Top 10 Small Dog Breeds for Families: A Pet Lover’s Guide

Top 10 Small Dog Breeds for Families

As a pet owner for over 5 years, I can confidently say that dogs bring a unique kind of joy into our lives. But for families living in apartments or with limited space, a small dog breed might be the perfect fit.

These little bundles of fluff offer endless love, entertainment, and companionship without needing a sprawling backyard. However, choosing the right small dog breed for your family is crucial. Here, I’ve compiled a list of the top 10 small dog breeds for families, based on my experience and research I also provided some additional tips for choosing the perfect small dog breed for your family!

List of Top 10 Small Dog Breeds for Families

1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Gentle and affectionate, these “cavalier” pups are known for their big, expressive eyes and love for cuddles. They’re playful enough to keep up with energetic kids but also content with snuggling on the couch for movie nights.

• Temperament: Gentle, affectionate, playful
• Exercise Needs: Moderate. Daily walks and playtime are important, but they’re also content with indoor activities.
• Grooming Needs: Moderate. Regular brushing is necessary to maintain silky fur, but it’s not time-consuming.
• Ideal for Families: Cavaliers are wonderful with children of all ages. Their playful nature keeps up with energetic kids, but they’re happy to cuddle on the couch for movie nights.
• Things to Consider: Cavaliers can be prone to separation anxiety, so they don’t do well left alone for long periods.

2. Bichon Frise

This hypoallergenic breed is a fantastic choice for families with allergies. Bichons are known for their cheerful personalities, playful nature, and love for attention. They’re relatively easy to train and require moderate exercise, making them perfect for families with busy schedules.

• Temperament: Cheerful, playful, loving
• Exercise Needs: Moderate. Daily walks and playtime are ideal, but they can adapt to apartment living with regular indoor exercise.
• Grooming Needs: Moderate. Their hypoallergenic coat requires regular brushing (2-3 times a week) to prevent matting.
• Ideal for Families: Bichons are fantastic for families with allergies. They’re relatively easy to train and eager to please, making them suitable for first-time dog owners.
• Things to Consider: Bichons love attention and can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods.

3. Pug

Don’t be fooled by their grumpy expressions! Pugs are incredibly loving and comical companions. Their compact size and low exercise needs make them ideal for apartments. However, due to their flat faces, Pugs can have some breathing difficulties. Make sure to find a reputable breeder who prioritizes healthy breeding practices.

• Temperament: Loving, comical, low-maintenance
• Exercise Needs: Low. Short walks and indoor playtime are sufficient for their energy levels.
• Grooming Needs: Minimal. Regular brushing and wrinkle cleaning are recommended, but their short coat is easy to manage.
• Ideal for Families: Pugs are known for their goofy personalities and love for cuddles. Their compact size makes them perfect for apartments.
• Things to Consider: Due to their flat faces, Pugs can experience breathing difficulties, especially in hot weather. Choose a reputable breeder who prioritizes healthy breeding practices.

4. Maltese

With their long, flowing white coats and gentle demeanour, Maltese terriers are a popular choice for families. These social butterflies thrive on companionship and love to be involved in family activities. However, their silky fur requires regular brushing to prevent matting.

• Temperament: Gentle, social, affectionate
• Exercise Needs: Moderate. Daily walks and playtime are important, but they can thrive in apartments with regular indoor activities.
• Grooming Needs: High. Their long, flowing white coat requires daily brushing to prevent matting. This might not be ideal for families with busy schedules.
• Ideal for Families: Maltese terriers are social butterflies who love to be involved in family activities. They’re gentle with children, making them a good choice for families with young kids.
• Things to Consider: The high-maintenance grooming needs of Maltese might not be suitable for all families.

5. Shih Tzu

This charming breed boasts a long, flowing coat and a sweet, affectionate temperament. Shih Tzus are relatively low-energy and content with indoor playtime. However, similar to the Maltese, their long hair requires daily brushing.

