Dogs come in a variety of sizes. Here you will find a list of all 35 toy dog breeds with pictures and a short description:
- #1 Havanese
- #2 Scottish Terriers
- #3 Welsh Corgi Cardigan
- #4 Skye Terrier
- #5 Norwich Terriers
- #6 Shih Tzu
- #7 Yorkshire Terriers
- #8 Tibetan Spaniel
- #9 Japan Chin
- #10 Pug
- #11 Welsh Corgi Pembroke
- #12 West Highland White Terrier
- #13 Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- #14 Pekingese
- #15 French Bulldog
- #16 Cairn Terriers
- #17 Pomeranian
- #18 Glen Of Imaal Terrier
- #19 Maltese
- #20 Dachshund
- #21 Lancashire Heeler
- #22 Miniature Schnauzer
- #23 Volpino Italiano
- #24 Affenpinscher
- #25 Chihuahuas
- #26 Miniature Pinscher
- #27 Bolonka Tswetna
- #28 Papillon
- #29 Toy Poodle
- #30 Phalene
- #31 Lhasa Apso
- #32 Norfolk Terrier
- #33 Bichon Frize
- #34 Australian Silky Terrier
- #35 Griffon Bruxellois
Almost all of these toy dogs have one thing in common: an above-average life expectancy. Some of these breeds live up to 18 years.
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#1 Havanese
The Havanese originally comes from Cuba. It is now also well represented worldwide. This also explains why it is the 24th most popular breed.
When fully grown, these toy dogs only reach around 4-5 kg. In addition, they live to an average of around 15 years and are easy to train.
This breed is therefore ideal for beginners and apartment living. They also bark relatively little and are very gentle and sociable. [1]
Fun fact: These four-legged friends have a penchant for playing with toilet paper. So when you leave the house, the bathroom should always be closed.
#2 Scottish Terriers
At around 9 kg, the Scottish Terrier is one of the smallest terrier breeds in the world. Despite their size, however, they often react aggressively to strange dogs.
However, this dwarf dog breed is very loving and trusting towards the family and children. However, it can happen that they only fixate on 1-2 people.
In addition, they need a lot of exercise, shed little and are less easy to train. However, the short-legged dogs are unsuitable as jogging partners. [2]
Fun fact: No worries. When these dogs lie convulsed on the floor, it is not a heart attack, but the so-called “Scottie cramp”. This short, full-body cramp often occurs when you are exhausted.
#3 Welsh Corgi Cardigan
The Welsh Corgi Cardigan is one of the smallest German Shepherd breeds in the world. But don't let their looks fool you – these dogs are very athletic and fast.
Translated, “Corgi” means dwarf dog. And “Cardigan” is a town in Wales. The little four-legged friends can now also be found internationally.
Because they make great guard and family dogs and are easy to train. But they shed and bark quite a bit. They also have excellent hearing and are very alert. [3]
Fun fact: Pessimists claim that these dogs bark a lot. Optimists, on the other hand, claim that they are particularly creative because they always find a reason to bark.
#4 Skye Terrier
The Skye Terrier comes from Scotland and is particularly popular with students. Because they are also suitable for living in apartments and flats.
Thanks to its cheerful and good-natured nature, this dwarf dog breed is also suitable for first-time owners. They are also considered to be very trusting and loyal.
However, these dogs are now threatened with extinction. The number of newborn puppies has been in the double-digit range for several years. [4]
Fun fact: Even if you don't look at these dogs, they were originally used for hunting. Primarily to keep rats and mice away on the farm.
#5 Norwich Terriers
The Norwich Terrier comes from Great Britain and was relatively rare from the start. The reason for this is, among other things, the fact that this breed only gives birth to 1-3 puppies.
For comparison: For other dogs, the average is around 6 puppies. In addition, these toy dogs bark and shed relatively much in comparison.
And yet they make great family dogs and get along excellently with children. They also accept other dogs and pets without any problem. [5]
Fun fact: Similar breeds such as the Cairn Terrier are often passed off as the much rarer Norwich Terriers and are sold at a higher price.
#6 Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu comes from China and has made a name for itself thanks to its longevity. Because 18 years of age is not uncommon for this breed.
She is also one of the 20 most popular dogs internationally. The dwarf dog breed owes this to its sweet appearance and trusting nature.
On the other hand, these four-legged friends bark relatively little and are generally considered very easy to care for. They also make great lap dogs. [6]
Fun fact: This breed is particularly known for eating its own and other dogs' feces.
