Whether you ’re looking for a working collaborator , a sofa white potato , or a champion rival — piddling dogs can do it all while look adorable to boot . While all dogs are tied for first place in our essence , these toy Canis familiaris stock are not bad family addition for a variety of reasonableness .

Keep in mind that there are small dogs in virtually every AKC breed group , but petite barker who present the plaything group have one affair in uncouth . While many pups of smaller stature were breed with hunt or working as a foremost consideration , these tiny pup were primarily bred for companionship and make big dearie for many unlike lifestyles .

Long-Living Toy Dog: Lhasa Apso

As a general rule , not - so - bighearted frank have longer lifespans than big breeds . So no matter what toybreedyou go with , finding a ally for the next 10 to 15 years should n’t be a hard job . In fact , attentive owners will routinely report examples of plaything breed living for 18 - 20 twelvemonth with few issue .

While the friendly and dedicatedLhasa apsohas an average life-time of correct around 15 years ( just perfect for a loving furball admirer ) , many longer - lived examples are n’t difficult to find . In fact , the oldest Lhasa apso on criminal record passed away in 1939 at a thumping 29 years old !

Hairless Toy Dog: Chinese Crested

Some people just do n’t want to trade with thetrimmingandgroomingthat comes with a whelp who has a long ton of tomentum . Sometimes you just want to discover a hot dog who make himself as humiliated - maintenance as possible , and few do that as in effect as theChinese crested .

Sure , they look a petty bit like aPekingesewho suffer some hair . But they ’re tiny , nimble , and clever — not to mention their mystifying desire to please their humans . The Chinese cap will still needregular bathsto keep their skin spare of dirt and compile fossil oil , but that can be a lot less tussle than weekly brushing or monthly trips to the groomers .

One of themost pop breedsin the U.S. regardless of size of it , theYorkshire terrieris far and away the People ’s Choice among the toy breed . Like all in this grouping , the Yorkie has long been a favor breed for gentry and nobility . But under that long , silklike hairsbreadth beats the heart of a working - division terrier . The Yorkie was a ratter and vermin pursuer long before she was a royal lap dog , giving the breed a general collection for centuries .

Fanciest Toy Dog: Maltese

It was severe to take just one bow-wow for this category , and one could still argue for the Pekingese or the Pomeranian . But to see ashock - white , long - cake , impudently brushedMalteseis to eventually realize what opulence really is . These small dogs are happy to run and play and get soiled with the beneficial of them , but once you ’ve had one regally sit on your lap and make you sense like a lavish celeb from " Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous , " you ’ll never desire them to do anything else .

Smallest Toy Dog of Them All: Chihuahua

I imply , come on . It ’s a lean of itty - itsy-bitsy dogs , so you know this one was get , right ? The gold standard for " tiny dog , " theChihuahuabreed standard lists their size as simply " not more than 6 pounds . " consecrate with personalities that far outstrip their bantam size of it , Chihuahuas have developed a repute for being hot dog with , shall we say , pricklydispositions . But withpatient training , these littlest of the slight dogs can be the best protagonist you could ask for .

Most Adaptable Toy Dog Breed: Shih Tzu

Bred specifically to be companion firedog for Formosan royalty , theshih tzuis a bounder that thrives on human tangency . They do well in house with child of all ages ( though no dog should ever be leave unsupervised with a small child ) , and their laid - back disposition make them extremely attuned to apartment and urban living . Theirexercise needsare easy to meet in smaller spaces , and they do n’t have any serious aversions to heat or stale , make them closely ideal companions , regardless of where you survive !

Hypoallergenic Toy Dog Breed: Toy Poodle

Technically speaking , no dog is really " hypoallergenic . " Every dog ( and cat for that matter)—even hairless ones like the Chinese cap — still creates small amounts of the dander andallergensthat have people to experience reactions .

That being said , several stock can cut down on those allergens significantly and one of the most popular examples of that is thetoy poodle dog . Doing everything full - sizedpoodlescan , these intelligent little dog love to please and couch breaker with their citizenry . And their loggerheaded , tight curls hang on to almost all of the loose hair and hackles they produce , keeping themvirtually shed - free . Occasional brushings will keep their coats looking great and can eliminate all that free hair in a way that does n’t permit it land all over your house .

