The variety of small dog breeds is astounding. There are so many that even the most picky dog lovers can find a perfect match when it comes to personality, activity level, and even coat type.
To compile a list of the tiniest dog breeds in the United States, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from the American Kennel Club. We only considered breeds with male dogs not usually weighing more than 10 pounds.
Due to their size, smaller dogs don’t need to exercise every day — though it won’t hurt them — because they don’t need to burn much energy and are therefore suitable for living in an apartment.
Small dogs may look like the perfect lap warmers when in fact they have very tough personalities. Though having a dog is certainly rewarding in many ways, the path to forming a friendship can be challenging, especially with some breeds — these are the hardest dogs to train.
To determine the tiniest dog breeds in the U.S., 24/7 Tempo reviewed information on each of the 282 dog breeds currently listed by the American Kennel Club, the country’s purebred dog registry. We only considered breeds with male dogs not usually weighing more than 10 pounds, per the information the AKC provides on each breed. Information on popularity, height, temperament, and breed category also came from the AKC.
37. Löwchen
> Weight: 10-15 pounds
> Height: 11-13 inches
> Popularity: 161 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 15 years
> Personality: Affectionate, Outgoing, Positive
> Group category: Non-sporting
36. Silky Terrier
> Weight: 10 pounds
> Height: 9-10 inches
> Popularity: 108 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 13-15 years
> Personality: Friendly, Quick, Keenly Alert
> Group category: Toy
35. Xoloitzcuintli (toy)
> Weight: 10-15 pounds
> Height: 10-14 inches
> Popularity: 131 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 13-18 years
> Personality: Loyal, Alert, Calm
> Group category: Non-sporting
34. Schipperke
> Weight: 10-16 pounds
> Height: 11-13 inches (male), 10-12 inches (female)
> Popularity: 114 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Personality: Confident, Alert, Curious
> Group category: Non-sporting
33. Rat Terrier (miniature)
> Weight: 10-25 pounds
> Height: 10-13 inches
> Popularity: 83 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 12-18 years
> Personality: Friendly, Inquisitive, Lovable
> Group category: Terrier
32. Volpino Italiano
> Weight: 10-16 pounds (males), 8-12 pounds (females)
> Height: 11-12 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 10-16 years
> Personality: Loyal, Energetic, Loving
> Group category: Foundation Stock Service
31. Poodle (Miniature)
> Weight: 10-15 pounds
> Height: 10-15 inches
> Popularity: 7 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 10-18 years
> Personality: Active, Proud, Very Smart
> Group category: Non-sporting
30. Coton de Tulear
> Weight: 9-15 pounds (male), 8-13 pounds (female)
> Height: 10-11 inches (male), 9-10 inches (female)
> Popularity: 80 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 15-19 years
> Personality: Charming, Bright, Happy-Go-Lucky
> Group category: Non-sporting
29. Peruvian Inca Orchid (small)
> Weight: 9-18 pounds
> Height: 10-16 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Personality: Affectionate, Loyal, Noble
> Group category: Miscellaneous Class
28. Russell Terrier
> Weight: 9-15 pounds
> Height: 10-12 inches
> Popularity: 72 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Personality: Alert, Inquisitive, Lively
> Group category: Terrier
27. Lancashire Heeler
> Weight: 9-17 pounds
> Height: 10-12 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Personality: Affectionate, Versatile, Intelligent
> Group category: Miscellaneous Class
26. Portuguese Podengo Pequeno
> Weight: 9-13 pounds
> Height: 8-12 inches
> Popularity: 157 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Personality: Playful, Charming, Lively
> Group category: Hound
25. Tibetan Spaniel
> Weight: 9-15 pounds
> Height: 10 inches
> Popularity: 118 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Personality: Playful, Bright, Self-Confident
> Group category: Non-sporting
24. Shih Tzu
> Weight: 9-16 pounds
> Height: 9-11 inches
> Popularity: 20 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 10-18 years
> Personality: Affectionate, Playful, Outgoing
> Group category: Toy
23. Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
> Weight: 8-25 pounds
> Height: 8-15 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 14-16 years
