While the American motto is often “go big or go home,” this mindset doesn’t apply to everything in life. Take smaller dogs, for example. The French bulldog and beagle are just two of the 10 most popular breeds in the country, and they weigh less than 30 pounds. Some of America’s most adored pooches are so petite that they even weigh less than a standard gallon of milk.
24/7 Wall St. has compiled a list of the most popular tiny dog breeds in the United States. We reviewed data from the American Kennel Club (AKC), which registers dog breeds, to determine our list.
Click here to see the most popular tiny dog breeds.
Click here to see the most popular giant dog breeds.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.
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25. Italian Greyhounds
>Average weight (male): 7-14 lbs.
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 74
The Italian greyhound has a slick, almost royal looking appearance. The breed, with its long, curved torso that arches when it sits, is highly attentive and has a calm disposition. This incredibly lean breed is swift on its feet and vigilant.
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24. Lhasa Apsos
>Average weight (male): 12-18 lbs.
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 77
A Lhasa apso is an elegant dog indeed, with its long, silky hair that sweeps the floor as it glides past. A well-balanced breed, Lhasa apsos have a strong intuition — they can be quite whimsical and goofy with family members yet aloof with strangers.
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23. Cairn Terriers
>Average weight (male): 14 lbs.
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 69
Cairn terriers are little balls of energy, and loyal companions too. According to the AKC, a British breed club describes a cairn terrier as the “best little pal in the world.” These terriers thrive when in the company of their beloved owners.
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22. Miniature Pinschers
>Average weight (male): 8-10 lbs.
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 71
These little rascals have a tendency to think they are much bigger than they actually are. miniature pinschers have both a lively personality and appearance. With their perky ears, narrow jaw, and curious eyes, this breed looks as though it’s ready to take on the world.
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21. Scottish Terriers
>Average weight (male): 19-22 lbs.
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 58
Scottish terriers earned the nickname “the Diehard” for their persistent, independent nature. They have an inherent hunting ability, which may have a deterrent effect on the house cat. The breed is known for its bad temper, which complicates its ability to have friendly relations with other dogs.
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20. Papillons
>Average weight (male): 5-10 lbs.
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 53
Not even standing a full foot off the ground, the papillon is quite the spunky pooch. The breed is relatively athletic and robust, despite its delicate appearance. Between the dog’s agility, feather-light weight, and dashing looks, papillons are regular winners at acclaimed competitions.
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19. Bichon Frise
>Average weight (male): 12-18 lbs.
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 46
The bichon frise is one of 21 hypoallergenic dog breeds. This dog in particular has a very plush, velvety coat with a defined afro of fur around its head. Bichon frises are a friendly breed, and for that reason aren’t good guard dogs. However, they are easy to train and even like to perform tricks.
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18. Shiba Inu
>Average weight (male): 23 lbs.
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 45
Shiba inu is an ancient Japanese breed. The breed’s popularity has exploded since its arrival to the U.S. some 60 years ago. Shiba inus were originally bred to flush small game and birds, which likely explains their muscular build. The Shiba inu is the 45th most popular dog in the U.S. and the most popular companion dog in Japan, according to the AKC.
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17. West Highland White Terriers
>Average weight (male): 15-20 lbs.
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 42
Also known as a Westie, this pooch may look adorable on the outside but on the inside lies an innate hunter. During their 300 years of existence, Westies have been trained to hunt a variety of rodents. They are known to chase just about about anything that moves. While loyal and intelligent, the Westie is a stubborn breed and may be difficult to train initially.
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16. Maltese
>Average weight (male): Less than 7 lbs.
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 33
Maltese are tiny indeed, typically weighing less than 7 pounds. This breed is known for its white, long, and silky coat, giving it a royal, almost delicate look. It may be the most ancient European toy breed, with the first of its kind appearing as early 3500 B.C. in the island of Malta.
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15. Pugs
>Average weight (male): 14-18 lbs.
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 31
Pugs are an ancient breed. They have been with us for thousands of years and were recognized by the AKC in the 19th century. These companion dogs have distinctive wrinkly faces and curly tails. They are even-tempered and playful.
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14. Chihuahuas
>Average weight (male): 6 lbs.
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 32
Originating in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, these dogs are intelligent, loyal, and loving — but they are distrustful of strangers. Because they were bred for a warm climate, they don’t do well in the cold. Their tiny size makes them easy to carry around, but because they are so small they should be handled with care.
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13. Shetland Sheepdogs
>Average weight (male): 15-25 lbs.
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 24
As indicated in its name, this breed originated in Scotland’s Shetland Islands. The harsh climate and rugged landscape there have produced other small animals, including the Shetland pony. Despite its small size, the Shetland sheepdog is a working dog. It excels in agility, obedience and herding, and regularly ranks among the top canine competitors in the world.
