A to Z Small Dog Breed List

A to Z Small Dog Breed List, the world's 90 smallest dogs.

By Janice Jones     |Last Updated 03-05-2024

Unsure about what small dog is perfect for you?  There are similarities among breeds but the differences may make your decision a little easier. Click on the picture to be taken to the breed profile page.

A "Quick Facts" Section in each profile will give you a, well, quick overview of the breed if your time is short.  Happy Hunting.

A Chihuahua is staring out of the window at the rain.

Oh, and by the way, none of these dogs pictured are hybrids, mixed breeds or designer dogs.  

Our Designer Dog List is the place to find information about hybrid breeds. 

Did I forget a breed that you think should be added to this list?  Please use the contact form at the end of this article to alert me of my omission.  I assure you it was not done deliberately.

The Small Dog Breed List contains:

  • Purebred Dogs Only
  • Dogs less than 25 pounds (Some on this list may end up being slightly larger)
  • Popular and Rare Breeds
  • Links to Breed-Specific Articles (Click on the photo to be taken to the breed profile page

Listing all of these breeds in alphabetical order is one way to organize this large group of dogs, but it is not the only way.  If you would prefer to begin your search for a dog by grouping (terriers, toys, herding dogs, non-sporting) check out Breeds of Small Dogs Based on Groups.

All 90 Small Dog Breed List

Origin:  Germany
Original Purpose:  Lapdog, Vermin hunter
AKC: Toy
Playful, Spunky, Affectionate

Read the Affenpinscher Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origin:  Alaska, USA
Original Purpose: Companion

UKC:  Northern Breed
Alert, Vocal, Loyal

Read the Alaskan Klee Kai Complete Breed Profile

Origin:  Germany
Original Purpose:  Companion, Watchdog
AKC: Non sporting
Affectionate, Playful, Intelligent

Read the American Eskimo Dog Complete Breed Profile

Origin:  USA
Original Purpose: Companion Watchdog
AKC: Non Sporting
Curious, Intelligent, Lively

Read the American Hairless Terrier Complete Breed Profile

Origin:  Australia
Original Purpose:  Hunting mice & rats, sometimes tending sheep
AKC:  Terrier
Spirited, Courageous, Alert

Read the Australian Terrier Complete Breed Profile

Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Original Purpose:  Vermin hunter
AKC:  Hound
Quiet, Intelligent, Curious

Read the Basenji Complete Breed Profile

Origin: England 1000-1300
Original Purpose: Rabbit Trailing
AKC:  Hound Group
Independent, Gentle, Energetic

Read the Beagle Complete Breed Profile

Origin: Northumbria (England) 1800s
Original Purpose: Hunt rabbits, foxes, weasels AKC:  Terriers
Energetic, stubborn, athletic
Read the Bedlington Terrier Breed Profile

Origin: France or Spain 1300s
Original Purpose: Companion
AKC:  Non-sporting Group
Affectionate, Playful, Friendly

Read the Bichon Frise Complete Breed Profile

Origin: Germany
Original Purpose: Companion
AKC:  FSS (Toy)
Spirited, Courageous, Alert

Read the Biewer Terrier Complete Breed Profile

Origin: Italy

Original Purpose: Companion
AKC:  FSS

Spirited, Courageous, Alert

Read the Bolognese Complete Breed Profile

Origin: Border between England & Scotland 1700s
Original Purpose: Catching fox and other small game
AKC:  Terrier
Loyal, Affectionate, Inquisitive
Read the Border Terrier Complete Breed Profile

Origin: Boston U.S. 1970s
Original Purpose: Companion
AKC:  Non-Sporting
Affectionate, Devoted, Good Watchdog

Boston Terrier Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origin: Brazil 1880s
Original Purpose: Catch vermin
AKC:  No, FCI (Terriers)

Spirited, Courageous, Alert

Brazilian Terrier Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origin: Belgium 1800s
Original Purpose: Exterminate vermin
AKC:  Toy
Self confident, Sensitive, Lively

Read the Brussels Griffon Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins:  Scottish Highlands
Original Purpose:  Hunt fox, badger, otter
AKC:  Terrier
Cheerful, Inquisitive, Independent

Read Cairn Terrier Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins:  Wales
Original Purpose:  Driving Cattle
AKC: Herding
Alert, Devoted, Serious

Read Cardigan Welsh Corgi Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origin:  England (around 1600)
Original Purpose:  Lapdog, 
AKC:  Toy
Friendly, Loving, adaptable

Read Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins:  The Czech Republic
Original Purpose: Hunt hare, fox, deer
AKC:  Terrier
Energetic, Playful, Protective

Read About the Cesky Terrier

Origins:  Mexico, 1500s
Original Purpose:  Companion
AKC:  Toy
Loyal, Mischievous, Spirited

Read about the Long Haired Chihuahua

Origins:  Mexico, Circa 1500s
Original Purpose:  Companion
AKC: Toy
Curious, Agile, Loyal

Read the Short Hair Chihuahua Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins:  China, Africa:  1200s
Original Purpose:  Ratter
AKC:  Toy
Cheerful, Happy, Devoted

Read the Chinese Crested Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins:  China 1200s
Original Purpose:  Ratter

AKC:  Toy
Cheerful, Happy, Devoted

Read Chinese Crested Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins:  Sicily (Antiquity)
Original Purpose:  Hunting hare, rabbits, game birds
AKC: Hound
Friendly, Independent, Affectionate
Read the Cirneco Dell'Etna Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins:  Spain, England
Original Purpose:  Hunt Game Birds
AKC: Sporting
Gentle, Affectionate, Loving

Read the American Cocker Spaniel Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins:  Madagascar
Original Purpose:  Companion
AKC:  Toy
Devoted, Intelligent, Clownish

