Top 10 Toy Dog Breeds That are Ideal for Companionship

Last Updated on March 6, 2024 by Aftab Tariq

Toy dog breeds may be small in size, but they’re big on personality. These breeds in the Toy group are affectionate, friendly, and can fit into various lifestyles easily. Despite their tiny stature, toy dog breeds are incredibly popular among dog owners.

They’re loved for being affectionate, friendly, and easy to carry around, making them ideal travel companions. Firstly, they are incredibly cute.

That’s the main reason why toy breeds are so popular, explained Dr. Nell Ostermeier, a veterinarian and consultant with AKC Pet Insurance, in an email to Forbes Advisor.

Many toy breeds are affectionate and enjoy cuddling, which makes them perfect for those seeking a lap dog. Don’t underestimate their small size; toy dogs are intelligent, trainable, and highly protective of their family.

Top 10 Small Dog Breeds

Here’s a look at ten popular Top 10 small dog breeds and what makes each one unique.

1: Biewer Terrier Dog

The Biewer Terrier is a cute, fluffy toy dog known for being loving and a bit quirky. Even though it’s small, this dog with three colors is tough and loves to move around. Biewer Terriers are loyal to their families and get along with both people they know and strangers.

Owners should be ready to brush their long fur every day, bathe them, trim their nails, and check their ears from time to time, which all help keep them healthy.

These dogs are playful and like to keep themselves active, and they enjoy playing games with their human pals, which makes them great for families. They’re smart and easy to teach, but it might take some extra patience to teach them where to go to the bathroom.

Biewer Terrier Dog Breed Overview

• Average Height: 7-11 inches
• Average Weight: 4-8 pounds
• Life Expectancy: 16 years

2: Brussels Griffon Dog

The little Brussels griffon dog has a tremendous personality. They’re smart, loyal, and a bit full of themselves, but their large, expressive eyes will melt your heart.

You can find Brussels Griffons in various colors and with different kinds of coats, which adds to their unique look.

They’re sturdy little dogs with a confident attitude, and they’re easy to train, but they prefer gentle play because they’re sensitive and small. Griffons need regular grooming, but smooth-coated and rough-coated ones need different care.

It’s super important to socialize and train them early on, and they really need companionship to stop them from getting into trouble when they’re lonely. Brussels Griffons have an interesting history, starting from catching rats and ending up as fancy lap dogs today.

Brussels Griffon Dog Breed Overview

• Average Height: 7-10 inches
• Average Weight: 8-10 pounds
• Life Expectancy: 12-15 years

3: Affenpinscher Dog

The Affenpinscher is a small toy dog breed that looks almost like a tiny person. They’re famous for being loyal, curious, and playful. Originally, they were bred to control rats, but they quickly became beloved pets because of their confidence and small size.

Despite being little, they act with a lot of confidence and seriousness, which makes them even more amusing. Affenpinschers have medium-length wiry coats that come in different colors. They can have trouble breathing when it’s hot, so they do best in places with controlled temperatures.

They’re great for living in apartments because they only need indoor play and regular walks for exercise and to meet other dogs.

Even though they can be stubborn, Affenpinschers are eager to make their owners happy, which makes training them easy. They’re loyal, smart, and fun pets that can adapt to different lifestyles.

Affenpinscher Dog Breed Overview

• Average Height: 9-11.5 inches
• Average Weight: 7-10 pounds
• Life Expectancy: 12-15 years

4: Chihuahua Dog

The Chihuahua is a tiny dog with a huge personality, known as a symbol of Mexico since ancient times. They have a confident attitude and distinctive round heads with expressive eyes.

Despite their small size, Chihuahuas are loyal and brave. To keep them well-behaved at home, Chihuahuas need proper training. They enjoy living in cities as long as they get lots of cuddle time.

Grooming needs depend on their coat type, but all Chihuahuas need regular nail trimming, ear cleaning, and dental care. They’re smart dogs and respond well to positive training methods because they love to make you happy.

Chihuahua Dog Breed Overview

Average Height: 5-8 inches

Average Weight: Up to 6 pounds

Life Expectancy: 14-16 years

5: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small dog that’s a mix of a toy breed’s sweetness and a spaniel’s energy. It’s a beautiful and graceful dog with lovely eyes and a soft, colorful coat.

Cavaliers are happy to play and run around, whether it’s in the backyard or chasing squirrels. They’re friendly with kids and other dogs and can fit into different lifestyles easily. Taking care of them is not too hard they need regular brushing and baths now and then.

Cavaliers don’t need a lot of exercise, but they do enjoy being outside. They’re loving, easy to teach, and enjoy being around people, which makes them great companions and even therapy dogs.

Dog Breed Overview

• Average Height: 12-13 inches
• Average Weight: 13-18 pounds
• Life Expectancy: 12-15 years

6: English Toy Spaniel Dog

The English toy spaniel was bred to be a companion to royalty. They have a fancy look but are really friendly and love to make their owners happy. They’re small, weighing less than 14 pounds, with a square body and a cute, short nose.

