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Using data from the American Kennel Club dog profiles, we've compiled a list of the 30 most popular small dog breeds. To be considered for the list, each dog's max height must be at most 20 inches, and its max weight must be less than 50 pounds. We've ranked the dogs by their 2019 AKC popularity rank, which was released in 2020.
Using data from the American Kennel Club dog profiles, we’ve compiled a list of the 30 most popular small dog breeds. To be considered for the list, each dog’s max height must be at most 20 inches, and its max weight must be less than 50 pounds. We’ve ranked the dogs by their 2019 AKC popularity rank, which was released in 2020.
30. Chinese crested | Height of dog: 11–13 inches - Weight of dog: 8–12 pounds - 2019 popularity rank: #80 (of 193) - Temperament: affectionate, alert, lively - Life expectancy: 13–18 years
30. Chinese crested | Height of dog: 11–13 inches – Weight of dog: 8–12 pounds – 2019 popularity rank: #80 (of 193) – Temperament: affectionate, alert, lively – Life expectancy: 13–18 years
29. Lhasa Apso | Height of dog: 10–11 inches (male), slightly smaller (female) - Weight of dog: 12–18 pounds - 2019 popularity rank: #78 (of 193) - Temperament: confident, smart, comical - Life expectancy: 12–15 years
29. Lhasa Apso | Height of dog: 10–11 inches (male), slightly smaller (female) – Weight of dog: 12–18 pounds – 2019 popularity rank: #78 (of 193) – Temperament: confident, smart, comical – Life expectancy: 12–15 years
28. Miniature pinscher | Height of dog: 10–12.5 inches - Weight of dog: 8–10 pounds - 2019 popularity rank: #74 (of 193) - Temperament: fearless, fun-loving, proud - Life expectancy: 12–16 years
28. Miniature pinscher | Height of dog: 10–12.5 inches – Weight of dog: 8–10 pounds – 2019 popularity rank: #74 (of 193) – Temperament: fearless, fun-loving, proud – Life expectancy: 12–16 years
27. Cairn terrier | Height of dog: 10 inches (male), 9.5 inches (female) - Weight of dog: 14 pounds (male), 13 pounds (female) - 2019 popularity rank: #72 (of 193) - Temperament: alert, cheerful, busy - Life expectancy: 13–15 years
27. Cairn terrier | Height of dog: 10 inches (male), 9.5 inches (female) – Weight of dog: 14 pounds (male), 13 pounds (female) – 2019 popularity rank: #72 (of 193) – Temperament: alert, cheerful, busy – Life expectancy: 13–15 years
26. Italian greyhound | Height of dog: 13–15 inches - Weight of dog: 7–14 pounds - 2019 popularity rank: #67 (of 193) - Temperament: playful, alert, sensitive - Life expectancy: 14–15 years
26. Italian greyhound | Height of dog: 13–15 inches – Weight of dog: 7–14 pounds – 2019 popularity rank: #67 (of 193) – Temperament: playful, alert, sensitive – Life expectancy: 14–15 years
25. Cardigan Welsh corgi | Height of dog: 10.5–12.5 inches - Weight of dog: 30–38 pounds (male), 25-34 pounds (female) - 2019 popularity rank: #66 (of 193) - Temperament: affectionate, loyal, smart - Life expectancy: 12–15 years
25. Cardigan Welsh corgi | Height of dog: 10.5–12.5 inches – Weight of dog: 30–38 pounds (male), 25-34 pounds (female) – 2019 popularity rank: #66 (of 193) – Temperament: affectionate, loyal, smart – Life expectancy: 12–15 years
24. Scottish terrier | Height of dog: 10 inches - Weight of dog: 19–22 pounds (male), 18-21 pounds (female) - 2019 popularity rank: #56 (of 193) - Temperament: confident, independent, spirited - Life expectancy: 12 years
