The 5 Best Tiny and Delicate Dog Breeds

The Chihuahua is one of the best tiny dog breeds.

Some people like tiny dogs because they are easy to keep in a small apartment. Others like them because they do not eat much and are easy to clean up after. Some of us are just like tiny dogs.

Which are 5 tiny and delicate dog breeds?

1. Chihuahua

The tiniest dog breed is the Chihuahua. It only weighs a few pounds, and some breeders try to select a tinier “teacup” size by breeding the most miniature puppies from each litter.

Paris Hilton bought one in 2016 for $8000.

Chihuahuas are not recommended for families with small children. That does not mean all Chihuahuas are going to be wrong with kids. It is a generalization, and some dogs do not act like most dogs of the breed. If you have small children and still get a Chihuahua, make sure you have an alternative home for her just in case things do not work out.

Your Chihuahua needs her teeth brushed daily since she will be prone to dental problems. Some are also prone to heart disease, luxating patellas (trick knees), tracheal issues, and obesity.

If you keep your dog in shape, she can be one of the longest-living tiny dog breeds.

Tiny dogs need special treatment when it gets cold. These Yorkies don’t seem to mind.

2. Yorkshire Terrier

Why are Yorkies so popular? Do you think it has something to do with how cute they are? I do. They are tiny, and although the breed standard declares that the maximum size must be seven pounds, many of them are much smaller.

Other people like Yorkies so much because of their spunky attitude. They tend to bark a lot and make excellent small watchdogs.

Yorkies do not shed much, but their long hair needs to be combed every day. They also need to have their teeth brushed every day to prevent the development of periodontal disease.

Some of the tiniest dogs in history have been Yorkies, but they do have a lot of health problems. Any of the dogs bred to be “teacup” size are more likely to have bad knees, heart disease, nervous problems like epilepsy, and bouts of low blood sugar.

Cute, feisty, and tiny—what else are you looking for?

3. Maltese

This is not the smallest toy breed, but he is one of the tiniest; an average adult weigh only about six or seven pounds.

Maltese have a lot going for them. They are suitable for first-time dog owners, something that cannot be said for some tiny dogs. He is good with cats, gets by with minimal exercise, and does okay in a small apartment. A lot of Maltese are calm and will be satisfied with a nice couch to sleep on all day.

A lot of people choose not to get a Maltese after looking at show dogs and hearing about how much work it is to groom their long hair. They are really cute with long hair, but if it is too much work, they can be clipped in a “puppy cut” and just brushed quickly once daily.

(When I had a Maltese, we always kept him long, but since we were living in the city at the time, it was easy to keep him clean and brushed. Dogs out in the country probably need to be clipped.)

Some dogs have problems with tear staining, and like many tiny breeds, they must have their teeth brushed once daily. Since they are prone to the dental disease, they might end up needing a dental cleaning every few years no matter what you do.

Are these guys perfect? No dog is, but they come close. They are small, good companions, and great pets to have around.

4. Miniature Dachshund

A tiny Miniature Dachshund weighs only about eight pounds, but some weigh a few pounds more.

This little dog has a lot going for him but you also need to be careful. The full-sized Daschund is reported to be the most aggressive breed, and some of them have problems with food aggression and dog-dog aggression.

Since the long-haired variety was developed by breeding with the Papillion, another tiny dog breed, I think they are easier to get along with than some of the other varieties. (That type may also be less aggressive.)

it is wrong to generalize too much when discussing dogs, but all varieties of Doxie are independent and will act as watchdogs and companions.

Doxies need to be brushed (but not as often as Maltese), their teeth need to be brushed daily, and they must not be allowed to become obese because of the danger of developing back problems.

They are one of the longest-lived breeds, often living 15 or more years if taken care of. And they are tiny, perfect for a small apartment and a small lap.

5. Toy Poodle

The Toy Poodle is one of the most intelligent dogs, and that is good in some ways but not in others. They may get into trouble because of being bored, but one of the best things about having a Toy Poodle is teaching her tricks. Many people pick them because they do not shed much, weigh less than 10 pounds, and also because they are good in an apartment.

She will need a daily walk, like all breeds, but most of the time, your Toy Poodle will be happy at home learning new things or just hanging out.

These dogs are prone to luxating patellas (trick knees), diabetes, epilepsy, ear problems, and several other less common diseases. A healthy Toy Poodle is one of the dog breeds with long lives.

And besides that, they are tiny.

Where Should You Find Your Tiny Dog?

Lots of other toy dog breeds are available. The Brussels Griffon is great if you like his looks, the Japanese Chin is good if you need a quiet dog in an apartment, and the Shih Tzu is a good choice if you want a dog under 15 pounds and also need your lap kept warm.

If none of these dogs appeal to you, look at more pictures of toy dogs and then find out about how that breed will fit into your life.

When you have decided, be sure to check with your local animal shelter and Petfinder.com. You might find the tiny dog you are looking for closer than you think. You can check the internet to find the breed rescue in your area, and if nothing else works out visit a dog show and talk to some of the breeders who raise the type of dog, you are looking for.

Do not buy a dog from a pet shop. He may seem perfect at the moment, but if the pet shop or internet wholesaler is willing to sell to anyone they are actually a puppy mill. Your new dog will be poorly socialized and will be difficult to housebreak, hard to train, and may end up biting members of your family.