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.
Rankings:For apartmentsFor kidsFor beginnersMost affectionateQuietestHypoallergenicActiveSmartestСторожовіНайбільшіНайменшіДовгожителіНайздоровішіНайспокійнішіДружні до котівМорозостійкіМисливськіНе слиняві
1
PekingeseApartment 4.5Family 4.0Energy 1.519 cm2
ChihuahuaApartment 5.0Family 4.0Energy 3.020 cm3
Yorkshire TerrierApartment 5.0Family 4.5Energy 3.520 cm4
PomeranianApartment 5.0Family 4.5Energy 3.520 cm5
Brussels GriffonApartment 4.5Family 4.5Energy 3.022 cm6
Belgian GriffonApartment 4.5Family 4.5Energy 3.022 cm7
MalteseApartment 5.0Family 5.0Energy 3.022 cm8
Petit BrabanconApartment 4.5Family 4.5Energy 3.022 cm9
Biewer TerrierApartment 5.0Family 5.0Energy 3.522 cm10
DachshundApartment 4.5Family 4.5Energy 3.522 cm11
Russian Toy (Long Haired)Apartment 5.0Family 5.0Energy 3.524 cm12
Continental Toy Spaniel (Phalène)Apartment 5.0Family 5.0Energy 3.524 cm13
Japanese ChinApartment 5.0Family 5.0Energy 2.524 cm14
Continental Toy Spaniel (Papillon)Apartment 4.5Family 4.5Energy 3.524 cm15
Russian Toy (Smooth Haired)Apartment 5.0Family 5.0Energy 3.524 cm16
Australian Silky TerrierApartment 4.5Family 4.5Energy 4.024 cm17
Dandie Dinmont TerrierApartment 4.0Family 4.5Energy 3.524 cm18
Shih TzuApartment 4.5Family 4.5Energy 2.024 cm19
Moscow DragonApartment 5.0Family 5.0Energy 3.025 cm20
Kai LeoApartment 5.0Family 5.0Energy 2.525 cm21
American Lo-Sze PugApartment 5.0Family 5.0Energy 2.525 cm22
AlopekisApartment 4.5Family 5.0Energy 3.525 cm23
HavaneseApartment 5.0Family 5.0Energy 3.025 cm24
Tibetan SpanielApartment 4.5Family 4.5Energy 3.025 cm25
Norfolk TerrierApartment 4.5Family 5.0Energy 4.025 cm26
Norwich TerrierApartment 4.0Family 4.0Energy 4.025 cm27
Australian TerrierApartment 4.0Family 5.0Energy 4.025 cm28
Portuguese Podengo (Small)Apartment 4.0Family 4.5Energy 4.025 cm29
Toy Fox TerrierApartment 5.0Family 5.0Energy 4.025 cm30
Mi-KiApartment 5.0Family 5.0Energy 2.526 cmFAQ
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.