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Small Dog Breeds

The Complete Library of Small Dog Breeds

This page is the central index for all you need to know about each of the small dog breeds and is organized first in the breeds categories, as recognized by the American Kennel Club and then alphabetically within those breed groups. This makes it quick and easy to go straight to a particular dog that you have in mind. Having some knowledge of the breed characteristics and the history of the dog's origin will be a help in assessing the sort of small dog breed you're looking for.

In order to avoid making this page enormous and cumbersome, the comments about all the small dog breeds are very brief and concise. However, each entry carries a link to an individual page, with pictures and all the information you need, whether favorable or not. We will not tell you, in glowing terms, that all small dog breeds are wonderful, obedient and a joy to own. If you have delicate and expensive furnishings, we will tell you the dogs that shed hair profusely and those that are difficult to housetrain.

We will cover all aspects of small dog breeds ownership, including size, grooming, need for exercise, trainability, watchdog, guard dog, good with children etc.

A word of explanation on size. Some small dog breeds are short and stocky, like the Welsh corgis. Some are tall and thin, like the Italian greyhound. We have devised an index, based on the height in inches multiplied by the weight in pounds, which we think gives the best indication of relative size.

Small Dog Breeds: The Toy Group

The Toy Group has the largest number of small dog breeds because every dog in that group is small. These dogs were often known as lap dogs, because their main function was as a companion dog, to sit in their owner's lap to keep them warm. In spite of this, most of these dogs appreciate a daily walk and the chance to romp and play.

 Affenpinscher Size Index 132. The Affenpinscher is a small sturdy dog, of German origin: intelligent and easy to train: virtually does not shed at all: needs minimal grooming: appreciates a short daily walk: excellent watchdog: too small to be an effective guard dog: good with children.

American Eskimo Dog  Size Index 224. Intelligent and easy to train; was a circus performer; excellent watchdog; sheds long white hair like crazy; needs daily exercise.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel  Size Index 221. Very affectionate and sociable; moderate shedder; not a high energy dog, appeciates a daily walk; average intelligence; very popular in America and UK.

Chihuahua  Size Index 60. Very tiny and delicate: difficult to train and to housetrain: sheds moderately: excellent watchdog, his bark is loud: small children must appreciate how small this dog breed is.

Havanese Size Index 120. Affectionate and easily trained: does not shed but needs regular grooming (long coat): needs regular exercise: housebreaking can be a problem: quite a good watchdog.

Maltese   Size Index 70. One of the smallest of the small dog breeds but brave and is a good watchdog: difficult to train and to housebreak: full of energy: loves to play: does not shed but needs regular grooming because of the long coat.

Manchester Terrier  Size Index 120.  Known as the English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) in the UK; fast and energetic; very intelligent; moderate shedder. 

Miniature Pinscher  Size Index 120. Resembles the Doberman but not related; intelligent, with "above average working/obedience intelligence; difficult to housetrain; sheds very little. 

Papillon  Size Index 90. Energetic and highly intelligent; very heavy shedder; easy to train and excellent at obedience and agility competion; difficult to house train; very popular breed in the USA.

Pomeranian  Size Index 77. Very intelligent small dog, eager to please; 15th most popular dog in US; energetic; craves attention; does not shed but needs regular grooming.

Pug  Size Index 220. Not very intelligent, difficult to train; short glossy coat but very heavy shedder; very popular in US; very good with small children; some health problems.

Shih Tzu  Size Index 150. Not very intelligent, difficult to train; good watchdog; does not shed but needs regular grooming; 10th most popular breed in US.

Tibetan Spaniel  Size Index  140.  Intelligent; agile and catlike; a medium shedder; does not need much exercise; good with children if gently handled.

Yorkshire Terrier  Size Index 36. 3rd most popular dog in the US; Very intelligent but stubborn (He's a terrier); hardly sheds at all but long coat needs regular grooming; very good watchdog; does not need much exercise.

Small Dog Breeds: The Non Sporting Group

The Non Sporting Group is something of a catch-all for those breeds which do not fit into any other category. They are predominantly companion dogs, although there are some larger dogs, such as the Chow Chow and the Dalmatian in this group.

Bichon Frise  Size Index 120. Gentle and intelligent; virtually does not shed but thick coat needs regular grooming; needs regular exercise; fairly good watchdog.

Boston Terrier  Size Index 368. "The American Gentleman"; moderate shedder but minimal grooming; average intelligence, easy to train; 20th most popular breed in US.

French Bulldog  Size Index 286. 21st in popularity; sheds moderately; minimal grooming; minimal exercise.

Schipperke  Size Index 170.  Very intelligent; hard to housebreak; high energy dog; needs lots of exercise and stimulation; sheds profusely. 

Tibetan Spaniel  Size Index 140. average intelligence; sheds moderately; inquisitive; agile, almost like a cat; moderate exercise; excels at obedience competion.

Small Dog Breeds: The Sporting Group

The Sporting Group does not have many small dog breeds, because these dogs were bred to detect, flush and retrieve game shot by the hunters. As a result, they needed to be strong and active and most importantly obedient and quick to learn. The possibility of accident would be high, if the dogs were not under strict control when many people are firing guns. The only small dog breeds in this group are a few spaniels. (The English Toy Spaniel is in the Toy Group)

American Cocker Spaniel  Size Index 420. A very popular breed in the USA - rated 25 in 2010. Intelligent, gentle and active: very obedient but difficult to housebreak: needs daily exercise: sheds quite heavily and needs regular brushing: an alert watchdog.

