Small Dog Breeds

Coat & grooming — Short smooth single coat; minimal shedding and low grooming needs

Suits — Apartment dwellers, city owners, families, companionship

Coat & grooming — Dense curly low-shedding coat; needs regular clipping and grooming

Suits — Allergy-conscious owners, families, active and dog-sport homes

Coat & grooming — Short dense weatherproof coat; sheds moderately and is easy to groom

Suits — Families, children, active homes, multi-dog households

Coat & grooming — Comes in smooth, longhaired, and wirehaired varieties with varied grooming needs

Suits — Singles, families with older children, companionship-focused homes

Coat & grooming — Medium weatherproof double coat; sheds heavily and needs regular brushing

Suits — Active families, children, first-time owners willing to exercise

Coat & grooming — A long, fine, glossy single coat with a silky, almost human-hair-like texture in steel-blue and tan, with no thick undercoat. Yorkies shed very little, which suits some allergy sufferers, but a full-length show coat needs daily brushing to prevent tangles. Many pet owners keep their dog in a shorter 'puppy clip' that needs only occasional trimming, plus regular bathing to keep the coat clean and shining.

Suits — Well suited to many homes, including flats and first-time owners, thanks to their small size and adaptability, though their boldness and fragility mean they often do better with older, gentle children than boisterous toddlers. They form intense bonds and can dislike being left alone for long. They need modest daily walks and play, and benefit from early socialisation so their feisty terrier streak does not become bossy with other dogs.

Coat & grooming — A moderately long, silky coat that is straight or slightly wavy, with feathering on the ears, chest, legs, feet and tail. It comes in four recognised colours: Blenheim (chestnut and white), tricolour, black and tan, and ruby. Cavaliers shed moderately and need brushing several times a week to prevent the feathering from matting, with regular ear cleaning and occasional bathing; their coat needs little or no trimming.

Suits — An ideal choice for many homes, including families with children, first-time owners, older people and flat dwellers, thanks to their adaptable, easygoing nature. They are gentle and tolerant with children and usually friendly towards other dogs and pets. They form intense bonds and crave company, so they dislike being left alone for long. Their exercise needs are moderate, met by daily walks and play, though they happily enjoy more activity too.

Coat & grooming — Double coat with a soft undercoat and a harsh, wiry topcoat, plus the breed's signature beard and leg furnishings. It sheds very little, but needs regular upkeep: brushing or combing two to three times a week to prevent matting, especially in the beard and legs, and clipping or hand-stripping every six to eight weeks. The beard tends to collect food and water and benefits from regular cleaning.

Suits — An excellent choice for first-time owners, families with children and people in flats, thanks to its manageable size, adaptability and affectionate temperament. Miniature Schnauzers are sociable and trainable, but their terrier heritage means they can be vocal and may chase small pets, so early socialisation helps. They enjoy moderate daily exercise and dislike being left alone for long periods.

Coat & grooming — Long, dense, flowing double coat that can reach the floor if kept full; the texture is soft and slightly wavy rather than curly. It needs daily brushing to prevent tangles and mats, and many owners keep the coat in a short 'puppy clip' for easier upkeep. Regular bathing, eye-area cleaning and grooming of the topknot are needed; shedding is low but loose hair stays in the coat.

Suits — Well suited to families, older owners, first-time owners and flat-dwellers, as the Shih Tzu is companionable, adaptable and needs only modest exercise. It is generally friendly with children and other pets, though its small size means play with young children should be supervised. Bred to be a constant companion, it dislikes long periods alone, so it suits households where someone is often home.

Coat & grooming — Short, smooth, fine and glossy single coat lying close to the body. Grooming is very easy: a weekly brush with a rubber mitt or soft bristle brush removes loose hair, and occasional baths keep the coat clean. Shedding is low to moderate, and the breed's facial wrinkles and prominent eyes benefit from gentle, regular wiping to stay clean and healthy.

Suits — An excellent all-rounder for first-time owners, families with children, older people and flat-dwellers, thanks to its friendly nature, convenient size and modest exercise needs. Bostons are typically sociable with people and other pets when socialised early. As a flat-faced breed they are sensitive to heat and over-exertion, so they suit owners who can keep activity moderate and avoid hot weather.

Coat & grooming — Long, soft, silky double coat that is light and slightly wavy, designed to insulate against Cuba's tropical heat. It needs daily brushing to prevent mats and tangles when kept long, though many pet owners opt for a shorter clip to reduce upkeep. The breed is very low-shedding, with loose hair staying in the coat, so regular grooming and occasional bathing are essential.

Suits — A superb companion for families, first-time owners, older people and flat-dwellers, thanks to its friendly, adaptable and people-focused temperament. Havanese are gentle with children and usually sociable with other dogs and pets when socialised early. Bred to be constant companions, they bond intensely and can suffer separation anxiety, so they suit households where they are not left alone for long stretches.

Coat & grooming — A dense double coat with a long, straight, harsh outer coat and a soft, tight undercoat, forming a profuse mane and frill around the neck. Shelties shed heavily, especially during seasonal moults, and need brushing two or three times weekly (more when blowing coat) to prevent matting behind the ears and on the legs. They should be bathed occasionally rather than clipped.

Suits — Excellent family dogs, gentle and patient with children they are raised alongside, though their herding instinct can prompt chasing and nipping at running youngsters. They suit active first-time owners willing to manage barking, and adapt to flats only with ample daily exercise and mental stimulation. Generally good with other dogs and pets; they need at least an hour of activity plus training games each day.

Coat & grooming — A single, long, silky white coat that hangs straight to the floor when grown out, with no woolly undercoat. The breed sheds minimally, but the fine hair tangles and mats easily, so pets need daily brushing or a shorter 'puppy clip' to stay comfortable. Regular bathing keeps the white coat bright, and the face needs frequent gentle cleaning to limit tear staining.

