Best Small Dog Breeds for Families

Guide overview

Compare smaller dog breeds that can still fit family life well, with an eye on patience, training, and everyday livability.

These picks lean toward smaller breeds that combine stronger family-fit signals with manageable size and easier home routines.

Who this guide helps

Use this page when these are the tradeoffs you care about most.

What to compare before you choose

• Small breeds vary a lot in confidence, vocalness, and tolerance for rough handling, so size alone is not enough.
• Look at patience with children, ease of training, and how fragile or sturdy the breed tends to feel in a busy home.
• The best small family dog is usually one that matches your household energy, supervision level, and grooming tolerance.

Featured breeds

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

toy • England • Small size

13–18 lbs • 9–14 years

Bichon Frise

Non-Sporting • Spain • Small size

12–18 lbs • 14–15 years

Boston Terrier

Non-Sporting • United States • Small size

12–25 lbs • 11–13 years

Havanese

Toy • Cuba • Small size

7–13 lbs • 14–16 years

French Bulldog

Non-Sporting • France • Small size

20–28 lbs • 10–12 years

Pug

Toy • China • Small size

14–18 lbs • 12–15 years

Beagle

Hound • England • Medium size

20–30 lbs • 12–15 years

Papillon

Toy • France • Toy size

5–10 lbs • 14–16 years

Maltese

Toy • Malta • Toy size

6–9 lbs • 12–15 years

Shih-tzu

Toy • Tibet • Small size

9–16 lbs • 10–16 years

Yorkshire Terrier

Toy • England • Toy size

4–7 lbs • 13–16 years

Cavapoo

designer • Australia • Small size

12–25 lbs • 12–15 years

Cockapoo

designer • United States • Small size

12–24 lbs • 14–18 years

Australian Terrier

terrier • Australia • Small size

15–20 lbs • 12–15 years

Border Terrier

Terrier • England • Small size

13–16 lbs • 12–15 years

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

herding • Wales • Small size

25–38 lbs • 12–15 years

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

herding • Wales • Small size

25–30 lbs • 12–15 years

Rat Terrier

terrier • United States • Small size

10–25 lbs • 12–18 years

References

Reference links below include the breed pages featured here, along with kennel-club directories and standards where available.

1. American Kennel Club breed directory
   American Kennel Club
2. Royal Kennel Club breeds A-Z
   The Royal Kennel Club
3. Royal Kennel Club breed standards
   The Royal Kennel Club
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel — American Kennel Club breed profile
   American Kennel Club
5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel — Royal Kennel Club breed profile
   The Royal Kennel Club
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel — Royal Kennel Club breed standard
   The Royal Kennel Club
7. Bichon Frise — American Kennel Club breed profile
   American Kennel Club
8. Bichon Frise — Royal Kennel Club breed profile
   The Royal Kennel Club
9. Bichon Frise — Royal Kennel Club breed standard
   The Royal Kennel Club
10. Boston Terrier — American Kennel Club breed profile
    American Kennel Club
11. Boston Terrier — Royal Kennel Club breed profile
    The Royal Kennel Club
12. Boston Terrier — Royal Kennel Club breed standard
    The Royal Kennel Club
13. Havanese — American Kennel Club breed profile
    American Kennel Club

Frequently asked questions