Do you know there are many dog breeds that stay small forever and don’t grow? If you love small dogs and planning to adopt one, this article is for you.
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Depending on preferences, some people like small-sized dogs, some like medium-sized, while some like large dogs. What dog size you prefer?
Do you wish your dog to stay tiny and cute puppy forever?
If you are fond of tiny little dogs, this article is for you. Adopting a small dog is great when you are living in an apartment and you don’t have enough space.
Pros of Having A Small Dog
You might like medium or large dogs, but having a small dog has its own benefits. Here are some of the benefits:
Cheaper care
With a little dog, the maintenance and caring expenses will be less. The main expense of having a dog is food. Medium and large dogs eat more as compared to small dogs, which increases the cost. Apart from dog food for small dogs, other expenses like grooming, medications, clothing, will also be less.
Easily transported
Another advantage of owning a small dog is, it will be easily transported. If you want to travel various places with your dog, it can be a bit tedious with a big dog. For carrying your tiny dog, you can use an adapted handbag and carry it wherever you go.
Easy to groom
The good thing about adopting a small-sized dog is grooming would be quite easy. Different grooming activities like teeth cleaning, ear-care, bathe, etc. would be easy with a little dog.
Live longer
Who doesn’t wants their pet dog to live longer?
Another reason why you should consider adopting a small dog is because they live longer as compared to medium, large, and giant dogs. According to American Kennel Club, small dog breeds live an average of 10 to 15 years, medium dogs 10 to 13 years, large dogs 10 to 12 years, and giant dog breeds live an average of 8 to 10 years. In some cases, small dogs have an living span of up to 18 years.
Dogs That Stay Small Forever
All dogs grow up, but there are certain dogs that stay small, no matter how old they get. Here are 27 popular dogs that stay small forever:
1. Chihuahua Height: 6 to 9 inches Weight: 3 to 9 pounds Life Span: 10 to 18 years |
2. Shih Tzu Height: 9 to 10 inches Weight: 9 to 16 pounds Life Span: 10 to 16 years |
3. Bolognese Height: 9 to 12 inches Weight: 8 to 14 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years |
4. Yorkshire Terrier Height: 6 to 9 inches Weight: 3 to 9 pounds Life Span: 10 to 18 years |
5. Miniature Dachshund Height: 8 to 9 inches Weight: 4 to 6 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years |
6. Pomeranian Height: 7 to 12 inches Weight: 3 to 7 pounds Life Span: 12 to 16 years |
7. Pugs Height: 10 to 14 inches Weight: 14 to 18 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years |
8. French Bulldog Height: 11 to 12 inches Weight: 16 to 28 pounds Life Span: 11 to 14 years |
9. Maltese Height: 8 to 10 inches Weight: Up to 7 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years |
10. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Height: 12 to 13 inches Weight: 13 to 18 pounds Life Span: 9 to 15 years |
11. Toy Fox Terrier Height: 8 to 11 inches Weight: 3 to 7 pounds Life Span: 13 to 14 years |
12. Pembroke Welsh Corgi Height: 10 to 12 inches Weight: Up to 30 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years |
13. Bichon Frise Height: 9 to 11 inches Weight: 7 to 12 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years |
14. Russian Toy Terrier Height: 8 to 11 inches Weight: Up to 6.5 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years |
15. Toy Poodle Height: Less than 10 inches Weight: 4 to 6 pounds Life Span: 10 to 18 years |
16. Havanese Height: 8 to 11 inches Weight: 7 to 13 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years |
17. Brussels Griffon Height: 7 to 8 inches Weight: 7 to 12 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years |
18. Cavoodle Height: 9 to 15 inches Weight: 11 to 27 pounds Life Span: 10 to 14 years |
19. Chinese Crested Dog Height: 11 to 13 inches Weight: Up to 12 pounds Life Span: 10 to 14 years |
20. English Toy Spaniel Height: 10 to 11 inches Weight: 8 to 14 pounds Life Span: 10 to 12 years |
21. Italian Greyhound Height: 13 to 15 inches Weight: 6 to 15 pounds Life Span: 14 to 15 years |
22. Japanese Chin Height: 8 to 11 inches Weight: 4 to 9 pounds Life Span: 10 to 14 years |
23. Papillon Height: 8 to 11 inches Weight: 4 to 9 pounds Life Span: 12 to 16 years |
24. Pekingese Height: 6 to 9 inches Weight: 7 to 14 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years |
25. Prague Ratter Height: 7 to 10 inches Weight: 3 to 8 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years |
26. Rat Terrier Height: 13 to 16 inches Weight: 9 to 25 pounds Life Span: 13 to 18 years |
27. Pomsky Height: 10 to 15 inches Weight: 7 to 38 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years |
1. Chihuahua
Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed. This tiny dog is the national symbol of Mexico and it is named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Its average weight ranges between 3 to 6 pounds.
