With so many types of small breed dogs, finding a puppy for sale might be overwhelming without a little knowledge of dog breeds. Learn about the breeds before shopping for puppies. Then, you will find a small dog breed that fits your lifestyle and family.
How can you pick a dog breed? Ask yourself a few questions about what type of dog you want, what type of dog will fit your lifestyle, and what breeds interest you.
Do you need a hypoallergenic dog? Do you prefer one that requires minimal grooming or one that does not bark? Do you want a small dog that can compete in tracking, agility, and other dog games?
The following links will help you learn about various small dogs. Then, visit our dog adoption page to find your next puppy, purebred, mixed, or rescue dog.
What Types of Small Breed Dogs?
- Toy Breed Dogs
- Small Purebreed Dogs
- Foundation Stock Service Breeds
- Hypoallergenic Dogs
- Small Mixed-Breed Dogs
Toy Breeds
The American Kennel Club lists 21 distinct types of small breed dogs in the toy family. They’re a great choice for senior citizens and people with reduced mobility or limited space. These dogs are great companions and lap warmers. They’re intelligent, playful, and entertaining!
| Affenpinscher | Brussels Griffon | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel |
| Chihuahua | Chinese Crested | English Toy Spaniel |
| Havanese | Italian Greyhound | Japanese Chin |
| Maltese | Manchester Terrier | Miniature Pinscher |
| Papillon | Pekingese | Pomeranian |
| Poodle | Pug | Shih Tzu |
| Silky Terrier | Toy Fox Terrier | Yorkshire Terrier |
Small Pure Breed Dogs
The AKC recognizes eight breed groups: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, Herding, and Miscellaneous.
Most types of small breed dogs are either Toys or Terriers.
Dogs weighing less than twenty-five pounds are sprinkled throughout the other groups as well, however. The pure breed dogs listed below are not in the Toy Group and weigh 25 pounds or less.
| Australian Terrier | Basenji | Beagle |
| Bichon Frise | Bedlington Terrier | Border Terrier |
| Boston Terrier | Cairn Terrier | Dandie Dinmont Terrier |
| Lakeland Terrier | Lhasa Apso | Löwchen |
| Miniature Schnauzer | Norfolk Terrier | Norwich Terrier |
| Parson (Jack) Russell Terrier | Puli | Schipperke |
| Scottish Terrier | Sealyham Terrier | Shiba Inu |
| Skye Terrier | Smooth Fox Terrier | Tibetan Spaniel |
| Tibetan Terrier | Welsh Terrier | West Highland White Terrier |
| Wire Fox Terrier |
The American Kennel Club also keeps records for what is known as Foundation Stock Service (FSS) Breeds. These are pure breeds that are still being developed and are not eligible for AKC registration, yet.
The types of small breed dogs within this catagory include the following breeds:
| Bolognese | Cesky Terrier | Coton de Tulear |
| Grand Bassett Griffon Vendeen | German Spitz | Lancashire Healer |
| Norwegian Lundehund | Rat Terrier | Xoloitzcuintli |
Hypoallergenic
My first dog was seven month old female hound mix that I rescued from the local pound. I loved her dearly. We went through a lot together in the twelve years we shared.
I suffered from a lot of congestion, colds and bronchitis through these years. After my girl passed, my breathing problems started to clear up.
It dawned on me one day that I might have been allergic to her. I itch when I’m around other dogs. I have to take daily allergy medicine to work around them in our kennel.
I spent three years without a dog. Then, someone told me that I should get a hypo-allergenic dog. I had never heard of a hypo-allergenic dog.
I started looking for information on the types of small breed dogs that a person with allergies could live with comfortably. Six years later, I’m the proud owner of a Maltese dog, a Yorkie-Poo, a Peki-Poo, and a Papillon.
I thought it was important to share the following information with the readers of our website, so it doesn’t take you as long to find a breed that works in your home.
