Small Breeds breeds

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# Breed AKC group Size Weight Lifespan
153 AffenpinscherThe Affenpinscher is a small, wiry-coated German toy breed with a monkey-like face, bred to hunt rats and now kept as a bold, funny, watchful companion. Toy Group Small 7 to 10 lb 12 to 14 years
124 American Eskimo DogThe American Eskimo Dog is a white, fox-faced spitz in three sizes, known for its intelligence, loud bark and long history as a trick dog and family watchdog. Non-Sporting Group Small 6 to 35 lb 13 to 15 years
108 American Hairless TerrierA small, lively American terrier that comes in hairless and coated forms, descended from a single hairless puppy and needing skin protection. Terrier Group Small 12 to 16 lb 14 to 16 years
150 Australian TerrierA small, sturdy terrier from Australia with a rough blue-and-tan or sandy coat, a friendly, active nature, and a distinctive topknot. Terrier Group Small 14 to 16 lb 12 to 15 years
92 BasenjiThe Basenji is a small, short-coated hound from central Africa that does not bark in the usual way, and a catlike, independent, athletic companion. Hound Group Small 22 to 24 lb 13 to 14 years
147 Bedlington TerrierA lamb-like English terrier with a pear-shaped head and a curly topknot, gentle at home and fast and gritty when it needs to be. Terrier Group Small 17 to 23 lb 12 to 14 years
49 Bichon FriseThe 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. Non-Sporting Group Small 12 to 18 lb 14 to 15 years
74 Biewer TerrierThe Biewer Terrier is a small tricolor toy with a long silky coat, developed in Germany in the 1980s and valued as a lively, affectionate lap companion. Toy Group Small 4 to 8 lb 12 to 16 years
91 Border TerrierA small, rough-coated working terrier from the English and Scottish border country, valued as a friendly, sturdy, adaptable family dog. Terrier Group Small 11 to 16 lb 12 to 15 years
23 Boston TerrierThe Boston Terrier is a compact, short-nosed American companion with a tuxedo coat, known for its friendly, lively and sociable nature. Non-Sporting Group Small 12 to 25 lb 11 to 13 years
82 Brussels GriffonThe Brussels Griffon is a small, flat-faced Belgian toy dog with an almost human expression, once a stable ratter and now a devoted, sensitive companion. Toy Group Small 8 to 10 lb 12 to 15 years
68 Cairn TerrierA 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. Terrier Group Small 13 to 14 lb 13 to 15 years
12 Cavalier King Charles SpanielThe 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. Toy Group Small 13 to 18 lb 10 to 14 years
197 Cesky TerrierA calm, long-bodied terrier from the Czech Republic with a soft clipped silvery coat, created in the twentieth century from Scottish and Sealyham stock. Terrier Group Small 14 to 24 lb 12 to 15 years
24 ChihuahuaThe Chihuahua is the smallest recognized breed, a Mexican toy dog with a big personality, a loud voice and a strong attachment to one person. Toy Group Small 3 to 6 lb 14 to 16 years
72 Chinese CrestedThe 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. Toy Group Small 8 to 12 lb 13 to 17 years
79 Coton de TulearThe Coton de Tulear is a small, cheerful white companion from Madagascar with a soft, cotton-like coat and a lively, affectionate temperament. Non-Sporting Group Small 8 to 13 lb 14 to 16 years
5 DachshundThe Dachshund is a long-bodied, short-legged scent hound from Germany, bred to follow badgers underground and kept today as a bold, vocal companion. Hound Group Small 16 to 32 lb 12 to 16 years
186 Dandie Dinmont TerrierA rare, long-bodied terrier named in a Walter Scott novel, with a silky topknot and a gentle, dignified nature. Terrier Group Small 18 to 24 lb 12 to 15 years
170 Danish-Swedish FarmdogThe Danish-Swedish Farmdog is a small, short-coated Scandinavian farm dog, cheerful and quick, valued as a ratter, watchdog and active family companion. Working Group Small 15 to 25 lb 11 to 13 years
134 English Toy SpanielThe English Toy Spaniel is a quiet, short-nosed lap spaniel with a domed head and long silky ears, descended from the dogs of the English court. Toy Group Small 8 to 14 lb 10 to 12 years
1 French BulldogThe French Bulldog is a small, muscular, bat-eared companion from France and England, popular in cities for its easygoing nature and limited exercise needs. Non-Sporting Group Small 20 to 28 lb 10 to 12 years
