Small dogs are the cutest! Top 10 most popular dogs

The number of people living with pets such as dogs and cats is increasing year by year, but small dogs, which can be kept in apartment complexes, are especially popular.

Many people already own a small dog or are thinking about getting a puppy.

• I want to know the most popular small dog rankings!
• Are there any dog ​​breeds that are notable apart from the rankings?

This time, we've compiled a list of small dog rankings as of 2022, as well as some basic questions about popular and notable breeds.

Top 10 Most Popular Small Dogs!

We're introducing the top 10 most popular small dog breeds. Check out the personalities and characteristics of the breeds that interest you.

1st Place: Toy Poodle

The Toy Poodle's curly fur gives it a stuffed animal-like appearance and a very adorable expression. This breed has a cheerful, friendly personality and is easy to keep. They are said to be highly athletic and curious.

Their coat is single and does not shed much, so cleaning the house is not a hassle. However, their hair continues to grow, so regular grooming is required.

Height	Approximately 24-28cm
Weight	Approximately 3-4kg
Coat Color	White, black, gray, red, apricot, brown, etc.
Country of Origin	France
Price	Approximately 200,000-350,000 yen

2nd Place: Miniature Dachshund

Characterized by a long body and short legs, the Miniature Dachshund is a lively and cheerful breed. They are playful and friendly, and many say they are easy to care for. Hair comes in three types: short smooth, long, and long, coarse wire.

They can be aggressive and may bark at strangers, so training to prevent this habit is essential.

Height	Approximately 21-28cm
Weight	Approximately 3.5-5kg
Coat Color	Red, Black, Black Cream, Black Tan, Chocolate Tan, Chocolate Cream, White, Gold, Dapple, etc.
Country of Origin	Germany
Price	Approximately 200,000-300,000 yen

3rd Place: Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is a very small breed with a cheerful personality. Despite its small size, it is brave and makes a great guard dog. Be sure to train it properly to prevent unnecessary barking.

Their coat comes in two types: short smooth and long. Because of their small size, they are not very tolerant of heat or cold, so be sure to keep them well-ventilated.

Height	Approximately 12-20cm
Weight	Approximately 1.4-2.5kg
Coat Color	White, black, brown, chocolate, red, orange, cream, orange sable, wolf sable, beaver blue, parti-colored, black tan, etc.
Country of Origin	Mexico
Price	Approximately 150,000-200,000 yen

4th Place: Pomeranian

Descending from the Spitz, Pomeranians are characterized by their small size and fluffy fur. They are friendly and intelligent, making them an easy breed to keep. They are energetic and playful, so give them plenty of playtime.

They have a double coat and shed a lot, so thorough brushing is essential. Their active nature means daily walks are essential.

Height	Approximately 18-20cm
Weight	Approximately 1.5-3kg
Coat Color	Pure Red, Tan and White, Black and White, Brown and White, Black and Tan, Brown and Yellow, etc.
Country of Origin	Mexico
Price	Approximately 200,000-400,000 JPY

5th Place: Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu, one of the most popular Japanese dog breeds, is known for its adorable triangular upright ears and curly tail. It is known for its stubborn, patient, and obedient nature. However, it can also be aggressive towards people other than its owner, so proper training is essential.

Its double coat sheds a lot during the shedding season, so careful grooming is essential.

Height	Males: 39.5 cm, Females: Approximately 36.5 cm
Weight	Approximately 8-10 kg
Coat Color	Red, Dark Brown, Sesame, Black Sesame, Red Sesame
Country of Origin	Japan
Price	Approximately 100,000-200,000 yen

6th Place: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a large, compact dog, slightly longer than it is tall, with distinctively large eyes. It has a gentle disposition and gets along well with both family members and other dogs.

Although individual breeds vary, their fine fur is prone to curling and tangling, so daily brushing is recommended. Because they are gentle dogs, they are also recommended for families with children.

Height	Approximately 30-33cm
Weight	Approximately 5-8kg
Coat Color	Black & Tan, Ruby, Blenheim, Tricolor
Country of Origin	United Kingdom
Price	Approximately 100,000-250,000 yen

7th Place: Shih Tzu

Shih Tzus are small dogs, but they are characterized by their strong limbs. They have a gentle and intelligent temperament, making them suitable for families with elderly people and children.

Because their origins lie in the dry regions of China, it is said that the Japanese climate is not well suited to their constitution. They are sensitive to humidity and prone to skin diseases, so care is required.

Height	Approximately 20-28cm
Weight	Approximately 4-7kg
Coat Color	Gold, black, white, blue, champagne, etc.
Country of Origin	China
Price	Approximately 150,000-300,000 yen

8th Place: Maltese

The Maltese, with its beautiful pure white coat, has a cheerful personality and an active side. It's an easy-to-keep breed that gets along well with children. Because they're affectionate, you might be tempted to spoil them too much, but they do need to be properly trained. Be careful not to let them grow up to be overly strong-willed and nervous.

Its single coat means it sheds very little, but grooming is necessary.

Coat color

Height	Approx. 25cm
Weight	Approx. 2.5-3kg
White
Country of origin	Malta Island
Price	Approx. 150,000 to 250,000 yen

9th place: French bulldog

French Bulldogs, characterized by their large, upright ears known as 'bud ears,' are known for their sturdy, muscular build. Contrary to their appearance, they have a calm temperament, rarely bark unnecessarily, and are said to be an easy breed to keep.