24. Scottish terrier | Height of dog: 10 inches – Weight of dog: 19–22 pounds (male), 18-21 pounds (female) – 2019 popularity rank: #56 (of 193) – Temperament: confident, independent, spirited – Life expectancy: 12 years
23. Soft coated Wheaten terrier | Height of dog: 18-19 inches (male), 17–18 inches (female) - Weight of dog: 35-40 pounds (male), 30–35 pounds (female) - 2019 popularity rank: #54 (of 193) - Temperament: friendly, happy, deeply devoted - Life expectancy: 12–14 years
23. Soft coated Wheaten terrier | Height of dog: 18-19 inches (male), 17–18 inches (female) – Weight of dog: 35-40 pounds (male), 30–35 pounds (female) – 2019 popularity rank: #54 (of 193) – Temperament: friendly, happy, deeply devoted – Life expectancy: 12–14 years
22. Papillon | Height of dog: 8–11 inches - Weight of dog: 5–10 pounds - 2019 popularity rank: #53 (of 193) - Temperament: friendly, alert, happy - Life expectancy: 14–16 years
22. Papillon | Height of dog: 8–11 inches – Weight of dog: 5–10 pounds – 2019 popularity rank: #53 (of 193) – Temperament: friendly, alert, happy – Life expectancy: 14–16 years
21. English cocker spaniel | Height of dog: 16–17 inches (male), 15-16 inches (female) - Weight of dog: 28–34 pounds (male), 26-32 pounds (female) - 2019 popularity rank: #50 (of 193) - Temperament: energetic, merry, responsive - Life expectancy: 12–14 years
21. English cocker spaniel | Height of dog: 16–17 inches (male), 15-16 inches (female) – Weight of dog: 28–34 pounds (male), 26-32 pounds (female) – 2019 popularity rank: #50 (of 193) – Temperament: energetic, merry, responsive – Life expectancy: 12–14 years
20. Shiba inu | Height of dog: 14.5–16.5 inches (male), 13.5-15.5 inches (female) - Weight of dog: 23 pounds (male), 17 pounds (female) - 2019 popularity rank: #45 (of 193) - Temperament: alert, active, attentive - Life expectancy: 13–16 years
20. Shiba inu | Height of dog: 14.5–16.5 inches (male), 13.5-15.5 inches (female) – Weight of dog: 23 pounds (male), 17 pounds (female) – 2019 popularity rank: #45 (of 193) – Temperament: alert, active, attentive – Life expectancy: 13–16 years
19. West Highland white terrier | Height of dog: 11 inches (male). 10 inches, female - Weight of dog: 15–20 pounds - 2019 popularity rank: #44 (of 193) - Temperament: loyal, happy, entertaining - Life expectancy: 13–15 years
19. West Highland white terrier | Height of dog: 11 inches (male). 10 inches, female – Weight of dog: 15–20 pounds – 2019 popularity rank: #44 (of 193) – Temperament: loyal, happy, entertaining – Life expectancy: 13–15 years
18. Bichon frise | Height of dog: 9.5–11.5 inches - Weight of dog: 12–18 pounds - 2019 popularity rank: #43 (of 193) - Temperament: playful, curious, peppy - Life expectancy: 14–15 years
18. Bichon frise | Height of dog: 9.5–11.5 inches – Weight of dog: 12–18 pounds – 2019 popularity rank: #43 (of 193) – Temperament: playful, curious, peppy – Life expectancy: 14–15 years
17. Maltese |Height of dog: 7–9 inches - Weight of dog: under 7 pounds - 2019 popularity rank: #36 (of 193) - Temperament: gentle, playful, charming - Life expectancy: 12–15 years
17. Maltese |Height of dog: 7–9 inches – Weight of dog: under 7 pounds – 2019 popularity rank: #36 (of 193) – Temperament: gentle, playful, charming – Life expectancy: 12–15 years
