30 toy dog breeds that stay puppy-sized forever

All dogs are individuals, but some toy breeds might be more suspicious or scared of humans and compensate for their small stature by being nippy. “Chihuahuas can go either way – when they’re nice, they are amazingly sweet, but if they have the grumpy gene, look out,” says Dr McCarthy. “I have more scars from Chihuahuas than I do from other breeds.” Chihuahuas are not actually mean, they’re just saucy and feisty, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

We know what you’re thinking. We thought it too. The miniature pinscher is clearly a pint-size version of the Doberman pinscher, right? The teeny-weeny toy breed, also known as the min-pin, would be the first to correct you. Oddly enough, it’s dubbed the “King of Toys” even though it’s just 30cm tall and weighs about 4.5kg. We can see that in its confident and courageous personality and its stately sleek and shiny coat, high-perched ears, and expressive eyes.

Ahem. Will you be a dear and fetch me my royal treats? The Pekingese is a honey of a toy breed that exudes a dignified manner with a dash of aloofness. Back in the day, they were royal lap sitters. There’s definitely still some blue blood running through their veins – and tongues that are bluish-black. They’re easy-going and have layers upon layers of snuggle-worthy luxurious fur.

Cute as a button, the Biewer (pronounced “beaver”) is a calm dog breed with an irresistibly cute, angelic face and a charming little smile. Biewers make friends effortlessly with their outgoing and whimsical personalities. Dainty and precious is their vibe, but in truth, they are surprisingly athletic and relish long walks and agility competitions.

Just how tiny is the tiny fox terrier? It weighs between 1.8 to 2.7kg and ranges from 20 to 28cm tall. A teensy-weensy package loaded with character, the tiny fox is an unlikely combination of a sweet and loving lap dog with the tenacity of a terrier. Always in the pursuit of something fun, they’ll need you to bring your A-game, or they could become mischievous.

Discover 13 more of the world’s tiniest dog breeds.

Fluffy, but not stuffy, the Coton de Tulear (KO-Tone Dih TOO-Lay-ARE) is a happy-go-lucky pup with the cutest smile you ever did see. Then there’s that alluring cottony-soft coat you could snuggle for hours. As much as the Coton de Tulear loves a good cuddle session, it needs creative outlets for its sometimes boisterous clownish antics. These dogs covet playtime with you, along with lots of interesting and challenging toys and games. You’ll have plenty of years together as the Coton de Tulear is one the longest living dog breeds, with a lifespan of 15 to 19 years.

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A charming, spirited, and clever miniature dog with a big name that’s hard to pronounce (Svet-NE-ya Bo-LON-ka) at first but in no time will roll off the tongue. The Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka is one of those rare dog breeds you probably haven’t heard of, but now that you do, you’ll want one for your own. This sweet little pup tart is chummy with everyone and turns strangers into fast friends with just one look. The Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka is more lapdog than athlete. Still, every dog needs daily exercise. A walk around the block, playtime in a fenced yard, or a trip to the dog park should suffice.

The Japanese Chin struts about with a little swagger and self-importance, and we’re not about to call them out on it. This Japanese dog knows it has a coat to be envied – that long luscious fur covering its backside and heavenly feathering on its legs and ears are Instagram-worthy. Interestingly enough, Japanese chins share some traits with cats. They’re meticulous groomers, a bit aloof, and persnickety. They’ll claim their favourite spot on the sofa but are more than happy to share it if you lavish them with some love.

Portable and adorable? How can you turn down this honey of pup that you can take anywhere? At just 4.5kg, the Norwich terrier is ready to travel anywhere in the city or country. This breed loves to take in their surroundings and interact with other people, satisfying their curious nature with fun and active things to do. Agility, flyball and playing at the dog park expend enough energy to wear them out for cuddle time later.

Another tiny crossbreed, the chorkie is born of a Chihuahua and a Yorkshire terrier. And it’s pretty apparent after spending a little bit of time with one that they have acquired the lively and sassy nature of their parents. Both breeds tend to be wary of strangers, but that’s probably due to their undying loyalty to their favourite human. They love their humans with all their might and aren’t crazy about outsiders horning in on their territory.