If you're thinking of the best small dogs for apartment living or young children, our Cedar Mill Veterinary Hospital veterinarians have got you covered. Check out these 10 cute dogs that will stay small forever.
Choosing the Best Small Breed For Your Family
Before inviting a new dog into your home, it's important to do a little research. The best dog breed to complement your lifestyle and to get along with your children, may not be the same as another family's ideal dog breed.
Many breeds of small dogs make excellent playmates for energetic older kids, while other small dog breeds have gentle, patient personalities more suited to younger or less active children.
Households with very young children may benefit from adopting an older dog with a gentle temperament, that will require less training and be more tolerant.
Small Dog Breeds Suitable for Families
Every dog will have its unique personality, and temperaments can vary, but these are our top choices for family-friendly small dog breeds.
1. Yorkipoo
This breed is an intelligent and playful mix of Yorkshire Terrier and toy or miniature Poodle. Yorkipoos are hypoallergenic and energetic. The perfect small dog for an active family who doesn't mind a bit of barking.
2. Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers typically weigh in just under 25 pounds, and come brimming with personality! This delightful breed craves companionship and loves to be with the family. While some are high-spirited others can be very gentle and sweet. Carefully observing the puppy at play, before adopting, can help you to find the right Boston Terrier puppy for your family.
3. Pug
Pugs make peaceful family pets that are perfect for apartment living. Like humans, this sturdy breed loves to eat and sleep and may need a little encouragement to get out and exercise. If your family loves to curl up on the couch together to watch movies, a pug might be the ideal breed for you.
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel loves to cuddle and snuggle with their family but does require a fair amount of exercise to remain contented. A home with a fenced yard is ideal for this little sporting breed since chasing squirrels, chipmunks and butterflies is a favorite pastime of these lovely characters. Cavaliers need companionship and thoroughly enjoy spending time with kids as well as other dogs.
5. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a playful, loving, bundle of fun! Low shedding and long-lived, your kids will adore this little character. This breed forms strong ties with its people and doesn't like to spend long periods alone. The Bichon Frise is the ideal small dog breed for fun-loving families.
6. Cocker Spaniel
Good with older children and even-tempered, the Cocker Spaniel is the smallest member of the sporting group. These dogs adore romping around in the garden with the kids or playing with other dogs. Cocker Spaniels can adapt well to apartment life but crave companionship and don't do well if left alone for long periods.
7. The Mutt
Okay, so mutts aren't an official breed, but they can and do make excellent family pets. Visit your local animal shelter or puppy rescue agency to check out the vast array of characters just waiting for a forever home. Mutts come in all shapes and sizes. With a little patience and determination, you could rescue a puppy and find the ideal small dog for your family.
8. French Bulldog
A couch potato that requires little exercise (a daily walk will be enough to keep this breed in shape), French Bulldogs are known for being gentle, humorous companions to children, as well as mischievous. Its alertness means it’s also a great watchdog, while its short coat is low-maintenance and only requires an occasional brushing.
9. Beagle
This breed has long been famous for its happy-go-lucky, friendly personality. A combination of pack instincts, gentle disposition, and even temperament make it a go-to choice for families with children. Bonus: its short coat makes grooming easy.
10. Poodle
Poodles are known for their eagerness to please their owners, fondness for people, and of course, their playful nature. Their agility and sharp sense of intelligence mean training is easy and fun.
However, they’ll need mental stimulation and exercise to ensure all that energy is used constructively, and this breed will need the training to curb the instinct to rule as the alpha dog.