Below is a list of small dog breeds to help you come to a more informed decision as to what is the best dog breed for you.

We have covered lots of the best breeds to own with information on their size, weight, identifying features, how easy they are when it comes to dog obedience training and how well behaved they are as a pet.

As with all dogs it doesn't matter what breed they are as long as they are loved, cared for and well trained. We love all dogs (although we do have some favorites)- we wonder if you can guess? Anyway have a read and soak up all the information so that you can make a more informed decision when it comes to choosing your dog or puppy.

The list of small dog breeds includes most of the breeds that you might encounter when making a choice between your favorite dog or puppy. Although our list of small dog breeds does not include every single type of small dog we think it is one of the most comprehensive lists you will find on the Internet. Make sure that you read through the entire list of small dog breeds as each breed has a story.

Yorkshire Terrier - This breed grows to a height ranging from 22.5 - 23.5 cm and can vary in weight from 5-7 pounds. The average lifespan of this breed is fourteen years (so a fairly good age).

The identifying features of this breed includes a very small head that is fairly thin. Their eyes should be bright and sparkly. The coat can vary in color but the most common color is rich brown with black patches. The ears are small and stand upright.

This breed is a very lively and courageous dog (they have no idea how small they are and will stand up to even the largest dog breeds. This breed are fairly poplar among city dwellers due to their small stature. They are good pets (although they can be a little stubborn at times when it comes to basic dog obedience training), good natured and spirited. They make excellent guard dogs but the coat needs regular attention.

Lowchen - The Lowchen can grow to a height ranging from 25-33 cm (10-13 inches) and weigh from 4-8 kg (9-18 pounds). The coat is long and very silky and can come in any color. This breed is lively, good natured but can be difficult when it comes to obedience training mainly because they have a strong willed nature. They are good with the family and children but not great with other dogs.

Pomeranian - The Pomeranian can grow to a height of 22-28 cm (8.5-11 inches) and weigh from 2-3 kg (4.5-5.5 pounds). The coat is very thick with a thick outer coat and soft inner coat which can come in any color. This breed are great with children and families but their coat needs regular attention. The Pomeranian has lifespan of approximately 15 years. A great active and affectionate dog. Out of our list of small dog breeds their coat does need regular grooming.

Pug - This breed also happen to be one of my favorite small dog breeds and one of the best small dog breeds if you are looking for the cute factor! The Pug grows to a height ranging from 25-28 cm (10-11 inches) and can weigh anywhere from 6-8 kg or (14-18 pounds). The Pug has a lifespan ranging from 13-15 years. The coat is quite fine and should be fairly shiny (although it is prone to shedding). Probably the most famous out of our list of small dog breeds is the Pug from the film Men in Black - (although Bengi is also pretty famous). The color of the coat is fawn with a black mask.

This breed are known to be very tolerant, patient and very good natured - they are also very good with children. The Pug does not need lots of exercise or regular grooming and they are thought to be very intelligent. Again the Pug is not the easiest dog to train when it comes to obedience training (mainly because they are very strong willed).

Shih Tzu - Out of all of our list of small dog breeds we have personally owned three of these breeds so are very biased - it is actually our favorite breed. The Shih Tzu are a wonderful dog breed with a fabulous nature. The only problem that we found was that they do need regular grooming (if you keep the coat long) but not so much if you cut it short. The ears and eyes also need regular attention. This breed grow to a height ranging from 25-27 cm (10-11 inches) and can weigh fro 5-7 kg (10 -16 pounds).  The coat can come in any color and the breed don't need much exercise - a great family dog. The lifespan is from 13-14 years of age.

Maltese - This small dog breed can look a little similar to the Shih Tzu if the coat is allowed to grow long. The Maltese can grow to a height ranging from 20-25 cm (8-10 inches). They can also weigh anywhere from 2-3 kg (or 4-6 pounds). The color of the coat is always white and can be long or short depending on how it is cut. This small breed have a very good nature and are not only good with children but also great with other dogs. The lifespan of the Maltese is from 14-15 years of age.

Miniature Schnauzer - The Miniature Schnauzer can grow to a height ranging from 30-36 cm (12-14 inches) and weigh from 6-7 kg or 13-15 pounds). The Miniature Schnauzer also have a lifespan up to 14 years of age. Their coat s harsh and wiry with reasonably dense undercoat. The coat can come in variety of colors including pepper, black and black and silver. This breed are very intelligent although they can be nervous at times. This breed are quite easy when it comes to dog training - they are calm most of the time, well balanced and good with children (a good around pet).

