Maltese
Maltese, weighing up to 7 pounds (3.17 kilograms) and standing up to 9 inches (23 centimeters) tall, are known for their flowing white hair-like fur. Their show-stopping white coats make them appear luxurious, and their obsidian eyes and ebony button noses add to their charm, so its little wonder Roman Empire aristocrats bred them as both a status symbol and fashionable companion. Today, Maltese still sport their flowing white coats, but also may have fur in white and lemon, or white and tan. Despite their delicate appearance, Maltese are hardy dogs that make great watchdogs and adept athletes who often compete on agility courses. Light sleepers may not be fans of what some describe as excessive barking, but the same quality makes the small breed a good watch dog.
Shih Tzu
Originally bred to warm the laps of royals and emperors, the dignified and affectionate Shih Tzu has become one of the worlds most popular toy breeds. Imperial dog-keepers originally developed the small breed Shih Tzu (which means “lion dog”) for Chinese emperors and their families. The outgoing breed was largely kept behind palace walls until the 1930s, when breeders in China and England first grew pocket populations of them. Weighing up to 16 pounds (7 kilograms) and standing up to 11 inches tall (28 centimeters tall), these beautifully long-coated dogs with large, expressive eyes and mischievous personalities, continue to be favored over other dogs in pet-loving families.
Pomeranian
Pomeranians are a toy breed named for the region in which the breed originated, namely northeastern Europe in what is now Poland and western Germany. Poms, as they are often called, came into popularity as the preferred pet of Englands Queen Victoria (1819-1901) and have become alert, loyal and friendly additions to households all over the world. Pomeranians are the miniaturized descendants of spitz dog breeds once bred to work in the snow, such as the Akita, Alaskan Malamute and Samoyed. Their delicate faces have a foxlike appearance and their curled tails emphasize their inquisitive natures. These diminutive dogs stand up to 11 inches (28 centimeters) in height and weigh from 3 to 7 pounds (2.7 to 3.17 kilograms), with thick and fluffy coats in black, white, red, orange, brindle or any variation thereof.
The SMALLEST DOG BREEDS in the World
Finding the right dog for your home is not just a matter of looks and temperament. Sometimes, you have to consider size as well. For example, it’s probably not a good idea to get a massive dog that would easily pull away from you while walking. Such a dog could be a danger to you, itself, and others. That’s why we’re going to focus on showing you 10 of the shortest dog breeds in the world today.
Keep in mind that we’re going to use measurements that reflect the average size of the breed. You may know of an extra-large chihuahua, but the average size of that dog is still between 5 to 8 inches tall at the withers.
Also, some dogs are so similarly sized that ordering them in such a manner is a fruitless endeavor. We’re just going to show you the dogs with the smallest average size. With that in mind, let’s start looking at some different small dog breeds!