#10: Italian Greyhound
Weighing anywhere between 7 and 14 pounds, the Italian Greyhound is a mini version of the regular Greyhound and is considered to be a separate breed entirely. It is characterized by a sleek, athletic body and a thin coat of smooth brownish-gray hair. Alert, sensitive, and very fast, this sighthound was immensely popular among European nobility, including Frederick the Great and Queen Victoria. One of their most appealing qualities is the ability to match the pace and lifestyle of its owner. Assuming it receives enough daily exercise, this dog will curl up on the couch with its owner for the remainder of the day. You can read more about the Italian Greyhound here.
#9: Chinese Crested Dog
Weighing no more than 12 pounds, the Chinese Crested Dog is a small affectionate breed with a spunky personality and upbeat attitude. The origin of the Chinese Crested is still shrouded in mystery. They may have been brought to China thousands of years ago from Africa. There are two different varieties: the hypoallergenic hairless dog has bare smooth skin almost everywhere except for long tufts around the head, tail, and legs (giving it a very distinctive appearance), whereas the powderpuff dog has a thick double coat of fur. Either way, they are great dogs for families and for kids alike. You can read more about the Chinese Crested Dog here.
#8: Maltese
Weighing no more than 7 pounds, the tiny Maltese is elegance personified. With its luxurious coat of long white hair, which nearly obscures the feet, this breed probably originated in Europe and eventually became synonymous with the small island state of Malta just to the south of Sicily. One of the more interesting facts is that the ancient Greeks appreciated this breed for its geometric precision, whereas some Romans considered it to be an eccentric fashion statement. Modern families are sure to be charmed by their playful and gentle personalities. The coat is hypoallergenic but will need extensive brushing and grooming. You can read more about the Maltese here.
#7: Chihuahua
A national symbol of Mexico, the affectionate and sassy Chihuahua may be the smallest dog breed in the world and one of the cheapest to own. It measures no more than 8 inches at shoulder height and never exceeds 6 pounds. Exceptionally small members of this breed are known as teacup Chihuahuas, so-named because they can fit inside of a teacup. While not technically its own variation, the teacup Chihuahuas are the smallest puppies in the litter and weigh no more than 3 pounds. However, it’s possible to “customize” the Chihuahua in almost endless ways, including deer head vs. apple head, short hair vs. long hair, and almost any color and pattern you could desire. It has a typical lifespan of 14 to 16 years. You can read more about the Chihuahua here.
#6: Pug
Originating some 2,000 years ago from China, the Pug is a flat-faced breed with a fawn-colored coat and a black mask and ears. This small dog stands up to 13 inches at shoulder height and weighs between 14 and 18 pounds. The Pug’s charming, affectionate, and somewhat mischievous personality is perfect for kids of all ages. It regularly ranks among the top 30 of AKC’s most popular breeds. One of the most interesting facts about them is that Napoleon’s wife Josephine had a loyal pet pug named Fortune. He was said to carry messages back and forth between Josephine and her first husband when he was imprisoned during the French Revolution. You can read more about the Pug here.
#5: Havanese
The Havanese is the only dog breed entirely native to Cuba. Weighing between 7 and 13 pounds, it is characterized by a long silky coat with a huge variety of different colors, including black, cream, fawn, red brindle, red sable, and many more. This intelligent, outgoing breed, which thrives on human attention and companionship, is great for families of all kinds. Thanks to their friendly attitude and trainable disposition, they are natural trick dogs. While ideal for city living, they do extremely well in almost any situation. You can read more about the Havanese here.
#4: Pomeranian
Weighing anywhere between 3 and 7 pounds, the Pomeranian is a charismatic little puffball. It has a long double coat of orange or red fur (as well as many other color combinations), dark round eyes, a smiling fox-like face, and a vivid, beaming personality. The Pomeranian is ideal for families with slightly older children who are mature enough to handle such a small breed. It is fairly easy to train and loves both indoor play and short walks outdoors. It even makes for a surprisingly decent watchdog. Another appealing quality is that it ranks among the cheapest dogs to care for. This breed originated from the region of northern Europe along the Baltic coast that bears its name. You can read more about the Pomeranian here.