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12. Havanese
>Average weight (male): 7-13 lbs.
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 23
The Havanese isn’t just popular in the U.S., but is the national dog of Cuba and the country’s only native breed. It’s a happy dog, outgoing, and eager to please. It has a silky coat, a curly tail, and a unique springy gait.
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11. Pomeranians
>Average weight (male): 3-7 lbs.
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 22
It may be hard to believe, but these toy dogs are descended from the Spitz family, the sled dogs of Scandinavia. They were likely bred down to a small size in the region of Pomerania on the Baltic Coast and became popular companion dogs in the 19th century — Queen Victoria had one. They have a dense undercoat, a longer outer coat, and a plumed tail.
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10. Boston Terriers
>Average weight (male): 12-25 lbs.
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 21
The Boston terrier is a U.S. breed, the result of a cross between an English bulldog and a white English terrier, and it has been very popular for more than a century. However, the Boston Terrier Club of America cautions that Boston terriers are not for everyone. They need human contact, time, and attention; they are very active and love to play, but they are not outside dogs.
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9. Shih Tzu
>Average weight (male): 9-16 lbs.
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 20
Shih tzus originated in China many centuries ago. Although diminutive in size, they take their name from the Mandarin word for lion. They began appearing in the U.S. after World War II, when veterans brought them back to America, and they were recognized by the AKC in 1969. They have a long flowing coat and a proud bearing.
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8. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
>Average weight (male): 13-18 lbs.
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 19
This dog has been popular for a long time. As reflected in its name, King Charles II had one, although the breed fell out of favor for a while after the fall of the House of Stuart in England. Another fan was Charlotte York, one of the characters in the television series “Sex and the City.” Friendly and easily trained, it’s good with young children as well as with other pets.
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6. Miniature Schnauzers
>Average weight (male): 11-20 lbs.
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 18
In the U.S., the miniature schnauzer is treated differently from other schnauzer breeds — it is not classified as a working dog and is judged as a terrier. The breed is intelligent and alert, which makes it a good watchdog. It also excels in obedience trials and agility competitions. The miniature’s eyebrows and beard make it easily recognizable.
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7. Pembroke Welsh Corgis
>Average weight (male): Up to 30 lbs.
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 15
The Pembroke Welsh corgi is also popular with royalty — it’s Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite. The corgi is a working dog, strong and athletic. And despite its little legs, it excels at many sports. The corgi is an easy pet to have, and its short coat needs little maintenance.
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5. Dachshunds
>Average weight (male): 11 lbs. (miniature)
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 13
The dachshund was developed in Germany centuries ago to hunt badgers, and its short legs and long body make it good at below-ground work. The dachshund is intelligent and should be kept busy or it will get bored. It comes in miniature or standard size and can have a smooth, wirehaired, or long-haired coat.
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4. Yorkshire Terriers
>Average weight (male): 7 lbs.
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 9
The Yorkshire terrier’s confidence and courage make it a good pet to keep in bustling cities, and those qualities have earned it the nickname “the tomboy toy.” It is also known for its beautiful silky coat, which has a texture similar to human hair. The Yorkshire terrier requires much care and attention.
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3. Poodles
>Average weight (male): 4-6 lbs (toy), 15 lbs. (miniature)
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 7
Poodles come in three sizes — standard, miniature, and toy — and a variety of solid colors. They are smart and eager to please. They are also energetic and are good runners and swimmers. They require regular clipping and grooming of their hypoallergenic coat.
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2. Beagles
>Average weight (male): Up to 30 lbs.
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 6
Bred to live and work in packs, beagles are sociable dogs and like the company of their human families as well as other dogs. They are scent dogs, which can sometimes get them into trouble and means they should not be left off-leash unless in a secured area.
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1. French Bulldogs
>Average weight (male): Up to 28 lbs.
>Popularity ranking among all dogs: 4
These sturdy little dogs with their bat-like ears are playful, good with small children, and intelligent. They don’t need much exercise or grooming but shouldn’t be left alone for long as they can suffer from separation anxiety. Like other “flat-faced” breeds, French bulldogs are prone to snoring, which can add to their charm — or not.
Detailed Findings
These dogs may be small in size, but their larger-than-life personalities and light weight make them excellent hunters and gatherers, entertainers, and in some cases, swift athletes. Many of these smaller breeds also make for great watch dogs, with an instinctual skepticism toward any stranger who passes through the home.
Whatever the reason, all of these small breeds have a devoted fan base across the U.S. and national clubs, which is a requirement for American Kennel Club recognition.
Methodology
In order to determine the most popular tiny dog breeds, 24/7 Wall St. used the ranking from the American Kennel Club’s list of 190 most popular dog breeds for 2017. We considered breeds for the small category if male dogs in that breed weigh no more than 30 pounds, according to the AKC.
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