These Are the Tiniest Dog Breeds in the US

By Hristina Byrnes Published May 18, 12:00PM EDT

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These Are the Tiniest Dog Breeds in the US — © Ekaterina Gorokhova / iStock via Getty Images

The variety of small dog breeds is astounding. There are so many that even the most picky dog lovers can find a perfect match when it comes to personality, activity level, and even coat type.

To compile a list of the tiniest dog breeds in the United States, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from the American Kennel Club. We only considered breeds with male dogs not usually weighing more than 10 pounds.

Due to their size, smaller dogs don’t need to exercise every day — though it won’t hurt them — because they don’t need to burn much energy and are therefore suitable for living in an apartment.

Small dogs may look like the perfect lap warmers when in fact they have very tough personalities. Though having a dog is certainly rewarding in many ways, the path to forming a friendship can be challenging, especially with some breeds — these are the hardest dogs to train.

Click here to see the smallest dog breeds in the US.

To determine the tiniest dog breeds in the U.S., 24/7 Tempo reviewed information on each of the 282 dog breeds currently listed by the American Kennel Club, the country’s purebred dog registry. We only considered breeds with male dogs not usually weighing more than 10 pounds, per the information the AKC provides on each breed. Information on popularity, height, temperament, and breed category also came from the AKC.

Lowchen-10-Ch-Boondock Musicbo... by Petful

Lowchen-10-Ch-Boondock Musicbo... (CC BY 2.0) by Petful

37. Löwchen
> Weight: 10-15 pounds
> Height: 11-13 inches
> Popularity: 161 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 15 years
> Personality: Affectionate, Outgoing, Positive
> Group category: Non-sporting

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36. Silky Terrier
> Weight: 10 pounds
> Height: 9-10 inches
> Popularity: 108 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 13-15 years
> Personality: Friendly, Quick, Keenly Alert
> Group category: Toy

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35. Xoloitzcuintli (toy)
> Weight: 10-15 pounds
> Height: 10-14 inches
> Popularity: 131 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 13-18 years
> Personality: Loyal, Alert, Calm
> Group category: Non-sporting

34. Schipperke
> Weight: 10-16 pounds
> Height: 11-13 inches (male), 10-12 inches (female)
> Popularity: 114 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Personality: Confident, Alert, Curious
> Group category: Non-sporting

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33. Rat Terrier (miniature)
> Weight: 10-25 pounds
> Height: 10-13 inches
> Popularity: 83 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 12-18 years
> Personality: Friendly, Inquisitive, Lovable
> Group category: Terrier

32. Volpino Italiano
> Weight: 10-16 pounds (males), 8-12 pounds (females)
> Height: 11-12 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 10-16 years
> Personality: Loyal, Energetic, Loving
> Group category: Foundation Stock Service

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Junior (CC BY 2.0) by David McKelvey

31. Poodle (Miniature)
> Weight: 10-15 pounds
> Height: 10-15 inches
> Popularity: 7 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 10-18 years
> Personality: Active, Proud, Very Smart
> Group category: Non-sporting

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30. Coton de Tulear
> Weight: 9-15 pounds (male), 8-13 pounds (female)
> Height: 10-11 inches (male), 9-10 inches (female)
> Popularity: 80 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 15-19 years
> Personality: Charming, Bright, Happy-Go-Lucky
> Group category: Non-sporting

29. Peruvian Inca Orchid (small)
> Weight: 9-18 pounds
> Height: 10-16 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Personality: Affectionate, Loyal, Noble
> Group category: Miscellaneous Class

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28. Russell Terrier
> Weight: 9-15 pounds
> Height: 10-12 inches
> Popularity: 72 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Personality: Alert, Inquisitive, Lively
> Group category: Terrier

27. Lancashire Heeler
> Weight: 9-17 pounds
> Height: 10-12 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Personality: Affectionate, Versatile, Intelligent
> Group category: Miscellaneous Class

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26. Portuguese Podengo Pequeno
> Weight: 9-13 pounds
> Height: 8-12 inches
> Popularity: 157 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Personality: Playful, Charming, Lively
> Group category: Hound

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25. Tibetan Spaniel
> Weight: 9-15 pounds
> Height: 10 inches
> Popularity: 118 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Personality: Playful, Bright, Self-Confident
> Group category: Non-sporting

24. Shih Tzu
> Weight: 9-16 pounds
> Height: 9-11 inches
> Popularity: 20 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 10-18 years
> Personality: Affectionate, Playful, Outgoing
> Group category: Toy

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23. Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
> Weight: 8-25 pounds
> Height: 8-15 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 14-16 years
> Personality: Playful, Versatile, Intelligent
> Group category: Miscellaneous Class

22. Chinese Crested
> Weight: 8-12 pounds
> Height: 11-13 inches
> Popularity: 79 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 13-18 years
> Personality: Affectionate, Alert, Lively
> Group category: Toy

