small dog with underbite

12 Small Dog Breeds With An Underbite (Must-See!)

There are many small dog breeds out there that can be categorized as having “underbites”. While there is no officially recognized list of the breeds that fall into this category, I have created a list of the most common ones for you below.

Boston Terrier

Boston Terrier
Photo by Erik Mclean from Pexels

As with all purebred dogs, Boston Terriers has to undergo vigorous obedience training, in particular when they are puppies, because of their tendency to be “pushy” and stubborn. These traits make them excellent companions and good watchdogs.

Although the Boston terrier was once thought of only as a companion or toy breed, the breed has evolved over the years to become an intelligent, pleasant, and popular breed. They tend to do better with children who are calm and patient, have no major medical conditions, and possess a sense of fairness, patience, and honor. They also do wonderfully with other dogs of the same sex. Male Boston terriers that are bred with females that are of the brindle color are very pretty, neat, and charming.

Although they are wonderful pets, they need a lot of space to roam, and exercise, therefore do not get them in a small apartment or house. They have a reputation of being high-energy dogs and should be socialized from an early age. They do well with regular walks, and are great dogs for first time dog owners. Breeders who keep Boston terriers in their families have reported that their dogs have stable dispositions, are fun to play with and have a high tolerance for people and other dogs.

Pekingese

Pekingese
Image by No-longer-here from Pixabay

The Pekingese is a lovely yet mischievous breed of dog, originally originating in China. The modern history of the Pekingese can be traced back over three centuries, where they were initially bred to be companions for the Ming Dynasty’s Army. At first, these dogs were used as guards and protectors, but eventually they developed their own personalities and many Pekingese are known for their strength and intelligence.

Today Pekingese is famous world-wide for their loyalty, beauty, and elegance. Although some Pekingese have bad temperament, there are still many with good temperament that is used for companion, show, breeding, and all sorts of dog shows.

Pekingese are also not known to shed as much as other breeds of dogs, as they generally do not possess a lot of fur. This lack of shedding has resulted in some Pekingese breeds being known for having excessive hair accumulation. In fact, Pekingese are commonly kept as house dogs as they do not require much exercise. Their small size also makes them perfect for apartment living.

French Bulldog

French Bulldog
Image by Kossi007 from Pixabay

The French Bulldog is an excellent breed of pet dog, originally bred to be companion animals. The original breed is the result of a short cross between local Ratters from Paris, France, and toy puppies imported from England in the late 1800s. These dogs were compact, sturdy dogs with an extremely friendly, gentle disposition. They were originally bred for guarding, as they have the strength and alertness required for such a purpose.

They are extremely protective of their owners and were originally bred as gun dogs. The French Bulldog has come to symbolize the values and traits of excellence, loyalty, and protection. Today, there is a French Bulldog breed that will fit any family. The French Bulldog has a very loyal personality but does not possess a “ferocious” appearance like some other bulldogs might.

Because of this, the French Bulldog can be a good choice for pet ownership for virtually anyone who chooses to own a pet. Because of the popularity of the French Bulldog, it is no wonder that the AKC has listed the French bulldogs among its most popular breeds.

English Bulldog

English Bulldog
Image by Sven Lachmann from Pixabay

The English Bulldog is a small-sized dog breed originally bred for herding.  Bulldogs are popularly today for their friendly temper, obedience, intelligence, and energy. These dogs are highly-effective working dogs, very adept at hunting during the winter time and very loving and affectionate towards children.

Despite its size, an English Bulldog still manages to fit into most apartment and house-hold rooms. Moreover, it is a very powerful and athletic dog, capable of running at least three miles without breaking its stride, has a very good temperament and is relatively easy to train despite its bull-like features. Because of these qualities, these dogs are ideal family pets.

However, with their stubbornness, they can be stubborn in the sense that they take time to adapt to new routines and often exhibit certain behavioral problems. Most importantly, these dogs require a lot of love, commitment and companionship to help them grow and flourish as intelligent, talented and energetic pets.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Image by Anja Kiefer from Pixabay

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a tiny breed of long-haired spaniels classed in both the toy group of The Kennel Club (CKC) and the American Kennel Club (AKC). They were first used for hunting and soon became true lovers of dogs. They are active and playful dogs who enjoy playing around, chasing after small animals, and retrieving toys. They are very alert and have an amazing ability to smell, with the highest ability of being able to detect the scent.

Charles Spaniels is characterized by their exquisite long, silky coats that fall in shades of gold, tan to dark brown, and chestnut markings. Although these spaniels are originally bred for herding purposes, they are now considered to be good sportsmen and affectionate, good-natured dogs. Charles is an excellent choice for a family dog because they have high energy levels.

They require a lot of exercise, and they can get bored if they do not have a lot of activity. So, you should keep their physical activity level high. This will also help to prevent them from exhibiting behavior such as destructive chewing, barking, or over barking. A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel will fetch a premium price in good condition. With proper training, these dogs make perfect companions.

Pug

Pug
Image by Katrinbechtel from Pixabay

The Pug is an excellent breed of cat characterized by a short, wrinkly, dense tail and curly, silky, silken hair. The pug is typically a medium-sized, solid colored dog with a square, usually upright head, a well-developed chest and a thick, close-lying tail. The color most commonly seen in the pug variety is white or tan.

While the Pug is an excellent, low-maintenance breed, they can be prone to several health problems including hypoglycemia, congenital heart disease, liver disease, heart valve disease and skin disorders. The history of the Pug began in China, where it was often used as a companion dog for soldiers, even though its exact history is uncertain.

