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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.
Can't wait to see who made the top 20 list?
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.
Take the lovable Shih Tzu breed for example. I've heard people brag about their 23 pound Shih Tzu, and then there are purebred Shih Tzu dogs that never grow to be more than 4 pounds. Quite a Difference
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
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
Photo by Roberto Nickson on UnsplashCavoodle 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
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
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)
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
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.
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?
About Janice (author and voice behind this site)
Having lived with dogs and cats most of her life, Janice served as a veterinary technician for ten years in Maryland and twelve years as a Shih Tzu dog breeder in Ohio.
Her education includes undergraduate degrees in Psychology with a minor in biology, Early Childhood Education, and Nursing, and a master's in Mental Health Counseling.
She is a lifelong learner, a dog lover, and passionate about the welfare of animals. Her favorite breed for over 50 years has been the Shih Tzu, but she has also lived with Poodles, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Beagles, English Bulldogs, Carin Terriers, and a Cocker Spaniel.
When not writing, reading, and researching dog-related topics, she likes to spend time with her eight Shih Tzu dogs, husband, and family, as well as knitting and crocheting. She is also the voice behind Miracle Shih Tzu and Smart-Knit-Crocheting
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