16. Chihuahua | Height of dog: 5–8 inches - Weight of dog: not exceeding 6 pounds - 2019 popularity rank: #35 (of 193) - Temperament: charming, graceful, sassy - Life expectancy: 14–16 years
16. Chihuahua | Height of dog: 5–8 inches – Weight of dog: not exceeding 6 pounds – 2019 popularity rank: #35 (of 193) – Temperament: charming, graceful, sassy – Life expectancy: 14–16 years
15. Pug | Height of dog: 10–13 inches - Weight of dog: 14–18 pounds - 2019 popularity rank: #31 (of 193) - Temperament: charming, mischievous, loving - Life expectancy: 13-15 years
15. Pug | Height of dog: 10–13 inches – Weight of dog: 14–18 pounds – 2019 popularity rank: #31 (of 193) – Temperament: charming, mischievous, loving – Life expectancy: 13-15 years
14. Miniature American shepherd | Height of dog: 14–18 inches (male), 13-17 inches (female) - Weight of dog: 20–40 pounds - 2019 popularity rank: #29 (of 193) - Temperament: good-natured, intelligent, devoted - Life expectancy: 12–13 years
14. Miniature American shepherd | Height of dog: 14–18 inches (male), 13-17 inches (female) – Weight of dog: 20–40 pounds – 2019 popularity rank: #29 (of 193) – Temperament: good-natured, intelligent, devoted – Life expectancy: 12–13 years
13. Cocker spaniel | Height of dog: 14.5–15.5 inches (male), 13.5–14.5 inches (female) - Weight of dog: 25–30 pounds (male), 20–25 pounds (female) - 2019 popularity rank: #28 (of 193) - Temperament: gentle, smart, happy - Life expectancy: 10–14 years
13. Cocker spaniel | Height of dog: 14.5–15.5 inches (male), 13.5–14.5 inches (female) – Weight of dog: 25–30 pounds (male), 20–25 pounds (female) – 2019 popularity rank: #28 (of 193) – Temperament: gentle, smart, happy – Life expectancy: 10–14 years
12. Shetland sheepdog | Height of dog: 13–16 inches - Weight of dog: 15–25 pounds - 2019 popularity rank: #25 (of 193) - Temperament: playful, energetic, bright - Life expectancy: 12–14 years
12. Shetland sheepdog | Height of dog: 13–16 inches – Weight of dog: 15–25 pounds – 2019 popularity rank: #25 (of 193) – Temperament: playful, energetic, bright – Life expectancy: 12–14 years
11. Pomeranian | Height of dog: 6–7 inches - Weight of dog: 3–7 pounds - 2019 popularity rank: #24 (of 193) - Temperament: inquisitive, bold, lively - Life expectancy: 12–16 years
11. Pomeranian | Height of dog: 6–7 inches – Weight of dog: 3–7 pounds – 2019 popularity rank: #24 (of 193) – Temperament: inquisitive, bold, lively – Life expectancy: 12–16 years
10. Havanese | Height of dog: 8.5–11.5 inches - Weight of dog: 7–13 pounds - 2019 popularity rank: #22 (of 193) - Temperament: intelligent, outgoing, funny - Life expectancy: 14–16 years
10. Havanese | Height of dog: 8.5–11.5 inches – Weight of dog: 7–13 pounds – 2019 popularity rank: #22 (of 193) – Temperament: intelligent, outgoing, funny – Life expectancy: 14–16 years
9. Boston terrier | Height of dog: 15–17 inches - Weight of dog: 12–25 pounds - 2019 popularity rank: #21 (of 193) - Temperament: friendly, bright, amusing - Life expectancy: 11–13 years
9. Boston terrier | Height of dog: 15–17 inches – Weight of dog: 12–25 pounds – 2019 popularity rank: #21 (of 193) – Temperament: friendly, bright, amusing – Life expectancy: 11–13 years
