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Breeds › Small dog breeds

Small dog breeds — Who They Suit & What to Expect

✓ Category guide4 breeds profiledVerified: Oct 17, 2026

under ~12 kg (26 lb). Apartment-friendly, cheaper to feed, and the longest lifespans in the dog world (12–16+ years). The trade-offs: many small breeds are barkier, harder to house-train, and fragile around rough toddlers.

Is this size right for you? Best first pick if you rent, live in a city apartment, or want a companion that travels easily.

This page is a starting point — every breed's full profile (temperament, shedding, aggression honesty, health risks) lives on its own page below.

Small dog breeds — category overview

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4 small dog breeds in the library

French Bulldog breed profile
🐶 French Bulldog
Non-Sporting (Brachycephalic) · Small · lives 10–12 years
Sheds moderate
Dachshund breed profile
🌭 Dachshund
Hound · Small · lives 12–16 years
Sheds moderate (smooth) / high (long-haired)
Chihuahua breed profile
🐕 Chihuahua
Toy · Tiny · lives 12–18 years
Sheds low-moderate
Yorkshire Terrier breed profile
🐶 Yorkshire Terrier
Toy · Tiny · lives 11–15 years
Sheds very low

Coming next in this size group

Our library maps all 201 AKC-recognized breeds; full profiles are produced in popularity order (AKC 2024 registration data). These small dog breeds are next in the queue:

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel #13Miniature Schnauzer #18Shih Tzu #20Pomeranian #22Boston Terrier #23Havanese #25Shetland Sheepdog #29Cocker Spaniel #32

Sources & verification

← All dog breeds by size · Before you get a dog: the full checklist