Naaaa, are you looking for a dog? More precisely after one cute little dog breed that has stopped growing?
Of course, you shouldn’t just choose your dog based on looks! Above all, the breed characteristics play an important role.
This article tells you what distinguishes the Pomeranian from the Italian Greyhound or the Pug not only in terms of appearance, but also in terms of character.
We were very surprised!
20 small dog breeds that don’t grow at a glance
Perky ears, floppy ears, curly fur or slick, light as a feather or rather robust?
There is almost 800 different dog breeds in the world and both optically and in terms of character, there is definitely one for everyone among the 20 cute foot horns that we will present to you in a moment!
1. Pomeranian – Lively ball of fur
Size: 20 – 22 centimeters
Look: The Pomeranian has a silky, medium-length coat with a dense undercoat. The most common coat colors are black, white, orange, and cream.
Its ears are typically pointed and erect, its eyes almond-shaped and usually brown.
Characteristics: Confident, affectionate, funny and playful.
Particularities: Grooming needs a lot of attention!
2. Miniature Poodle – The Clever Clown
Size: 28 – 35 centimeters
Look: The miniature poodle is slim and athletic with long floppy ears and the typical poodle curls in black, white, brown, red dun, apricot or grey.
Characteristics: Clever, eager to learn, affectionate, fond of children.
Particularities: Poodles are considered extremely intelligent!
3. Yorkshire Terrier – Headstrong button
Size: 22 – 24 centimeters
Look: The Yorkshire Terrier is tiny but thinks he’s the biggest! He is compact and has an upright, graceful stance.
Two dark beady eyes look at you from his cute face. Typical color of the Yorkie is steel blue with golden head and chest hair.
Characteristics: Spirited, brave to megalomaniac, strong-willed, affectionate.
Particularities: Yorkies are allergy friendly! They have «hair» rather than fur.
4. Bolognese – The happy plush
Size: 25 – 30 centimeters
Look: White, curly fur, a compact physique, curled tail, larger than average saucer eyes – that is the Bolognese.
Characteristics: Very people-oriented and adventurous, at the same time calm and relaxed, always wants to please.
Particularities: The little wellness junkie needs a lot of grooming, maybe even a hairdresser!
5. West Highland White Terrier – The Iconic
Size: 23 – 30 centimeters
Look: Strong build with erect tail. Exclusively white, dense and wavy fur. The Westie has black button eyes and V-shaped, pricked ears.
Characteristics: Strong-willed and courageous, funny, affectionate, people-related.
Particularities: Fur must be trimmed regularly!
6. Pembroke Welsh Corgi – The Royal
Size: 25 – 30 centimeters
Look: Relatively short legs for quite long body, sturdy build. The cute Corgi actually always looks happy, has large, pricked ears and several colors such as red, fawn, black with branding or sable and sometimes white coloring on the legs, chest and neck.
Characteristics: Intelligent, confident, lively, funny.
Particularities: Corgis are genetically very susceptible to a whole range of diseases!
7. Lhasa Apso – The Stubborn One
Size: 24 – 28 centimeters
Look: The Lhasa Apso is small and compact.
His tail curls over his back. He has lop ears and a thick, long coat that comes in white, tan, gray, honey, sand, black brindle, gold, or multicolored.
Characteristics: Affectionate, good family dog, friendly, playful and cuddly but also very stubborn, independent and watchful.
Particularities: Prone to eye diseases and hip dysplasia.
8. French Bulldog – The fashion dog
Size: up to 35 centimeters
Look: The Frenchie is typically Molosser compact and muscular with a stocky head and body, short (unfortunately often too short) muzzle and erect pricked ears.
His coat is short and smooth and can be mousy, brown, black with red markings, black, fawn, brindle or piebald.
Characteristics: Fearless, courageous, curious, pushy, playful, good-natured, fond of children, intelligent.
Particularities: Very sensitive to heat or cold, prone to allergies and ear infections!
9. Jack Russel Terrier – The charming cheeky one
Size: 25 – 30 centimeters
Look: The Jack Russel Terrier has an athletic build. He has V-shaped ears folded forward. Its basic color is white with black or brown markings.
Characteristics: Clever, charming, cheeky, self-confident, fearless, lively, lively, persistent, nimble.
Particularities: They are available with both smooth and rough fur!
10. Italian Greyhound – The delicate hunter
Size: 32 – 38 centimeters
Look: The Italian greyhound is dainty and elegant, the eyes are large and expressive. He has greyhound-typical rose ears and a low-set tail, which he often carries between his legs. Possible colors are grey, black or light beige (Isabell).
Characteristics: Very affectionate and willing to learn, intelligent and lively.
Particularities: Extremely sensitive to cold and moisture. predisposition to epilepsy.
11. Chihuahua – Thinks he’s the greatest
Size: 15 – 25 centimeters
Look: Petite physique, large round head with disproportionately large wide eyes and prick ears. There are long-haired and short-haired Chihuahuas in all imaginable colors.
