Small dogs are very popular all over the world. This is due to the fact that, despite the great love for our four-legged brothers, not everyone is ready to keep large pets at home. In addition, small dogs will give no less joy, love and affection than their large-sized relatives, and will be loyal to their owners all their lives. An important criterion for choosing miniature pets is also that large areas are not needed for their maintenance, they eat a little and require much less care than representatives of large breeds. We present you with a rating of the smallest dogs, in which we will consider in detail the characteristics of each representative.

Top 10 smallest dog breeds

10 Pug

Pugs are popular all over the world. Moreover, it is one of the most ancient breeds. They lived in the houses of the nobility in Ancient China, but despite their privileged position, dogs of this breed are kind, energetic, playful and a little awkward, which cannot but cause affection. Adults reach 35 cm at the withers. Of the features in the care should be highlighted daily walks for two or more hours, as well as frequent wiping of folds on the face and body. As well as eye care, which require increased attention due to frequent diseases of the cornea.

9 Bichon Frize

Dogs of the Bichon Frize breed will be an excellent friend for their owners and are especially suitable for families with children. These little dogs are very active, energetic, playful, and also extremely friendly and unobtrusive. Very trainable. The pet easily makes contact with strangers, so it will become not a guard, but a companion. Particular attention should be paid to this dog for allergy sufferers, because the peculiarity of the representatives of this breed is that their wool does not cause allergic reactions. Thanks to the listed qualities, this breed got into our top of the smallest in the world. The size of an adult varies from 23 to 30 cm at the withers.

8 Affenpinscher

The dwarf Affenpinscher breed, bred in Germany for hunting rats, at one time not only brought benefits in getting rid of rodents, but also became a favorite of the nobility. Her petite muzzle looks like a monkey, with kind eyes and a small upturned nose. The dog sheds little, has good health. Affenpinscher gets along well with other animals. Also, the dog will be an excellent guard in small apartments.

7 Petit Brabançon

Small dogs of the Belgian breed Petit Brabançon very quickly get used to their owners, and this affection remains until the end of the animal's life. A distinctive feature of the character is the ability of the dog to guess the mood of the owner: if the owner is happy, then the pet will be happy, and if sad, he will quietly lie aside and will also be sad. Dogs of this breed are very sociable and do not lose their playfulness until old age. They lend themselves well to training due to their developed intellect and natural curiosity.

6 Russian Toy Terrier

The Russian Toy Terrier was first bred in the Russian Empire in the 19th century. This is a very smart and cunning dog that loves to play, frolic, knows how to put pressure on pity, revealing the weaknesses of its owner, and also has an excellent memory. At the same time, the dog is not aggressive, but has a low resistance to stress, which makes its acquisition undesirable for families with small children. Due to its compact size and unpretentious care, the Russian Toy Terrier can be kept in a small area.

5 Maltese lapdog

The Maltese lapdog is easily recognizable by its flowing snow-white long coat and compact size. Interestingly, the first image of a dog, by all indications resembling a representative of this breed, was found on an ancient vase dating from 500 BC. The dog is very kind, obedient, as well as playful and active.The most important feature and advantage is the long coat, which requires special care and washing every 10-14 days. Maltese lapdogs often get beautiful hairstyles and buy interesting accessories for wool. The size of an adult lapdog reaches 25 cm at the withers.

4 Shih Tzu

Another native of the imperial courts of China is the Shih Tzu. Dogs of this breed were bred in Tibet and were not known to the rest of the world until the Dalai Lama presented a puppy to the Chinese emperor in the 17th century. After the Shih Tzu became permanent residents of the imperial court and fell in love with the whole world. These dogs are kind, but selflessly love only one owner and treat other people with distrust and arrogance. They require constant attention and become depressed when the owner is not around for a long time. Special care is required for the Shih Tzu coat, so the breeder must be prepared for the fact that he will devote a lot of free time to the needs of the pet.

3 Pekingese

Mentions of this breed go back to the second millennium of Chinese history. Dogs were kept at the imperial court, and perhaps for this reason they have a corresponding character. Pekingese are stubborn, independent and lazy, so they are perfect for slow and calm people. However, their imperial veneer hides love and devotion to the owner, as well as the ability to selflessly protect him. These small dogs are unpretentious in grooming - they only need to be brushed periodically. The size at the withers is 15-25 cm. The smaller the dog, the more expensive it is.

2 Yorkshire Terrier

Our top of the smallest dogs is the Yorkshire Terrier. This is a very popular breed that will make great friends for both adults and children. The size of an adult dog is very small - only 15-17 cm at the withers. Individuals of this breed are smart, playful and cannot be alone. It is important for breeders to protect the animal from injury and carefully monitor the coat, because the dog needs to be bathed at least once a week.

1 Chihuahua

Of course, the first place in our ranking of the smallest dogs is the Chihuahua. It is the most popular breed in the world. Dogs are kind, affectionate and smart, they love to be picked up. But at the same time, they are very brave and will desperately defend the owner in case of danger. Interestingly, the Chihuahua is a breed that evolved naturally, and not through the wonders of selection.