[Small dogs are very popular] Survey on cute dog rankings

The dog and cat boom has been going on for quite some time, but the COVID-19 pandemic has likely prompted many people to consider getting a dog.
Having a pet at home can help relieve stress and make your daily life much more fulfilling.
However, even when you're thinking about getting a dog, you may be unsure which breeds are popular and recommended.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at the latest trends in popular and cute dog breeds and the characteristics of each breed.
"Are small dogs really the most popular?"
"What are the characteristics of popular dog breeds?"
"Which dog breeds are recommended for beginners?"
We'll answer these questions, so please use this article as a reference.

Top 7 Popular (Cute) Dog Breeds

We conducted a survey to find out the most popular and cute dog breeds, with the following results.

1st Place: Toy Poodle
2nd Place: Shiba Inu
3rd Place: Golden Retriever
4th Place: Pomeranian
5th Place: Chihuahua
6th Place: Miniature Dachshund
7th Place: Shih Tzu

The proud winner is the Toy Poodle!
Its charming, curly coat is incredibly adorable.
The rest of the list is also filled with popular dog breeds.

Now, let's take a closer look at the characteristics of each breed.

1st place: Toy poodle

Topping the list of cutest dog breeds is the Toy Poodle.
They are characterized by their round, curly hair.
They look like stuffed animals and are incredibly adorable.

The charm of toy poodles lies in their expressive faces and their ability to express a wide range of emotions.
They're also very intelligent and easy to train.
Moreover, many of them have cheerful and friendly personalities, making them easy to get along with.

Toy poodles also shed very little hair, so there's no need to worry about hair floating around the room.
Because they shed so little, they're said to be an easy breed to own, even for people with dog allergies.

HeightApproximately 26-28cm
WeightApproximately 3-4kg
Body TypeSmall Dog
Coat ColorRed, Apricot, Brown, Black, etc.
PriceApproximately 250,000-350,000 yen

2nd place: Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu is a type of Japanese dog. Popular worldwide, it's no exaggeration to say it's Japan's most iconic breed.
They are characterized by their triangular, upright ears and curly tails.
In fact, their cheeks are very soft, stretchy, and squishy, ​​making them very cute and popular.

They are very obedient to their owners, cheerful, and active.
They also have a brave side, thanks to their history as hunting and guard dogs.

They have a very patient personality, but can also be stubborn, so be sure to train them properly when they are puppies.
Once properly trained, they will become a very obedient and reliable companion to their owners.

HeightApproximately 35-45cm
WeightApproximately 7-13kg
Body SizeSmall dog (sometimes classified as a medium-sized dog)
Coat ColorRed, Black, White, and Sesame Brown
PriceApproximately 50,000-200,000 yen

3rd place: Golden Retriever

Ranked third on the list: the large Golden Retriever.
Although they're large, their gentle eyes and large, droopy ears make them incredibly adorable.

Golden Retrievers are known for their gentle and friendly personalities.
They get along well with both people and other animals, making them a great choice for those who want to keep a variety of pets.

Furthermore, they are very intelligent, making them relatively easy to train.
Their soft, slightly wavy fur is sure to be very soothing, even just petting them is sure to be very soothing.

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HeightApprox. 51-60cm
WeightApprox. 25-34kg
PhysiqueLarge dog
Coat color typeGold/white
PriceAbout 100,000 to 300,000 yen

4th place: Pomeranian

Pomeranians are characterized by their small bodies, large, round eyes, and fluffy fur. Their plush-like appearance makes them very popular, and many people love them.

Although they have a cute appearance, they have a very brave personality. They are also very alert, making them suitable as guard dogs.

They are also very curious, and will often be interested in various things while on walks.
Pomeranians come in a wide variety of coat colors, with more than 10 different colors in addition to the classic orange and white.

HeightApproximately 18cm - 25cm
WeightApproximately 1.4kg - 2.5kg
Body TypeSmall Dog
Coat ColorsOrange, white, brown, parti-colored, black, cream, orange sable, wolf sable, chocolate, black tan, red, etc.
PriceApproximately 200,000 - 400,000 yen

5th place: Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are said to be the smallest dog breed in the world.
They are known for their brave and active personalities.
Although they are very cautious, they are very attached to their owners and show loyalty.

Because they're so small, they can get the exercise they need each day just by playing with their owners and running around the house.
This, combined with their cute appearance, makes them easy to care for, even for people who don't have much time to take them for walks, making them very popular.

HeightApproximately 12-23cm
WeightApproximately 1.5-3kg
Body TypeSmall Dog
Coat ColorCream, Black & Tan, Red, Black & White, White, Chocolate Tan, etc.
PriceApproximately 150,000-200,000 yen

6th Place: Miniature Dachshund

HeightApproximately 21-28cm
WeightApproximately 5kg
Body TypeSmall Dog
Coat ColorsRed, Black, Black Cream, Black Tan, Chocolate Tan, Chocolate Cream, White, Gold, Dapple, etc.
PriceApproximately 200,000-300,000 yen

7th place: Shih Tzu

Shih Tzus are a very intelligent breed with excellent communication skills.
Their flat noses and floppy ears are very adorable.

