--- title: Best Small Dog Breeds description: Read our top picks for the best small dog breeds, including pomeranians, pugs and poodles. authors: - name: Víctor Rosario role: Staff Writer url: https://money.com/author/victor-rosario/ bio: Víctor Rosario was a staff writer for Money, where he wrote about home warranties, credit cards and insurance and pet insurance. education: University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus at_money_since: 2022 articles: 66 covers: - Pets - Business - Career Advice - Education - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Mortgages former_staff: true editors: - name: José Omar Rodríguez role: Content Manager url: https://money.com/author/jose-omar-rodriguez/ bio: As an editor, José Omar specializes in personal finance topics and in-depth company reviews. His work has been featured in publications such as the Sacramento Bee, the Miami Herald, and the Kansas City Star. education: University of Puerto Rico at_money_since: 2019 articles: 21 covers: - Pets - Banking - Business - Career Advice - Credit - Credit Cards - Economy and Politics - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Professional Services - Retirement - Taxes - Technology published: '2024-03-18T17:28:21.000Z' modified: '2025-03-18T13:07:45.000Z' section: Pets word_count: 442 canonical: https://money.com/best-small-dog-breeds/ type: Article source: structured-blocks --- > **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/). ![Best Small Dog Breeds](https://img.money.com/2024/03/Best-Small-Dog-Breeds-Feature.jpg?quality=85&w=1012&h=569&crop=1) For some pet parents considering getting a dog for the first time, a little dog might be more appealing than a large dog in terms of upkeep, space limitations and overall costs involved. Thankfully, there are a wide variety of options available for those looking for the smallest dog breeds on the market. From toy breeds to lap dogs, finding the right dog for you depends on the energy levels and trainability you’re looking for. Some small dogs also have thick coats that require some upkeep to prevent intense shedding or matting. Whether you’re looking for a lap dog or choosing a companion for your small apartment, small dogs come in a wide variety. Here are our top picks for the best small dog breeds. ## Embrace Pet Insurance — for when the unexpected happens ### Personalize your pet’s policy to get the best for their needs and your budget. Get up to 90% reimbursement — just click on your state to get started. [View Plans](https://money.com/pr/c08cef208145?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-small-dog-breeds%2F) ## Our top picks for best small dog breeds ### Poodle ![Toy poodle outside laying on a bench](https://img.money.com/2024/03/Best-Small-Dog-Breeds-Poodle.jpg) Poodles come in three varieties: toy poodles, miniature poodles and standard. Standard poodles consistently rank as one of the [most popular dog breeds](https://money.com/most-popular-dog-breeds/) in America. However, all three varieties are highly trainable as they are both intelligent and active. Poodles are affectionate with all family members and get along well with children. ### Maltese ![Portrait of a havanese maltese puppy on green grass](https://img.money.com/2024/03/Best-Small-Dog-Breeds-Maltese.jpg) Malteses have a coat type that is particularly high-maintenance, but then again, they were lap dogs for royalty for centuries. These beautiful dogs are actually fairly hardy, trainable and adaptable. They also surprisingly make good watchdogs, as much as a toy dog can make a good watchdog. ### Shih tzu ![Shih Tzu puppy on green yard](https://img.money.com/2024/03/Best-Small-Dog-Breeds-Shih-Tzu.jpg) Shih tzus are hypoallergenic dogs that are playful, affectionate and outgoing. This breed of dog is also known to live a long time, with the longest living shih tzu clocked at 23 years old. Shih tzus are known to get along especially well with children. ### Yorkshire terrier ![Yorkshire Terrier posing in the Averbode Forest.](https://img.money.com/2024/03/Best-Small-Dog-Breeds-Yorkshire-Terrier.jpg) Yorkies are a high-energy and fun-loving breed that make great family dogs. They get along with big dogs and young children alike. Originally bred for hunting small game like mice, Yorkshire terriers have a fiery and friendly disposition. ### Pomeranian ![Portrait of Pomeranian dog](https://img.money.com/2024/03/Best-Small-Dog-Breeds-Pomeranian.jpg) Pomeranians, or poms for short, are cute, fluffy companion dogs that are known for their small size and big personalities. Although they can be a bit noisy, poms make great family pets and their intelligence makes them highly trainable. They do shed more than most dogs so expect to give their silky coat extra attention. ### Pug ![Man working home office laptop with black pug dog on his lap](https://img.money.com/2024/03/Best-Small-Dog-Breeds-Pug.jpg) A tiny dog with a short coat and a big heart, these low-maintenance lazy dogs are great companions for apartment living. Pugs are content with cuddles and require very little in terms of exercise needs. #### Other popular small dog breeds - Dachshund - Havanese - Beagle - French bulldog - Papillon - Chihuahua - Bichon frise - Boston terrier - Affenpinscher - Cavalier king charles spaniel - Corgi - Fox terrier - Bolognese - Italian greyhound - Miniature schnauzer ## Ensure your pet’s well-being with Embrace ### The company’s pet insurance policies provide quality coverage with up to 90% reimbursement. Get a quote that fits within your budget today. [GET FREE QUOTE](https://money.com/pr/n3fb8951cd6f?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-small-dog-breeds%2F) ## Best small dog breeds FAQs ### What is the friendliest small dog? Miniature poodles, pugs and shih tzus consistently rank as some of the best dog breeds to acquire because of their friendly disposition and eagerness to get along with small children as well as other dogs. ### Which small dog breeds are the easiest to train? The maltese dog is one of the easiest breeds to train because of their intelligence and friendly disposition. Other small breeds that are easy to train include the shih tzu, the miniature schnauzer and the cavalier king charles spaniel. ### What is the calmest small dog? The shih tzu, the pug and the maltese are three small dog breeds that hardly bark and are content to cuddle on the couch with you for most of the day. 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