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21. Brussels Griffon
> Weight: 8-10 pounds
> Height: 7-10 inches
> Popularity: 89 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Personality: Loyal, Alert, Curious
> Group category: Toy

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20. Miniature Pinscher
> Weight: 8-10 pounds
> Height: 10-13 inches
> Popularity: 77 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 12-16 years
> Personality: Fearless, Fun-Loving, Proud
> Group category: Toy

English Toy Spaniel - Ch Loujo... by Petful

English Toy Spaniel - Ch Loujo... (CC BY 2.0) by Petful

19. English Toy Spaniel
> Weight: 8-14 pounds
> Height: 9-10 inches
> Popularity: 138 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality: Gentle, Playful, Intelligent
> Group category: Toy

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18. Italian Greyhound
> Weight: 7-14 pounds
> Height: 13-15 inches
> Popularity: 69 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 14-15 years
> Personality: Playful, Alert, Sensitive
> Group category: Toy

17. Havanese
> Weight: 7-13 pounds
> Height: 9-12 inches
> Popularity: 24 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 14-16 years
> Personality: Intelligent, Outgoing, Funny
> Group category: Toy

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16. Russian Toy
> Weight: Up to 7 pounds
> Height: 8-11 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Personality: Loyal, Smart, Charming
> Group category: Miscellaneous Class

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15. Affenpinscher
> Weight: 7-10 pounds
> Height: 9-12 inches
> Popularity: 163 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Personality: Confident, Famously Funny, Fearless
> Group category: Toy

14. Maltese
> Weight: 7 pounds
> Height: 7-9 inches
> Popularity: 38 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Personality: Gentle, Playful, Charming
> Group category: Toy

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13. Yorkshire Terrier
> Weight: 7 pounds
> Height: 7-8 inches
> Popularity: 13 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 11-15 years
> Personality: Affectionate, Sprightly, Tomboyish
> Group category: Toy

12. Japanese Chin
> Weight: 7-11 pounds
> Height: 8-12 inches
> Popularity: 111 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 10-12 years
> Personality: Charming, Noble, Loving
> Group category: Toy

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11. Bolognese
> Weight: 6-9 pounds
> Height: 10-12 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 12-14 years
> Personality: Playful, Easy-Going, Devoted
> Group category: Foundation Stock Service

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10. Chihuahua
> Weight: 6 pounds
> Height: 5-8 inches
> Popularity: 34 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 14-16 years
> Personality: Charming, Graceful, Sassy
> Group category: Toy

9. American Eskimo Dog (toy)
> Weight: 6-10 pounds
> Height: 9-12 inches
> Popularity: 119 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 13-15 years
> Personality: Playful, Perky, Smart
> Group category: Non-sporting

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8. Alaskan Klee Kai (toy)
> Weight: 6-12 pounds
> Height: 13 inches and under
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 13-16 years
> Personality: Loyal, Intelligent, Vigilant
> Group category: Foundation Stock Service

7. Papillon
> Weight: 5-10 pounds
> Height: 8-11 inches
> Popularity: 53 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 14-16 years
> Personality: Friendly, Alert, Happy
> Group category: Toy

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6. Japanese Terrier
> Weight: 5-10 pounds
> Height: 11-13 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 12-15 years
> Personality: Independent, Curious, Reserved
> Group category: Foundation Stock Service

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5. Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka
> Weight: 5-11 pounds
> Height: 9-10 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 12-16 years
> Personality: Playful, Charming, Inquisitive
> Group category: Foundation Stock Service

4. Biewer Terrier
> Weight: 4-8 pounds
> Height: 7-11 inches
> Popularity: Not ranked
> Life expectancy: 16 years
> Personality: Intelligent, Devoted, Amusing
> Group category: Toy

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3. Toy Fox Terrier
> Weight: 4-7 pounds
> Height: 9-12 inches
> Popularity: 113 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 13-15 years
> Personality: Friendly, Alert, Intelligent
> Group category: Toy

2. Poodle (Toy)
> Weight: 4-6 pounds
> Height: No more than 10 inches
> Popularity: 7 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 10-18 years
> Personality: Agile, Intelligent, Self-Confident
> Group category: Toy

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1. Pomeranian
> Weight: 3-7 pounds
> Height: 6-7 inches
> Popularity: 23 out of 197
> Life expectancy: 12-16 years
> Personality: Inquisitive, Bold, Lively
> Group category: Toy

About the Author Hristina Byrnes →

Hristina Byrnes is the editor of 247Tempo.com, where she handles the site's assignments and editing. She holds a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University, which she earned in 2012, and she specializes in translating complex health data research into engaging, accessible stories for a general audience.

When she's not poring over the latest data sets or brainstorming story ideas, you can find Hristina watching tennis, playing tennis with her son, or trying to get her daughter into tennis.