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Learn about the smallest dog breeds recognized by the AKC, such as the Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Maltese, and more. Compare their personality, activity level, coat type, and other characteristics.
- Affenpinscher
- Biewer Terrier
- Brussels Griffon
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Chihuahua
- Chinese Crested
- Dachshund
- English Toy Spaniel
- Havanese
- Italian Greyhound
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The Affenpinscher (translated from German as “Monkey Terrier”) has a fun-loving, sometimes mischievous, personality, with the face and impish nature of a monkey. While Affenpinschers aren’t classified as a terrier, they were bred to work like one. In the 1600s, their jobwas to get rid of pests and rats in German stables. Later, they were brought in...
Recognized by the AKC in 2021, the Biewer Terrier has an interesting heritage. Throughout the 1970s, a couple—Mr. and Mrs. Biewer—had a large, successful breeding program of Yorkshire Terriers. In 1984, they started producingtricolored Yorkies who had the recessive piebald gene, a gene not typically found in Yorkies. These dogs were eventually call...
In the early 1800s, the Brussels Griffon‘s story begins, aptly, in Brussels. While they started out as rough dogswho kept the rats out of stables, they eventually became sophisticated lap companions in the 1870s when the Queen of the Belgians took a liking to them. These loyal, alert, and curious dogs come in four colors and have smooth or rough co...
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has been recorded for centuriesin paintings alongside aristocratic families who loved their loyal companionship. These dogs have four distinct color patterns and, at different times, each color was associated with a particular noble family. This breed is affectionate, gentle, and graceful. They get along great with...
The Chihuahua breed has a rich history, and they can be found in materials dating back to 1530 in Mexico. These charming and graceful dogs are also sassy and have huge personalities. Their coats come in many colors and patterns, and they can be long or short-haired. While these dogs are great city pets, they’re too small for rough kids. They love q...
The origins of the Chinese Crestedorigins go back so far that we can only make educated guesses about how the breed was created. In ancient times, large, hairless dogs were brought from Africa to China. Through breeding, they were reduced in size, and later became famous for exterminating ships of rats. Today, these very affectionate, playful dogs ...
The Dachshund (meaning “badger dog” in German) was developedto dig into a badger den and dispatch its occupant. This breed’s cleverness, courage, strength, and perseverance made them ideal to battle tough badgers. These dogs come in two sizes, and three coat types. Dachshunds aren’t built for a lot of activity like distance running and leaping, but...
The English Toy Spaniel has origins going back to the 1600s. Then, they became symbols of the House of Stuart and were bred to be companions of kings. Today, these gentle, playful, and smart dogs are very affectionate with their favorite humans, but they can be proud, stubborn, and picky about their friends. They’re playful outside and enjoy short ...
Named after the city of Havana, the Havanese breed was the native lapdogof Cuba’s aristocrats and wealthy planters. These pups are cheerful little dogs. With a smart, trainable, and extroverted personality, they make ideal city companions because they’re excellent watchdogs, but keep barking to a minimum.
While they may look delicate, these dogs are swift and hardy. It’s believed that Italian Greyhoundswere bred as noble companions about 2,000 years ago in an area that’s now Greece and Turkey. These dogs are true Greyhounds in miniature. They are alert, playful, and affectionate companions—Italian Greyhounds would much rather be in your lap than lef...
Learn about some of the smallest dog breeds in the world, from the Affenpinscher to the Yorkshire Terrier. Find out their history, appearance, temperament, and suitability for different lifestyles.
- Saige Driver
Jun 10, 2024 · If you live in a small home and want a small dog, check out these 32 breeds that are well-suited for compact living. Learn about their characteristics, personalities, and care needs.
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- Affenpinscher. Highlights: Playful, Strong-willed, Whimsical. Also known as the Monkey Terrier, this petite dog is no more than 6-12 pounds at adult size, and stands between 9-11.5 inches.
- American Eskimo Dog. Highlights: Balanced, Perky, Clever. The American Eskimo dog comes in three varieties: standard, miniature, and toy. However, the most popular may be the toy variation.
- American Hairless Terrier. Highlights: Hairless, Energetic, Inquisitive. A breed you won’t see everyday, the American Hairless Terrier can reach 12-16 inches and weighs between 12-16 pounds.
- Australian Terrier. Highlights: Upbeat, Companionable, Brave. Both affectionate and spirited, the Australian Terrier stands about 10-11 inches tall and weighs 15-20 pounds.
Apr 10, 2023 · If you're ready to welcome a new pup to your family — or you just need a serotonin pick-me-up — scroll through our list of the top small dog breeds that are adorable as they are sweet.
Aug 7, 2023 · Learn about the smallest dog breeds by weight, from the Pomeranian to the Yorkshire Terrier. Find out their personalities, grooming needs, lifespan and more.
Nov 16, 2023 · Learn about the benefits, health factors, and personalities of 12 small dog breeds, from French bulldogs to shiba inus. Find out which breeds are best for your home, family, and lifestyle.
