Find Small Dog Breeds That Suit Your Personality and Lifestyle

Small dogs inspire with intelligence, loyalty, playfulness and often also with their cute appearance. However, dog owners often decide in favour of a small dog for practical reasons: dog breeds such as Jack Russell Terriers, Miniature Poodles or Maltese don’t need so much space and can easily be accommodated in a city apartment, provided they get enough exercise, play opportunities and are mentally challenged. Small dogs are ideal companion dogs: if they are well trained, the family members on four paws cut a fine figure in everyday life and as office dogs. Whether it’s a visit to a restaurant, a stroll through town or a holiday, you can usually take your little pet along without any problems. Their social acceptance is great: many people are more afraid of big dogs than of small ones. If your four-legged friend is sick, it is easy to carry. The costs for food are lower than for a large dog.

Small dog breeds generally include animals with a height of up to 39 cm at the withers. Thus, very small dogs such as the Chihuahua belong to “small” breeds just as much as the Beagle or Cocker Spaniel. In all, there are over 80 small dog breeds. On an average, their life expectancy is between 10 and 14 years. This means that they generally live longer than large dogs, which age more quickly. Small dogs usually reach their final size between 7 and 10 months.

However, it is a fallacy that keeping small dogs requires less effort: many of the nimble four-legged friends are real bundles of energy and want to be kept busy. Small dog breeds such as the miniature poodle, the Havanese or the miniature schnauzer are eager to learn, love to exercise and are therefore perfect for dog sports: in agility or dog dancing they can work off their energy and work closely with their humans.

Extended play times, trips to the dog play area or long walks are essential for many small dog breeds. Of course, there are exceptions: In the case of the Pug or French Bulldog, dog sports are only recommended to a limited extent because of their compact size and their tendency towards joint problems and shortness of breath.

Long walks in the summer, far away from water sources also cause problems for many of the little companions. A responsible breeder will explain this to you.

Many small dogs are docile and affectionate, but they also have a mind of their own. Therefore, it should be clear from the beginning, as to who is the boss. Consistent training is the prerequisite for your dog to be able to accompany you in everyday life.

Caution is advised with very small dogs and small children: Dogs are not toys and small dogs in particular are extremely sensitive. Stormy hugs, holding the animals or falling down can have serious consequences for a small dog.

Find out more about the different small dog breeds, their characteristics and needs. This way, you can choose a small four-legged friend that will enrich your everyday life in a big way.