English Toy Terrier - This small breed can grow to a height ranging from 25-30 cm (10-12 inches) and weigh from 3-5 kg (6-8 pounds). The coat is short and dense and is normally colored black and tan. This breed have a warm and loving nature although they can be a little suspicious of strangers. The English Toy Terrier has a lifespan ranging from 12-13 years - a great watch dog.

Papillon - The Papillon grows to a height of 20-28 cm (8-11 inches) and weigh from 4-4.5 kg (9-10 pounds). The coat is long and silky and is always white with any color appearing in patches (although the color liver is not found on the Papillon). This small dog breed is very intelligent and quite easy to train - this breed are also very protective of the family and the coat needs regular grooming and attention from a professional.

Pekingese - This small breed of dog grow to a height ranging from 15-23 cm (6-9 inches) and have a lifespan from 12-13 years. The coat can come in any color and their character can be stubborn but also loyal - due to this breeds coat being excessively full it needs regular attention. The eyes also need regular care and attention. Their face is very wrinkled and cute - but they are not the easiest dog to train (possibly due to their stubborn nature).

Chihuahua - The Chihuahua is a lovely little dog that can be a little yappy. This breed can grow to a height ranging from 15-23 cm (6-9 inches) and weigh from 1- 3 kg (2-6 pounds) so very small. The coat can be short or long and comes in a variety of colors. This breed are great companions but are not always good in really busy and hectic families or around small children. The Chihuahua have a life span of 12-14 years. Out of our entire list of small dog breeds the Chihuahua is very popular with the celebrity circuit.

Chinese Crested Dog - Out of all of our list of small dog breeds the Chinese Crested Powderpuff breed are probably one of the strangest looking although they are very intelligent, active, protective and affectionate. The breed grow to a height ranging from 23-33 cm (9-13 inches) and can weigh from 2.5-5 kg (5-12 pounds). This breed have a lifespan of 12-13 years. Out of our list of small dog breeds this dog are actually extinct in their native China.

Italian Greyhound - The Italian Greyhound grows to a height ranging from 33-38 cm (13-15 inches) and weigh anywhere from 3-3.5 kg (7-8 pounds). The coat is short and glossy and can come in a variety of colors ranging from fawn, blue, white and grey, black and even red. This breed are very intelligent, calm, good natured and very easy to train. The Italian Greyhound makes an excellent pet who love to run on their walks (they are a pleasure to see running at full speed) although they can be susceptible to cold weather. They have a lifespan of 13-14 years of age.

Bichon Frise - This breed grow to a height ranging from 23-30 cm (9-11 inches) and weigh from 3-6 kg (7-12 pounds). This small breed have a small tight curly coat which is always white. This breed love to be around the family, are easy to train and great with children. The Bichon Frise has a lifespan of approximately 14 years of age.

Miniature Pinscher - This breed grow to a height ranging from 20-30 cm (10-12 inches) and can weigh from 4-6 kg (8-10 pounds). This breed are not always good with other dogs but make great companions. They are very alert, intelligent but can have an annoying high pitched bark. Their coat is short, dense and almost always comes in black and tan (although it can be colored red, blue and even chocolate). The Miniature Pinscher has a lifespan of about 13-14 years.

Miniature Dachshund - This small dog breed can appear in different sizes i,e Standard and Miniature. The Miniature Dachshund grows to a weight of 4.5 kg (10 pounds) and a height of 13-35 cm (5-10 inches). The coat is short and dense and can come in a variety of colors (but normally black and tan). This breed are very loyal, intelligent and independent which can make them a little defiant and possibly stubborn. This small breed can live a long life from 14-17 years.

Cairn Terrier - This breed grow to a height ranging from 25-31 cm  (10-12 inches) and weigh from 6-7.5 kg (13-16 pounds). The coat is double coated with a thick outer coat. The color of the coat can be red, grey, cream, wheaten and black (or nearly black). Out of all the Terriers when it comes to obedience training it is possibly the easiest. A great dog with children and families. The Cairn Terrier has a lifespan of approximately 14 years - a great fearless companion.

Dandie Dinmont - The Dandie Dinmont can grow to a height of 20-28 cm (8-11 inches) and can weigh from 8-11 kg (18-24 pounds). The coat is often colored white or mustard and has a thick double coat. This breed are a great watch dog and are very good natured around children and adults. This friendly and very loyal dog has a lifespan 13-14 years - a great all round pet.

Most of the dogs in our list of small dog breeds can be bred with other breeds to get a hybrid. We hope you have found our list of small of breeds useful especially when deciding on the right dog or puppy for you and your family. We have also provided some more links below to other pages that you might find useful. The other pages also have a list of small dog breeds (but larger ones too).