They have a very lively personality, but also a gentle side.
They are a sociable breed that gets along well with people and other dogs, making them a great choice for multiple pet households.

Shih Tzus can change their appearance dramatically with grooming, so you can enjoy a variety of different cut styles.

HeightApproximately 20-28cm
WeightApproximately 4-7kg
Body TypeSmall Dog
Coat ColorWhite & Gold, White & Black, Gray & White, Brown, Brindle, etc.
PriceApproximately 200,000-300,000 yen

Small dogs are overwhelmingly popular! Why?

Small dogs are small, so they don't require a lot of indoor space. You don't even need a large cage or playpen.

Furthermore, small dogs eat less than large and medium-sized dogs, saving on food costs, and the fact that they produce less waste makes them easy to keep.

Small dogs can also get the exercise they need just by playing indoors.
This means that walks can be as short as 15 to 20 minutes, allowing even busy people to spend their free time playing with their beloved dog.

Dog trivia and trivia!

Here, we'll introduce some dog-related trivia and trivia.

Are some dog breeds easier or more difficult to keep?

Some dog breeds are easier or more difficult to keep.
For example, sociable and friendly breeds are easier to train and build a good relationship with.
On the other hand, if they are very wary, it may take time to bond with them, making them difficult to keep.

The main breeds that are easy to keep are as follows.

  • Toy Poodle
  • Pomeranian
  • Chihuahua
  • Miniature Schnauzer
  • Miniature Dachshund, etc.

All of these breeds are friendly, making them easy to keep even for beginners.
Also, because they are small dogs, they don't require a lot of space, making them suitable for pet-friendly apartments and condominiums.

The following dog breeds are considered difficult to keep as pets.

  • Beagle
  • Saint Bernard
  • Akita
  • Border Collie
  • Papillon
  • Shiba Inu, etc.

Saint Bernards and Akitas are large, making them difficult to keep unless you're used to keeping large dogs. You'll also need ample space to keep them.
Many breeds are very wary of non-family members, so proper training is required to prevent them from biting or barking.

Shiba Inu dogs are a popular breed, but they can be relatively difficult to care for.
Shiba Inu dogs are very independent and begin to become independent as they grow. Many become stubborn at this stage, so training them as puppies is essential.

While some breeds are easier than others to care for, each one has its own unique personality, so there's no guarantee that a particular breed is the easiest to keep.
When looking for a dog, be sure to visit them to assess their individual personalities and characteristics and find a dog that's a good match for you.

What are the most popular dog breeds overseas?

The following dog breeds are popular in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and other countries.

◎America

1stLabrador Retriever
2ndGerman Shepherd
3rdGolden Retriever
4thFrench Bulldog
5thBulldog

◎United Kingdom

1stLabrador Retriever
2ndFrench Bulldog
3rdEnglish Springer Spaniel
4thBulldog
5thMiniature Dachshund

◎Germany

1stGerman Shepherd
2ndDachshund
3rdGerman Wirehaired Pointer
4thLabrador Retriever
5thGolden Retriever

Comparing the popularity rankings with those in Japan, we can see that large dogs are overwhelmingly more popular overseas.
Many facilities overseas allow dogs, and dogs can be considered almost like companions.

On the other hand, in Japan, small dogs are popular because of their cuteness, and many people live with their pets as if they were children.

It's interesting to see how popular dog breeds vary from country to country, depending on the relationship between owner and dog and living environment.

How many breeds of dogs are there in Japan?

Japanese dogs are classified into six types.

  • Shiba Inu
  • Akita Inu
  • Kishu Inu
  • Shikoku Inu
  • Kai Inu
  • Hokkaido Inu

Japanese dogs are the six types listed above. All are purebreds native to Japan and are designated as national natural monuments.
This shows how valuable Japanese dogs are in today's Japan, where many foreign dogs are imported.

The Japanese Spitz, which is not one of the six breeds, is also a breed native to Japan.
The Japanese Spitz is characterized by its fluffy white coat, cheerful and active personality, and easily becomes attached to its owner.

Japanese dogs are generally known for being obedient to their owners and intelligent.
Even though there are many imported dogs in today's world, we want to continue to cherish the ancient history of Japanese dogs.

Summary

In Japan, popular dog breeds have remained relatively unchanged over the past decade.
Due to living conditions and other factors, it seems likely that many people keep small and medium-sized dogs.
You're likely to see many popular dog breeds around town.

For first-time dog owners, it can be difficult to imagine what life will be like after adopting a dog.
For this reason, it's recommended that you visit a dog park and interact with the dog before adopting one.
By learning about the personality and characteristics of the dog you want to adopt, you can better imagine what life will be like after adopting it.

If you have any acquaintances or friends who own dogs, it's a good idea to ask them about the preparations and precautions you should take before owning one.

Meet a cute dog and enjoy a fun dog-related life!

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