Choosing a Dog Breed: Small Dogs
You want to buy or adopt a dog. You have even decided that you want a small dog. However, it is wise to research the different small dog breeds, before you make this lifelong investment. Small dogs typically live longer than large dogs: usually about 12-20 years. After all, great things can come in small packages. So what are the best, most popular and most adorable small breeds of dog?
Yorkshire Terrier- The pointy ears and long bangs of hair make the 'Yorkie' a distinctive dog. They require regular grooming. This dog is a spirited and playful little dog. Its spunky nature is seen as an asset by some. These lap dogs make excellent, loyal companions, and like lots of attention. They travel well. It is no coincidence that the Yorkie is one of the most popular breeds.
Dachshund- The highlight of Picnic Day, an annual event at UC Davis in Davis, California are the dachshund races. There is nothing more entertaining than watching these little dogs race across the Rec Hall floor. Of course, not every dachshund actually makes it to the finish line. Don't mistake the look of this little dog; they actually make good watchdogs. They require regular grooming and are not good around small children. However, they are loyal family dogs with the right training.
West Highland White Terrier- The handsome 'Westie' is a spirited, yet intelligent dog. They are legitimate terriers: energetic and a little feisty. Westies are playful and devoted dogs. They make good watchdogs. They are not for a home with small children and other pets. Westies require regular grooming and would prefer having a backyard.
Poodle- There are 3 varieties of poodle: standard, miniature, and toy. The miniature and toy poodles are small in size. Poodles should not be judged by their covers. The dignified poodle is actually one of the world's smartest dogs. They require both regular grooming and exercise. Poodles make excellent watchdogs. They are good around other pets, but not around small children. Fancy haircuts are optional.
Shetland Sheepdog- The 'sheltie' has the look of a small collie. These dogs are affectionate and loyal. They are also energetic and protective. Having a herding instinct, they like to chase things. Shelties can coexist with children and other pets. They are intelligent and highly trainable. Shelties have a shedding season, and need regular grooming.
Shih Tzu- The adorable little shih tzu makes a good indoor companion. This breed does well with other pets. They like lots of attention. These dogs also require regular grooming. The shih tzu is spirited and has decent watchdog ability. This affectionate breed comes from China, though they have become a popular pet in the West.
Scottish Terrier- You may recognize the distinctive look of the 'Scottie' from the old Monopoly piece; having a beard, brushy eyebrows, and pointy ears. This breed is dignified, yet energetic; intelligent, yet independent. With the right socialization and training, Scotties can be a family dog. They require regular grooming and exercise.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel- This distinctive looking dog is associated with Kings Charles I and Charles II who owned similar spaniels. These pets are both lap dogs and sporting dogs. Even though they have the abilities of a retriever, they are content as companion dogs. They do well indoors and are affectionate and gentle. They require regular grooming and exercise.
Miniature Schnauzer- This distinguished gentleman of a dog is recognized by his beard, bushy eyebrows and dark or grey coat. With the right training, this breed can do well with families and other dogs. However, they are not good around smaller pets like cats. They make excellent watchdogs. They require some grooming, but they shed very little. This can be a good breed for someone with allergies. They can adapt to apartments, but require exercise.
Chihuahua- This companion dog has lately become a fashionable Hollywood pet. They are the smallest dog breed and they live on average of 14-18 years. Chihuahuas require minimal grooming, but don't do well in cold climates. Good in apartments, they are very loyal to 1 or 2 people. Chihuahuas are not good for large families and small children. They make good watchdogs.
Pug- This dog has an expressive, wrinkled face and a curly tail. They resemble little bulldogs, but are cheerful pets. Pugs do well around other dogs and are great with children. They require minimal grooming and are good apartment dogs. These loyal dogs make good watchdogs.
Pomeranian- This very little breed has a very fluffy coat that can be different colors such as gold. They are an energetic and spirited breed. These dogs do well in apartments, but not typically with small children. They make good watchdogs. Pomeranians require regular grooming.
Boston Terrier- These dogs are dark with white markings and have distinctive bat ears. Smart dogs, they make loyal companion dogs. They do well with other pets, though not always with other dogs and small children. Boston terriers can do well in apartments and with families. They require minimal grooming, but can be prone to drooling and breathing problems.
Maltese- This adorable breed is very small with a long, silky white coat. They are intelligent, playful, and affectionate. These dogs can be good with other pets, but not usually with small children. The Maltese likes to be devoted to one person. They are good apartment dogs and good watchdogs. They like attention and need regular grooming.
