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Small dog breeds

Adult weight and height for 39 toy and small dog breeds, sorted from smallest to largest. Jump to toy breeds (mostly under about 11 lb), small breeds (about 11–22 lb), small sizes of bigger breeds or small breeds that shed less.

Short answer

Small dog breeds usually weigh under about 22 lb (10 kg) as adults, and toy breeds under about 11 lb (5 kg). The smallest here are the Pomeranian (3–7 lb) and the Chihuahua (not over 6 lb); popular small breeds include the Shih Tzu (9–16 lb), Pug (14–18 lb) and Miniature Schnauzer (11–20 lb).

Toy dog breeds (mostly under about 11 lb)

The tiniest dogs. Many stay under 10 lb for life; a few, such as the Italian Greyhound (7–14 lb), can go a little over 11 lb.

Breed	Adult weight	Height	Source
Pomeranian	3–7 lb	6–7 in	AKC
Chihuahua	not exceeding 6 lb	5–8 in	AKC
Toy Fox Terrier	4–9 lb	8.5–11.5 in	AKC standard, weight chart
Yorkie	7 lb	7–8 in	AKC
Maltese	under 7 lb	7–9 in	AKC
Papillon	5–10 lb	8–11 in	AKC standard, weight chart
Japanese Chin	7–11 lb	8–11 in	AKC standard, weight chart
Miniature Pinscher	8–10 lb	10–12.5 in	AKC standard, weight chart
Brussels Griffon	usually 8–10 lb, not over 12 lb	not set by the standard	AKC standard
Chinese Crested	8–12 lb	11–13 in	AKC standard, weight chart
Italian Greyhound	7–14 lb	13–15 in	AKC standard, weight chart

Small dog breeds (about 11–22 lb)

Breeds that typically weigh about 11–22 lb (5–10 kg). A few, such as the Boston Terrier, Rat Terrier and Shetland Sheepdog, reach 25 lb at the top of their range, and the French Bulldog can go up to 28 lb.

Breed	Adult weight	Height	Source
Havanese	7–13 lb	8.5–11.5 in	AKC
Coton de Tulear	males 9–15 lb, females 8–13 lb	males 10–11 in, females 9–10 in	AKC standard
Norfolk Terrier	11–12 lb	9–10 in	AKC standard
Russell Terrier	9–15 lb	10–12 in	AKC standard, weight chart
Shih Tzu	9–16 lb	9–10.5 in	AKC
Maltipoo	5–20 lb	8–14 in	veterinary
Cairn Terrier	males 14 lb, females 13 lb	males 10 in, females 9.5 in	AKC standard
Pekingese	up to 14 lb	not set by the standard	AKC standard
Bichon Frise	12–18 lb	9.5–11.5 in	AKC
Lhasa Apso	12–18 lb	10–11 in	AKC standard, weight chart
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel	13–18 lb	12–13 in	AKC
Mini Schnauzer	11–20 lb	12–14 in	AKC
Pug	14–18 lb	10–13 in	AKC
Cavapoo	8–25 lb	9–14 in	veterinary
West Highland White Terrier	15–20 lb	males 11 in, females 10 in	AKC standard, weight chart
Rat Terrier	10–25 lb	10–18 in (Miniature 10–13 in)	AKC standard, weight chart
Boston Terrier	12–25 lb	10–12 in	AKC
Shiba Inu	Male: 23 lb Female: 17 lb	Male: 14.5–16.5 in Female: 13.5–15.5 in	AKC
Scottish Terrier	males 19–22 lb, females 18–21 lb	about 10 in	AKC standard
Shetland Sheepdog	15–25 lb	13–16 in	AKC standard, weight chart
French Bulldog	under 28 lb	11–13 in	AKC

Small sizes of bigger breeds

Some breeds come in several sizes, and only the smaller ones are small dogs. For doodles, the size depends mostly on the parents, so ask the breeder about the parents' weights.

