Small Dog Breeds (10-16" | 12-22 pounds) Ranked by Breed Popularity
↓ Skip directly to Small BreedsWe've ranked these small breeds by popularity to help you see which may be easier to find and which might be a challenge.
Small breed dogs offer the wonderful advantage of a longer expected lifespan, gifting you with many extra years of their big-dog personality, fierce loyalty, and adaptable nature that makes them perfect for both apartments and active homes. These compact companions, typically standing between 10 to 16 inches tall, deliver a remarkable amount of character and energy in their perfectly portable frames.
They are known for their spirited and affectionate natures, often forming intensely devoted bonds with their families while requiring less living space than their larger counterparts.
When selecting a breed, it is essential to confirm that its exercise needs align with your own and, for apartment dwellers, to choose a less vocal breed as a courtesy to those nearby.
Browse Small Breeds
Size Range: The lower end of each height/weight range represents typical female measurements, while the higher end reflects male averages.
French Bulldog
Origin: France
Purpose: Companion
Height: 11-13"
Weight: 16-28 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #1
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Miniature Poodle
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Companion
Height: 10-15"
Weight: 10-15 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #5
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Dachshund (Standard)
Smooth | Wire-haired | Long-haired
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Hunt Badgers
Height: 8-9"
Weight: 16-32 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #6
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Beagle
Two Sizes
Purpose: Hunt small game
Origin: England
Height: under 13" & 13-17"
Weight: under 20 & 20-30 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #7
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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Origin: England
Purpose: Companion
Height: 12-13"
Weight: 13-18 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #13
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Miniature Schnauzer
Origin: Germany
Purpose: Ratting, guarding
Height: 12-14"
Weight: 11-20 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #18
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Boston Terrier
Origin: United States
Purpose: Companion
Height: 10-12"
Weight: 12-25 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #23
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Shetland Sheepdog
Origin: Scotland
Purpose: Sheep herding
Height: 13-16"
Weight: 15-25 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #29
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Pug
Origin: China
Purpose: Companion
Height: 10-13"
Weight: 14-18 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #38
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West Highland White Terrier
Origin: Scotland
Purpose: Vermin hunter
Height: 10-11"
Weight: 15-20 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #41
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Shiba Inu
Origin: Japan
Purpose: Hunting
Height: 13.5-16.5"
Weight: 17-23 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #42
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Bichon Frise
Origin: Mediterranean
Purpose: Companion
Height: 9.5-11.5"
Weight: 12-18 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #46
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Scottish Terrier
Origin: Scotland
Purpose: Vermin hunter
Height: 10"
Weight: 18-22 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #54
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Italian Greyhound
Origin: Italy
Purpose: Companion
Height: 13-15"
Weight: 7-14 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #56
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Russell Terrier
Origin: England
Purpose: Fox bolting
Height: 10-12"
Weight: 9-15 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #66
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Cairn Terrier
Origin: Scotland
Purpose: Vermin hunter
Height: 9.5-10"
Weight: 13-14 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #71
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Rat Terrier (Standard)
Origin: United States
Purpose: Farm dog, hunter
Height: 13-18"
Weight: 10-25 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #81
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Lhasa Apso
Origin: Tibet
Purpose: Companion, watchdog
Height: 10-11"
Weight: 12-18 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #94
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Border Terrier
Origin: UK/Scotland border
Purpose: Fox bolting
Height: 12-15"
Weight: 11.5-15.5 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #98
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Miniature Bull Terrier
Origin: England
Purpose: Companion
Height: 10-14"
Weight: 18-28 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #105
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Schipperke
Origin: Belgium
Purpose: Ratting, watchdog
Height: 10-13"
Weight: 10-16 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #106
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Parson Russell Terrier
Origin: England
Purpose: Fox hunting
Height: 13-14"
Weight: 13-17 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #112
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Wire Fox Terrier
Origin: England
Purpose: Fox hunting
Height: 15.5"
Weight: 15-18 lbs
Energy: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #113
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Manchester Terrier
Origin: England
Purpose: Ratting
Height: 15-16"
Weight: 12-22 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #115
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Miniature American Eskimo Dog
Origin: United States
Purpose: Companion
Height: 12-15"
Weight: 10-20 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #116
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Miniature Xoloitzcuintli
Origin: Mexico
Purpose: Companion, guardian
Height: 14-18"
Weight: 15-30 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #119
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Welsh Terrier
Origin: Wales
Purpose: Fox, otter hunting
Height: 13-15"
Weight: 20-22 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #123
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American Hairless Terrier
Origin: United States
Purpose: Companion
Height: 12-16"
Weight: 12-28 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #125
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Smooth Fox Terrier
Origin: England
Purpose: Fox hunting
Height: 15.5"
Weight: 15-18 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #139
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Lowchen
Origin: Germany/France
Purpose: Companion
Height: 12-14"
Weight: 10-15 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #154
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Lakeland Terrier
Origin: England
Purpose: Fox hunter
Height: 14.5-15"
Weight: 15-17 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #156
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Australian Terrier
Origin: Australia
Purpose: Vermin hunter, watchdog
Height: 10-11"
Weight: 15-20 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #158
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Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
Origin: Netherlands
Purpose: Hunt ducks
Height: 14-16"
Weight: 20-25 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #161
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Sealyham Terrier
Origin: Wales
Purpose: Badger, fox hunter
Height: 10.5"
Weight: 23-24 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #168
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Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Origin: Scotland/England
Purpose: Vermin Hunter/Companion
Height: 8-11"
Weight: 18-24 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #180
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Cesky Terrier
Origin: Czech Republic
Purpose: Vermin Hunter/Companion
Height: 10"-13"
Weight: 14-24 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #187
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Lancashire Heeler
Origin: England
Purpose: Herder/Drover
Height: 10-12"
Weight: 13-22 lbs
Energy: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #189
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Norwegian Lundehund
Origin: Norway
Purpose: Hunting puffins
Height: 12-15"
Weight: 12-18 lbs
Energy: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #198
CKC classified as 'Hound'
AKC classified in 'Non-Sporting'
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Japanese Spitz
Origin: Japan
Purpose: Companion
Height: 12-15"
Weight: 10-20 lbs
Energy: 3/5
Popularity: Not yet ranked
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Peruvian Inca Orchid
(Viringo) - Small
Origin: Peru
Purpose: Companion, hunting
Height: 10-16"
Weight: 9-17 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Popularity: Not yet ranked
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