• Temperament: Sweet, affectionate, relatively low-energy
• Exercise Needs: Low. Short walks and indoor playtime are enough for their energy levels.
• Grooming Needs: High. Similar to the Maltese, Shih Tzus have long, flowing coats that require daily brushing to prevent matting.
• Ideal for Families: Shih Tzus are known for their sweet temperaments and love for cuddles. They’re relatively low-energy and content with indoor playtime, making them suitable for apartment living.
• Things to Consider: The daily brushing commitment for their long hair might be challenging for some families.

6. Boston Terrier

Affectionately nicknamed the “American Gentleman,” Boston Terriers are intelligent and eager to please. These lively pups enjoy walks and playtime but are also happy to snuggle on your lap. Their short, smooth coat is relatively easy to maintain, making them a good choice for families with busy schedules.

• Temperament: Intelligent, eager to please, lively
• Exercise Needs: Moderate. Daily walks and playtime are essential to keep their energy levels in check.
• Grooming Needs: Low. Their short, smooth coat requires minimal brushing (once or twice a week).
• Ideal for Families: Affectionately nicknamed the “American Gentleman,” Boston Terriers are known for their playful personalities and love for snuggles. They’re relatively easy to train and adaptable to apartment living.
• Things to Consider: Boston Terriers can be prone to separation anxiety, so plan on having someone with them for most of the day.

7. Yorkshire Terrier

These feisty little dogs are surprisingly adaptable and can thrive in apartments with regular walks. Yorkies are known for their long, silky hair, which requires regular brushing. Consider shorter haircut options if you prefer lower-maintenance grooming.

• Temperament: Feisty, playful, adaptable
• Exercise Needs: Moderate. Daily walks and playtime are important, but they can adjust to apartment living with regular indoor activities.
• Grooming Needs: High. Yorkies have long, silky hair that requires daily brushing to prevent matting. Consider shorter haircut options if you prefer lower-maintenance grooming.
• Ideal for Families: Yorkies are surprisingly adaptable and can thrive in apartments with active families. They’re known for their loyalty and love of attention.
• Things to Consider: Yorkies can be feisty and territorial, so early socialization with children and other pets is crucial.

8. Havanese

Don’t let their fluffy appearance fool you! Havanese are surprisingly active and love to play fetch or go for walks. These social butterflies thrive on companionship and are known for their sweet temperaments.

• Temperament: Playful, social, affectionate
• Exercise Needs: Moderate. Daily walks and playtime are important for their energy levels.
• Grooming Needs: Moderate. Their soft, wavy coat requires regular brushing (2-3 times a week) to prevent matting.
• Ideal for Families: Havanese are social butterflies who love to be involved in family activities. They’re known for their playful personalities and gentle temperaments with children.
• Things to Consider: Havanese don’t do well left alone for long periods and can suffer from separation anxiety.

9. Miniature Schnauzer

This intelligent and loyal breed comes in three coat types: smooth, wirehaired, and giant schnauzer (not recommended for small apartments). Miniature Schnauzers are relatively low-shedding and require minimal grooming compared to other longhaired breeds. They’re also known for their playful personalities and trainability.

• Temperament: Intelligent, loyal, playful
• Exercise Needs: Moderate. Daily walks and playtime are essential to keep their minds and bodies stimulated.
• Grooming Needs: Moderate. Miniature Schnauzers come in three coat types: smooth, wirehaired, and giant schnauzer (not recommended for apartments due to size). Smooth Schnauzers require minimal brushing, while wire-haired Schnauzers need professional grooming every few months.
• Ideal for Families: Miniature Schnauzers are known for their intelligence and trainability, making them a good choice for families with older children who can participate in training sessions. They’re also relatively low-shedding, which can be a plus for allergy sufferers.
• Things to Consider: Miniature Schnauzers have a high prey drive and might chase small animals like cats or rodents. Proper training and socialization are crucial.

