Man holding Chihuahua

17 Best Small Dog Breeds Under 10 Pounds (Must-Read!)

Are you searching for small dog breeds under 10 pounds. Dogs that weigh less than 10 pounds are called toy dogs, and they are just as cute as their bigger counterparts.

Toy dogs are very popular because they are easy to train and very responsive to positive reinforcement. This makes them a great choice as they do not need much obedience training, and they are not overly demanding. 

Shih Tzu 

Average Weight: 8.8 – 16.5 lb

Shih Tzu
Image by sylviesi from Pixabay

Shih Tzu is known for its temperament, intelligence and very loyal. When you own a Shih Tzu, you will know that it is a well-behaved, friendly dog. Because of the Shih Tzu’s size and loving nature, they make great companions and house dogs. 

When you look at the Shih Tzu  and all the wonderful characteristics it possesses, you may want to consider a puppy or perhaps a young puppy.

Toy Fox Terrier​​​​​​​

Average Weight: 3.5 – 9.0 lb

Toy Fox Terrier​​​​​​​
Image by FoxTerrier from Pixabay

The Toy Fox Terrier is well suited to those families who enjoy traveling, as it is an intelligent dog that is eager to please. They are very active and well suited to be companions in any household where there are children.

In addition, they do not do well in homes where the owner does not take good care of the dog. Toy Fox Terriers is very social, and make great pets, but they are not good choices for families with small children.

Brussels Griffon

Average Weight: 8 – 12 lb

Brussels Griffon
Photo by Abbie Love on Unsplash

The Brussels Griffon are moderately friendly, alert and sensitive towards the needs of other pets. They have good temperaments, but can become aggressive if neglected. The Brussels griffon is very fond of children and would prefer them to other pets.

These dogs also make very good family pets as they are intelligent and eager to please. They do require regular grooming and need a proper diet along with adequate exercise and love.

Chihuahua

Average Weight: 4 – 6 lb

The Chihuahua originated from Mexico and is now a popular pet all over the United States and Europe. Chihuahuas are small, cute dogs that have big hearts. They are considered to be the smallest dog breed in the world and were originally bred to protect sheep in the old days. 

These dogs are extremely loyal and will stick right with you regardless of what kind of problems you might be experiencing. They are also very quick at learning and can easily master the skills needed to master obedience training in only a few days. Chihuahuas are also healthy dogs that don’t suffer from serious health issues.

Japanese Chin

Average Weight: 3 – 15 lb

Japanese Chin
Image by Goran Horvat from Pixabay

The Japanese Chin, is a very popular dog recognized worldwide for its prestigious pedigree. Being both a friendly pet and a loyal lapdog, this adorable toy breed has a rich history. Japanese Chin puppies were originally bred in China and brought to Japan where they were first bred.

They’re a highly intelligent dogs that’ll easily get along with other pets and children, but they need to have human contact for them to feel comfortable and develop good social skills.

Maltese

Average Weight: 3 – 8 lb

Maltese
Photo by Castorly Stock from Pexels

The Maltese is actually a very versatile breed of dog making it a popular choice for those who like a small dog with a loving and devoted personality. The Maltese is an exceptional small dog with a white coat that some people consider beautiful.

This dog does need a good amount of exercise to prevent them from becoming overweight, but they are truly great companions. Many people enjoy having this type of dog as a family pet, as they are very intelligent and loyal.

Affenpinscher

Average Weight: 6.5 – 13.2 lb

Affenpinscher
Image by Ida Damkilde from Pixabay

The Affenpinscher is one of those breeds that is usually overlooked by potential dog owners. This is because many people do not realize just how fun to be with this breed. However, the Affenpinscher can be an excellent choice for family pets.

These dogs are well known for their loyalty, energy, and beauty. These traits make them great choices for companionship, as well as being a great watch dog or a guard dog breed.

Miniature Pinscher

Average Weight: 8 – 10 lb

Miniature Pinscher
Image by Dorena Beckendorf from Pixabay

The Miniature Pinscher is not sensitive, or even easily stressed, but they still need adequate social interaction and daily walks. If you want a pet that is not highly demanding, then the Miniature Pinscher dog breed is ideal for you.

These dogs need regular, daily attention and will respond well to love, supervision, and training from a young age onwards. Although this is a very amiable and cuddly type of dog, the Miniature Pinscher puppy should be socialized from an early age onwards to avoid shyness and excessive chewing.​​​​​​​

Pekingese

Average Weight: 7 – 14 lb

The Pekingese is a long haired, small dog originally from China. It is one of the smallest breeds in the world. In Chinese culture the Pekingese is associated with many historical figures such as the Forbidden City, which is located in Beijing.

