, independent, tough
small West Highland White Terrier
From Scotland
Friendly, confident, spirited, smart
small Scottish Terrier
From Scotland
Steady, confident, independent, alert
small Wire Fox Terrier
From England
Friendly, bold, quick, assertive
small American Cocker Spaniel
From United States
Merry, affectionate, responsive, gentle
small Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
From France
Merry, bold, curious, vocal
small Pyrenean Shepherd
From France
Intense, smart, devoted, agile
small Swedish Vallhund
From Sweden
Cheerful, watchful, energetic, bold
small Icelandic Sheepdog
From Iceland
Happy, alert, friendly, energetic
small American Eskimo Dog
From United States
Bright, alert, playful, affectionate
small Norwegian Lundehund
From Norway
Alert, agile, curious, sensitive
small Lakeland Terrier
From England
Confident, cheerful, game, independent
small Norfolk Terrier
From England
Fearless, friendly, alert, energetic
small Norwich Terrier
From England
Affectionate, energetic, fearless, alert
small Sealyham Terrier
From Wales
Calm, brave, inquisitive, humorous
small Skye Terrier
From Scotland
Loyal, dignified, spirited, reserved
small Welsh Terrier
From Wales
Happy, confident, alert, friendly
small Bedlington Terrier
From England
Gentle, spirited, intelligent, affectionate
small Manchester Terrier
From England
Bright, spirited, observant, loyal
small Miniature Bull Terrier
From England
Comical, courageous, stubborn, affectionate
small American Hairless Terrier
From United States
Lively, curious, alert, affectionate
small Rat Terrier
From United States
Alert, playful, intelligent, tenacious
small Australian Terrier
From Australia
Spirited, alert, affectionate, courageous
small Schipperke
From Belgium
Alert, confident, curious, mischievous
small Alaskan Klee Kai
From United States
Alert, curious, energetic, reserved with strangers
small Alopekis
From Greece
Calm, companionable, cooperative, loyal
small Alpine Dachsbracke
From Austria
Reliable, determined, sociable, even-tempered
small American Bullnese
From United States
Affectionate, playful, easygoing, loyal
small Basset Artésien Normand
From France
Sweet, calm, determined, companionable
small Basset Bleu de Gascogne
From France
Even-tempered, sociable, persistent, calm
small Basset Fauve de Bretagne
From France
Merry, determined, friendly, clever
small Bichon Havanais
From Cuba
Affectionate, bright, social, playful
small Bench-Legged Feist
From United States
Energetic, keen, loyal, eager
small Bohemian Terrier
From Czech Republic
Cheerful, clever, calm, affectionate
small Border Terrier
From United Kingdom
Plucky, affectionate, game, trainable
small Brazilian Terrier
From Brazil
Alert, cheerful, smart, spirited
small Cardigan Welsh Corgi
From Wales
Loyal, clever, watchful, affectionate
small Cesky Terrier
From Czech Republic
Calm, courageous, pleasant, loyal
small Coton de Tulear
From Madagascar
Happy, affectionate, witty, sociable
small Czesky Terrier
From Czech Republic
Calm, brave, friendly, loyal
small Dandie Dinmont Terrier
From Scotland
Determined, gentle, dignified, friendly
small Danish-Swedish Farmdog
From Denmark
Friendly, lively, attentive, willing
small Drever
From Sweden
Even-tempered, determined, friendly, calm
small Dutch Smoushond
From Netherlands
Friendly, lively, affectionate, alert
small German Hunt Terrier
From Germany
Tenacious, bold, intelligent, energetic
small German Spitz (Medium)
From Germany
Lively, attentive, affectionate, bold
small Glen of Imaal Terrier
From Ireland
Spirited, patient, loyal, brave
small Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen
From France
Happy, determined, friendly, independent
small Hungarian Puli
From Hungary
Lively, smart, vocal, loyal
small Indian Spitz
From India
Alert, playful, intelligent, loyal
small Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier
From Ireland
Gentle, courageous, patient, game
small Jagdterrier
From Germany
Tenacious, bold, intelligent, energetic
small Japanese Spitz
From Japan
Lively, affectionate, alert, intelligent
small Japanese Terrier
From Japan
Clever, lively, loyal, alert
small Kokoni
From Greece
Lively, cheerful, smart, loyal
small Kooikerhondje
From Netherlands
Friendly, attentive, agile, sensitive
small Kromfohrlander
From Germany
Friendly, lively, affectionate, intelligent
small Kyi-Leo
From United States
Affectionate, calm, playful, alert
small Lancashire Heeler
From United Kingdom
Alert, smart, cheerful, confident
small Lhasa Apso
From Tibet
Aloof, loyal, lively, confident
small Lucas Terrier
From United Kingdom
Friendly, cheerful, steady, affectionate
small Lundehund
From Norway
Alert, curious, affectionate, independent
small Löwchen
From France
Friendly, lively, affectionate, outgoing
small Löwchen (Little Lion Dog)
From France
Happy, affectionate, sociable, playful
small Löwchen (Little Lion Dog, Alt)
From France
Affectionate, playful, alert, friendly
small Manchester Terrier (Standard)
From England
Bright, spirited, loyal, keen
small Markiesje
From Netherlands
Friendly, calm, intelligent, alert
small Miniature American Eskimo
From United States
Alert, playful, intelligent, friendly
small Miniature American Shepherd
From United States
Smart, energetic, loyal, biddable
small Miniature Poodle
From France
Bright, eager, athletic, people-focused
small Mountain Feist
From United States
Alert, lively, loyal, keen
small Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
From Netherlands
Friendly, attentive, agile, affectionate
small New Guinea Singing Dog
From Papua New Guinea
Alert, curious, independent, vocal
small Norrbottenspets
From Sweden
Alert, friendly, agile, lively
small North American Miniature Australian Shepherd
From United States
Energetic, devoted, intelligent, responsive
small Patterdale Terrier
From England
Fearless, tenacious, lively, loyal
small Pembroke
From Wales
Affectionate, smart, bold, friendly
small Pembroke Welsh Corgi
From Wales
Outgoing, smart, bold, loyal
small Perro Ratonero Andaluz
From Spain
Alert, cheerful, agile, affectionate
small Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
From France
Merry, bold, friendly, curious
small Plummer Terrier
From United Kingdom
Bright, alert, determined, self-confident
small Poodle (Miniature)
From France
Intelligent, eager, lively, affectionate
small Portuguese Podengo Pequeno
From Portugal
Playful, alert, friendly, hardy
small Puli (Pulik)
From Hungary
Lively, smart, loyal, vocal
small Russell Terrier
From England, Australia
Alert, lively, active, keen
small Russian Spaniel
From USSR, Russia
Hard-working, enduring, intelligent, contact-seeking
small Scottish Terrier (Scottie)
From Scotland
Courageous, dignified, spirited, loyal
small Smooth Fox Terrier
From England
Alert, fearless, friendly, quick
small Sussex Spaniel
From England
Happy, gentle, steady, affectionate
small Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
From United States
Lively, loyal, smart, playful
small Telomian
From Malaysia
Alert, loyal, intelligent, active
small Tenterfield Terrier
From Australia
Cheerful, alert, affectionate, bold
small Tibetan Spaniel
From Tibet
Gay, assertive, intelligent, alert
small Volpino Italiano
From Italy
Lively, affectionate, alert, playful
small 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.