03-08-2025
15 Small Companion Dogs You'll Fall in Love With
15 Small Companion Dogs You'll Fall in Love With originally appeared on PetHelpful.
Big dogs aren't for everybody. Maybe you live in a small apartment or home with limited space, or maybe you just don't have the energy to keep up with a massive dog, but think a pint-sized pup would do you just fine. Sure, goofy Golden Retrievers and lovable Labs may steal hearts day after day, but if only a little dog breed will do for you, then you're going to have to think tinier when it comes to your future pet.
Fortunately, choosing small companion dogs over the big boys (and girls) doesn't mean compromising on personality. If you want an affectionate pup who is an apartment-friendly dog breed that's small in stature but big in style and heart, then one of these 15 small companion dog breeds might just be the perfect fit for you. Trust us, they are the best small dogs.
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Top Small Dog Breeds for Companionship
For centuries, small dogs and lap dog breeds have been adored as cuddly companions—though back in the day, the privilege of owning a lap dog was mostly reserved for the aristocrats. Nowadays, anyone can have a pint-sized pal that's at home chilling on the couch with you as they are running through the dog park. These are small, predominantly apartment-friendly dog breeds that can live comfortably in relatively small homes, though responsible dog owners should make sure that they still get plenty of exercise by taking them out on daily walks or playing with them—preferably both!
The size and weight estimates given for each of the following breeds are based on the AKC's breed standards. While these numbers reflect the average expected height and weight of these dogs, your dog may deviate slightly from their breed's norms. Even so, it's good to know what the standard expected size and weight of your dog's breed are, because if your dog's weight is significantly higher than the breed standard, that could be a potential warning sign of obesity.
1. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkies have tons of personality packed into their small bodies. A healthy adult Yorkshire Terrier maxes out at around seven pounds and 7-8 inches tall at the middens (shoulder-height), but they're full of energy and friendly with just about everyone they meet. They're also low-shed despite their long, silky coats, but they do need to be groomed frequently to prevent tangles and matting. It's no surprise they are some of the top small companion dogs.
2. Toy Poodle
Weighing 4-6 pounds when full-grown and standing less than a foot tall at the middens, Toy Poodles are the most diminutive version of the Poodle breed. Toy Poodles are no less charismatic than their larger counterparts, though—not only do they look regal and magnificent in their iconically poofy coats, but they're also affectionate, intelligent, and easy to train. They're natural people pleasers and make great pets if you want a small companion dog.
3. Papillon
The Papillon has been consistently ranked among the top ten smartest dog breeds of all time for their high obedience, intelligence, and trainability. They're also incredibly robust and athletic, performing well in agility competitions, though they're more than happy to cozy up and play with their human pals in their downtime. Oh, and these affectionate athletes max out at around 10 pounds and are less than a foot tall? Yeah—the Papillon is a pint-sized powerhouse and an amazing small companion dog option.
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
How cute is this small companion dog breed? Though the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is larger than the previous three entries on this list, they're still diminutive, weighing under 20 pounds and standing around a foot tall at the middens when full-grown. Cavaliers are super affectionate and playful, though they love to chill out and cuddle with their favorite humans, too. They're the perfect balance of energetic and gentle, making them perfect as both lap dogs and active, athletic pets.
5. Italian Greyhound
Though standard Greyhounds (and many other closely related sighthound breeds) are quite tall, the Italian Greyhound is not. Healthy adult Italian Greyhounds weigh under 15 pounds and max out at 15 inches tall, but make no mistake: they're just as athletic and energetic as any other Greyhound breed. IGs need daily exercise, and plenty of it, so they're best suited to pet parents with an active lifestyle, or environments where they have more than enough space to run and play.
6. Bichon Frise
Another small companion dog breed? Clocking in at under a foot tall and weighing less than 20 pounds, Bichon Frises are powder-white puffballs with playful personalities. They are joyful, playful, energetic, and complete social butterflies who live for affection and attention. Bichon Frise dogs are also very adaptable and get along well with kids and other dogs, and despite their peppy personalities, they aren't overly 'barky' or hyperactive.