French Bulldogs are a brachycephalic breed with a short respiratory system, making them prone to heatstroke and other conditions in hot weather. Their short fur makes them susceptible to cold, so it's important to keep them at a comfortable temperature.

Height	Approximately 26-31cm
Weight	Approximately 8-13kg
Coat Color	Cream, Brindle, Fawn, Pied
Country of Origin	France
Price	Approximately 150,000-350,000 yen

10th Place: Papillon

The Papillon, with its large, upright ears and long fur, has a bright, lively personality. It is said to be easy to care for, with little shedding and body odor.

It is a highly intelligent and intelligent breed that gets along well with children, making it a recommended breed for first-time dog owners.

Height	Approximately 20-28cm
Weight	Approximately 2-4kg
Coat Color	White + Black, Brown, Lemon, Sable, etc.
Country of Origin	France
Price	Approximately 100,000-150,000 yen

If you want to learn more about small dogs, check out these related articles.

【Small Dogs Are Popular】Investigating the Cutest Dog Rankings

Many Fans! Three Featured Small Dog Breeds

We've introduced 10 popular small dog breeds. Did you see any you were interested in?

Here, we'll introduce some small dogs that aren't on the rankings but are gaining attention.

Pug

The cute, wrinkled-faced Pug has a cheerful, laid-back personality.Although their sturdy build gives them a strong image, they rarely bark unnecessarily and are not suitable as guard dogs.

Like the French Bulldog mentioned above, they have a short nose, so respiratory illnesses need to be taken into consideration.

Height	Approximately 25-28cm
Weight	Approximately 6-9kg
Coat Color	Silver, Apricot, Fawn, Black, etc.
Country of Origin	China
Price	Approximately 150,000-300,000 yen

Italian Greyhound

The Italian Greyhound, characterized by its long limbs and sleek figure, runs with the grace of a fawn. Although gentle in nature, it also has a sensitive side and can easily become stressed.

This breed is easy to train, and many people say it's easy to keep.

Height	Approximately 32-38cm
Weight	Approximately 3-5kg
Coat Color	Fawn, red, gray, blue, cream, white, black, etc.
Country of Origin	Italy
Price	Approximately 200,000-400,000 yen

Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer, with its square body and sturdy build, is curious and playful. It is affectionate and enjoys playing with children.

It can also be a bit spirited, so it may become wary of people other than its owner and bark. It has a double coat, but it doesn't shed much.

Height	Approximately 30-35cm
Weight	Approximately 7kg
Coat Color	Fawn, red, gray, blue, cream, white, black, etc.
Country of Origin	Germany
Price	Approximately 200,000-400,000 yen

Simple Questions About Small Dogs

We've introduced many small dogs, but here we'll answer some questions you may have about small dogs.

【Actually Relatives】The Difference Between the French Bulldog and the Boston Terrier

Boston Terriers look similar to French Bulldogs, but they are actually related in a relative-like relationship. They are roughly the same size, with similar heights and weights, but upon closer inspection, their ear shapes and coat colors differ.

French Bulldogs have rounded, curved ears, while Boston Terriers have sharp, triangular ears. Furthermore, French Bulldogs come in four coat varieties: cream, brindle, fawn, and pied. Boston Terriers come in brindle and white, black brindle and white, black and white, mahogany brindle and white, and seal brindle and white.

They also have different personalities. Boston Terriers are even more gentle and easy to care for than French Bulldogs.

[Rare Now] The Story Behind the Birth of the Unique "Poodle Cut"

The popular toy poodle is now known for its teddy bear cut, which resembles a stuffed animal. Some people may also think of the unique "poodle cut" often seen in illustrations.

Poodles were originally used as hunting dogs to retrieve waterfowl. It's said that this unique cut was designed to protect the heart and other parts of the body from the cold water.

Poodles can be styled in a variety of ways, so one of the joys of poodles is finding the perfect cut for you by consulting with your groomer.

【Coat Differences】The Difference Between Single and Double Coats

There are two types of dog coats: single and double. Simply put, single coats have a single layer of fur and do not shed, but grow longer. Double coats have a double layer of fur and do shed.

Single-coated dogs don't shed and are easy to clean indoors, but their coat continues to grow, so they require regular grooming.

Popular dog breeds with single coats include the Toy Poodle, Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Shih Tzu, and Dalmatian.

Double-coated dogs shed in the spring and summer, changing to a new coat that matches the season. Therefore, regular brushing is essential.

However, since grooming isn't necessary, you can avoid going to a grooming salon by shampooing and grooming them at home.

Main double-coated dog breeds include Shiba Inu, Pomeranian, Corgi, and Golden Retriever.

Summary (Ranking of Cute Small Dogs)

Small dogs remain popular, and the top dog breeds have remained unchanged for the past 20 years. You'll notice that many of the dogs you see on the streets and at dog parks are breeds that are on the rankings.

However, there are other attractive dog breeds that aren't on the rankings. There are also some medium- and large-sized dog breeds with gentle personalities. If you have children or are considering adopting a dog, carefully consider factors like ease of care, personality, and coat type when choosing a dog. Different breeds require different grooming frequencies and care. Also, the amount of exercise required varies by breed, so be sure to research this thoroughly beforehand.

If you'll be living with someone with allergies, the type of dog's coat is also an important factor to consider when choosing a dog.

Please also refer to the related articles below.

Can I keep a dog even if I'm allergic to dogs? Learn about strategies and recommended dog breeds!