Top 4 Smallest Dog Breeds and Their Temperament

Dogs are proven to be great companions and man’s best friend. Some of them are great guardians, some of them enjoy playing and swimming, and some of them are just really tiny and adorable. Here is a list of four smallest dog breeds that will melt your heart.

Number 4 — Maltese

Best known for its silky white coat, this breed belongs to the Toy Group Dogs. They can weigh from 1,4 kg to 4,5, and their usual height is from 18 to 30 cm. This breed is perfect for anyone who wants to keep a pet indoors, as they really enjoy enclosed spaces. Maybe this is the main reason why people in urban areas prefer the Maltese over other small dog breeds. They are lively and playful, but should be supervised when playing with smaller children. However, proper training and early socialization will prevent any possible bad habit. They shed very little and they don’t have an undercoat, which is why they don’t like cold weather.

Number 3 — Pomeranian

This lively and playful dog weighs no more than 3,5 kg (this may be considered the maximum weight), and it’s maximum height is only around 30 cm. You don’t want your Pomeranian to become overweight, which is why you need to take good care of your dog’s diet. Although they are small, they can be really protective of their owners and they tend to bark a lot. They respond well to training, but because of their intelligence they know how to get what they want. Their coat is what makes them so popular as they look like little fluffy creatures. The most usual colors of poms are orange, cream or black mixed with white.

Number 2 — Yorkshire terrier

The greatest feature of every Yorkie is a silky and glossy coat. This coat is traditionally long and straight, but some owners prefer grooming and a shorter coat, because of the need for to regular brushing with longer coats. Despite the fact that the Yorkshire terrier has a long coat, shedding isn’t a real problem, as they lose only a small amount of hair during brushing or bathing. The height of the Yorkshire terrier is from 15 to 23 cm and they weigh around 3 kg. These attention seeking little fellows can be overprotective and they bark a lot. This is the reason why you should always keep them active and busy. Although they are small, they don’t possess the same amount of submissiveness as other lap dogs, which is why they are not so great for families with small children. The life span of Yorkie is 13 to 16 years.

Number 1 — Chihuahua

This breed is considered to be one of the longest living breeds and their life expectancy is 14 to 20 years. The usual height is difficult to specify because there are a wide range of different types of this breed. Some of them are between 15 cm and 23 cm tall, while the others can reach a height of 38 cm. According to certain standards, they shouldn’t weigh more than 2,7 kg. These tiny dogs are quite loyal to their owners, and they can be overprotective. Chihuahuas enjoy the companionship of the owner, but don’t get on that well with other people or animals. They are easily provoked, which makes them unsuitable for homes with small children. Officially, they are the smallest dog breed in the world.

Smallest crossbreed

Even though this is not a purebred dog, Affenhuahua is recognized in certain kennel clubs. This dog is a cross of Affenpinscher and Chihuahua and it is considered to be the smallest dog in the world (its average weight is around 1,3 kg). Due to fact that it’s crossbred, it’s difficult to fully determine the temperament of this dog, but it can be said that they possess all the usual characteristics of small dog breeds.

If you love dogs, but don’t have enough space in your apartment for the bigger breeds, you may want to consider adopting some of the smallest breeds in the world. Although they are small, these dogs still demand proper training and dedication, but you will spend far less time running and going outside with a Chihuahua than with a Border Collie. Don’t get fooled by their size — they are really protective and they tend to bark at the first sign of trouble or unwanted presence. However, early socialization is highly recommended if you want to avoid any problems.