Best Miniature Dogs: See These Top 7 Breeds

Miniature dogs are a lot of fun for a multitude of reasons. They're cute, adorable, and many small dog breeds love attention. Plus, they fit into the most compact of spaces, so you can take your dog everywhere you go! They also make great apartment pets.

The problem, of course, is picking one of these dogs out since there are so many different kinds from which you can choose. 

Fortunately, we've compiled a list of the seven best small dogs. Pick one of these, and you're sure to have a cute, cuddly, small companion that you can take with you anywhere you go!

Top Miniature Dog: Chihuahua

No list of miniature dogs would be complete without the quintessential teacup dog breed. The venerable Chihuahua is a small dog with a big attitude. Their apple-like head, pointed ears, and cuddly body make them adorable. 

The Chihuahua is also genuinely one of the teeny tiny dog breeds in that it typically only weighs about six pounds and will stand at less than 10 inches tall. Indeed, the Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed on this list!

Pomeranian

These dogs are quite literally a cuteness overload. Most lists of best small dogs will feature these pups for an apparent reason: they are some of the most lovable pets you'll ever have. They typically weigh less than 7.5 pounds and stand at less than 11 inches tall, making them truly one of the miniature dogs of the world.

Pomeranians tend to be quite friendly. They typically require a decent amount of exercise and can bark a lot. If you live in close quarters with neighbors (e.g., if you live in an apartment), you may wish to consider their potential barking before you pick one up.

Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkies are some of the friendliest dogs around. These tiny furry companions are perfect for snuggling with on the sofa after a long day at work. They typically have a height of about 6-7 inches and weigh approximately seven pounds. However, depending on what food these dogs eat, they can sometimes weigh a lot more (although that's typically unhealthy). Therefore, if you have a Yorkie, you'll need to make sure they are fed right and get enough exercise to prevent obesity!

Another One of the Top Miniature Dogs: Toy Poodle

The toy poodle is one of the most well-recognized miniature dogs because it has been around for so long and because it's so popular. Indeed, this pup is the seventh most popular in the entire US! 

Most people associate the poodle with France, but this breed got its start in Germany. The standard poodle helped the Germans with hunting more than 400 years ago. Americans bred the toy poodle in the early 20th century as a city companion! One hundred years later, it's still one of the top dogs for urban Americans!

Shih Tzu

If you like a furry dog, the Shih Tzu is for you! Originally from ancient Tibet, these fun miniature dogs love to play and cuddle with their owners. They stand up to 11 inches tall and weigh up to 16 pounds. Therefore, they are some of the bigger dogs on this list.

One thing to note about these breeds is that they adore people and they have great personality. They make perfect dogs to have if you're looking for a social species that will get along with just about anyone and anything. They're a nearly perfect pet - the only downside is that they need daily brushing to keep up with all that fur!

An Excellent Miniature Dog: Miniature Schnauzer

The miniature Schnauzer is one of the more interesting (and stern-looking) dogs. These dogs caught and took out rats back in the 19th century. Over a couple of centuries, they have evolved into one of the best pets for almost any family. 

These dogs are more prominent (in terms of miniatures), weighing approximately 18 pounds and standing 14 inches tall. However, they're still small enough that if you need to take them somewhere (on a plane, for example), you should always be able to do so!

Cairn Terrier

This miniature dog breed will always have a particular spot in the hearts and minds of most Americans, even if they don't know the breed by name - the Cairn Terrier is the breed that Toto was in The Wizard of Oz!

The Cairn Terrier stands approximately 13 inches tall and typically weighs up to 16 pounds. This little pup is intelligent, fun, and adaptable. They love to exercise and tend to integrate well with almost any family. With that said, they are very vocal and can be a little feisty, so if you're looking for a cuddle bug, this pup might not be the perfect one for you.

The Top Miniature Dogs Are All Adorable

There's no denying that miniature dogs are some of the most adorable ones available. There's just something fantastic about having these little cuddle bugs on the sofa or seeing their faces light up with joy as you play with them.

Of course, if you're interested in one of these dogs, please check your local shelter first. Many of these pups are relatively common, so there's a good chance you'll be able to find the perfect miniature dog at a shelter near you!

What is the best miniature dog breed?

There isn't one specific miniature dog breed that is the best for all owners. For example, some people want active dogs, while others wish to have couch potatoes. However, with that said, the Chihuahua breed generally receives high rankings thanks to its energy level, adorableness, and ability to fit in with almost any family!

What is the smallest dog breed?

The venerable Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed in the world. These tiny dogs are only 5-8 inches high and weigh less than six pounds. Despite their small stature, they have a big-dog attitude and are known to be quite adaptable to their surroundings.

What dog breeds stay small?

Many dog breeds stay small. The Pomeranian, Yorkshire Terrier, Toy Poodle, Shih Tzu, and Chihuahua are some of the breeds that remain tiny throughout their entire life. Though, that's a small sample as dozens of small dog breeds never grow up to be very big.