7. Malteses
Though Malteses are tiny (weighing under 7 pounds and standing 7-9 inches tall), they make a huge impression with their fabulously silky, floor-length white coats. Thanks to their eye-catching coats and agile athleticism, they are popular as show dogs, though they are also very affectionate and make wonderful lap dogs. Malteses do tend to be a bit stubborn, though, so training them can be an exercise in patience.
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8. French Bulldog
French Bulldogs are incredibly affectionate and sweet-hearted, and they're consistently ranked highly among the most popular companion dog breeds. Adult French Bulldogs stand around a foot high and weigh under 30 pounds, and according to the AKC, they don't need a lot of outdoor exercise, making them perfect for urban dog owners and apartment dwellers.
9. Shih-Tzu
Despite their name being derived from the Chinese word for 'lion,' Shih-Tzus are far from lion-sized. These little lions are 8-11 inches tall on average and weigh around 9-16 pounds. For centuries, they were bred to be the lap dogs for Chinese royalty, and they still exemplify all the traits of an ideal lap dog to this day: diminutive size, abundant affection, people-pleasing tendencies, and a fairly mellow energy level. Shih-Tzus don't need a ton of outdoor exercise, though pet parents should do their part to make sure their Shih-Tzus get sufficient exercise by playing with them frequently.
10. Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are arguably one of the most iconic and instantly recognizable toy dog breeds of all time and they happen to be great small companion dog breeds. Chihuahuas aren't the right dog for everyone due to their sassy personalities and tendency to be standoffish with young children, but there's no denying that they're bold, loyal, and absolutely devoted to their owners. Chihuahuas are suited well to single-pet households where they can be doted on, and because they're so tiny—the average adult Chihuahua weighs less than 5 pounds and stands around 5-8 pounds—they don't need tons of space to live comfortably.
11. Pekingese
Like the Shih Tzu, the Pekingese traces its roots back to ancient China and bears a long, shaggy coat. The Pekingese is also nearly equivalent to the Shih Tzu in size (standing 6-9 inches tall and weighing up to 14 pounds) and shares the same "lap dog" qualities that make the Shih Tzu so popular (though the Pekingese is a bit more standoffish than the Shih Tzu when it comes to young kids, other pets, and strangers). Unlike the Shih Tzu, though, the Pekingese sports a lustrous ruff of fur resembling a lion's mane. Yep—they look more lion-esque than the little lion dogs!
12. Havanese
Notable for being Cuba's only native dog breed, the Havanese is a lovely, friendly little lap dog descended from the same ancestors as the Bichon Frise. Unlike the poofy Bichon Frise, however, the tiny Havanese (standing 8.5-11.5 inches tall and weighing 7-13 pounds) sports a long, silky floor-length coat. With their fabulous fur, Haveneses can steal the spotlight at dog shows, but don't take these little stars for snobs—they're friendly, sweet, adaptable, and have fun, cheeky, endearing personalities!
13. Dachshund
The ever-lovable Dachshund (or "weiner dog") may be little, but they expect to be treated like doggy royalty. Dachshunds are spirited little attention seekers, and though they're very fun, playful, and affectionate towards their families, they are very stubborn and strong-headed when it comes to getting their way!
The standard Dachshund is already a tiny tyrant (if a very lovable tyrant) at 8-9 inches tall and 16-32 pounds. However, if that's somehow still too big for you, there's always the mini-Dachshund! These tiny weiner dogs (cocktail weenies, if you will) stand only 5-6 inches tall and weigh up to 11 pounds when full-grown. Be warned, though: they've got just as much personality and willpower as any other Dachshund!
14. Boston Terrier
Always snazzy in their tuxedo coats, Boston Terriers are the life of the party. Boston Terriers are fun, comedic, and friendly pups that shine when the spotlight's on them. As the name implies, the breed first originated in Boston, and they've been the official state dog of Massachusetts since 1979. True to their urban origins, these little terriers (standing 10-12 inches tall and weighing up to 25 pounds), Boston Terriers are built for life in the big city: they're small, adventurous, and energetic while still being well-suited for small apartment living.