The AKC lists 12 breeds of dogs that generally do well with people who suffer from allergies; however, not all of them are types of small breed dogs. The Irish Water Spaniel, Kerry Blue Terrier, Portuguese Water Dog, and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are on the AKC list but are probably better described as medium sized dogs.
You may have to find an out-of-town breeder for the rare Xoloitzcuintli , but most of the other breeds are probably available in your local market.
You can look for all types of small breed dogs for sale in your local market at Live Deal Free Classifieds. You will probably find more listings there than in your local paper, so we have a link below where you can check out this free service. It’s really cool. You can find all types of small breed dogs within minutes.
- Basenji
- Bedlington Terrier
- Bichon Frise
- Chinese Crested
- Irish Water Spaniel
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- Maltese
- Poodle
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Schnauzers
- Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Xoloitzcuintli
The Papillon is known as a “wash & wear” dog due to his low maintenance grooming needs. This also makes him a good hypoallergenic choice for some people.
In addition, the Italian Greyhound, Brussels Griffon, and Coton de Tulear breeds are also thought to be good with people who suffer from allergies.
Many pet owners with allergies, however, find mixed breed dogs (i.e. poodle or maltese mix) do well for them. As I mentioned before, I have a Yorkie-Poo and a Peki-Poo and am a person who suffers from animal allergies.
The most important thing to do if you suffer from animal allergies is to spend enough time with a new dog to see how you will react before bringing her home. Each person’s allergies are unique.
If you are doing research on hypo-allergenic breeds, then you have a head start on finding the types of small breed dogs that may work for your household. I fell in love with a pound puppy and didn’t even know I was allergic to her.
Small Mixed Breed Dogs
How can we talk about all the types of small breed dogs without mentioning mixed breed dogs?
They’re often healthier due to their crossed gene pools and usually have a lower risk of developing health problems that are predominate in certain breeds. Their crossed genes also allow the highly desirable characteristics of one breed (i.e. hypoallergenic) to join with a highly desirable trait of another.
Mixed dogs that have not been specifically bred are abundant everywhere and bring companionship to many. If you’re looking for a new dog, please check out your local rescue center for adoption.
Here is a partial list of some commonly mixed pure small breed dogs:
Maltese and Poodle, Pekingese, Yorkshire Terrier, or Bichon Frise
Yorkshire Terrier and Maltese, Poodle, Pomeranian,
Lhaso Apso, Chihuahua, or Bichon Frise
Poodle and Shih Tzu, Cocker Spaniel, Pekingese, or Lhaso Apso
Lhaso Apso and Yorkshire Terrier
or Poodle
Bichon Frise and Maltese
or Yorkshire Terrier
Who’s Henry?
I decided to end this section on the types of small breed dogs by talking about a medium sized dog named Henry who stole my heart and came into our home in 2005.
Henry came to us through a Hurricane Katrina rescue effort. We think he is a bassett hound/chihuahua mix. He was a starving three pounds when we first saw him.
Although we were not looking for another dog, Henry was looking for us. I did not think he would live more than a couple of weeks without immediate physical and emotional care.
He was the runt of his litter which I later learned was about four months old. His litter mates stepped on him to get to food or to get attention from their human benefactors.
Henry looked like he was only a few weeks old due to his extreme dehydration, excessive parasite infestation, and starving conditions. We feared he might have or contract Parvo. Some of his litter mates died of Parvo within days of us removing him from the litter.
We did not give up on Henry. We gave him food, water, medical attention, emotional support and lots of love. He got healthier and bigger as the months passed. He is celebrating his first birthday May 28, 2006.
He is the healthiest dog I think I have ever seen. He has a grateful spirit and the warmest heart. He makes me smile every day. He is bigger than my other dogs, but we love him the same.
I share this story to remind our readers that there are so many dogs out there who will not survive without the love of a caring family. I hope you find it in your heart to either adopt a dog who needs a home or offer support to your local rescue organazations.
Remember, there are all types of small breed dogs. One of them is waiting for you now. We hope you find your furry friend soon.
Leave a Reply