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Dogs that Stay Small

 Submitted by Michael Adams on May 21, 2010


There are many popular small dog breeds that are found all over the world. These breeds may appear to be very cute and adorable however they are generally a lot more aggressive than bigger dogs but tend to enjoy human companionship.

Most of such breeds of dogs that stay small are relatively easy to maintain and are perfect for having as pets in apartments.


Among tiny dog breeds there are some breeds that shed more than others whereas some don’t shed at all. Small dog breeds or breeds of dogs that don’t grow are typically not more than 16 inches in height and are up to a maximum weight of 22 lbs. Some of the common small dog breeds are the American cocker spaniel, Basenji, Bichon Frise, Cairn terrier, and beagle, among others.


The most popular dog breeds that are small include the Dachshund which is highly affectionate and loving towards its owner but at the same time tends to be an excellent watchdog. Another breed of tiny dogs is the Pomeranian that may be snappy and noisy around strangers but is excellent with its family and around children. This breed may require a little extra maintenance as it tends to shed its fur heavily from time to time. The pug is another popular family dog that is highly sociable, playful, hyperactive and easy to train.

However the title of the smallest dog breed goes to the Chihuahua which weighs less than 6 pounds and is around 6 to 8 inches in height. Chihuahuas tend to try and protect their master in spite of their tiny size and can actually prove to be just as dangerous to a stranger they feel threatened by as a German shepherd. Chihuahuas hate being left by themselves as they love to socialize and hence are not suitable for people who are forced to leave their pets alone at home as they work all day. Chihuahuas are also not suitable pets for children as they are fragile and are also known to growl or nip given a chance. In fact, Chihuahuas are known to get easily jealous if their owners pay more attention to someone or something other than them. Although Chihuahuas are the smallest breeds of dogs they do require a certain amount of maintenance which cannot be avoided. A Chihuahua is fiercely loyal and is often described as an energy packed dog that comes in a small but formidable package.

 
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