When England began trading with China in the nineteenth century, many soldiers staying in China developed a fondness for the dog, and it was soon brought back to England and soon became known as the Pug. Throughout the centuries the Pug has been successfully bred to become a very versatile and loyal family pet.

Lhasa Apso

Lhasa Apso
Image by Rizza Dado from Pixabay

The Lhasa Apso isn’t your typical non-sporting dog breed, originating from Tibet. Instead, it was bred as a silent sentinal in the Buddhist monasties, to warn the monks of any intruders who were entering. 

While the Lhasa Apso was bred primarily as a guardian dog, many owners have taken this dog into their family because of the loving and protective nature of the dog. When brought to America the dog quickly became popular for tracking activities and was then introduced to people in Tibet where it began to receive recognition as a sporting dog.

Today the Lhasa Apso receives regular exercise and is happy to spend the day playing with any member of the family. The Lhasa Apso shows great strength, and agility in both jumping and running, as well as for tracking and any other activity where it is needed. The Lhasa Apso can also be a good watchdog, although it does not do very well when left alone.

Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu
Image by Cesar Abud from Pixabay

The Shih Tzu has long been a popular pet among families. Originating from China, the Shih Tzu dog is said to have first been bred in China. This small breed was first bred to be a companion or watchdog for Chinese officials and monks. Today this breed is still used for these purposes, but they are also excellent as watchdogs. This tiny breed is strong and lively with a long and sturdy coat that is easy to groom, yet very comfy and friendly.

They are great dogs for this purpose because they are quick and agile, being able to run and hide at the same time. These dogs also have a thick, sturdy coat that can protect them against cold nights, although they are usually bred in the warmer climates of China, Korea, and Taiwan. For this reason, they are very popular in North America where they are sometimes referred to as Chinese Shepherds.

 However, despite their large size, all Shih Tzu dogs are very healthy animals and rarely need any kind of special care. If you’re looking for a small, gentle, and easy-going breed that requires little upkeep, then a Shih Tzu may be right for you.

Chihuahua

Chihuahua
Image by photozzz from Pixabay

A Chihuahua dog is a great family pet that is easy to care for and makes a great companion. The Chihuahua is actually named after the Mexican city of Chihuahua, which has a population of more than eight million. As the name suggests, Chihuahuas are small dogs that usually weigh around ten pounds at age five, although there are some instances where they can reach as high as fifteen pounds at different ages.

This small dog is a fun, and outgoing breed that are friendly towards most people, but wary of strangers and other animals once they get a little older. The Chihuahua looks more like a rag doll than a standard small dog, even though their body structure is very strong and their size small.

These dogs make excellent pets, and because they are so small, Chihuahuas are very easy to housebreak and train. Because of their easy-going personalities, a Chihuahua dog makes an ideal pet for first time dog owners who do not know much about dogs or small dogs in general. 

Maltese

Maltese
Image by Jo Quek from Pixabay

The Maltese is a beautiful breed of dog in the smaller toy group, sometimes known as toy poodles. It is believed to have originated from dogs of small Spitz type in south Central Europe. Despite the name, however, it actually has no proven or documented historical or genetic link to the country of Malta. They are frequently referred to as Maltese due to their small size, yet very capable of providing you with years of fun and enjoyment. The Maltese, though it does have its own distinct personality and unique look.

Their coats are short and dense, giving them the appearance of having a fine coiled fur. A true Maltese has a natural white coat that is silky smooth. Their coats need regular grooming and care to keep them looking their best. Maltese puppies are great pets for those with children, as they are extremely affectionate and cuddly, and therefore ideal for first-time dog owners, and especially allergy sufferers.

They are also very intelligent and playful, and like being gently stroked. They have a strong protective instinct, and thus they are very suited to be placed in large enclosed areas such as apartments and even whole houses as long as they are given adequate exercise and are not left alone for long periods of time.

Pomeranian

Pomeranian
Image by Justyna Kunkel from Pixabay

Toy Pomeranian puppies are very cute and cuddly dogs that are highly appreciated by children. They are a very common choice for first time dog owners. Due to their high demand, prices for these types of puppies can be very high, but with proper research and a good deal of patience, you can find one at a price that is within your budget. If you have considered purchasing a toy Pomeranian for your child or for yourself, then you should familiarize yourself with all of the important facts regarding this breed before making your final decision.

The following information will give you some basic information about the general characteristics of the Toy Pomeranian breed so you will know what to look for when purchasing one for your child. They are most commonly classified as a toy Pomeranian breed due to its very small size, which is usually measured at less than seven pounds for an adult.

They were originally bred to be companion animals, but now many owners have turned them into show dogs and have participated in numerous pet shows where they have shown off their best qualities.  Toy of breeds are normally robust , but they still need a lot of care and attention to become the perfect companion for your family.

Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terrier
Image by Pezibear from Pixabay

The Yorkshire Terrier is probably one of the smallest truly functional dog breeds, and also of any purebred dog kind. The Yorkshire Terrier breed originated in Yorkshire, England during the late 19th century.

Most of these dogs are bred to be a show dog or those of sporting merit such as in agility, obedience, tracking, flea control, and so on. Many show champions in the world have been showered with this very affectionate and intelligent breed, which eventually became popular all over the world.

Grooming is a necessity that must be performed on a regular basis. The hair of these dog breeds needs to be brushed after every bath or exercise in order to keep the coat lustrous and healthy. To help prevent mats and tangles of hair, it is advisable to comb the dog once a month and the ear cleaning should also be done on a monthly basis.

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.