The Best Small Dog Breeds That Will Fit Right in With Your Family
There are many small dog breeds to choose from. Some of the best options include the Beagle, Bichon Frise, French bulldog, and Yorkshire terrier.
Keep in mind that these dogs may not be appropriate for every family.
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Listed below are some of the best small dog breeds to consider.
1. French Bulldog
- Size: 16-28 pounds
- Lifespan: 10-12 years
- Temperament: Affectionate, Playful, Easygoing
- Details: French Bulldogs are known for their compact size and friendly demeanor. They are great with children and can adapt well to apartment living. They require moderate exercise and have a short coat that is easy to groom.
2. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Size: 13-18 pounds
- Lifespan: 12-15 years
- Temperament: Gentle, Friendly, Sociable
- Details: This breed is known for its affectionate nature and is excellent with kids. Cavaliers are adaptable and thrive in apartments and larger homes. Due to their longer coat, they require regular grooming.
3. Beagle
- Size: 20-30 pounds
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
- Temperament: Curious, Friendly, Merry
- Details: Beagles are active and love to play, making them great companions for children. They have a keen sense of smell and enjoy outdoor activities. Their short coat is easy to maintain, but they do shed.
4. Pug
- Size: 14-18 pounds
- Lifespan: 13-15 years
- Temperament: Charming, Mischievous, Loving
- Details: Pugs are known for their wrinkled faces and affectionate personalities. They are great for families due to their playful nature and love for human companionship. Pugs require minimal grooming but are prone to certain health issues related to their brachycephalic (short-nosed) structure.
5. Shih Tzu
- Size: 9-16 pounds
- Lifespan: 10-16 years
- Temperament: Affectionate, Outgoing, Alert
- Details: Shih Tzus are known for their lovely, long coats and friendly temperament. They are great with children and adapt well to different living environments. Regular grooming is necessary to keep their coat in good condition.
These breeds are all known for their small size, friendly nature, and suitability for family life.
Here’s some more information about these popular small breeds.
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Bichon Frise
If you are looking for a small dog breed that fits right in with your family, the Bichon Frise is one option. This tiny dog is playful, intelligent, and easy to train.
Bichons are best suited for apartments and families with older children. However, if you don’t have time to groom your dog or take it for a walk every day, a Bichon may not be for you.
While Bichons are known for being hypoallergenic, they can still suffer from allergies. They may be sensitive to certain foods or airborne allergens.
Regular brushing and bathing can help reduce this risk. However, the Bichon Frise can be prone to ear infections, so it is important to care for its ears.
You can prevent these problems by grooming your Bichon twice a week.
Bichon Frises are friendly and gentle and perfect for families with children. They enjoy playing with kids and are great with everyone.
They are easy to train but require daily exercise, daily grooming, and regular exercise. But they are well worth the time and money. They will be one of the best small dog breeds for your family.
This adorable breed can be found in all parts of the world. The Bichon Frise is the 43rd most popular breed. Bichons can live anywhere, but they are best suited to warmer climates.
However, they require a cool place to rest during the warmer months.
They can tolerate colder temperatures better than other breeds, but you should provide a safe and cool place to sleep during the colder months.
Yorkshire Terrier
A Yorkshire Terrier is one of the most popular small dog breeds and is a great addition to any home. This intelligent and easy-going breed is also one of the most intelligent.
However, it does have a few health concerns, including obesity.
Obesity in Yorkies can lead to joint problems, digestive disorders, and back pain.
To avoid these issues, keep your dog on a leash and away from your children, and avoid overfeeding or giving him doggie treats.
While Yorkshire Terriers are loyal companions, they can be unpredictable around children. Young children and small dogs can hurt them, and Yorkshire Terriers are especially vulnerable.
The smallest Yorkies should always be closely monitored around young children and large dogs.
While they are friendly and affectionate, their tendency to seek out attention can lead them to act aggressively.
Therefore, children should be carefully evaluated before getting a Yorkie.
Yorkies have a short, hairy coat, so they do not require regular brushing.
They shed, but not as much as many dogs. Because their coat is made up of hair, Yorkies do shed, but they are considered hypoallergenic.
For this reason, they are a good choice for allergy sufferers. You can even get a Yorkie with a coat of varying textures.