This dog breed loves being around people. The worst thing you can do with a Chihuahua is leaving it alone. The breed is very friendly and it can’t tolerate being alone.
Chihuahuas come in two coat varieties: short-haired (also known as smooth-coat) and long-coat. Depending on what coat variety Chihuahua you have adopted, the grooming needs will differ slightly. A long-coat dog will have more grooming needs than the smooth-coat one.
2. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are affectionate, intelligent lively, and independent dogs. They are available in different colors including, black, white, liver, brindle, liver & white, light brown, dark brown, black & white, gold, and blue. This little dog breed will be ideal for apartment living.
The major challenge with a Shih Tzu would be grooming. Due to the long and flowing coat, Shih Tzus’ grooming needs are quite high.
Talking about exercise, Shih Tzus don’t require extensive physical activities. Indoor gaming and short walks would be sufficient.
3. Bolognese
Bolognese is a small, white dog breed with an affectionate and friendly temperament. A bolognese breed dog gets along with family members, kids, strangers, and even other dogs.
The shedding level of Bolognese is low. If you are in search of hypoallergenic dogs, you can consider this dog breed. Its grooming needs are extensive because of unshaped and untrimmed coats.
Bologneses are intelligent and easy to train. The exercise needs of this breed are moderate. You can take it for outdoor games, walking, and also have some indoor playtime.
4. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier is an intelligent toy breed. It is affectionate and loving toward family members. To keep your Yorkie happy, you need to make sure he is not left alone.
With this dog breed, grooming would be quite challenging. Yorkies’ coats are very similar to human hair. Though the shedding level is not frequent, their coat does require daily brushing and care.
This little breed is highly energetic and its exercise needs are also high. For the physical and mental stimulation of your Yorkshire Terrier, you need to provide him daily exercise.
5. Miniature Dachshund
Miniature Dachshunds are friendly and affectionate. The good thing is they adapt well to the apartment living.
Though Dachshunds are intelligent, training them can be challenging sometimes. This is because of their stubborn and independent nature. To make your Dachshund follow the training commands, you must not be aggressive and rigid with your commands. Instead, try using reward-based training.
Dachshunds shed moderately and their grooming needs are based on the coat type. You will find Miniature Dachshund with either a smooth, longhaired, or wirehaired coat.
6. Pomeranian
Pomeranians are intelligent, friendly, and active breeds. This breed is named for the Pomerania region in north-west Poland and north-east Germany.
Pomeranians are friendly toward their family members, but may not do well when they are with kids, strangers, and other dogs. Their color variations include white, black, grey-shaded, tan, brown, and orange.
The little breed has double coats, but it doesn’t shed as much as other breeds. It shed heavier two times a year: fall and spring. To maintain the beautiful coat, they need frequent brushing (maybe 2-3 times a week).
7. Pugs
The pug dog breed is part of the American Kennel Club’s Toy group. This breed is popular for its wrinkly face. It is a sociable, friendly, playful, and attentive dog breed.
Pugs do great with their family members, kids, strangers, and other dogs. One of the best things about Pugs is they adapt well to apartment living.
They have a smooth and glossy coat, which does not require much maintenance. Due to the high shedding level, they have moderate grooming requirements.
8. French Bulldog
French Bulldogs are affectionate, alert, and playful. The breed is affectionate toward its owner & family members and it can’t tolerate being alone. To keep a French Bulldog happy, it is imperative to always have someone around.
When adopting a new dog, the grooming needs of that breed is something that all pet owners consider. Talking about French Bulldogs, they have a short and smooth coat, which is easy to groom.
The breed has a moderate energy level and providing normal exercise would do fine. To meet exercise needs, you can take your Frenchie for outdoor playtime, short walks, and also have indoor playtime.
9. Maltese
Malteses are intelligent, affectionate, playful, and docile. If you are in search of a small dog breed for apartment living, Maltese can be a great choice. Because of the high intelligence level, Maltese comes under easy to train small dogs.
The breed is so affectionate toward its family members and close ones. To keep Malteses happy, they need someone around them. Leaving them alone for a longer period can result in separation anxiety or destructive behavior.
Malteses have a long, white coat and they don’t shed much. However, grooming them can be a tedious task. To keep their white coat smooth and shiny, they require daily brushing.
10. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are loving, playful, sociable, and gentle. You will find them in different color variations such as Ruby, Blenheim, Tri-color, and Black & Tan.