25 HavaneseThe Havanese is a sturdy little Cuban companion with a long, silky, wavy coat and a bouncy, people-loving temperament that suits families and apartments. Toy Group Small 7 to 13 lb 14 to 16 years
53 Italian GreyhoundThe Italian Greyhound is the smallest sighthound, a slender, fast and delicate companion with a short coat that feels the cold and craves warmth and company. Toy Group Small 7 to 14 lb 14 to 15 years
103 Japanese ChinThe Japanese Chin is a small, flat-faced toy with a long silky coat and a cat-like, dignified personality, kept for centuries as a companion of nobles. Toy Group Small 4 to 9 lb 10 to 14 years
157 Lakeland TerrierA small, narrow-chested English terrier from the Lake District, bred to hunt foxes among rocks, with a wiry coat and an energetic, confident personality. Terrier Group Small 17 to 17 lb 12 to 16 years
190 Lancashire HeelerA small, short-legged English cattle-herding dog with a glossy black and tan coat, known for being cheerful, alert and fond of herding games. Herding Group Small 13 to 17 lb 12 to 15 years
83 Lhasa ApsoThe Lhasa Apso is a small Tibetan companion dog with a long, flowing coat, an alert nature and a bold, watchful personality. Non-Sporting Group Small 12 to 18 lb 12 to 15 years
159 LöwchenThe Löwchen, or little lion dog, is a small, sturdy, cheerful companion best known for its traditional lion clip. Non-Sporting Group Small 9 to 15 lb 13 to 15 years
37 MalteseThe Maltese is a tiny Mediterranean toy with a floor-length white silky coat, a long history as a lap dog and a bold, affectionate personality. Toy Group Small 4 to 7 lb 12 to 15 years
131 Manchester TerrierA sleek, black-and-tan English terrier in Standard and Toy sizes, quick, clean, and alert, with a short coat that needs little grooming. Terrier Group Small 12 to 22 lb 14 to 16 years
105 Miniature Bull TerrierA small version of the Bull Terrier with the same egg-shaped head and clownish, stubborn personality in a more apartment-friendly body. Terrier Group Small 18 to 28 lb 11 to 14 years
67 Miniature PinscherThe Miniature Pinscher is a fast, fearless German toy dog with a high-stepping gait, known as the King of Toys for its swagger and boundless energy. Toy Group Small 8 to 10 lb 12 to 14 years
17 Miniature SchnauzerA 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. Terrier Group Small 11 to 20 lb 12 to 15 years
125 MudiA rare, athletic Hungarian herding dog with a wavy coat and upright ears, quick, versatile and alert, best suited to owners who have plenty of time to train. Herding Group Small 18 to 29 lb 12 to 14 years
126 Norfolk TerrierA small, drop-eared English terrier with a hard red, wheaten, black and tan, or grizzle coat and a sweet, sociable nature. Terrier Group Small 11 to 12 lb 12 to 15 years
109 Norwich TerrierOne of the smallest terriers, a sturdy English dog with prick ears, a harsh red, wheaten, black and tan, or grizzle coat, and a friendly outlook. Terrier Group Small 11 to 12 lb 12 to 15 years
42 PapillonThe Papillon is a small, intelligent toy spaniel named for its butterfly-like ears, quick to learn and unusually athletic for its size. Toy Group Small 5 to 10 lb 14 to 16 years
121 Parson Russell TerrierA leggy, athletic white-bodied English hunting terrier, bred to run with foxhounds, with endless energy and a smart, strong-minded outlook. Terrier Group Small 13 to 17 lb 13 to 15 years
90 PekingeseThe Pekingese is a small, flat-faced Chinese toy with a lion-like mane, once an imperial palace dog and now a dignified, stubborn and loyal companion. Toy Group Small 7 to 14 lb 12 to 14 years
19 PomeranianThe Pomeranian is a tiny, fluffy spitz with a fox-like face and a plumed tail, a confident and noisy companion descended from much larger working dogs. Toy Group Small 3 to 7 lb 12 to 16 years
38 PugThe Pug is a small, square, wrinkle-faced companion from China, kept for centuries for its easygoing charm and prone to breathing and weight problems. Toy Group Small 14 to 18 lb 12 to 15 years
191 Pyrenean ShepherdA small, wiry, intensely energetic French herding dog from the Pyrenees that is quick, vocal and demanding, bred to work flocks on mountain slopes. Herding Group Small 15 to 30 lb 12 to 15 years