The Yorkshire Terrier can be dangerous off-leash. Larger dogs can view the small dog as a delicacy and charge at them.
In addition, they may bellow threats in high pitch.
Despite their small size, the Yorkshire Terrier will remain energetic with brief walks and play sessions around the house.
This breed is also economical because it only requires small quantities of food.
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Beagle
The Beagle is a unique breed of dog originating in England. It was bred for hunting game. Because of its sweet temperament, Beagles make excellent house pets.
These dogs are intelligent, loyal, and affectionate. They can live indoors or in an apartment but do require daily exercise.
Beagles are prone to obesity.
Be sure to take Beagle training seriously before bringing him home.
Beagles are notorious food thieves, and it is important to supervise how you handle the puppy when he is a pup.
When he’s young, handle his paws and look inside his mouth.
Giving him a positive grooming experience will help prepare him for adulthood.
It’s also important to check for signs of infection, including redness, tenderness, and inflammation on the skin and nose.
Beagles need regular exercise. If you don’t provide enough exercise, keep your new pet on a leash or in a fenced-in area. Beagles are active and energetic and need a daily walk.
Jogging with you will also work up some energy. Wait until your new puppy is old enough before attempting repetitive exercise.
Although a Beagle’s lifespan is around 12 to 15 years, it can have a few health issues.
It can suffer from epilepsy, obesity, and allergies.
If you promptly take your dog to the vet, you can easily treat any of these problems. Beagles also tend to be overweight, which leads to several health problems.
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French bulldog
The French bulldog is one of the smallest dog breeds and is a pint-sized, cheerful bundle of joy. This breed doesn’t grow taller than 13 inches, making it perfect for apartment dwellers.
This easy-going, low-maintenance breed is known for its willingness to please its owners and enjoys human contact. It is a great choice for first-time dog owners and apartment dwellers.
The French bulldog’s low-maintenance and docile nature makes it perfect for families with children. It requires little to no exercise outside of regular walks.
However, this breed does require some grooming, especially for its coat. It also requires little space and does not require specific health requirements.
However, it may not be suitable for those who don’t want a large dog.
The French bulldog stands approximately eleven to twelve inches at the shoulder and weighs between twenty and thirty pounds.
The AKC standard states that the French bulldog should weigh between twenty-eight and thirty-eight pounds.
The French bulldog’s short, wide legs and low center of gravity make it an easy dog to walk and climb stairs.
Typically, Frenchies live eight to thirteen years, though different dog breeding organizations disagree on the exact lifespan of these dogs.
The average cost of a French Bulldog in the U.S. is between $1,500 and $3,000, although this can fluctuate depending on the breeder and location.
Purchasing a French bulldog from a reputable breeder is advisable, as is buying any other breed.
The French bulldog originated in England and became an official breed in 1898.
Originally, they were used as miniature versions of traditional bulldogs, and the French bulldog was recognized as an official breed in 1898.
A recent Griffin Frenchie video highlights ten reasons not to buy a French bulldog and why you should get one!
If you’re considering getting a French bulldog as a companion, you should know more about them!
Havanese
Despite its size, the Havanese is a playful, affectionate dog that can adapt well to many different environments.
While most are not likely to knock over small children, they must be supervised around them. While some say the Havanese best suits older children, this is untrue.
These dogs are extremely sociable and are very easy to train. The Havanese’s history is fascinating, and its care requirements are unique to that of a small breed.
The Havanese has an average appetite for a small dog, so keeping an eye on its weight is important. They should be fed twice a day.
If they’re getting too fat, you may need to reduce their meals or increase their exercise. Havanese are prone to obesity and should be given regular walks.
The Havanese is a people-oriented dog that likes to curl up in laps. However, they can be overly needy and react negatively to unfamiliar people.
As a result, socialization is essential in developing their confidence.
Even though they are not dominant, they can be cautious around new people, but the Havanese usually respond well to food rewards.
The Havanese usually live between 14 and 16 years, but the life span varies according to the type of Havanese.
They are generally healthy, but certain factors may affect their life expectancy. In addition to deafness, the Havanese may develop arthritis, which can cause painful knee joints.
If you’re concerned about the health of your Havanese, consider purchasing a dog training video.