They are affectionate toward almost everyone – family members, kids, other dogs, and even strangers. A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel expects plenty of love from its owner. The worst thing you can do with this breed is leaving alone. This breed dogs don’t do well when left alone for long.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed moderately and their silky coats require moderate brushing and bathing. As this little breed is intelligent and friendly, training it would be easy.
11. Toy Fox Terrier
Toy Fox Terrier is a friendly, intelligent, playful, and loyal dog breed. The loving and friendly nature of this breed makes it ideal for families. The important thing to keep in mind is Toy Fox Terriers can’t tolerate being alone, they always want someone to be with them.
If you are looking for a small breed with minimal grooming needs, this one is for you. The breed sheds occasionally and its grooming requirements are less.
Talking about exercise needs, Toy Fox Terriers have high energy levels, hence their physical needs are also high. To keep them physically and mentally stimulated, you will need to provide them outdoor exercises, running, romping, etc.
12. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
This is another dog breed that stays little forever. Corgis are outgoing, friendly, and playful. The playful and loving nature makes it ideal for families. The breed will be friendly with family members, kids, and even with strangers.
Corgi is a double coat dog breed. It has a soft and light undercoat. One of the biggest challenges with a Corgi will be a higher shedding level. The breed sheds all round the year, and even more in the late spring/early summer.
With a higher energy level, Corgis love participating in different physical activities. To keep your Pembroke Welsh Corgi physically and mentally stimulated, make sure you provide moderate exercise on a daily basis.
13. Bichon Frise
Bichon Frise is a tiny, cute, affectionate, and playful dog breed. You will find this breed in variations like white, white & buff, white & cream, and white & apricot.
Playful, loving, and friendly nature makes Bichons perfect for families. Apart from families, a Bichon can be friendly toward kids, other dogs, and even strangers.
Although the breed doesn’t shed much, grooming will be one of the most complicated tasks. Bichons require brushing for at least three times a week and bath at least once a month.
14. Russian Toy Terrier
Russian Toy Terriers are smart, loyal, and loving. The height of this breed ranges between 20-28 cm and its weight ranges between 1 kg and 3 kg.
The breed is active and its energy level is a bit high. For keeping Russian Toy Terriers physically and mentally stimulated, they require daily walks, indoor playtime, and outdoor playtime.
This little breed is agreeable and eager to please, which makes training sessions smooth.
15. Toy Poodle
Toy Poodle is the smallest version of the Poodle breed. Like Standard and Miniature Poodles, Toy Poodles are also intelligent and active. The breed can’t tolerate being alone, it always needs someone to be around.
One of the main downsides of adopting a Toy Poodle dog is its excessive maintenance requirements. Though it sheds less, a regular bath and brushing would be important.
Poodles have excess energy levels. For utilizing their excess energy levels in the right way, the daily exercise and playtime would be essential. Not providing enough exercise could lead to negative and destructive behavior.
16. Havanese
Havaneses are affectionate, intelligent, and playful. It is a hypoallergenic dog breed. The breed loves playing and spending time with its members. It is available in color variations like black, white, havana brown, fawn, tobacco, and mahogany.
As Havanese can’t tolerate being unattended, the worst thing you can do with it is leaving alone for longer.
It has moderate exercise needs. For physical stimulation, you can provide your Havanese daily walks and fun playtime.
The breed has a soft & silky coat and its grooming needs are moderately high.
17. Brussels Griffon
The Griffon Bruxellois or Brussels Griffon is a loyal, alert, and companionable dog breed. The breed is available in different color variations like black, black & tan, blue, brown, belge, and red.
This tiny affectionate dog breed always needs someone to be around. It can’t tolerate being alone for longer periods.
The grooming needs of Brussels Griffon will vary depending on its coat type. The coat could be either smooth or rough. A smooth-coated Griffon usually requires weekly brushing. During the shedding season, it requires daily brushing.
Talking about physical needs, Griffons are energetic and they require a minimum half-hour of moderate exercise a day.
18. Cavoodle
Cavoodle is a hybrid dog. It is the mix between Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Miniature Poodle. Cavoodles are loving, sociable, playful, and affectionate in nature.
You will find this breed in various color variations – gold, tan, cream, black, or brown. If you are finding a companion for your family and kids, Cavoodle can be a good choice.
The good thing is, Cavoodles don’t shed, which makes them ideal for allergic people. Due to the high energy levels, it is important that you take your Cavoodle for regular walks, exercises, and outdoor playtime.
19. Chinese Crested Dog
It is a hairless breed of dog. The breed is affectionate, alert, and lively. These are the color variations of Chinese crested dog – black, apricot, cream, chocolate, tri-color, and blue.