84 Rat TerrierA trim, athletic American farm terrier that comes in miniature and standard sizes, with a short coat, a quick mind, and a lot of energy. Terrier Group Small 10 to 25 lb 14 to 18 years
60 Russell TerrierA small, short-legged, long-bodied working terrier with great stamina, a smooth, broken, or rough coat, and an intense appetite for activity. Terrier Group Small 9 to 15 lb 13 to 16 years
145 Russian ToyThe Russian Toy is a slim, long-legged little dog in smooth and longhaired coats, developed in Russia from English Toy Terriers and prized for its liveliness. Toy Group Small 3 to 6 lb 12 to 14 years
— Russian Tsvetnaya BolonkaThe Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka is a small, curly-coated Russian lapdog in many colors, developed in the Soviet era as an affectionate and intelligent companion. Toy Group Small 7 to 9 lb 12 to 14 years
110 SchipperkeThe Schipperke is a small, tailless black Belgian dog with a fox-like face and a ruff, known for curiosity, energy and watchfulness. Non-Sporting Group Small 10 to 16 lb 13 to 15 years
57 Scottish TerrierA compact, dignified Scottish terrier with a wiry black, wheaten, or brindle coat, a bold manner, and a serious, independent streak. Terrier Group Small 18 to 22 lb 11 to 13 years
163 Sealyham TerrierA rare, low-slung Welsh terrier with a white, weatherproof coat and a sturdy body, steady and companionable at home but bold when roused. Terrier Group Small 23 to 24 lb 12 to 14 years
29 Shetland SheepdogA small, long-coated herding dog from the Shetland Islands, known for sharp intelligence, sensitivity and a tendency to bark. Herding Group Small 15 to 25 lb 12 to 14 years
44 Shiba InuThe Shiba Inu is a small, fox-faced Japanese spitz known for its independence, cleanliness and thick double coat. Non-Sporting Group Small 17 to 23 lb 13 to 16 years
21 Shih TzuThe Shih Tzu is a small, long-coated companion from imperial China, bred purely to keep people company and known for its friendly, outgoing nature. Toy Group Small 9 to 16 lb 10 to 16 years
116 Silky TerrierThe Silky Terrier is a small Australian toy terrier with a long, blue and tan silky coat, combining a lapdog's looks with a lively, busy terrier temperament. Toy Group Small 8 to 10 lb 13 to 15 years
144 Smooth Fox TerrierA quick, athletic English hunting terrier with a short smooth coat, a keen nose, and a boisterous, inquisitive temperament. Terrier Group Small 15 to 18 lb 12 to 15 years
— Teddy Roosevelt TerrierA small American farm and hunting terrier in miniature and standard sizes, descended from Rat Terrier types, lively, trainable, and short-coated. Terrier Group Small 8 to 35 lb 14 to 16 years
122 Tibetan SpanielThe 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. Non-Sporting Group Small 9 to 15 lb 12 to 15 years
118 Tibetan TerrierThe Tibetan Terrier is a medium-small, shaggy-coated companion from Tibet with large flat feet, a gentle manner and a lively, loyal nature. Non-Sporting Group Small 18 to 30 lb 12 to 15 years
106 Toy Fox TerrierThe Toy Fox Terrier is a small, smooth-coated American toy with a terrier's spirit, known for its quickness, wit and trainability. Toy Group Small 4 to 9 lb 13 to 15 years
114 Welsh TerrierA squarely built black-and-tan terrier from Wales with a wiry coat, a spirited temper, and a build like a smaller Airedale. Terrier Group Small 20 to 20 lb 12 to 15 years
45 West Highland White TerrierA small, white, confident Scottish terrier with a harsh double coat, bred to hunt vermin and now kept as a lively, adaptable companion. Terrier Group Small 15 to 20 lb 13 to 15 years
107 Wire Fox TerrierA square, high-spirited English hunting terrier with a wiry coat and a bold bearing, long a star of the show ring and a lively, noisy companion. Terrier Group Small 15 to 18 lb 12 to 14 years
13 Yorkshire TerrierThe Yorkshire Terrier is a tiny, steel-blue and tan toy terrier from northern England, a former mill ratter turned fashionable and feisty lapdog. Toy Group Small 4 to 7 lb 13 to 16 years

Ranked by the American Kennel Club's 2025 registration popularity. The three breeds it recognized in January 2026 follow. Weights are typical adult ranges; sizes are this site's classes: small under 25 lb, medium 25 to 60 lb, large over 60 lb.