#7 Yorkshire Terriers
The Yorkshire Terrier, as the name suggests, comes from Yorkshire in England. Internationally, these four-legged friends are primarily called “Yorkie”.
In contrast to other toy dogs, they are also considered hypoallergenic and are therefore often suitable for allergy sufferers. However, it takes quite a long time until they are house trained.
But don't let their size fool you. These fearless animals want to take on even the largest and strongest dogs without thinking about it. [7]
Fun fact: Most breeds only have one type of teeth throughout their lives. These dogs, on the other hand, also have baby teeth when they are young – like us humans.
#8 Tibetan Spaniel
From the very beginning, the Tibetan Spaniel served primarily as a lap dog. To this day it is particularly popular among monks in Tibet.
On the one hand, this is because this dwarf dog breed is very trusting and always provides entertainment. On the other hand, it is also considered to be very easy to care for and easy to train.
However, the animals are relatively rare outside of their homeland. This is despite the fact that there is evidence that they were kept as domestic dogs as early as 1,100 BC. [8]
Fun fact: Although these dogs have “Spaniel” in their name, they are not recognized as an official Spaniel breed.
#9 Japan Chin
The Japanese Chin is particularly known on the Internet for its “Chin Spin”. They stand on their hind paws and turn quickly in circles several times.
These toy dogs also learn other tricks relatively quickly. In addition, they require relatively little exercise and are ideal for first-time owners.
They also make great family and therapy dogs. With a life expectancy of up to 15 years, they are also one of the longest-lived breeds in the world. [9]
Fun fact: These four-legged friends have a lot in common with cats. They like to climb, lick their paws and move particularly elegantly.
#10 Pug
The pug comes from China and is now one of the 30 most popular breeds in the world. Because he is considered particularly loving, playful and sociable.
Compared to other toy dog breeds, he sheds more than average and is a very poor swimmer. They also snore very often.
In addition, they require a lot of attention and love. If they don't get it, they'll be happy to point it out loudly to you. [10]
Fun fact: This breed follows its master wherever it goes. This also explains why they are called “shadows” internationally.
#11 Welsh Corgi Pembroke
According to statistics, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is not only one of the 13 most popular breeds, but is also the 11th most intelligent dog in the world.
Despite their short legs, these toy dogs can run very quickly. In addition, they have a strong guardian instinct and love to keep busy.
They are also easy to train and are considered playful and sociable. But they bark and shed a lot. [11]
Fun fact: These four-legged friends are often born without a tail. At birth there are often puppies with and without tails.
#12 West Highland White Terrier
The West Highland White Terrier comes from Scotland and was once used to get rid of vermin such as rats. Internationally he is mostly known as “Westie”.
This dwarf dog breed also lives up to a whopping 17 years. In addition, they shed so little that they are considered hypoallergenic – ideal for allergy sufferers.
They are also ideal for first-time owners. Despite their fur, these four-legged friends get sunburned relatively quickly – so be careful in summer. [12]
Fun fact: For some unknown reason, some dogs of this breed have excessively large teeth. In fact, it is so common that it is known internationally as the “Westie Jaw.”
#13 Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier comes from Scotland. In his homeland, these dogs were once used to hunt otters and badgers. This also explains her strange body structure.
Because of their long upper body and short legs, the dwarf dogs were ideally able to crawl into the small burrows of these animals. In addition, their hunting instinct is strong.
But they also make great house and guard dogs. However, they are relatively rare internationally. They are also considered particularly adaptable and sociable. [13]
Fun fact: This breed loves to dig so much that they are tempted even by large flower pots in the house.
#14 Pekingese
The Pekingese has its origins in China, where it was bred specifically as a lap dog. He also has very long hair in relation to his size.
However, the popularity of this toy dog breed has increasingly declined in recent years. Because they are often aggressive and have a strong hunting instinct.
In addition, they are anything but easy to care for and can only be trained moderately well. However, these animals are still very popular in China. [14]
Fun fact: Apparently there was no agreement on the name of these dogs. In total, a total of 11 different names were officially recognized.
#15 French Bulldog
The French Bulldog has its origins in France. They were specifically bred to cope in apartments. In addition, they hardly ever bark.
These two factors alone are part of the reason why these toy dogs are the 4th most popular breed. However, it is difficult for them to stay alone.
In addition, these four-legged friends are often absolute clowns. According to studies, they are also said to be among the 10 dumbest dogs in the world. [15]
Fun fact: Most dogs are naturally much better at swimming than we humans are. These four-legged friends, on the other hand, sink in water after less than 5 seconds.
#16 Cairn Terriers
The Cairn Terrier comes from Scotland and was bred in…