Best dogs
Best small dog breeds
The best of the small breeds, those under 25 pounds, for family life, apartments and first dogs.
Small dogs are easier to carry, house and feed, but they are not all alike: some are calm lap dogs and some are bold, noisy and demanding. These small breeds are rated best overall for ordinary home life.
The list
| # | Breed | Size | Typical weight | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | French Bulldog | Small | 20 to 28 lb | 10 to 12 years |
| 2 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Small | 13 to 18 lb | 10 to 14 years |
| 3 | Shih Tzu | Small | 9 to 16 lb | 10 to 16 years |
| 4 | Boston Terrier | Small | 12 to 25 lb | 11 to 13 years |
| 5 | Havanese | Small | 7 to 13 lb | 14 to 16 years |
| 6 | Pug | Small | 14 to 18 lb | 12 to 15 years |
| 7 | Coton de Tulear | Small | 8 to 13 lb | 14 to 16 years |
| 8 | Miniature Schnauzer | Small | 11 to 20 lb | 12 to 15 years |
| 9 | Papillon | Small | 5 to 10 lb | 14 to 16 years |
| 10 | Bichon Frise | Small | 12 to 18 lb | 14 to 15 years |
| 11 | Cairn Terrier | Small | 13 to 14 lb | 13 to 15 years |
| 12 | Tibetan Spaniel | Small | 9 to 15 lb | 12 to 15 years |
| 13 | Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka | Small | 7 to 9 lb | 12 to 14 years |
| 14 | Chinese Crested | Small | 8 to 12 lb | 13 to 17 years |
| 15 | Border Terrier | Small | 11 to 16 lb | 12 to 15 years |
About the breeds
1. French Bulldog
The French Bulldog is a small, muscular, bat-eared companion from France and England, popular in cities for its easygoing nature and limited exercise needs. Read the French Bulldog profile.
2. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a gentle English toy spaniel with a silky coat and an affectionate nature, prone to inherited heart and neurologic disease. Read the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel profile.
3. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is a small, long-coated companion from imperial China, bred purely to keep people company and known for its friendly, outgoing nature. Read the Shih Tzu profile.
4. Boston Terrier
The Boston Terrier is a compact, short-nosed American companion with a tuxedo coat, known for its friendly, lively and sociable nature. Read the Boston Terrier profile.
5. Havanese
The Havanese is a sturdy little Cuban companion with a long, silky, wavy coat and a bouncy, people-loving temperament that suits families and apartments. Read the Havanese profile.
6. Pug
The Pug is a small, square, wrinkle-faced companion from China, kept for centuries for its easygoing charm and prone to breathing and weight problems. Read the Pug profile.
7. Coton de Tulear
The Coton de Tulear is a small, cheerful white companion from Madagascar with a soft, cotton-like coat and a lively, affectionate temperament. Read the Coton de Tulear profile.
8. Miniature Schnauzer
A sturdy, bearded German terrier-type dog with a wiry coat, a quick mind, and a loud voice, popular as a small family companion and watchdog. Read the Miniature Schnauzer profile.
9. Papillon
The Papillon is a small, intelligent toy spaniel named for its butterfly-like ears, quick to learn and unusually athletic for its size. Read the Papillon profile.
10. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a small, white, powder-puff companion with a cheerful nature, a curly coat that needs regular professional grooming and a long lifespan. Read the Bichon Frise profile.
11. Cairn Terrier
A small, shaggy, cheerful Scottish terrier with a weatherproof coat, a big personality, and a love of digging that has made it a favorite family pet. Read the Cairn Terrier profile.
12. Tibetan Spaniel
The Tibetan Spaniel is a small, alert companion from the Himalayas with a silky double coat, a flat-faced expression and a cat-like habit of perching high. Read the Tibetan Spaniel profile.
13. Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka
The Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka is a small, curly-coated Russian lapdog in many colors, developed in the Soviet era as an affectionate and intelligent companion. Read the Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka profile.
14. Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested is a slender toy dog, either hairless with a crest and plume or coated as a Powderpuff, known for its affectionate, clingy nature. Read the Chinese Crested profile.
15. Border Terrier
A small, rough-coated working terrier from the English and Scottish border country, valued as a friendly, sturdy, adaptable family dog. Read the Border Terrier profile.
How this list was made
Small breeds (typically under 25 pounds), scored on children, apartment living and first-time owners together, highest first. The ratings come from the breed profiles on this site, which rate each breed as a whole. Individual dogs differ, so use the list to decide which profiles to read, then meet the breed before you choose.