Most Regal Toy Dog Breed: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

TheCavalier King Charles spanieldoesn’t have owners or lover — the breed has devotees . One of the most popular breed in the U.S.,this short spanielcombines almost all of the thing that citizenry fuck about dog into one , dry pint - size parcel . They ’re thinking , very friendly dogs withlong lifespansand gentle disposition , but with all of the strenuosity of a sporting andiron . Their intelligent bearing and tenacious , silky coats have made them a ducky of royalty for decades ( as their namesake will certify ) .

Most Athletic Toy Dog: Papillon

A companion dog through and through , thepapillonwas engender to tag along with their man , no matter the activity . This has leave in a little dog with an super swell nous , a hardy , compact body , and a near amount of energy . Put all of that together , and you get a dog that takes to didactics speedily and can excel in lightness , obedience , and flyball contention , showing genuine turmoil afterlearning a new trickor finishing a new course .

Fluffiest Toy Dog Breed: Pomeranian

There might not be a more Instagram - quick dog than thePomeranian . Withhairthat can be tease and shaped into an endless raiment of style , these balmy , love little dogs are just implore to be cuddled and photographed for your supporter to coo over . Put a Pom in a room with even the most warm small Canis familiaris critic , and dare them not to touch one of these slight puffballs of joy . It ’s just not possible !

Toy Dog With the Squishiest Face: Pug

There ’s the expression " a face only a female parent could eff , " and then there ’s thepug , who has been blessed with a faceeveryoneloves . With their trademark wrinkle , cold shoulder nose , bug eyes , and perma - grins , it ’s grueling not to cuddle up to one of these little guys and assure them exactly how cute they are .

One of the most recognizable visage in the entire cad existence , this popularbrachycephalic breedhas been a favourite of Chinese emperors since the 1500s and a darling of about everyone else for almost as foresightful !

Best Toy Dog Personality: Affenpinscher

Affenpinscheris German for " monkey dog " and it ’s easy to see why this moniker apply here . These inquisitive , singular small dogs are eager explorers ( national park jaunt , anyone ? ) , intelligent companion , and often devious joker . Despite typically standing at just 9 to 12 inches tall and 7 to 8 pounds , these tiny tots are full of personality .

Best Long-Haired Toy Dog Breed: Silky Terrier

With a name likesilky terrier , you acknowledge passably much on the dot what you ’re going to get . take care very much like his cousin the Yorkie , thisAustralia - bornsweet - natured beauty is slenderly larger , get along in at just under a understructure , and mighty around 10 pounds . Much rarer than the Yorkie , silkies apportion the Yorkie ’s terrier bloodlines and love to hunting , run , and compete .

Super Charming Toy Dog Breed: Havanese

As the home dog of Cuba , theHavanesewas once have it off as theBlanquito de la Habana(“little white dog of Havana " ) . Another common nickname is the Havana Silk Dog — those soft , flow locks are a dead giveaway as to why . Outgoing , playful , and endlessly pleasant , this toy dog never fit a stranger and fit into just about everyfamilydynamic .

Most Elegant Toy Dog: Italian Greyhound

Not a average - sizedwhippetor a largergreyhound , theItalian greyhoundslips in and out of small spaces with relaxation — and speed ! As sighthounds with legendary sprinting upper of up to 25 mile per hour , this means they ’ll dart after something in a flash if it catches their eye , so check that to keep these soft lovebugs on a fashionable leash when strolling through the park .

Still not certain which heel stock is for you ? Check out the fulllist of toy click breedsfor more little dogs to love .

Lhasa Apso Facts You May Not Know . American Kennel Club .

Lhasa Apso dog standing on rocky hill

Ricant Images / Adobe Stock

Chinese Crested dog posing on cement

Ekaterina Gorokhova / Getty

young woman holding her yorkie with vestibular disease outdoors

andreswd / Getty

Maltese terrier with bow in hair being held by woman outdoors

bnenin / Adobe Stock

cute Chihuahua sitting on deck

Phanuwat Yoksiri / Getty

Two brown and white shih tzus with front ponytails lay in a yard

Alex / Adobe Stock

owner playing with her white toy poodle sitting inside on a blue chair near a window

Edwin Tan / Getty

Red and white spaniel stands in grass

Bigandt.com / Shutterstock

Orange pomeranian smiles in a close up on a grey brick road

golubka57 / Adobe Stock

pug with tongue hanging out

Elli Luca / Getty

black Affenpinscher dog on the grass

Yvonne Van der Horst / Getty

havanese tongue grass

nellas / Adobe Stock

Young Italian Greyhound resting on young girl’s lap on boat

Ippei Naoi / Getty