Chinese crested dogs are friendly toward family members, kids, other dogs, and even strangers. After adopting this breed, make sure there’s always someone together as it can’t tolerate being alone.
Because this breed is hairless doesn’t mean it has zero grooming requirements. Due to no hair, the breed is prone to skin irritations, allergies, and sunburn. Hence, to keep the Chinese crested dog’s skin healthy, focusing on necessary treatments would be essential.
20. English Toy Spaniel
Another dog that stays small in size is English Toy Spaniel. English Toy Spaniels are a small dog of the spaniel type. They are intelligent, playful, loving, and gentle.
This little dog breed can get along with family members, other dogs, and strangers, but it might not do well with kids. The breed can’t tolerate being alone, leaving it alone can lead to negative behavior.
English Toy Spaniels are intelligent, but sometimes, they can be stubborn during training. It is best to avoid harsh training methods. To avoid the hassle with training, early socialization and puppy training classes are recommended.
21. Italian Greyhound
Italian Greyhounds are intelligent, playful, and affectionate. You will find this breed in different color variations including black, fawn, blue fawn, chocolate, sable, tan, red fawn, blue, slate grey, grey, yellow, and red.
An Italian Greyhound will be friendly with family members, kids, other dogs, and strangers. As this breed dog is prone to separation anxiety, prevent leaving it alone for longer periods.
Talking about grooming, teeth cleaning is something important for this breed. Make sure your Italian Greyhound be brushed on a daily basis. And, provide dental cleaning by a veterinarian at least once a year.
22. Japanese Chin
Japanese Chins are smart, loyal, independent, and loving. This tiny dog breed is affectionate toward its owner and family members. It wants its closed ones to stay around, always. It can’t tolerate being alone.
As this breed is prone to overweight, it is essential to keep an eye on daily calorie consumption.
Talking about grooming, Japanese Chins require a bath on a monthly basis and brushing on a weekly basis.
23. Papillon
Papillon is a cute little dog breed available in different color variations like white, white & chocolate, fawn & white, sable, black & white, and red & white. The breed is affectionate, intelligent, and energetic.
Due to high energy levels, Papillons have higher exercise and physical needs. To fulfill its physical needs, you can provide some exercises and also have indoor/outdoor playtime with your Papillon.
One of the best things about this breed is easy trainability. High intelligence level means easier it will be to provide different types of training.
24. Pekingese
The height of an average Pekingese ranges between 15-23 cm. The breed is affectionate, loyal, intelligent, and aggressive. You will find this breed is different color variations like white, black, fawn, black & tan, cream, fawn brindle, and grey.
Pekingeses are great companions with family members, but they might not do well with kids, other dogs, and strangers.
This is a double coat breed, its grooming needs are a bit high. It will require brushing at least 2-3 times a week.
25. Prague Ratter
Prague Ratters are alert, intelligent, active, and lively. Talking about color variations, you will find this breed in color combinations like black & tan, blue, brown & tan, yellow, and red.
The breed has a short and smooth coat. Grooming it won’t be a hassle. You can brush its coat once a week and provide bathe once a month.
Another good thing about Prague Ratter is trainability. It will respond well to your training commands. To get the most out of training, you can use reward-based obedience training methods.
26. Rat Terrier
Rat Terrier is an intelligent, loving, and alert dog breed. This breed comes in color combinations like white, tri-color, black & white, white & chocolate, fawn & white, and blue & white.
This little breed sheds seasonally. It has a small and dense coat, which requires less maintenance. You can fulfill grooming needs by providing a bath every month and brushing every week.
Rat Terriers’ high energy levels require a proper focus on exercising. Indoor playtime, outdoor playtime, daily walks, etc. are something that can fulfill its exercise needs.
27. Pomsky
Pomsky is the crossbreed between Siberian Husky and Pomeranian. This cute dog breed wants attention from its closed ones.
Pomskies want someone to play with them. After getting a Pomsky, don’t make the mistake of leaving it alone as it could result in negative behavior.
Pomsky breed does not require a large space. Its physical needs are moderate. These make it ideal for apartment living. You will find Pomskies in different color variations like gray & white, black & white, red & white, blue & white, pure white, brown, and tan.
FINAL THOUGHTS
When it comes to adopting a small dog, you have so many options available. While adopting a little dog, don’t just consider its looks and cuteness. You also need to consider other things like breed’s temperament, grooming needs, exercise needs, coat type, shedding level, etc. To help you select the right dog, here I have compiled the list of puppies that stay small forever.
Also Check:
7 Things to Consider Before Getting a Dog
10 Best Training Collar For Small Dogs
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