#3: Shih Tzu
Weighing anywhere between 9 and 16 pounds, the Shih Tzu is a spunky little dog with a big personality. The name is even derived from the Chinese word for lion. With its long flowing coat of elegant fur, which comes in a large variety of different colors and patterns, it was once a popular breed among the Chinese royalty. These days the affectionate, playful, and outgoing personality traits, combined with their tender habit of resting on laps, make them an ideal companion for families of all kinds. They require minimal exercise but should be trained thoroughly to obey your commands. You can read more about the Shih Tzu here.
#2: Yorkshire Terrier
Weighing no more than 7 pounds, the Yorkshire is among the smallest terriers (vermin-hunting dogs) in the world. Feisty and affectionate, it originated from the English county of Yorkshire in the 19th century and was among the earliest breeds to be recognized by the American Kennel Club. Today it routinely ranks among the AKC’s top 10 most popular types of dog breeds. The Yorkshire is characterized by a straight silky coat that reaches the floor. It comes in several variations, including black and tan, black and gold, blue and gold, and blue and tan. The lifespan is normally between 11 and 15 years. You can read more about the Yorkshire Terrier here.
#1: Toy Poodle
Topping the list of the most popular types of toy dog breeds is the toy version of the poodle. Despite the small size (it weighs a mere 4 to 6 pounds and has a shoulder height of 10 inches), the toy version has the exact same proportions as the standard-sized poodle. It originated early in the 20th century by breeding an even smaller version of the mini poodle. The hypoallergenic coat, which can vary from coarse and woolly to soft and silky, comes in a diverse range of different colors, including black, apricot, blue, red, and brown. While there are some straight-haired poodle varieties, most poodles have curly, dense fur that requires frequent brushing. It’s important to understand the grooming requirements before choosing a poodle as your next pet, since their curly manes are very prone to painful mats and tangles if they aren’t properly maintained. The toy poodle is one of the most intelligent and trainable breeds in the entire world with an excellent lifespan of 10 to 18 years. The poodle as a whole, regardless of size, regularly ranks as the AKC’s 7th most popular breed. It is a great choice for kids and adults alike. You can read more about the toy Poodle here.
Top Toy Dog Breeds Summary
Toy dog breeds are often small and affectionate, making them a popular choice for pets. Below you’ll find a summary of the most popular toy dog breeds, ranked in order:
Up Next…
Want to keep reading? We’ve picked these great resources for you next. Top Smallest Dogs in the World – Discover the smallest dog breeds in the world. Best Beds for Small Dogs for 2022 – Come check out our top picks for small dog beds! Yes – Dogs Can Eat Bananas! Here’s Why! – Find out how your dog can enjoy delicious bananas as a treat. That depends on your criteria. The American Kennel Club popularity ranking makes no distinction between the toy, mini, and standard Poodles because they’re all technically the same breed, so it’s difficult to tell exactly how popular the toy Poodle would rank. The most popular toy-only breed is probably the Yorkshire Terrier. What breed of dogs comes in toy size? There are several breeds that come in both standard and toy sizes, including the Poodle, the Greyhound, and the Fox Terrier. What is the smallest toy dog? The smallest toy dog breeds are probably the Pomeranian, the Yorkshire Terrier, the toy Poodle, and the Chihuahua. All of these breeds top out at around 6 to 7 pounds. The teacup version of the Chihuahua might narrowly beat out the others for the smallest dog in the world. These dogs don’t grow much larger than puppies. What are teacup dog breeds? To be considered a teacup, a dog must be under 9 inches tall and under 6 pounds in weight. Some adorable teacup dog breeds include the teacup Chihuahua, Poodle, Yorkie and Maltese.
