Choose and learn the main characteristics of the small dogs you want to keep in your home.
Perhaps when we stop to think in general about the dog breeds that exist, only large animals come to mind. Most people back off in case their pet possibilities are too big to adapt to their home and, consequently, they end up destroying it entirely. But this is not the case, dogs are not only small when they are puppies, there is a huge variety of small dog breeds that do not need much space to live. Since they may not all come to mind when you decide to buy a puppy, at FirstPostOfIndia we provide you with the most common dog breeds that do not grow very large.
Breeds and characteristics
Chihuahua
Its height at the withers – measured from the tip of the animal’s paw to the base of the neck – is between 15 and 20 centimeters and its weight ranges from 2-3 kg. Named the smallest dog in the world, as it does not grow very tall, it contrasts with its large eyes and pointed ears. These animals can have long or short hair, usually a single colour, and in solid white, chocolate brown, grey, cream, or jet black tones… Its character is affectionate, protective, and loving and its relationship with children, people, and other dogs is very good.
Yorkshire Terrier
It usually measures 20 centimeters and weighs a maximum of 3 kilograms. With small eyes and a flat snout, the most notable and distinguishable feature of this breed is undoubtedly its coat, due to its shiny, soft, long, smooth texture, steel grey in colour over most of its body and golden brown on part of its limbs. It is one of the most intelligent breeds, but they are animals that bark a lot and are quite stubborn, but if they are well educated from when they are puppies there will be no problem with their behavior.
Papillon
A dog that is no longer than 28 cm, growing in the future, and can weigh from 1.5 to 5 kilos. The hairy, pointed ears, as if they had fringes, are the feature that has given this breed its name, since they simulate the shape of a butterfly. Its smooth coat can vary in black and white, white and reddish, white and brown, where the darkest tone stains a large part of the face of these and sometimes some areas in the form of a spot on the rest of the body. Loyal, protective, extroverted, friendly, and docile but above all active dogs; it is very difficult to tire this type of animal since they do not stop still all day.
Belgian Griffon
No more than 20 centimeters tall at the withers and weighing 6kg, these small, compact, and broad animals are other long-haired, fine-haired pets that we can choose to keep at home. There are different colours in this breed, such as uniform black and steel grey and aubergine in other varieties, simulating the coat of the previously mentioned Yorkshire Terrier. They are vigilant, affectionate, and obedient and although they get along well with children, they are not very friendly pets with them. There is also another variety called the Brussels Griffon, which is smaller in size and more reddish in colour.
Pekingese
Another of the small-sized pets that we can find, measuring between 15 and 25 centimetres and weighing between 2 and 8 kilos. With a flat head and large eyes, these animals have a vertical profile, a flat, upturned snout, a wide mouth, and long, smooth fur in a wide variety of shades. Affectionate in character, intelligent, confident, and a great watchdog of the house, they only bark in abnormal situations.
Bichon Frise
With a height that does not exceed 26 cm and a maximum weight of 6 kg, the hair of this small one is again another of the most characteristic features of the animal. With a peculiar curly white hair, long or short to the taste of the owner, it is common to play with the cut of this. It usually has a very good relationship with children and the elderly since they are puppies because of its affectionate and cheerful character that lifts spirits, that is why it creates dependence on others and does not like to be alone. There are also other types of dogs by the name Bichon such as the French, with a smoother hair, the Bolognese Bichon, about 3 cm taller than the Frise and the Maltese, with a maximum height of 25 cm, which would also belong to the prototype of small dog breeds that we are looking for.
Pomeranians need to be brushed daily from puppyhood.
Japanese Spaniel
Tiny pets that do not grow taller than 27 cm and weigh around 5 kilograms. With small eyes and large ears similar to the Papillon breed, they also have long hair on their limbs and body and a black or brown and white coat. Quite similar to cats because they use their tongue to clean their face, they sleep on chairs or the backs of sofas and are very agile and precise. Tibetan Spaniels have a different composition but a similar size to these.
Toy Poodles are affectionate, intelligent, protective, and have a cheerful character.
Shih Tzu
Not more than 27cm tall and weighing between 4 and 8 kilos, these small dogs are another of the breeds classified within the small animal sizes. Gold, black, white, grey, and even blue is the range of colours we have to choose from when it comes to having one of these pets at home. Very friendly with the family and potential visitors, it is also one of the best pets when it comes to looking for home company.
Miniature Pinscher
With a height that oscillates between 25 and 30 centimeters, these pets, when they reach their maximum growth, do not exceed 2 kilograms of weight. Their ears are usually cut when they are puppies so that they remain more upright, otherwise their V-shaped extremities fall and remain folded. The snout of these animals is elongated and so is the skull. The fur is short and shiny, with a soft earth brown color, or black with markings on the jaw and the end of the legs in gold. They are very active, energetic, curious, brave, and obedient to their owners from the time they are simple puppies.
You have to be careful not to confuse French and English bulldogs.
Pug
Also called Pug, is another breed of dog similar to the French Bulldog; it tends to grow more than usual with a maximum height of 35cm at the withers and stagnates at the weight of 10 kilos. Its face is also square, its nose is flat and its snout has wrinkles, but its ears are drooping and despite being also small and compact, they are not as strong and muscular as the previous breed. Docile, calm, and lazy, they often suffer from obesity because they do not move as much, but they are also very affectionate dogs that become very fond of their owners since they are puppies.
Boston Terrier
With a maximum growth of 30 cm and a weight of 6 to 7 kilograms, this is another animal with a compact build. The face is also square and compact, like in the previous breeds, the ears are stiff, the nose is flat, the jaw is wide and its fur is dark on the upper part of the body, black or very dark brown, and white on the inside with a stripe in the middle of the forehead that goes down to fill the entire snout, this time without wrinkles. Stubborn and stubborn, they are also animals with a cheerful and tender character, who you will rarely hear bark but will be good guardians of your house.
As you can see, there is a huge variety of dog breeds that are not only small when they are helpless puppies, so stop worrying about whether in the future you will not be able to keep a pet at home that will grow up. Do not torment yourself with the supposed inconveniences of having a dog and make it another companion in your life, remember that the dog is man’s best friend.