In short The smallest dog breeds are compact companions for an apartment and travel. Ranked by height at the withers, from the smallest.
How we rated
Ranked by average height at the withers (cm). Smaller height = higher position.
1
Pekingese
Apartment 4.5
Family 4.0
Energy 1.5
19 cm
2
Pomeranian
Apartment 5.0
Family 4.5
Energy 3.5
20 cm
3
Yorkshire Terrier
Apartment 5.0
Family 4.5
Energy 3.5
20 cm
4
Chihuahua
Apartment 5.0
Family 4.0
Energy 3.0
20 cm
5
Biewer Terrier
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
Energy 3.5
22 cm
6
Maltese
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
Energy 3.0
22 cm
7
Dachshund
Apartment 4.5
Family 4.5
Energy 3.5
22 cm
8
Belgian Griffon
Apartment 4.5
Family 4.5
Energy 3.0
22 cm
9
Brussels Griffon
Apartment 4.5
Family 4.5
Energy 3.0
22 cm
10
Petit Brabancon
Apartment 4.5
Family 4.5
Energy 3.0
22 cm
11
Continental Toy Spaniel (Phalène)
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
Energy 3.5
24 cm
12
Russian Toy (Long Haired)
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
Energy 3.5
24 cm
13
Russian Toy (Smooth Haired)
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
Energy 3.5
24 cm
14
Japanese Chin
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
Energy 2.5
24 cm
15
Australian Silky Terrier
Apartment 4.5
Family 4.5
Energy 4.0
24 cm
16
Continental Toy Spaniel (Papillon)
Apartment 4.5
Family 4.5
Energy 3.5
24 cm
17
Shih Tzu
Apartment 4.5
Family 4.5
Energy 2.0
24 cm
18
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Apartment 4.0
Family 4.5
Energy 3.5
24 cm
19
Toy Fox Terrier
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
Energy 4.0
25 cm
20
Havanese
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
Energy 3.0
25 cm
Pekingese
Apartment 4.5
Family 4.0
Energy 1.5
19 cm
2
Pomeranian
Apartment 5.0
Family 4.5
Energy 3.5
20 cm
3
Yorkshire Terrier
Apartment 5.0
Family 4.5
Energy 3.5
20 cm
4
Chihuahua
Apartment 5.0
Family 4.0
Energy 3.0
20 cm
5
Biewer Terrier
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
Energy 3.5
22 cm
6
Maltese
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
Energy 3.0
22 cm
7
Dachshund
Apartment 4.5
Family 4.5
Energy 3.5
22 cm
8
Belgian Griffon
Apartment 4.5
Family 4.5
Energy 3.0
22 cm
9
Brussels Griffon
Apartment 4.5
Family 4.5
Energy 3.0
22 cm
10
Petit Brabancon
Apartment 4.5
Family 4.5
Energy 3.0
22 cm
11
Continental Toy Spaniel (Phalène)
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
Energy 3.5
24 cm
12
Russian Toy (Long Haired)
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
Energy 3.5
24 cm
13
Russian Toy (Smooth Haired)
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
Energy 3.5
24 cm
14
Japanese Chin
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
Energy 2.5
24 cm
15
Australian Silky Terrier
Apartment 4.5
Family 4.5
Energy 4.0
24 cm
16
Continental Toy Spaniel (Papillon)
Apartment 4.5
Family 4.5
Energy 3.5
24 cm
17
Shih Tzu
Apartment 4.5
Family 4.5
Energy 2.0
24 cm
18
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Apartment 4.0
Family 4.5
Energy 3.5
24 cm
19
Toy Fox Terrier
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
Energy 4.0
25 cm
20
Havanese
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
Energy 3.0
25 cm
How the ranking is built
order: Height → Apartment → Family → Energy → breed · list composition as on the site, order by this rule
FAQ
What is the smallest dog breed?
The Chihuahua is the smallest in the world; other tiny ones include the Russian Toy, Pomeranian, Papillon and Maltese.
Are small breeds suitable for children?
They are more delicate and can be hurt by carelessness — for small children, sturdy medium breeds are often safer.
How long do small dogs live?
Usually a long time — 13–16 years and more; small breeds are among the longest-lived.