15. Welsh Pembroke Corgi
Despite standing a foot tall at most and weighing up to 30 pounds, Welsh Pembroke Corgis were originally bred for a big job: herding cattle. Like other working dog breeds, Corgis are bright, athletic, alert, and intelligent, and they thrive best in spaces where they get plenty of attention and exercise. Even so, the diminutive Corgi can live comfortably in relatively small households, so long as they get the exercise and playtime they need to stay healthy and happy every day!
Which Small Dogs Are the Calmest?
There's a long-held stereotype that small dogs are yappy and loud, and some small dog breeds certainly live up to that stereotype. However, that's by no means a universal truth. There are many wonderful (and popular) small companion dogs that are calm, even-tempered, and relatively quiet (though all dogs can vocalize or bark to some extent). If you want to save your sanity (and your neighbor's sanity) by choosing a dog that knows how to mellow out, then you might want to consider a particularly calm and quiet small dog breed such as:
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
French Bulldog
Italian Greyhound
Bichon Frise
Boston Terrier
Of course, these are only a few potential examples. The American Kennel Club lists traits such as sociability, energy levels, and tendency to bark under their breed profiles, so if you're thinking about adopting a dog from a certain breed and want to determine if they'll be a good fit for you, the AKC is a great resource.
Grooming and Care Tips for Small Breeds
A lot of the small dog breeds listed here are naturally low-shed, making them ideal for those who might be sensitive to fur and dander (though we should note that no dog is 100% "hypoallergenic," and even low-shed breeds can trigger symptoms for those with severe allergies). That certainly helps their owners save money on lint rollers and time spent on vacuuming!
However, a lot of these low-shed breeds, such as the Toy Poodle or the Yorkie, still have long, thick coats that require daily or near-daily grooming to stay neat and untangled. Once again, we recommend checking the AKC's grooming guidelines for your dog's breed. They list coat types for each dog and indicate how frequently your dog needs to be groomed to help you plan out an ideal regimen—not just for how often you should brush them out at home, but for how frequently you should take them to the groomer.
Not all small dogs need tons of outdoor exercise time, but all dogs should be encouraged to exercise at least a little bit every day to prevent obesity and other health conditions. This can be as simple as playing fetch or tug-of-war with a small toy, enough to get them up and moving. How much exercise your dog needs every day depends on their breed, their age, and other factors, so look up the ideal exercise recommendation for your dog's needs to make sure that you aren't under- (or over-) exercising them.
FAQs About Owning Small Dogs
What Is "Small Dog Syndrome?"
Small Dog Syndrome is a phenomenon where some small dogs will act out in aggressive, disobedient, or overly dominant ways, as if trying to make up for their small size with a big attitude. Oftentimes, pet parents inadvertently foster SDS by not properly socializing their dogs, unintentionally reinforcing negative behavior, or overlooking aggression and bad behavior that would be considered unacceptable in larger dogs. The best way to avoid (or counteract) SDS is by socializing your small dog around other animals and people from an early age, being mindful not to inadvertently reinforce bad behaviors, and training them well.
Are Small Dogs Easier To Take Care Of Than Big Dogs?
In some ways, small dogs can be easier to care for than large dogs, because they can make do with less space and usually don't need to exercise quite as much. However, that doesn't mean you should be any less diligent about caring for a small dog than you would be for a dog of any other size. Small dogs still need some daily exercise, they need daily attention and affection from their owners, and they still require good food, a safe and comfortable living environment, proper training, and routine veterinary care, same as any other pup.
What Do I Need To Know Before Adopting A Small Dog?
It really comes down to understanding your dog's needs based on their breed and their unique personality, and determining whether you're a good fit for each other. Do you have enough space to suit them comfortably? Are you able to keep up with their activity level and exercise needs? What health conditions is your dog's breed prone to, and are you capable of providing adequate veterinary care for those conditions if necessary? These are some examples of the kinds of questions you should mull over before taking the leap and welcoming a new dog into your home.
Up Next:15 Small Companion Dogs You'll Fall in Love With first appeared on PetHelpful on Jul 29, 2025
This story was originally reported by PetHelpful on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
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