Breed	Adult weight	Height	Source
Poodle: Toy	4–6 lb	no more than 10 in	AKC
Poodle: Miniature	10–15 lb	10–15 in	AKC
Dachshund: Miniature	11 lb and under	5–6 in	AKC
Dachshund: Standard	16–32 lb	8–9 in	AKC
Beagle: 13 in & under	under 20 lb	13 in & under	AKC
Cockapoo: Toy	under 12 lb	10 in or less	breed club
Cockapoo: Miniature	12–20 lb	11–14 in	breed club
Goldendoodle: Petite Mini	25 lb or less	under 14 in	GANA
Labradoodle: Miniature	16–25 lb	14–16 in	breed club
Bernedoodle: Tiny	10–25 lb	10–13 in	breeder

Breeds with a link have a puppy growth chart on PetCalcKit, with weights from the AKC, breed clubs or the other sources listed in each row. For the other breeds, heights come from the AKC's official breed standards, and weights from the standard where it sets one, otherwise from the AKC breed weight chart. Standards describe the ideal show dog, so pet dogs can be a little lighter or heavier.

Small dog breeds that shed less

The AKC lists 19 breeds with a coat that sheds less and that it suggests for people with allergies. Small ones include: Bichon Frise, Chinese Crested, Coton de Tulear, Maltese, Miniature Schnauzer, Poodle (Toy and Miniature), Bedlington Terrier (17–23 lb). The list also has the American Hairless Terrier (12–28 lb), a small-to-medium hairless breed.

No dog is completely allergy-free, though. The AKC says there is no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic breed, because all dogs produce allergens, mainly dander from the skin that clings to the hair. Even hairless dogs produce them. If you have allergies, spend time with the breed before you bring a puppy home.

Small breed puppies

Small dogs finish growing sooner than big ones. On our growth charts, toy breeds reach about 98% of adult weight at around 10 months and small breeds at around 11 months. Each breed's growth chart shows the typical weight by month, and the puppy weight calculator estimates how big your own puppy will get.

Like all puppies, small breeds eat about 4 meals a day until 12 weeks, then 3 a day until 6 months and 2 after that (Merck Veterinary Manual). AAHA says small and medium-size dogs usually stay on a growth diet until about 1 year of age. The puppy feeding chart shows how much to feed by weight and age.

Questions people ask

What counts as a small dog breed?

There is no single official definition. Vets and pet food makers usually go by adult weight; on PetCalcKit, small means about 11–22 lb (5–10 kg) and toy means under about 11 lb (5 kg). The AKC's Toy Group is a show group, not a weight class: the Pekingese (up to 14 lb) and the Shih Tzu (9–16 lb) are both in it.

What is the smallest dog breed?

The Chihuahua, which the AKC says should not exceed 6 lb. The Pomeranian (3–7 lb) and the Toy Poodle (4–6 lb) are about as light, and the Toy Fox Terrier weighs 4–9 lb.

What small dog breeds don't shed?

No breed is completely non-shedding or hypoallergenic, but the AKC lists the Bichon Frise, Chinese Crested, Coton de Tulear, Maltese, Miniature Schnauzer, Bedlington Terrier and Toy and Miniature Poodles among the breeds that shed less and suit many people with allergies.

What dog breeds stay small forever?

Toy breeds such as the Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Yorkshire Terrier (about 7 lb), Maltese (under 7 lb) and Toy Poodle stay under about 10 lb as adults. Mixed breeds such as the Maltipoo (5–20 lb) and Cavapoo (8–25 lb) vary much more, depending on the parents.

Is a French Bulldog a small dog?

Yes, although it is one of the heavier small breeds. The AKC gives a weight under 28 lb and a height of 11–13 in, so it can weigh more than a Pug (14–18 lb) or a Shih Tzu (9–16 lb).

When do small dogs stop growing?

Most toy and small breeds are close to adult weight at around 10–11 months, earlier than medium and large breeds. Some keep filling out a little after that.

Sources

American Kennel Club: breed profiles (weights and heights for breeds with a growth chart)
AKC: official standards, Toy Group and Terrier Group
AKC: breed weight chart
AKC: best dog breeds for people with allergies
Merck Veterinary Manual: feeding schedule for dogs
AAHA: 2021 Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines, age- and breed-specific diets