Small dog breeds have some of the cutest dogs in world. This is not a breed per se, rather a group of small dogs categorized together to separate them from other categories such as working dogs or sporting dogs.
Dogs in this breed usually weigh less than 22 pounds and are shorter than 16 inches. Some dog lovers like small dogs because they are easier to maintain than the bigger dogs. Usually dogs of this kind just need two things a brush and a vacuum cleaner. And even these chores can be minimized if the hair is clipped short or if you opt to get a breed that does not shed their hair often.
Small dogs like the Chihuahua are very small and can easily fit into a purse or small dog carriers. There are even teacup versions of the Chihuahua that are so small they can fit into the palm of the hand. This dog weighs a measly 6-8 pounds and stands at 6-10 inches. Teacup dogs are just smaller versions of dogs not a breed of dog altogether.
Small dogs used to be status symbols in the olden days. When aristocrats in England owned dogs to play with or pet the terms companion dogs, toy dogs or lap dogs began to be used. This is because these dogs were breed for the pleasure or enjoyment of their owners rather than being put to work just like the dogs of commoners or pheasants.
Aside from the Chihuahua, another very popular breed is the Yorkshire Terrier, often shortened to the Yorkie. This dog is very small and ranks number three out of all dog breeds by the American Kennel Club in terms of popularity right behind the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever respectively. Pictures of the Yorkie often show the little dogs with ribbons on their heads to keep the hair away from their eyes.
Below is the complete list of dogs in the Small Dog category.
Affenpinscher, American Cocker Spaniel, American Eskimo Dog (Miniature), American Eskimo Dog (Toy), American Hairless Terrier, Australian Terrier, Basenji, Beagle, Bedlington Terrier, Bichon Frise, Bolognese, Border Terrier, Boston Terrier, Brazilian Terrier, Brussels Griffon (Rough), Brussels Griffon (Smooth), Cairn Terrier, Chihuahua (Short coat), Chinese Crested (Hairless), Chinese Crested (Powderpuff), Coton De Tulear
Dachshund (Longhaired), Dachshund (Smooth), Dachshund (Wirehaired), Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Glen of Imaal Terrier, Havanese, Italian Greyhound, Jack Russell Terrier (Rough), Jack Russell Terrier (Smooth), Japanese Chin, Japanese Spitz, Japanese Terrier, Klein German Spitz, Kyi-Leo, Lakeland Terrier, Lancashire Heeler, Lhasa Apso, Lowchen, Maltese, Manchester Terrier (Toy), Mexican Hairless (Toy), Miniature Bull Terrier, Miniature Pinscher, Miniature Schnauzer, Mittel German Spitz, Norfolk Terrier, Norwegian Lundehund, Norwich Terrier, Papillon, Parson Russell Terrier (Rough), Parson Russell Terrier (Smooth), Patterdale Terrier, Pekingese, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, Phalene, Pomeranian, Poodle (Miniature), Poodle (Toy)Prazsky Krysarik, Pug, Puli, Rat Terrier, Schipperke, Scottish Terrier, Sealyham Terrier, Shetland Sheepdog, Shiba Inu, Shih Tzu, Silky Terrier, Skye Terrier, Smooth Fox Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Swedish Vallhund, Tibetan Spaniel, Tibetan Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Swedish Vallhund, Tibetan Spaniel, Tibetan Terrier, Toy Fox Terrier, Volpino, Welsh Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Wire Fox Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier.