They have big, beautiful eyes, long ears, and chubby cheeks. Keeping their coat nice requires regular brushing, trimming, and baths.

They like to play outside but are calm and polite indoors. They’re quiet, loyal, and forgiving pets, but teaching them tricks will take time and kindness. It’s good to introduce them to other dogs and take them to puppy classes when they’re young.

English toy Spaniel Dog Breed Overview

• Average Height: 9-10 inches
• Average Weight: 8-14 pounds
• Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

7: Manchester Terrier Dog

The Manchester terrier is a fancy and lively type of dog with a beautiful coat that’s reddish-brown and deep black. Taking care of them is quite easy; bathe them now and then and wipe them regularly to keep them looking shiny.

These dogs love going for walks and playing every day, and they’re really smart so that they can learn a lot of tricks. To make sure Manchester terriers grow up friendly and well-behaved, their owners need to introduce them to lots of different people and places early on.

And using positive ways to teach them is key, whether you live in a busy city or a quieter suburb.

Manchester Terrier Dog Breed Overview

• Average Height: 10-12 inches
• Average Weight: Under 12 pounds
• Life Expectancy: 15-17 years

8: Japanese Chin Dog

The Japanese Chin is a lovely little pet with a soft, silky coat and a graceful attitude. People often say they’re like cats because they’re smart, demanding, and usually quiet. They have a big head, a short nose, and big round eyes that always look surprised.

Their fancy look includes a fluffy neck, a fluffy tail, and fluffy hair on their back legs, making them look like they belong to a royal family from Asia. Taking care of their coat is easy. Just brush them once a week and bathe them once a month.

Remember to give them regular dental care, ear cleanings, and nail trims. They like going for slow walks or playing in the backyard, so they’re good for living in apartments. To train them well, owners should be patient, use positive methods, and find fun things for them to do.

Japanese Chin Dog Breed Overview

• Average Height: 8-11 inches
• Average Weight: 7-11 pounds
• Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

9: Italian Greyhound Dog

The Italian Greyhound is like a small Greyhound. It’s cute and smart, and it loves to be with you. It’s a little short, standing only about 15 inches high. They look slim and have long legs. Even though they enjoy relaxing on the couch, they still like to chase things sometimes.

They’re playful and come from a fancy family. Italian Greyhounds really care about their owners and want to be near them. Keeping them clean involves brushing their teeth, trimming their nails, and giving them baths occasionally.

Even though they seem fragile, they’re actually quite strong and active. They need to play and go for short walks regularly. These dogs are clever and sensitive, so they respond well to positive training with rewards.

Italian Greyhound Dog Breed Overview

• Average Height: 13-15 inches
• Average Weight: 7-14 pounds
• Life Expectancy: 14-15 years

10: Havanese Dog

The Havanese is a special dog from Cuba known for being happy and having cute brown eyes. They have a soft, silky coat that needs daily care, like baths and ear cleaning.

They’re smart and love to make people laugh, so they’re good at learning tricks and keeping an eye out for anything unusual without barking too much.

Even though they’re small, they’re strong and need some exercise, but they’re just as happy with a short walk or playing inside.

These dogs are easy to train and like to make their owners happy, so it’s best to use positive methods and introduce them to different people and animals when they’re young. They’re related to other dogs like the bichon frise and Maltese.

Havanese Dog Breed Overview

• Average Height: 8.5-11.5 inches
• Average Weight: 7-13 pounds
• Life Expectancy: 14-16 years

Caring for Toy Dog Breeds

Toy dog breeds, like their larger counterparts, have their own health worries and special needs. Even though they’re small, they’re still easier to look after, Reed explains. Here are some things to remember:

• They often need regular grooming.
• Exercise and keeping them mentally and physically engaged is crucial.
• Proper socializing and obedience training are necessary to prevent misbehaviour.

Their tiny size makes them prone to injuries, especially since everyone wants to pick them up. It’s essential to understand that “smaller doesn’t always mean calmer,” warns Nicole Ellis, a certified dog trainer. “Some small breeds are very active and energetic.”

Prospective owners of toy dog breeds should also know that these dogs can have various health issues due to their breeding and genetic predispositions, including dental problems, Ostermeier advises.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Calmest Toy Breed Dog?

For those seeking a calm small dog, a good option is to consult a reputable shelter for advice on which dogs have a mellow temperament. Breeds commonly known for their calm demeanour include the Cocker Spaniel and the Lhasa Apso.

What is Considered a Toy Dog?

A toy dog is characterized by its diminutive size, often weighing less than 15 pounds.

What is the Number One Toy Dog Breed?

The Toy Poodle, standing at around nine inches tall and weighing approximately five pounds, boasts a coat of silky, curly fur. These delightful companions earn the top spot due to their intelligence, affectionate nature, and gentle, friendly demeanour with both children and other pets.

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