French Bulldog- 'Frenchies' might be a medium dog, but only by weight. They have bat ears and clownish, expressive faces. Playful and affectionate, they make good companions. They are good with other pets, but not always with other dogs, and typically not good for small children. Frenchies need minimal grooming, but can be prone to drooling. They are good watchdogs, and don't like exercising in high heat.
Yorkshire Terrier- The pointy ears and long bangs of hair make the 'Yorkie' a distinctive dog. They require regular grooming. This dog is a spirited and playful little dog. Its spunky nature is seen as an asset by some. These lap dogs make excellent, loyal companions, and like lots of attention. They travel well. It is no coincidence that the Yorkie is one of the most popular breeds.
Dachshund- The highlight of Picnic Day, an annual event at UC Davis in Davis, California are the dachshund races. There is nothing more entertaining than watching these little dogs race across the Rec Hall floor. Of course, not every dachshund actually makes it to the finish line. Don't mistake the look of this little dog; they actually make good watchdogs. They require regular grooming and are not good around small children. However, they are loyal family dogs with the right training.
West Highland White Terrier- The handsome 'Westie' is a spirited, yet intelligent dog. They are legitimate terriers: energetic and a little feisty. Westies are playful and devoted dogs. They make good watchdogs. They are not for a home with small children and other pets. Westies require regular grooming and would prefer having a backyard.
Poodle- There are 3 varieties of poodle: standard, miniature, and toy. The miniature and toy poodles are small in size. Poodles should not be judged by their covers. The dignified poodle is actually one of the world's smartest dogs. They require both regular grooming and exercise. Poodles make excellent watchdogs. They are good around other pets, but not around small children. Fancy haircuts are optional.
Shetland Sheepdog- The 'sheltie' has the look of a small collie. These dogs are affectionate and loyal. They are also energetic and protective. Having a herding instinct, they like to chase things. Shelties can coexist with children and other pets. They are intelligent and highly trainable. Shelties have a shedding season, and need regular grooming.
Shih Tzu- The adorable little shih tzu makes a good indoor companion. This breed does well with other pets. They like lots of attention. These dogs also require regular grooming. The shih tzu is spirited and has decent watchdog ability. This affectionate breed comes from China, though they have become a popular pet in the West.
Scottish Terrier- You may recognize the distinctive look of the 'Scottie' from the old Monopoly piece; having a beard, brushy eyebrows, and pointy ears. This breed is dignified, yet energetic; intelligent, yet independent. With the right socialization and training, Scotties can be a family dog. They require regular grooming and exercise.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel- This distinctive looking dog is associated with Kings Charles I and Charles II who owned similar spaniels. These pets are both lap dogs and sporting dogs. Even though they have the abilities of a retriever, they are content as companion dogs. They do well indoors and are affectionate and gentle. They require regular grooming and exercise.
Miniature Schnauzer- This distinguished gentleman of a dog is recognized by his beard, bushy eyebrows and dark or grey coat. With the right training, this breed can do well with families and other dogs. However, they are not good around smaller pets like cats. They make excellent watchdogs. They require some grooming, but they shed very little. This can be a good breed for someone with allergies. They can adapt to apartments, but require exercise.
Chihuahua- This companion dog has lately become a fashionable Hollywood pet. They are the smallest dog breed and they live on average of 14-18 years. Chihuahuas require minimal grooming, but don't do well in cold climates. Good in apartments, they are very loyal to 1 or 2 people. Chihuahuas are not good for large families and small children. They make good watchdogs.
Pug- This dog has an expressive, wrinkled face and a curly tail. They resemble little bulldogs, but are cheerful pets. Pugs do well around other dogs and are great with children. They require minimal grooming and are good apartment dogs. These loyal dogs make good watchdogs.
Pomeranian- This very little breed has a very fluffy coat that can be different colors such as gold. They are an energetic and spirited breed. These dogs do well in apartments, but not typically with small children. They make good watchdogs. Pomeranians require regular grooming.
Boston Terrier- These dogs are dark with white markings and have distinctive bat ears. Smart dogs, they make loyal companion dogs. They do well with other pets, though not always with other dogs and small children. Boston terriers can do well in apartments and with families. They require minimal grooming, but can be prone to drooling and breathing problems.
Maltese- This adorable breed is very small with a long, silky white coat. They are intelligent, playful, and affectionate. These dogs can be good with other pets, but not usually with small children. The Maltese likes to be devoted to one person. They are good apartment dogs and good watchdogs. They like attention and need regular grooming.
French Bulldog- 'Frenchies' might be a medium dog, but only by weight. They have bat ears and clownish, expressive faces. Playful and affectionate, they make good companions. They are good with other pets, but not always with other dogs, and typically not good for small children. Frenchies need minimal grooming, but can be prone to drooling. They are good watchdogs, and don't like exercising in high heat.
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