There are some very small breeds of dogs out there, but which ones can you hold in one hand? Here’s a list of the top 10 smallest dog breeds. Did your favorite make the cut? You’ll have to read on to find out!
When it comes to picking a new pup for your family, size is an important factor. Some people want big dogs that they can cuddle up with, while others only want small lapdogs that won’t take up much space at all. Whatever you’re looking for, there’s sure to be something perfect for you here!
Contents
Pomeranian
Nowadays, Pomeranians have a status as lapdogs, and they were initially for flocking animals and pulling sleds. Originally, the Pomeranian breed weighed around 30 pounds. Around the 1800s, people bred them to be smaller to be companions rather than working dogs.
Breed Summary
Group: Toy
Height: Below 7 inches
Weight: Below 7 pounds
Coat and Color: Black, chocolate, orange
Life Expectancy: 12-16 years
Poodle
This breed is known for its intelligence, sociability, and athleticism, making excellent family dogs. Teacup poodles typically weigh around 4 pounds, whereas their standard-sized counterparts weigh approx 45-70 pounds. One of the best traits of poodles, they are low-shedders.
Breed Summary
Group: Toy
Height: Below 10 inches
Weight: Below 6 pounds
Coat and Color: Dense coat, curly; white, apricot, black, and more colors
Life Expectancy: 8-15 years
Yorkshire Terrier
One of the most popular dog breeds in the standard small size category is the Yorkshire terrier. These smaller dogs can weigh around 2-3 pounds, yet they have big-dog personalities. The tiny dogs tend to be vocal, confident and guarding. They are very loving and devoted to their owners’ families.
Breed Summary
Group: Toy
Height: Below 7 inches
Weight: Below 7 pounds
Coat and Color: Silky coat, blue and tan, black and tan, and more colors
Life Expectancy:9-16 years.
Bichon Frise
Teacup bichons certainly live up to the name. They were bred to be loving companions, which most people refer to as stuffed living animals. However, bichons are quite snuggly, and they need a moderate exercise routine and love to play around.
Breed Summary
Group: Non-Sporting
Height: Below 10 inches
Weight: Below 12 pounds
Coat and Color: Soft, dense coat; white, apricot, and cream
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
Maltese
One of the oldest breeds of small-sized dogs is the Maltese. This tiny breed typically weighs around 2-4 pounds. Due to their smaller size and low energy, the dogs are the best fit for persons who want a cuddle baby.
Breed Summary
Group: Toy
Height: Below 7 inches
Weight: Below 7 pounds
Coat and Color: White coat
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
Pomsky
The Pomsky is the hybrid between a Pomeranian and Siberian husky. They tend to vary in size depending on the ratio of each breed they contain in them. The combination tends to have incredible energy levels, so you have to be well prepared for lots of physical activity and playing around.
Breed Summary
Group: Not a recognized breed
Height: 10 inches
Weight: 9 pounds
Coat and Colors: double coat, fluffy; black, silver, white and more colors
Life Expectancy: 10-15 years
Chinese crested
This toy breed of dog is hairless; hence a lot of tension is subtracted due to hairs. Some people can’t handle the dog’s hair trimming and grooming if your pup has a lot of hair. Sometimes you need a low-maintenance dog, and a Chinese crested breed comes to your rescue. They are tiny, clever, agile, and always eager to please their owners. This breed requires frequent baths to keep the skin clean, oil and dirt-free, and weekly brushing or monthly visits to the groomers make it hassle-free.
Breed Summary
Group: Toy
Height, 11 to 13 inches
Weight: 5-12 lbs
Coat and Color: Any color
Life Expectancy: 10-14 years
Conclusion
Teacup dog breeds are such lovely companions to have, but their life span is shorter comparatively. Many vets and dog breeders suggest avoiding teacup breeds altogether. If you love to have a smaller dog, then the best option is to find a toy breed at the lower end of the reasonable height and weight levels. You can avoid the risk of heartache from a puppy’s death by certainly clearing teacup breeds of dogs. It is better to find a genuine dog breeder and vet, and with their guidance, and according to your preference, bring home a lovely, cute companion who has a reasonable life expectancy.
