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Breeding

15 Adorably Tiny Toy Dog Breeds That Will Wriggle Their Way Into Your Heart

A curated guide to 15 small companion breeds, with published size references and practical notes on energy, grooming, and choosing a healthy, suitable dog.

By Animalso Team 4 min read
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These 15 small companion breeds bring plenty of charm, but tiny size does not automatically mean low energy, simple grooming, or the same temperament. This is a curated list of very small dogs—not an official roster of one kennel club’s Toy Group. Use the size figures as published reference points, then look beyond them to the care and personality that suit your home.

What counts as a tiny toy dog?

“Toy” can mean a formal breed group, but the roster varies with the classification system. The American Kennel Club’s Toy Group describes dogs that are affectionate, sociable, adaptable, smart, and energetic; those are group-level traits, not a promise about every dog. This roundup follows PetMD’s selection of small dog breeds, so it includes breeds that are not all members of the AKC Toy Group.

The measurements below are those PetMD publishes for six breeds. They are reference ranges, not guarantees for an individual dog. PetMD does not state a publication year for the breed list.

Breed Published weight Published height
Chihuahua 6 pounds or less 5–8 inches
Pomeranian 3–7 pounds 6–7 inches
Yorkshire Terrier 7 pounds 7–8 inches
Maltese 7 pounds or less 7–9 inches
Papillon 5–10 pounds 8–11 inches
Toy Poodle 4–6 pounds 10 inches or less

Measurements and the full 15-breed selection come from PetMD’s small dog breed guide.

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15 small dog breeds to know

PetMD’s list offers a useful starting point for comparing breeds. Individual dogs can differ in size, temperament, and care needs, so treat breed descriptions as a guide rather than a guarantee.

  1. Chihuahua

    PetMD lists Chihuahuas at 6 pounds or less and 5–8 inches tall. The small frame is part of the appeal, but it is not a shortcut to predicting an individual dog’s behavior or exercise needs.

  2. Pomeranian

    PetMD gives a reference size of 3–7 pounds and 6–7 inches. Consider the dog’s coat care and activity needs alongside its compact size.

  3. Yorkshire Terrier

    PetMD lists a weight of 7 pounds and height of 7–8 inches. For health planning, the Royal Kennel Club says there is currently no recommended pre-breeding screening in place for the Yorkshire Terrier in its guidance; that is a registry-specific statement, not a universal rule.

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  4. Shih Tzu

    Shih Tzus need brushing several times through the week to keep their long coats tangle-free, according to PetMD. If you would rather avoid frequent coat maintenance, weigh that commitment before choosing the breed.

  5. Papillon

    PetMD lists Papillons at 5–10 pounds and 8–11 inches. They are highly intelligent and need activity and mental stimulation, so their small stature should not be mistaken for a low-energy lifestyle.

  6. Toy Poodle

    PetMD gives a reference size of 4–6 pounds and 10 inches or less. The word “Toy” is part of the breed name here; it does not make this list an official Toy Group roster.

  7. Affenpinscher

    The Affenpinscher is one of the small breeds in PetMD’s selection. Consider the dog’s individual temperament and care needs rather than assuming all tiny breeds are alike.

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  8. Maltese

    PetMD lists Maltese dogs at 7 pounds or less and 7–9 inches. The Royal Kennel Club identifies eye testing as best practice in its Maltese guidance. This is registry-specific advice and not individual veterinary guidance.

  9. Bichon Frise

    The Bichon Frise appears in PetMD’s small-breed selection. Include coat upkeep and the particular dog’s temperament in your decision, not just its size.

  10. Biewer Terrier

    PetMD includes the Biewer Terrier among its small breeds. As with any breed, meet the individual dog and ask about health and temperament rather than relying on a label alone.

  11. Brussels Griffon

    The Brussels Griffon is another compact companion breed in PetMD’s list. Its inclusion here reflects the curated small-dog selection, not a claim that it belongs to every registry’s Toy Group.

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  12. Alaskan Klee Kai

    PetMD includes the Alaskan Klee Kai in its small-dog list. Its presence is a reminder that consumer lists of small breeds can extend beyond a formal toy classification.

  13. Cairn Terrier

    The Cairn Terrier appears in PetMD’s selection of small dogs. A breed’s small size alone does not establish that it will be an easy or low-energy fit for a particular household.

  14. Japanese Chin

    PetMD includes the Japanese Chin among its small breeds. Look at the individual dog’s health and temperament when considering whether it suits your home.

  15. Bolognese

    The Bolognese completes PetMD’s 15-breed sequence. As with the rest of the list, use breed information as a starting point for learning about the dog rather than as a guarantee.

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Are small dogs easy to care for?

Not by size alone. The AKC describes Toy Group dogs as smart and energetic as well as affectionate, sociable, and adaptable. PetMD’s notes on individual breeds show why care is better assessed specifically: Papillons need activity and mental stimulation, Shih Tzus need frequent brushing, and Chinese Crested dogs have different care needs depending on variety.

Plan for the coat you are choosing

PetMD says Chinese Crested powderpuffs have grooming needs, while the hairless variety requires special skin care. Shih Tzus need brushing several times through the week to keep long coats tangle-free. A brush is not a universal solution for every coat; match grooming tools and routines to the dog’s coat and skin needs.

Do not assume a dog is allergy-free

PetMD says there is no truly hypoallergenic dog. A breed label cannot guarantee that someone with allergies will have no reaction.

How to choose a small companion dog

Start with the day-to-day fit, then evaluate the individual dog. The Royal Kennel Club advises prioritizing health and temperament over color in its general Toy-group guidance. Screening recommendations can vary by breed and registry, so use guidance from the applicable breed organization and discuss health questions with a veterinarian.

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  • Match energy to your routine. Ask what activity and mental stimulation the dog needs; small size is not evidence of low energy.
  • Be realistic about grooming. Check the breed’s coat or skin needs and the time you can consistently give them.
  • Ask about health and temperament. Seek information about the individual dog and any applicable health-screening guidance rather than choosing on appearance alone.
  • Confirm what a size figure means. Published breed measurements are reference points, not promises about an individual dog.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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