A small dog can be a great addition to your family. They are cute, cuddly, and most are quiet, so taking care of them will be easy. However, it's only to say that these appealing personalities are available in only a few breeds.

Like people, small dogs boast different characteristics you should know about before taking them home. This is especially true when you have little kids around - They tend to be nervous when dogs are in the house. Some pups can quickly get along with kids despite their age.

Ensure you ascertain the dog's nature, health, and conditions around your house before petting it. Doing thorough research ensures bringing in a pup that you'll cherish forever.

Here are some of our top picks for small dog breeds that you may find perfect to pet!

Best Small Dog Breeds You Should Consider Getting

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The cuddly, ever-happy, and tranquil Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is such a good friend to have at home. It thrives well in a family setting, so you can be sure your little kids will have a great companion. Cavalier enjoys great cuddles, it's easy to train, small to live in tiny spaces, and you can travel with it conveniently.

The Cav hails from the Toy Group breed, weighing about 13 to 18 pounds. It is available in four colours: Blenheim, Tricolour, Ruby, Black, and Tan. It has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.

French Bulldog

The French bulldog is another small pup breed that’s perfect for families with small children. It is resilient, pretty easy-going, and loves to emulate whatever you do. Despite being great human companions, you need to teach your kids how to play respectfully and interact with this dog.

Frenchies are compact but heavily built. It requires moderate exercise each day, and do not forget to take care of its smooth coat daily. This is because it tends to shed its hair frequently.

Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise comes in a glamorous pure white, and fluffy coat. It’s a warm-hearted guy who is easy to care for, so he makes a great addition to families.

One fantastic thing with Bichon is that it's always cheerful and wears a smiley face all through. It loves to entertain its family, spend quality time with it, and is pretty welcoming to everyone.

Despite being so woolly, Bichon Frise does not shed so much. It requires regular grooming and bathing to avoid shedding dander. To cater for Bichon’s bursting energy, you need to do daily walks and organise ample playtime for this baby.

Havanese

Havanese is a super small pup weighing around 10 to 15 pounds. It has a silky and soft fur that requires grooming often, but you can give it a puppy cut to easily care for it. It needs to be handled carefully despite being sturdy.

One thing that makes Havanese perfect for families is their social nature. However, this may be dangerous since it means you cannot leave them alone all day. Otherwise, their health is on the check and creates great companions for humans.

Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniel is a cheerful little pup who likes spending quality time with loved ones. This breed is primarily peaceful when around people and socialises well with kids and other family members as long as you remain gentle and respectful to them.

Cockers are pretty adventurous. They enjoy trying new games and will engage with what their kids are doing. Their energy is usually over the roof, but owners can moderate this through walks and exercises.

Poodle

Here is yet another amazing, curly-coated pup you'll enjoy having at home. The Poodle is available in the Toy and Miniature versions, which are pretty small than other dog breeds in this category. It is a quite intelligent pup that’s easily trainable and mainly does well in athletics.

Poodles are super active; therefore, they are always in for long walks, swimming, and any other exercise that requires energy. Being hypoallergenic, they do not shed, but their thick fur requires daily brushing.

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Cairn Terrier

The Cairn Terrier dog emanates from the Scottish Highlands. Terriers are different, some are friendly with kids, but others are hostile. The Cairn Terrier, in particular, loves kids, so adding it to be part of your family is a good idea.

The Carn is super strong with high energy levels, so it's always ready to have fun. Furthermore, it is super accommodating in that in case of an accident while playing with the kids; it will just forgive.

Shih Tzu

We can all agree that Shih Tzu is charming and adorable. It has a lovely and extroverted personality that most families love. To add on, Shih Tzu loves people, especially those close to it, and not to forget respectful kids.

Shih Tzu being a tiny dog breed, is mainly given to families with children older than five years. You can still get the pup but have to observe it, especially during interactions with kids. Otherwise, it makes an excellent buddy for well-mannered kids.

Bolognese

Though a rare breed, Bolognese is a great dog breed to pet. It is woolly, weighing about 15 pounds, and does not shed so much. You need to groom the coat of a Bolognese so that it does not mat.

Characterwise, Bolognese is super friendly and quiet – It is not known to bark as much. Also, it's easy to train and does not require much exercise – A simple walk each day is enough for it to release its energy.

Pug

Pug relates well with kids; it's outgoing and loves the fun. This dog is small and sturdy and enjoys love from gentle kids. It requires only daily walks to exercise; however, they cannot tolerate hot temperatures.

Generally, caring for a Pug is easy. The only downside is the amount of fur they shed – It, of course, calls for you to brush it daily to avoid a mess in the house.

Each dog mentioned above is unique in its own way, with diverse personalities that make them the best small pup breeds. Now the work is on your hands – Find the species you are most comfortable with that will be a perfect fit for your family!

If you are looking for dog collars, leashes, and other accessories for your furry friend, visit Bully Billows. We have high-quality dog items that will make training sessions for your new pet easy and fun.