English Cocker Spaniel  Size Index 520.  Second most popular breed in the United Kingdom, behind the Labrador Retriever; very intelligent; sheds moderately.     

Small Dog Breeds: The Herding Group

The herding dogs, as a group, are just about the most intelligent dogs you will find anywhere. When you consider the complex herding and obedience manoeuvres they perform, it is easy to see why they are so bright. When you consider some of the members of that group, many of them are of high intelligence.

The Border Collie, The German Shepherd, The Shetland Sheepdog, The Australian Cattle Dog and The Pembroke Welsh Corgi are all in the top twelve most intelligent breeds, as researched by Dr Stanley Coren.

Not many of the herding group are small dogs but those that are, make exceptional companions, provided you can give them a demanding job to do. These dogs are not couch potatoes. If you own one of these dogs, there is always a danger that you may find out he is smarter than you!

Cardigan Welsh Corgi  Size Index 370. Very intelligent; very old breed; sheds heavily; sturdy and energetic; very good watchdog; easy to train.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi  Size index 300. Very intelligent; heavy shedder; very good watchdog; popular breed; needs daily exercise and stimulation; devoted to family.

Shetland Sheepdog  Size Index 240. Highly intelligent; very trainable; strong and active; a beautiful dog; does not shed but tough coat needs grooming; good watchdog; may need training to curb excessive barking.

 Small Dog Breeds: Hounds

 There are not many small dog breeds in the Hounds groups, because these dogs were bred for hunting, so they were required to be big, strong and athletic. There are two sub-categories in the hounds group, Sighthounds and Scenthounds and their names are self-explanatory. In fact, they are quite different in their attributes, their temperament and the jobs they were originally bred for.

Sighthounds are big, strong and athletic, with great speed. They have very keen eyesight and chase and kill a variety of prey. Because of these characteristics, there are no small dog breeds in the Sighthounds group.

Scenthounds were bred to track animals and humans by smell, so they do not need great speed, as they can track a prey when it is far out of sight but they have tremendous determination and stamina. All dogs have an extraordinary sense of smell but Scenthounds have the best of all. There are only three scenthounds which qualify as small dog breeds.

Beagle  Size Index 450. One of the most popular small dog breeds, ranked 4th in popularity in the USA in 2010: excellent family pet: sheds moderately: needs little grooming: easily distracted and hard to train: good watchdog: needs plenty of exercise and stimulation.

Dachsund  Size Index 312. Comes in three sizes and three coat styles: ranked 8th in popularity in the USA in 2010:

  Small Dog Breeds: Terriers

Many of the dogs in the Terrier Group are small, because of the nature of the work thay were bred for. They were used to control vermin, in homes, farms and in the fields and were required to be fast, energetic and bold. If you are considering a terrier as a household pet, you must bear in mind the breeding that has gone into the dog over hundreds of years.

Terriers can make wonderful, devoted companions but you won't change them from being a terrier. You have to learn to live with their temperament and enjoy it but remember that most terriers regard other small animals as prey. Most terriers are minimal shedders.

Australian Terrier  Size Index 132. Intelligent but independent: not easy to train: minimal shedder: grooming is easy: good watchdog: needs regular exercise.

Bedlington Terrier  Size Index 352. Athletic and agile; thick coat needs expert grooming; virtually does not shed; needs plenty of exercise; one of the more intelligent terriers; a calm breed.

Border Terrier  Size Index 210.  Medium size; very minimal shedder; strong and energetic; very intelligent; eager to learn but independent; good watchdog.

Cairn Terrier  Size Index 140. A sturdy little terrier, energetic and lively; sheds very little; very good watchdog; very intelligent and eager to learn but can be independent; strong prey drive.

Dandie Dinmont Terrier  Size Index 200.  Fearless;  excellent watchdog; virtually does not shed; not very intelligent; requires patience in training; rare breed.

Manchester Terrier  Size Index 260.  The oldest Terrier breed; intelligent; energetic and lively; good watchdog; moderate shedder.

Miniature Schnauzer  Size Index 208. Very intelligent and trainable; does not shed; thick coat needs much grooming; excellent watchdog; energetic, needs plenty of exercise.

Norfolk Terrier  Size Index 120. Smallest of the working terriers; strong prey drive; very minimal shedder; energetic and lively; difficult to train and to housebreak.

Scottish Terrier  Size Index 200. Not very intelligent; independent nature needs obedience training; needs regular exercise - on a leash; combative with other dogs; sheds very little; excellent watchdog; good guard dog.

West Highland White Terrier  Size Index 200. Average intelligence; can be stubborn; good watchdog; hardly sheds at all; some are good with kids, some are aloof; high energy dog, needs daily exercise and play.

Need To Learn More?
We can recommend this excellent downloadable eBook, written by Mike Mathews, who has over thirty years experience and extensive research into how to choose the ideal small dog breeds for your own individual lifestyle. This book carries a 60-day money back guarantee.