Small Dog Breeds: Sizes, Lifespans and How to Choose

What counts as a small dog breed?

There is no single official cutoff. The AKC groups breeds by the job they were developed for, not by size, so a 7-pound Yorkshire Terrier sits in the Toy Group while a 25-pound Beagle sits with the hounds. Most owners and shelters use small to mean an adult dog of roughly 30 pounds or less that stands under about 16 inches at the shoulder, and that is the line this guide uses.

Within that range there are really three kinds of dog. Toy breeds weigh under 10 pounds and can be hurt by a fall from a couch. Small companions weigh 10 to 20 pounds and are sturdy enough for normal play. The top of the band, 20 to 30 pounds, includes compact, muscular dogs that are short but not fragile. Knowing which group a breed falls into tells you more about daily life with it than the word small does.

Toy breeds under 10 pounds

The Chihuahua is the smallest AKC breed: 5 to 8 inches tall, not exceeding 6 pounds, with a life expectancy of 14 to 16 years. The Pomeranian stands 6 to 7 inches and weighs 3 to 7 pounds, living 12 to 16 years. The Yorkshire Terrier is 7 to 8 inches and about 7 pounds, and the Maltese is 7 to 9 inches and under 7 pounds; both have long, silky coats that the AKC rates among the lowest for shedding.

The Toy Poodle is no more than 10 inches and 4 to 6 pounds, with a curly coat and a life expectancy the AKC gives as 10 to 18 years. The Papillon, 8 to 11 inches and 5 to 10 pounds, is one of the few toy breeds the AKC scores at the very top for trainability. Toy breeds suit homes without very young children, because a dropped or stepped-on toy dog can break a leg.

Small companions from 10 to 20 pounds

This is where most people find their dog. The Shih Tzu is 9 to 10.5 inches and 9 to 16 pounds, with a long double coat and a life expectancy of 10 to 18 years. The Havanese is 8.5 to 11.5 inches and 7 to 13 pounds, living 14 to 16 years. The Bichon Frise stands 9.5 to 11.5 inches, weighs 12 to 18 pounds and lives 14 to 15 years, under a curly coat that needs professional grooming.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 12 to 13 inches and 13 to 18 pounds, the Pug 10 to 13 inches and 14 to 18 pounds, and the Miniature Schnauzer 12 to 14 inches and 11 to 20 pounds. All three score 5 out of 5 with young children on the AKC scale. The Cavalier and Pug are gentle and people-focused, while the Miniature Schnauzer is busier, more vocal and quick to learn.

Sturdy small dogs from 20 to 30 pounds

The French Bulldog stands 11 to 13 inches and weighs under 28 pounds, with a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. The Boston Terrier is 10 to 12 inches and 12 to 25 pounds and lives 11 to 13 years. Both have short, smooth coats that need little more than a weekly brush, and both rate low for barking, which is why they are common in city homes.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is only 10 to 12 inches tall but weighs up to 30 pounds, with a dense double coat that the AKC rates high for shedding. The standard Dachshund weighs 16 to 32 pounds and the miniature 11 pounds and under. The 13-inch Beagle, under 20 pounds, is a hound with a strong nose and a loud voice. These are short dogs with medium-dog energy, so plan on real daily walks.

Temperament: small does not mean quiet

The AKC scores barking on a 1 to 5 scale, and several of the smallest breeds sit at the top. The Chihuahua, Dachshund, Miniature Schnauzer and Papillon all score 5, and the Pomeranian, Yorkshire Terrier and Havanese score 4. The French Bulldog and Pug score 1. If you share walls with neighbors, that difference will matter more than a few pounds either way.

Small dogs can also be wary of strangers and quick to guard. The AKC rates the Chihuahua 4 for watchdog nature and only 1 out of 5 with young children, partly because a toddler can injure a dog that size. Reward-based training works well with small breeds, and early, gentle socialization with visitors, other dogs and handling helps a little dog grow into a confident one rather than a fearful one.

Health issues to know about in small breeds

Dental disease is the most common problem. Small mouths crowd the teeth, and periodontal disease is a known issue in toy breeds such as the Chihuahua; daily brushing prevents much of it. Tracheal collapse, where the rings of the windpipe weaken and flatten, is seen most often in Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Shih Tzus, Toy Poodles and Yorkshire Terriers. Its classic sign is a dry, honking cough that gets worse with excitement or pressure on the neck.

Flat-faced breeds, including the French Bulldog, Pug, Boston Terrier and Shih Tzu, can have brachycephalic airway syndrome, which narrows the nostrils and throat and makes heat and exercise harder for them. Very small puppies can also drop their blood sugar if they go too long between meals. Ask your vet to check the teeth, airway and kneecaps at every visit, and call the same day if a small dog is struggling to breathe, collapses or will not eat.

Caring for a small dog day to day

Use a harness rather than a collar on breeds prone to tracheal collapse, since pressure on the throat can set off coughing. Many small dogs feel the cold quickly, and the Chihuahua in particular loses body heat fast, so a sweater on winter walks is practical rather than decorative. In summer, keep flat-faced breeds out of the midday heat and favor short, shaded outings.

Small dogs need very little food, which makes it easy to overfeed them with treats and table scraps. Weigh portions and count treats as part of the day. Long-coated breeds such as the Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier and Maltese need brushing several times a week and regular trims, which is a real cost to budget for. Before you commit, talk to a vet about the health screening the parents of your puppy should have had.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.