Read the Coton de Tulear Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins:  Germany  1500s
Original 
AKC:  Hounds
Calmist of the three varieties

Read the Dachshund Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins:  Germany  1500s
Original Purpose:  Badger Hunter
AKC:  Hounds
Liveliest of the three, Affectionate

Read the Dachshund Dog Breed Profile

Origins:  Border between England & Scotland
Original Purpose:  Kill Vermin
AKC:  Terrier
Independent Affectionate, Persistent
Read the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins:The Netherlands 1800
Original Purpose:  Ratter
AKC:  None
FCI, UKC:  Terrier
Charming, Playful, Friendly

Read about the Dutch Ratter Dog Breed Profile

Origins: England 1600s
Original Purpose: Lapdog 
AKC: Toy
Sweet, Gentle, Quiet

Read the English Toy Spaniel Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins:  France 1800s
Original Purpose:  Companion 
AKC: Non Sporting
Playful, Affectionate, Cheerful

Read the French Bulldog Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins: Germany, Ancient Breed
Original Purpose: Companion, Farm Dog
AKC: Non Sporting
Friendly, Playful, Vocal

Read the German Spitz Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins:  Cuba
Original Purpose:  Lapdog
AKC: Toy
Affectionate, Sturdy, Willing to Please

Read the Havanese Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins:  Iceland
10th Century
Original Purpose:  Herding
AKC:  Non Sporting
Playful, Alert, Active

Read about the Icelandic Sheepdog Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins:  India
19th Century

Original Purpose: Companion
Dog Registry of America (DRA) Indian National Kennel Club (INKC)

Read about the Indian Spitz

Origins:  Italy, Greece or Turkey, Around during the Roman Empire
Original Purpose:  Companion
AKC:  Toy
Gentle, Devoted, Calm

Read the Italian Greyhound Complete Dog Breed Profile

AKA German Hunting Dog
Origins: Germany 20th century 
Original Purpose:  Hunting
AKC: Accepted into the Terrier Group of FSS
Read the Jagdterrier or German Hunting Dog Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins: China (Antiquity)

Original Purpose:  Companion
AKC: Toys
Playful, Sensitive, Cheerful

Read the Japanese Chin Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins: Japan (Early 1900s)
Original Purpose:  Companions
FCI, CKC, KC, UKC, ANKC, NZKC The AKC does not recognize these dogs because of the close resemblance to other white dogs
Read about the Japanese Spitz Breed Profile

Origins: Japan (Early 20th Century
Original Purpose:  Hunt vermin
FCI, UKC:  Terriers
Calm, Friendly, Affectionate

Read about the Japanese Terrier Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins: The Netherlands 1500's
Original Purpose:  Duck Tolling
AKC: FSS Sporting
Friendly, Eager to Please, Even-Tempered

Read the Kooikerhondje Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins: Germany, mid 20th Century
Original Purpose:  Companion
AKC: FSS Non-sporting
Highly intelligent, playful, High Spirited
Read about the Kromfohrlander Compete Dog Breed Profile

Origins: England 1700s
Original Purpose: Killing vermin
AKC: Terriers

Clever, Playful, Curious

Read the Lakeland Terrier Complete Breed Profile

Origins: England
Original Purpose: Herder & Drover
AKC: FSS Miscellaneous Group

Alert, Friendly, Playful

Read the Lancashire Heeler Complete Dog Breed Profile 

Origins: Tibet (Antiquity)
Original Purpose:  Watchdog, companion
AKC: Non-sporting
Playful, Bold, Loyal

Read the Lhasa Apso Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins: France, Germany 1500s
Original Purpose:  Companion
AKC: Non-sporting
Affectionate, Spunky, Devoted

Read the Löwchen Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins: Sicily (Antiquity)
Original Purpose:  Lap Dogs
AKC: Toys
Lively, Sweet, Fearless

Read the Maltese Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins: England 1500s
Original Purpose:  Catching Vermin
AKC: Toy Group
Lively, Curious, Playful
Read about the Toy Manchester Terrier Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins: U.S. 20th Century
Original Purpose:  Companion Dog
AKC: Not Recognized
Affectionate, Lap dog, Friendly

Read the Mi Ki Complete Dog Breed Profile

Origins: United States, 1960s
Original Purpose: Herding small stock, companion
AKC: Herding
Smart, Devoted, Hard-working

Read about the Miniature American Shepherd

Origins: England, 1800s
Original Purpose: Ratter & Dog Fighting
AKC: Terrier Group

Playful, Comical, Friendly

Read about the Miniature Bull Terrier

Origins: German 1600s
Original Purpose:  Hunting Vermin
AKC: Toy Group
Spunky, Curious, Stubborn

Read about the Miniature Pinscher Breed Profile

Origins: Germany, 1800s
Original Purpose:  Watchdog, Ratter
AKC: Terrier Group
Friendly, Devoted, Energetic

Read the Miniature Schnauzer Complete Dog Breed Profile

An A to Z Small Breed Dog List including 95 different breeds.

Aren't Small Dogs just the best? 

If you are thinking about which dog to get, the decision can be overwhelming because there are just so many of these little guys to choose from.

Do you want fluffy and cute, or sleek and smart

Luckily there is that special  small breed dog just waiting to be loved by you.


Many of the dogs listed on this page can be registered through the American Kennel Club. 

But some are so rare in the U.S. that, although they are purebred, they have not as of yet been entered into this registry.  Around the world, however, they may be much more common.

We continue to add to this small dog breed list as we research new breeds, so check back often -- your perfect breed might just be here waiting for you.

References used for this List:

American Kennel Club

Canadian Kennel Club

Kennel Club United Kingdom

Fédération Cynologique Internationale 

United Kennel Club

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