Characteristics: Thinks he’s the greatest and likes to overestimate himself. Tends to be jealous and likes to bark. Is very attentive, lively and cuddly.
Particularities: Freezes very quickly, so needs a coat and cozy blankets in the basket (or mistress’s bed).
12. Shi Tzu
Size: up to 27 centimeters
Look: Fluffy and fluffy! Its silky, dense fur is usually golden, reddish, white, black, gray or multicolored, the ears are very hairy and hanging.
Characteristics: Very people-related and affectionate, loving, playful and friendly.
Particularities: Requires extensive grooming! Prone to dental and respiratory problems.
13. Bichon Frize
Size: 23 – 30 centimeters
Look: Small, compact, fluffy, cute, with long and curly, all-white fur.
Characteristics: Confident family dog who is always in a good mood.
Particularities: Are often much older than 17 years!
14. Boston Terrier – The stormy one
Size: 38 – 43 centimeters
Look: Compact and yet long-legged. Appearance is reminiscent of French Bulldog just not quite as overbred. Nevertheless tends to overbreeding and associated breathing problems. His short coat is brindle or piebald in black, brindle or seal.
Characteristics: Enormous urge to move, always “at the start” and fun for everyone. Alert and intelligent, eager to learn and fun.
Particularities: Breeding predisposition to a whole range of diseases (respiratory, heart, ears, eyes and joints)!
15. Norfolk Terrier – The hardy hunter
Size: 23 to 25 centimeters
Look: Compact, muscular, long-haired. Robust, long fur in the colors black & tan, brown or beige.
Characteristics: Related to the Norwich Terrier. Strong in character, courageous, active and eager to hunt.
Particularities: Almost indestructible, robust!
16. Miniature Schnauzer – The dutiful
Size: 30 – 36 centimeters
Look: Typical Schnauzer beard and bushy eyebrows, thick top coat and thick undercoat in the colors black, black-silver, white and salt & pepper. Strong and athletic physique.
Characteristics: Likes to take care of his family, house and yard. Needs tasks and occupation.
Particularities: Sheds little or not at all with good grooming!
Important:
Research a breed carefully before bringing a dog into your home. They sometimes have very different needs and not every dog fits every situation and idea. Please inform yourself sufficiently in advance so that there are no nasty surprises later!
17. Cairn Terrier – The different colored Westie
Size: 23 – 33 centimeters
Look: Build resembles the West Highland White Terrier. Curly, medium-length fur in many light and dark brown and gray tones with brindle coloring.
Characteristics: Friendly and docile, courageous, attentive, versatile, willing to work, curious, open and always in a good mood.
Particularities: Breed is on the verge of extinction!
18. Norwich Terrier – The mini terrier
Size: 24 – 26 centimeters
Look: Build similar to the West Highland White and the Cairn Terrier. Compact, strong, short-legged with an attentive gaze. He has small, pointy ears and a coarse top coat of various shades of red or black & tan.
Characteristics: The Norwich Terrier is loyal and affectionate, loves his family, has a strong hunting instinct, is docile and playful.
Particularities: Smallest terrier in the world! Tends to be overweight.
19. Miniature Pinscher – The demanding one
Size: 25 – 30 centimeters
Look: Small and compact, tough and fit, with large, dark eyes and medium-sized prick ears. Short coat, either solid reddish brown to tan or black with lighter markings.
Characteristics: Very lively and intelligent, wants and needs to be challenged.
Curious and fearless, the Miniature Pinscher is confident and alert. Needs consistent training and likes to learn a lot of tricks!
Particularities: Also known as a deer pinscher, min pin, or miniature pinscher. Unfortunately she loves to bark!
20. Pug – The poor one
Size: Up to 32 centimeters
Look: Compact physique with many folds.
Curled tail, short, round head with unfortunately often too short muzzle and underbite. The pug has small rose ears. Typical coat colors are beige, black, apricot, white, or silver with a black mask.
Characteristics: Lively, charming, funny, affectionate, affectionate, people-oriented, courageous and agile.
Particularities: Very sensitive to heat and physical exertion. Prone to respiratory and eye diseases. Skin folds require special care!
Haven’t found the right small, cute dog breed for you yet?
There are many more that you are welcome to check out.
Maybe hiding among these cute little dog breeds that aren’t growing is your dog:
- American toy terrier
- Russian Toy
- Maltese
- Coton de Tulear
- Japan Chinese
- Havanese
- Griffon Bruxellois
- American Eskimo Dog
- Chinese crested dog
- Pumi
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- dachshund
- German Spitz
- Pomsky
- Prague Ratter
- Toy Rat Terrier
- Australian Silky Terriers
- Affenpinscher
- Pekinese
- Bolonka Zwetna
- papillon
- Lowchen
- kokoni
- Maltipoo
- manchester terrier
- Miniature American Shepherd
- Miniature Bull Terrier
- Patterdale Terriers
- Schipperke
- Tibetan spaniels
- Volpino Italiano