10. Beagle

While Beagles might be known for their love of howling, these happy-go-lucky pups can be fantastic family dogs. They’re friendly, playful, and relatively low-maintenance in terms of grooming. However, Beagles can be stubborn and require consistent training due to their strong hunting instincts.

• Temperament: Friendly, playful, curious
• Exercise Needs: High. Beagles are known for their love of sniffing and exploring, so daily walks and plenty of playtime are essential.
• Grooming Needs: Low. Their short coat requires minimal brushing (once or twice a week).
• Ideal for Families: Beagles can be fantastic family dogs with their friendly and playful personalities. However, their strong hunting instincts can lead to stubbornness.
• Things to Consider: Beagles are known for their howling, which might not be ideal for apartment living. Consistent training is necessary to manage their hunting instincts and barking tendencies.

Choosing the Right Small Dog Breeds for Families : Beyond the List

This list provides a starting point for your search for the perfect small dog breed. Remember, every dog is an individual, and within each breed, there can be variations in temperament and energy levels. Here are some additional factors to consider when making your decision:

• Your Family’s Lifestyle: Consider your activity level and how much time you can dedicate to walks, playtime, and training.
• Age of Children: If you have young children, a gentle and patient breed like a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel might be a good choice.
• Living Space: Apartment dwellers might prefer breeds with lower exercise needs and minimal barking tendencies.
• Grooming Requirements: Be honest about how much time and effort you can dedicate to grooming.

Additional Tips from a Pet Lover

• Meeting the Breed: Before bringing a dog home, visit shelters or reputable breeders to meet different breeds and see which one clicks with your family. Spend time interacting with the dogs and observe their temperament and energy levels.
• Adoption vs. Breeder: Consider adopting a small dog from a shelter or rescue organization. Many wonderful dogs of various breeds end up in shelters, and you might find the perfect furry friend waiting for their forever home. Responsible breeders prioritize the health and well-being of their dogs. If you choose to go the breeder route, ensure they have a good reputation and conduct proper health screenings on their breeding stock.
• Preparing Your Home: Puppy-proof your home to ensure a safe environment for your new canine companion. This includes removing electrical cords, securing cleaning supplies, and blocking off any potential escape routes.
• Training and Socialization: Invest time in training your dog from a young age. Positive reinforcement training methods are most effective and build a strong bond between you and your pet. Early socialization with people and other dogs helps prevent behavioural problems in the future. Enrol your pup in puppy training classes or work with a certified dog trainer for guidance.
• Family Commitment: Remember, a dog is a lifelong commitment, not just a cute addition to the family. Ensure everyone in the household is on board with welcoming a new pet. Discuss responsibilities like feeding, walking, training, and playtime. Owning a dog is a team effort, and everyone needs to be prepared to contribute to their care and well-being.
• Living with a Small Dog Breed
• Small dog breeds can bring a tremendous amount of joy and companionship into your family life. Here are some additional things to keep in mind:
• Exercise Needs: Even small dogs require exercise to stay healthy and prevent destructive behaviours. Daily walks and playtime are essential, but the amount will vary depending on the breed.
• Apartment Living: If you live in an apartment, choose a breed known for being adaptable to smaller spaces and with minimal barking tendencies. Consider noise levels when choosing a breed, as some small dogs can be quite vocal.
• Training: Consistent training is crucial for any dog, but significant for small breeds. Their small size can sometimes lead to owners overlooking bad behaviours. remember, a well-trained dog is a happy dog and a joy to live with.
• With the right preparation and care, a small dog breed can be an incredible addition to your family. They offer endless love, entertainment, and companionship for years to come. So do your research, choose the right breed for your lifestyle, and get ready to welcome a furry friend into your home!

With the right preparation and care, a small dog breed can be an incredible addition to your family. They offer endless love, entertainment, and companionship for years to come. So do your research, choose the right breed for your lifestyle, and get ready to welcome a furry friend into your home!

PAWsome FAQs: Small Dog Breeds for Families