Suits — A devoted companion that suits flats, older owners and first-time owners well, thriving on close human contact and disliking long periods alone. Gentle and playful, the Maltese can be a lovely family pet, but its tiny, delicate build means it is better suited to households with calm, older children than boisterous toddlers. It generally gets on with other pets and needs only modest exercise alongside plenty of affection.

Coat & grooming — A soft, dense, curly double coat with a plush velvety texture, almost always pure white. The Bichon is low-shedding, as loose hair is caught in the curls rather than dropping, but this means it mats easily and needs daily brushing plus professional clipping and bathing every four to six weeks. The signature rounded 'powder-puff' trim is created by scissoring rather than nature.

Suits — An excellent, adaptable family pet, friendly with children, strangers and other animals, and well suited to flats given its small size and modest exercise needs. The affectionate, trainable Bichon is a fine choice for first-time owners, though grooming costs and time should be budgeted for. They bond strongly and dislike being left alone for long, so they suit households where they will have plenty of company.

Coat & grooming — Found in two varieties: smooth-coat (short, glossy, close-lying) and long-coat (soft, slightly wavy, with feathering on ears, legs and tail). Both shed modestly. Smooth coats need only a weekly wipe or brush; long coats benefit from brushing two to three times weekly. Bathe occasionally; the breed dislikes cold and often appreciates a jumper outdoors.

Suits — Suits owners in flats or houses alike, including first-time owners willing to socialise and train consistently. Devoted but can be wary or snappy, so best with older, gentle children rather than toddlers who might handle them roughly. Often bonds to one person and can be territorial with strange dogs. Exercise needs are modest but daily walks and mental engagement matter.

Coat & grooming — A thick double coat with a soft, dense undercoat and a long, straight, harsh-textured outer coat that stands off the body, with a distinctive ruff around the neck. Sheds moderately year-round with heavier seasonal moults. Brush two to three times a week to prevent matting; avoid shaving, which can damage regrowth. Occasional baths and light tidying around the feet and rear keep it neat.

Suits — Well suited to flats and smaller homes, and to first-time owners willing to train and socialise consistently. Affectionate and playful but, being small and delicate, better with older children than toddlers. Can be bold or yappy with larger dogs, so supervision is sensible. Exercise needs are modest — daily short walks and play — but they are smart and enjoy trick training and games.

Coat & grooming — A double coat with a stiff, straight outer layer and a soft, dense undercoat. It is naturally clean and needs only weekly brushing for most of the year, but sheds heavily twice annually during seasonal "blowing" of the undercoat, when daily brushing helps. Bathing is rarely needed.

Suits — Best suited to patient, experienced owners who respect an independent dog rather than first-time handlers expecting easy obedience. Shibas can live in flats if exercised daily but need secure fencing, as they are escape artists with a strong prey drive. They can be aloof with other dogs and unsafe around cats or small pets; early socialisation and a calm, consistent household suit them best.

Coat & grooming — A harsh, straight white outer coat over a soft, dense undercoat, designed to shed dirt and resist weather. Westies shed very little but need regular care: weekly brushing, and the harsh coat is traditionally hand-stripped or, more commonly for pets, clipped every few months. Occasional baths and routine attention to the face and feet keep the white coat looking its best.

Suits — A good choice for families, first-time owners and flat-dwellers alike, given its small size and adaptable, sociable nature. Westies are confident and friendly but retain a feisty terrier streak, so they need consistent training and early socialisation. They suit active owners who can provide a couple of brisk walks and play daily. Their strong prey drive can make them unreliable around small pets like rodents, and some are vocal, so a watchful approach to barking helps.

Coat & grooming — A single, long, fine, silky coat with no undercoat, lying flat with abundant feathering on the ears, chest, legs and a plumed tail; it is most often white with patches of any colour. Because there is no woolly undercoat, shedding is light and the coat is fairly easy to maintain with two or three brushings a week to prevent tangles behind the ears and on the trousers. No clipping is needed, and occasional baths keep the silky coat bright.

Suits — A lively, affectionate companion that suits families with considerate older children, singles, and flat-dwellers alike, as well as first-time owners willing to train. Being tiny and delicate, it is less ideal around very boisterous toddlers or large rough-playing dogs. Papillons are sociable with other pets when introduced well, and although small they are energetic and clever, needing daily walks, play and mental challenges to stay content.

Coat & grooming — A harsh, dense, wiry double coat with a close undercoat and a naturally weatherproof, slightly loose-fitting hide. It sheds modestly and is low-maintenance day to day, needing a weekly brush, but the coat should be hand-stripped roughly twice a year rather than clipped to preserve its texture and colour. Bathe only occasionally, as the coat repels dirt well.

Suits — An excellent all-rounder for active families, including those with sensible older children, and manageable for capable first-time owners. It adapts to flats provided it gets a good hour or more of daily exercise and mental stimulation. Sociable with people and usually fine with dogs, but its strong prey drive means small pets and off-lead recall need care, and it can be a determined digger and escapist.

Coat & grooming — A dense, curly, single-layered coat with a wiry, woolly texture and very low shedding. Because it keeps growing and mats easily, it needs daily or near-daily brushing and professional clipping every four to six weeks. Many owners keep it in a practical short trim. The low-shed coat is often described as more tolerable for some allergy sufferers, though no dog is truly hypoallergenic.

Suits — A versatile choice for families, singles and older owners, and well-suited to flats given its size. Sensible older children are ideal, as the small frame can be injured by rough handling. Good with other dogs and pets when socialised. Manageable for first-time owners willing to commit to grooming and training, though its intelligence means it needs daily mental engagement to avoid boredom-driven mischief and barking.