20 Small and Tiny Dogs That Stay Small Forever

By Janice Jones       |Last Updated 11-22-2021

Wondering about tiny dogs that stays small throughout their entire life? 

Ever think about what small really looks like? 

We search far and wide to locate the world’s smallest of small dog breeds.

Keep in mind that there are many small breed dogs and we feature almost 90 breeds on Small Dog Place. 

There are also much variability within breeds. There will always be members of these breeds that far exceed the breed standard for weight and height. 

There are also many small dogs that are smaller than what is usually seen in the breed.  We call them runts. 

AND, because small is popular, many breeders are breeding for smaller and smaller versions of the most popular breeds. They call this dwarfing down.  The general public likes to call them teacup puppies.

Mind you, most of these smaller versions of the breed are healthy, but the practice o trying to make smaller and smaller does come with risks.

Here is our top list of the tiniest dogs that stay small (unless of course, you feed them too much).  

Go ahead, purchase that pooch purse. 

You’ll gonna need it for these little guys.  Listed in alphabetical order, the top 20 are:

Top 20 Small and Tiny Dogs That Will Stay Small: 

1. Bolognese

Height:  up to 11 inches

Weight:  4 to 8 pounds

Playful, Affectionate, Good with Children and other dogs, Fairly easy to Train

Read More about the Bolognese 

2.Brussels Griffon

Height: 7 to 8 Inches

Weight:  8 to 10 pounds not to exceed 12 pounds

Playful, Affectionate, Good for First Time Owners, 

Two types:  Smooth and Rough Coat

Read More about the Brussels Griffon 

3. Cavoodle

Cavoodle is a hybrid between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Toy Poodle

Size: 9 to 15 inches

Weight: 11 to 22 pounds

Playful, hypoallergenic, social, is a good lap dog, doesn't bark much

Read more about the Cavoodle

4. Chihuahua

Height: 6 to 10 Inches (15 - 25 cm)

Weight:  Less than 6 pounds 1.8 - 2.7 kg

Two types:  Smooth short hair, and long hair

Playful, Affectionate, Good Watch Dog, Good for First Time Dog Owners

Read More about the Chihuahua 

5. Chinese Crested Dog

Ideally 11 to 13 inches

Up to 12 pounds

Affectionate, Good around Children, Playful, Good Choice for First Time Dog Owners

Comes in two varieties:  Powderpuff and hairless

Read more about the Chinese Crested Dog

6. Dachshund (Mini)

Height: Miniature, 5 -- 6 inches at the shoulder; Standard, 8 to 9 inches at the shoulder

Weight: 11 pounds and under (Miniature); 16 to 32 pounds (Standard)  Between 11 and 16 pounds

Playful, Affectionate, Good with Children, Has Good Watch Dog Traits,

Three different types of coats:  Smooth or short, Wire, and Long-Hair

Read more about the lovable Dachshund

7. English Toy Spaniel

Height: 9 to 11 inches

Weight:  8 to 14 pounds

Read More about the English Toy Spaniel 

8. Italian Greyhound

 Height: 12-15 inches, (30-38 centimeters)

     Weight: 6-10 pounds, (3-5 kilograms)

Friendly, Affectionate, Good with Strangers, Children, and other Dogs

Read more about the tiny Italian Greyhound

9. Japanese Chin

Height:  8 to 11 inches

Weight: 4 to 9 pounds

Affectionate, Friendly, Good for First Time Dog Owners

Read more about the Japanese Chin

10. Maltese

Height: 7 to 9 inches

Weight:  4 to 6 pounds

Read More about the Maltese

11. Mi-ki

Height: Not to exceed 11 inches (28 cm)
Weight: Averages 5-8 pounds but can be smaller (2.3 - 3.7 kg)

Read more about this amazing new breed, Mi-Ki

12. Papillon

Height:  8 to 11 inches

Weight: 3 to 9 pounds

Read More the Papillon  or Phalene

13. Pekingese

Height:  6 to 9 Inches (15 - 23 cm)

     Weight:  Up to 12 pounds (5.5 kg)

Read more about the Tiny Pekingese Dog

14. Pomeranian

Height: 7 to 12 inches (18 - 30 cm)

Weight:  3 to 7 pounds (1.3 - 3.1 kg)

Read More about the Pomeranian 

15. Prague Ratter (Prysky Krysarik)

Height:  7 to 9 inches 

Weight:  2 to 6 pounds

Read more about the Prague Ratter

16. Rat Terrier

  Height: 8 inches (20 cm)

     Weight: 4-6 pounds (1.8 - 2.7kg)

Read more about The Rat Terrier

17. Russian Toy Terrier

Height:  11 inches

Weight:  up to 6.5 pounds

Read More about Russian Toy Terriers 

18. Shih Tzu

Height:  9-10.5 inches

Weight: 9-16 pounds

Playful, good Watch Dog Traits, Requires Much Grooming

Some believe there is an Imperial Shih Tzu Breed

Read more about the Shih Tzu Breed

19. Toy Fox Terrier

Height:  8.5 to 11.5 inches

Weight: 3 to 9 pounds

Read More Toy Fox Terriers 

20. Toy Poodle

Height: 10 inches high

Weight: 6 to 9 pounds

Read More about the Toy Poodle 

Poodles are also known to make amazing hybrids because they are hypoallergenic.  Here is a good example:

21. Yorkshire Terrier

Height: 9 to 9 inches

Weight:  up to 7 pounds

Read More about the Yorkshire Terrier

Who is the Smallest Dog in the World?

2007

Smallest dog living (former record holder)

Long-haired, female Chihuahua, Boo Boo, from Raceland, Kentucky, USA, was officially the smallest dog in the world, after being measured 10.16 cm (4 in) tall on 12 May 2007. This small fluffy dog held the record for a few weeks.

2012

The smallest service dog is Cupcake, a female long-haired chihuahua, who measured 15.87 (6.25 in) tall, on 08 September 2012. She is owned by Angela Bain (USA) of Moorestown, New Jersey, USA (Guiness World Records)

In  2013

Guinness World Records found that the smallest dog in the world in 2013 was Miracle Milly, a brown Chihuahua born in December 2011. She was 3.8 inches tall and roughly 1 pound and was owned by Vanesa Semler of Dorado, Puerto Rico. 

In 2015

Today reported in May, 2015 that Pip the pug of Dudley, West Midlands, in England might be the smallest dog in the world. At 4 months old, she weighs just over a pound and is under 4 inches tall.

Did You Know...

Did you Know… That Pocket sized pets are one of the most popular areas in the Guinness World Records Database? 

Currently, there are two main categories for these tiny dogs: 

Smallest dog living by height and smallest dog living by length.

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Have a Tiny Dog Not On This List?

In every breed their are exceptions to the rules (breed standard).  

Sometimes they are the runt of the litter and in other cases, there is a deliberate attempt by breeders to dwarf down a breed.  

For example, I have a 4 pound Shih Tzu, perfectly healthy, happy, and energetic.  Some refer to these tiny Tzus as Chinese Imperials.

What does the breed standard for Shih Tzu dogs call for?  

Shih Tzu dogs should be between 9 and 16 pounds.

Is he an anomaly?  Maybe, but his mom and siblings are all this size, suggesting that he was selectively bred to be small.  

Required Reading for Tiny Dog Owners

If you have your heart set on a tiny dog, you aren't alone.  But, before you search for that pocket pouch, check out this article on hypoglycemia.  

This is one the most common and serious disorders of tiny puppies.

Want to Tell Us About Your Little Dog?