A little toy dog can do so many wonderful things for you, they can be your best companion when you are looking for a running partner or something to curl up on the couch in front of the tv. And these tiny toy dogs look just way too adorable so you just can’t get enough of them. Interesting thing is that in every AKC breed group you will find Tiny dog breeds. That being said, the dogs that consist of the toy group all have one thing in common and that is they are bred mainly to keep us company and to make great pets for our homes, no matter what lifestyle we have. So here we discuss ten tiny dog breeds that will steal your heart and make the best additions to your family.

Lhasa Apso 

When it comes to living longer, most tiny dog breeds outlive the larger breeds. So choosing a tiny toy dog would mean gaining a companion for the next 10-15 years at least. In fact, if you are an attentive owner who really takes care of his dog, you may be able to enjoy its company for up to 18-20 years with a few minor issues. That is where the Lhasa Apso comes in. This toy dog breed lives on an average of around 15 years, while you can easily find examples of them surviving longer. In 1939 the oldest living Apso passed away, it was 29 years old. 

The Lhasa Apso generally is from 10 to 11 inches tall and weighs between 12 to 18 pounds. These dogs are most famous for their flat-hanging coat that is parted in the middle and draped to each side of their body almost touching the floor. It has a feathery tail and dark oval-shaped eyes. This is a very elegant, long-living dog.

Chinese Crested

Many people find trimming the tons of hair of the dog to be a real pain. These people are on the lookout for really low-maintenance dogs, and the Chinese Crested is a great example of a low-maintenance dog. The Chinese Crested Dogs are very keen to please their owners, and they are a clever, and agile toy breed. It is a lot less hassle to clean the skin of the Chinese crested, you can do it just by giving it regular baths to clean its skin from the oils that get collected and the dirt. So you will find that maintaining the Chinese Crested is far easier than the other dogs that require monthly trips to the groomers or who need their hair to be brushed weekly.

The Chinese crested dogs are about 11 to 13 inches long and usually weigh between 8 to 12 pounds. This breed of dog is expected to live anywhere between 13 to 18 years. These dogs can be coated or hairless, with the hairless variety having soft and smooth skin, with little tufts of hair in the tail, ankles, and head. The coated type has a coat that is silky and soft.

Maltese

You can easily tell what luxury is when you spot a freshly brushed, shock-white, long-coated Maltese. These lavish-looking dogs will sit on your lap and easily give you the feel of being a celebrity from the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. And that can be a very engaging thing indeed, making you not want to pick any other dog. The Maltese is a very happy and playful dog, getting down and dirty with the other dogs.

The Maltese breed of dog is usually within 7 to 9 inches tall and they weigh just under 7 pounds. The dogs are expected to live anywhere between 12 to 15 years. These dogs have a long, silky, straight coat that covers their length. These dogs are very hardy and hence easily adaptable. They make excellent watchdogs due to their fearless nature. These dogs shed very low and are happy to make friends of all ages. They can also be stubborn sometimes as they are quite willful.

Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire terrier is the most popular choice in the US, not just in the tiny dog breed, but regardless of size. Many favors associating the Yorkie with nobility and aristocracy. The Yorkie may have aristocratic looks due to the long silky hair, but they have the heart of a true working-class terrier. In the old days, the Yorkie used to chase vermin and rats, before it got into being a royal lapdog giving it the universal appeal it has for centuries. 

The Yorkie is usually about 7 to 8 inches tall and can weigh up to 7 pounds. They are expected to live between 11 to 15 years. These dogs have a silky coat that is floor-length. The Yorkie is undoubtedly a true terrier, with its feisty, tenacious, and brave traits. They have a lot of attitude stuffed into a small package, still, they are one of the most popular dog breeds for the American cities.

Chihuahua

No list for toy dogs would be complete without having Chihuahuas mentioned in it. It’s almost the gold standard for toy dogs as the standard listing for a chihuahuas size is simply “not more than 6lbs.” a chi can be easily categorized as a dog having prickly dispositions, as their personalities easily outstrip their much diminutive size. However, a trainer who has a lot of patience can easily train these very little dogs to be the most remarkable companions any human can ask for.

These dogs are usually 5 to 8 inches tall and weigh under 6 pounds usually. They can be expected to live from 14 to 16 years. These dogs can have short or long coats that come in many patterns and colors. Chihuahuas can be ideal city pets as they are confident and compact, but they do require training. You need to take special care of this dog in the winter who just loves to spend quality time in your lap.

Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu breed of dog was specially bred to accompany members of the Chinese royal family. This is a reason why they just thrive on all the contact and attention they receive from humans. This breed of dogs is an excellent companion for children of all ages in the household, however, you must never leave your child unsupervised with any dog. The Shih Tzu has very laid-back dispositions, making them a perfect choice for any kind of apartment or urban living conditions. 

These dogs are usually between 9 to 10 inches tall and they weigh between 9 to 16 pounds. They are expected to live between 10 to 18 years. They don't have any highly demanding exercise needs that can’t be met in an apartment. Also, they are ideal pets no matter where you live as they dont have any serious aversions to cold or heat.

Toy Poodle

No dog can ever be claimed as being completely hypoallergenic, because all dogs, seven the Chinese crested, which is almost hairless, still create allergen and dander, no matter in very small amounts. This causes reactions to people who are allergic. However, there are a few breeds that can significantly cut down on the allergens causing reactions in humans and the toy poodle is a big example of it. The toy poodle may be tiny in size but they can do everything that the big dogs can do, including rattling around in a rural setting or being an intelligent couch companion for city folks. 

The dog is not more than 10 inches tall and weighs around 4 to 5 pounds. They are expected to live between 10 to 18 years. This dog is virtually shed-free as their tight, thick curls hang on to most of the loose hair and dander that is produced by them. All you need to do is brush their coats occasionally to keep them clean from the loose hair. 

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

People don't just become mere owners or just fans of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, they become devotees of the breed. When you keep in mind all of the things the people want from their pet, almost all of them can be found in this tiny compact package, making it one of the top-ranking popular breeds in the US. These dogs have really gentle dispositions and are very friendly and intelligent. 

These dogs are between 12 to 13 inches tall and can weigh between 13 to 18 pounds. They are expected to live between 12 to 15 years. These dogs can live really long and are very athletic like a sporting dog. These dogs are very popular amongst royalty, owing to their long silky coats.

Papillon

The Papillon breed is thoroughly a companion dog as they were bred to accompany their humans no matter what activity was being undertaken. This is why the Papillon breed of dog has a very high amount of energy and has a very keen mind inside a compact and hardy body. This dog is very excited to learn new tricks and takes to any instruction very quickly. 

This dog is up to 11 inches tall and weighs between 5 to 10 pounds. They are expected to live around 14 to 16 years.  These dogs have a silky and long coat, with a plumed tail, giving off an elegant look. The coats come in various color combinations, but the base color is white. The papillon is very agile and obedient and is very eager to please.

Pomeranian 

The pomeranian is known to be a very Instagram-ready dog as it has hair that can be shaped into many different styles. These dogs just love all the attention you can give it and be cuddled and photographed is just how they love it. Even people who are very critical of dogs will fall in love if they spent some time with them.

These dogs can be anywhere from 6 to 7 inches tall and usually weigh around 3 to 7 pounds. They are expected to live between 12 to 16 years. These dogs have an abundant double coat that comes in about two dozen colors, along with numerous markings and patterns. The frill of the coat extends over the shoulders and chest.