The Pekingese is an excellent choice for those looking for a small dog, and not demanding in terms of attention or exercise. One interesting fact about the Pekingese dog breed is that they are very intelligent and trainable due to their high level of mental capacity.

Papillon

Average Weight: 8 – 10 lb

The papillon makes an excellent pet because it is extremely gentle with children and other animals and very easy to train. However, like any other dog breed, it requires vigorous training and keen socialization if it is to be successfully adopted as a pet.

The training required will include controlling the dogs’ excessive energy and playfulness. This breed is not suited for those who do not possess patience to be trained, or those who have no affectionate nature in them. These dogs require a continuous and long-term care and treatment.

Yorkshire Terrier

Average Weight: 4 – 7 lb

Yorkshire Terrier
Image by Josch13 from Pixabay

The Yorkshire Terrier is among the smallest dog breeds and probably of any dog kind. The breed was developed during the early 19th century in Yorkshire, England. Ideally its maximum sized point is around 7 pounds, though sometimes it exceeds this mark. In general, the Yorkshire Terrier dog appears to have a good temperament, with very few health problems.

The Yorkshire Terrier is a very sociable animal and can get along very well with other animals as well as people. They are also very easy to train, mainly due to their reliance on their owner for leadership. This type of dog is usually obedient, although they do get overly protective of their owners if given the opportunity. 

Pomeranian

Average Weight: 3 – 7 lb

Pomeranian
Photo by FLOUFFY on Unsplash

The Pomeranian  is a long-haired breed originally bred to be a companion or toy dog. The Pomeranian is now classified as a purebred toy dog due to its small size.

Although these dogs are small, it is full of energy and is known to be a ‘speed racer’. They were originally bred to be a companion or watchdog and is famous today for its affectionate nature.

Toy Poodle

Average Weight: 6 – 9 lb

The Toy Poodle is one of the more popular breeds around. This is due in part to its beautiful, unique look as well as its loving disposition. The Toy Poodle was originally developed as a result of crossing a toy and a normal Poodle.

This breed is one of the oldest of the dog breeds but has recently become extremely popular due to its perpetual beauty. Due to their small size, they are very adorable and children often enjoy having them around the house.

Miniature Dachshund

Average Weight: 8 – 11 lb

The Miniature Dachshund is primarily raised for companionship and obedience training. They are very affectionate, loyal, and loving with their owners. They generally need four to six hours of daily active care, including grooming, exercise, and eating.

This dog needs daily walks to meet their active requirements. This Miniature Dachshund needs a lot of human contact and should be socialized early on to facilitate bonding. 

Maltese

Average Weight: 3 – 10 lb

Maltese
Image by Pezibear from Pixabay

The Maltese dog breed is relatively popular worldwide as a very good companion dog. However, it is also highly recommended for those who own smaller dogs since they may seem a bit hyper or high-strung. They have a sweet temper and are usually very affectionate and loving.

They tend to bond easily with children and other pets, which make them excellent pets. It is said that Maltese are also very good-natured and are not overly demanding in terms of attention as compared to other dog breeds.

English Toy Spaniel

Average Weight: 8 – 14 lb

English Toy Spaniel
Image by Pexels from Pixabay

The English Toy Spaniel dog breed is known for its beautiful and lively personality. This breed is also known for its lovable nature and has a loving and playful temperament. The English Toy Spaniel dog breed is well-balanced and a very affectionate dog. They are great companions and are known for their loyalty and friendship.

The English Toy Spaniel dog breed is very energetic and alert. This breed needs a daily dose of exercise and has a tendency to be sensitive to cold weather. The English Toy Spaniel dog breed should be socialized early on and should never be left alone.

Chinese Crested

Average Weight: 10 – 13 lb

Chinese Crested
Image by Distelfink from Pixabay

Chinese Crested Dogs is very lively and active, but they do need to be left alone most of the time. They get easily bored, and if you let them wander around the house they might even get into mischief.

That is why if you own a Chinese Crested Dog, make sure you give it enough exercise and room to run around. Because of their small size, Chinese Crested dogs do very well when used in dog shows, as long as they are properly taken care of.​​​​​​​


Author

  • Karin S

    Welcome to All About My Small Dog, where my love for small dogs and years of hands-on experience meet your need for trusted information. As a dedicated small dog enthusiast and pet parent, I'm deeply committed to sharing expert insights, reliable advice, and a community of support. Every blog you read here is crafted with the utmost care, guided by my passion and expertise. You can trust that you're in the right place for valuable insights and a warm community that understands the unique joys and challenges of small dog ownership. Together, we'll make sure your small dog's world is filled with love, care, and knowledge.

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