While an obvious reference for small dog breeds is the American Kennel Club's toy group, small dogs span the breed groups. For instance, our photo gallery shows several pictures of Coco, a miniature American Eskimo, who weights under 8 pounds. That breed is officially a part of the non-sporting group, which also contains other popular small breeds including the bichon frise and shiba inu. Several members of the sporting group, hound group, terrier group, and herding group also fit the category "cute little dogs."
In choosing the right small dog, consider the breed traits for both size and temperment. While there's no guarantee that the puppy you buy today will grow up to exactly match the standards of the breed, it's a good indicator of what to expect. If you've chosen a specific dog, try to learn about your prospective pet's family tree. A lot of traits, both physical and mental, are inherited.
Sometimes, information about dog breeds is written more to promote a breed, or to highlight its strengths, than to help people choose a pet. If you want the real story about the maintenance or space required for a breed, talk to people who know: the owners. Ask questions about the dog's best qualities and about the challenges they've faced.