> Personality: Playful, Versatile, Intelligent
> Group category: Miscellaneous Class
22. Chinese Crested
> Weight: 8-12 pounds
> Height: 11-13 inches
> Popularity: 79 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 13-18 years
> Personality: Affectionate, Alert, Lively
> Group category: Toy
21. Brussels Griffon
> Weight: 8-10 pounds
> Height: 7-10 inches
> Popularity: 89 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Personality: Loyal, Alert, Curious
> Group category: Toy
20. Miniature Pinscher
> Weight: 8-10 pounds
> Height: 10-13 inches
> Popularity: 77 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 12-16 years
> Personality: Fearless, Fun-Loving, Proud
> Group category: Toy
19. English Toy Spaniel
> Weight: 8-14 pounds
> Height: 9-10 inches
> Popularity: 138 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality: Gentle, Playful, Intelligent
> Group category: Toy
18. Italian Greyhound
> Weight: 7-14 pounds
> Height: 13-15 inches
> Popularity: 69 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 14-15 years
> Personality: Playful, Alert, Sensitive
> Group category: Toy
17. Havanese
> Weight: 7-13 pounds
> Height: 9-12 inches
> Popularity: 24 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 14-16 years
> Personality: Intelligent, Outgoing, Funny
> Group category: Toy
16. Russian Toy
> Weight: Up to 7 pounds
> Height: 8-11 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Personality: Loyal, Smart, Charming
> Group category: Miscellaneous Class
15. Affenpinscher
> Weight: 7-10 pounds
> Height: 9-12 inches
> Popularity: 163 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Personality: Confident, Famously Funny, Fearless
> Group category: Toy
14. Maltese
> Weight: 7 pounds
> Height: 7-9 inches
> Popularity: 38 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Personality: Gentle, Playful, Charming
> Group category: Toy
13. Yorkshire Terrier
> Weight: 7 pounds
> Height: 7-8 inches
> Popularity: 13 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 11-15 years
> Personality: Affectionate, Sprightly, Tomboyish
> Group category: Toy
12. Japanese Chin
> Weight: 7-11 pounds
> Height: 8-12 inches
> Popularity: 111 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality: Charming, Noble, Loving
> Group category: Toy
11. Bolognese
> Weight: 6-9 pounds
> Height: 10-12 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Personality: Playful, Easy-Going, Devoted
> Group category: Foundation Stock Service
10. Chihuahua
> Weight: 6 pounds
> Height: 5-8 inches
> Popularity: 34 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 14-16 years
> Personality: Charming, Graceful, Sassy
> Group category: Toy
9. American Eskimo Dog (toy)
> Weight: 6-10 pounds
> Height: 9-12 inches
> Popularity: 119 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 13-15 years
> Personality: Playful, Perky, Smart
> Group category: Non-sporting
8. Alaskan Klee Kai (toy)
> Weight: 6-12 pounds
> Height: 13 inches and under
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 13-16 years
> Personality: Loyal, Intelligent, Vigilant
> Group category: Foundation Stock Service
7. Papillon
> Weight: 5-10 pounds
> Height: 8-11 inches
> Popularity: 53 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 14-16 years
> Personality: Friendly, Alert, Happy
> Group category: Toy
6. Japanese Terrier
> Weight: 5-10 pounds
> Height: 11-13 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Personality: Independent, Curious, Reserved
> Group category: Foundation Stock Service
5. Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka
> Weight: 5-11 pounds
> Height: 9-10 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 12-16 years
> Personality: Playful, Charming, Inquisitive
> Group category: Foundation Stock Service
4. Biewer Terrier
> Weight: 4-8 pounds
> Height: 7-11 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 16 years
> Personality: Intelligent, Devoted, Amusing
> Group category: Toy
3. Toy Fox Terrier
> Weight: 4-7 pounds
> Height: 9-12 inches
> Popularity: 113 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 13-15 years
> Personality: Friendly, Alert, Intelligent
> Group category: Toy
2. Poodle (Toy)
> Weight: 4-6 pounds
> Height: No more than 10 inches
> Popularity: 7 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 10-18 years
> Personality: Agile, Intelligent, Self-Confident
> Group category: Toy
1. Pomeranian
> Weight: 3-7 pounds
> Height: 6-7 inches
> Popularity: 23 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 12-16 years
> Personality: Inquisitive, Bold, Lively
> Group category: Toy