8. Shih tzu | Height of dog: 9–10.5 inches - Weight of dog: 9–16 pounds - 2019 popularity rank: #20 (of 193) - Temperament: affectionate, playful, outgoing - Life expectancy: 10–18 years
8. Shih tzu | Height of dog: 9–10.5 inches – Weight of dog: 9–16 pounds – 2019 popularity rank: #20 (of 193) – Temperament: affectionate, playful, outgoing – Life expectancy: 10–18 years
7. Miniature schnauzer | Height of dog: 12–14 inches - Weight of dog: 11–20 pounds - 2019 popularity rank: #18 (of 193) - Temperament: friendly, smart, obedient - Life expectancy: 12–15 years
7. Miniature schnauzer | Height of dog: 12–14 inches – Weight of dog: 11–20 pounds – 2019 popularity rank: #18 (of 193) – Temperament: friendly, smart, obedient – Life expectancy: 12–15 years
6. Cavalier King Charles spaniel | Height of dog: 12–13 inches - Weight of dog: 13–18 pounds - 2019 popularity rank: #16 (of 193) - Temperament: affectionate, gentle, graceful - Life expectancy: 12–15 years
6. Cavalier King Charles spaniel | Height of dog: 12–13 inches – Weight of dog: 13–18 pounds – 2019 popularity rank: #16 (of 193) – Temperament: affectionate, gentle, graceful – Life expectancy: 12–15 years
5. Yorkshire terrier | Height of dog: 7–8 inches - Weight of dog: 7 pounds - 2019 popularity rank: #12 (of 193) - Temperament: affectionate, sprightly, tomboyish - Life expectancy: 11–15 years
5. Yorkshire terrier | Height of dog: 7–8 inches – Weight of dog: 7 pounds – 2019 popularity rank: #12 (of 193) – Temperament: affectionate, sprightly, tomboyish – Life expectancy: 11–15 years
4. Dachshund | Height of dog: 8–9 inches (standard), 5–6 inches (miniature) - Weight of dog: 16–32 pounds (standard), 11 pounds and under (miniature) - 2019 popularity rank: #11 (of 193) - Temperament: friendly, curious, spunky - Life expectancy: 12–16 years
4. Dachshund | Height of dog: 8–9 inches (standard), 5–6 inches (miniature) – Weight of dog: 16–32 pounds (standard), 11 pounds and under (miniature) – 2019 popularity rank: #11 (of 193) – Temperament: friendly, curious, spunky – Life expectancy: 12–16 years
3. Pembroke Welsh corgi | Height of dog: 10–12 inches - Weight of dog: up to 30 pounds (male), up to 28 pounds (female) - 2019 popularity rank: #10 (of 193) - Temperament: affectionate, smart, alert - Life expectancy: 12–13 years
3. Pembroke Welsh corgi | Height of dog: 10–12 inches – Weight of dog: up to 30 pounds (male), up to 28 pounds (female) – 2019 popularity rank: #10 (of 193) – Temperament: affectionate, smart, alert
– Life expectancy: 12–13 years
2. Beagle | Height of dog: 13 inches and under, 13–15 inches - Weight of dog: under 20 pounds (13 inches and under), 20–30 pounds (13–15 inches) - 2019 popularity rank: #7 (of 193) - Temperament: friendly, curious, merry - Life expectancy: 10–15 years
2. Beagle | Height of dog: 13 inches and under, 13–15 inches – Weight of dog: under 20 pounds (13 inches and under), 20–30 pounds (13–15 inches) – 2019 popularity rank: #7 (of 193) – Temperament: friendly, curious, merry – Life expectancy: 10–15 years
1. French bulldog | Height of dog: 11–13 inches - Weight of dog: under 28 pounds - 2019 popularity rank: #4 (of 193) - Temperament: adaptable, playful, smart - Life expectancy: 10–12 years
1. French bulldog | Height of dog: 11–13 inches – Weight of dog: under 28 pounds – 2019 popularity rank: #4 (of 193) – Temperament: adaptable, playful, smart – Life expectancy: 10–12 years