Many people assume that all small dogs are easy to live with because of their compact size. However, there’s significant diversity among small dog breeds, and some can be more challenging to care for than others. While we don’t believe that there are bad dog breeds, we do know that some are easier to care for and train than others.
It takes a lot of time and research to determine dog breeds that will be a good fit for you. So, if you’re going to be a first-time dog owner or are looking for a low-maintenance dog, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best behaved small dogs who just might be the perfect companion for you.
How Are Best Behaved Dogs Classified?
We’ve used several categories to classify best behaved dogs. Trainability and adaptability were factors that contributed significantly to our requirements for well-behaved dogs. We also considered the dog’s sociability and how well they get along with children, strangers, and other dogs.
Gentleness and mellowness were other factors we included while we refrained from selecting dog breeds known to be more active and energetic. This is because active dogs often have more training and exercise needs. So, even though they can be well-behaved, it usually takes more time and effort to train them.
The 20 Best Behaved Small Dogs
1. Bichon Frise
| Height: | 9.5–11.5 inches |
| Weight: | 12–18 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 14–15 years |
Bichon Frises are often recommended for first-time dog owners. They’re cheerful dogs who are eager to please and easy to train. They love to play and enjoy spending as much time as possible with people.
Bichon Frises are also social dogs who enjoy meeting new people and can get along with other dogs. They’re ideal apartment dogs because they’re relatively quiet and don’t tend to bark a lot.
2. Bolognese
| Height: | 10–12 inches |
| Weight: | 6–10 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12–14 years |
Bologneses are affectionate and playful companion dogs that become deeply loyal to their owners. They value human companionship and don’t do well being left home alone for long hours. Fortunately, their tiny size makes them easy to bring along with you everywhere you go.
Bologneses are also very intelligent dogs, and they enjoy learning new tricks. They also get along fairly well with other dogs and children, and they adapt well to apartment living and city life.
3. Boston Terrier
| Height: | 10–12 inches |
| Weight: | 12–25 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 11–13 years |
Boston Terriers are happy-go-lucky dogs that love spreading cheer. They’re very affectionate and love spending time with their families. They’re also playful dogs with an excellent sense of humor, and they seem to have a knack for making people laugh.
Boston Terriers are also good with children, and they’re adaptable. Their good-natured personality and friendliness often make great companion pets for first-time dog owners.
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
| Height: | 12–13 inches |
| Weight: | 13–18 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are cheerful and happy dogs, and there’s rarely a moment when their fluffy tails aren’t wagging. They’re sweet companion dogs who will love nothing more than to spend all day with their favorite people. They love to play and run around, but they’re also lap dogs who enjoy cuddling and taking naps with their owners.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are also friendly and social dogs. They get along with just about anyone, and they can learn to live with other types of pets.
5. Chinese Crested
| Height: | 11–13 inches |
| Weight: | 8–12 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10–14 years |
The Chinese Crested is one of the most well-behaved small dogs. They’re intelligent and easy to train, and they’re very affectionate and loyal to their families. The Chinese Crested can get along with other dogs, but they usually prefer human companionship.
The Chinese Crested is a relatively low-maintenance dog with minimal grooming needs, and they’re a considerable breed for people with dog allergies. They’re also playful and active, but they don’t require intense exercise. They’re usually content with walks around the neighborhood and playing games like tug and fetch at home.
6. Cocker Spaniel
| Height: | 12–13 inches |
| Weight: | 13–18 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
Most people are familiar with Cocker Spaniels because of Lady and the Tramp. Real-life Cocker Spaniels are as charming and sweet as Lady. They’re extremely devoted to their families, and they’re relatively easy to train.
Cocker Spaniels are adaptable dogs, but some may develop a habit of barking. So, it’s important to teach them the “Quiet” command, especially if you live in an apartment or shared living space.
7. Coton de Tulear
| Height: | 9–11 inches |
| Weight: | 8–15 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 15–19 years |
Coton de Tulears are affectionate dogs who deeply love their families. They’re intelligent dogs and are relatively easy to train. They’re also relatively quiet and don’t tend to bark much, so they’re popular pets for apartment dwellers.
Coton de Tulears have a luxurious white coat, and they shed minimally, making them a considerable candidate for allergy sufferers. However, their coats are prone to tangling and matting, so you must be prepared to brush them regularly.
8. French Bulldog
| Height: | 11–13 inches |
| Weight: | Under 28 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10–12 years |
There’s a reason why French Bulldogs are the most popular dog breed in the US. French Bulldogs are fun-loving, social dogs who love being around people and other dogs. They love to play and just want to have a good time.
French Bulldogs are fairly adaptable and do well living in both urban and suburban neighborhoods. They can be a bit sensitive to heat, so it’s important to keep an extra watchful eye on them during hot summer months to avoid overheating.
9. Havanese
| Height: | 8.5–11.5 inches |
| Weight: | 7–13 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 14–16 years |
Havaneses are good-natured, friendly dogs who can get along with just about anybody. They’re small, but they have a lot of love to give, and they become very attached to their owners. Because they love being around people, Haveneses do best in homes where someone is usually around.
Havaneses are adaptable dogs, and they can be patient and doting with children. They’re a breed that often works as therapy dogs, but their intelligence and love for the spotlight also makes them beloved performing dogs.
10. Italian Greyhound
| Height: | 13–15 inches |
| Weight: | 7–14 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 14–15 years |
Despite their hunting background, Italian Greyhounds are sweet and sensitive dogs. They’re active and energetic, but they’re also relatively low-maintenance and are content with short walks and play sessions scheduled throughout their day.
Italian Greyhounds love being around people, and they often end up cuddling or sitting on people’s laps for warmth. Their short coats make them easy to groom, but they’re also very sensitive to the cold. They’d much prefer living in warmer climates than in areas with cold and snowy winters.
11. Japanese Chin
| Height: | 8–11 inches |
| Weight: | 7–11 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10–12 years |
Japanese Chins are friendly and adaptable dogs. They adjust well to apartment living, and they’re relatively quiet and polite neighbors. Japanese Chins are often compared to cats because they’re very loyal and affectionate with their families while being aloof and standoffish with strangers.
They’re not known to be aggressive. However, it’s still important to socialize them and introduce them to new people and environments to boost their confidence and comfort in new situations.
12. Lhasa Apso
| Height: | 10–11 inches |
| Weight: | 12–18 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
Lhasa Apsos are known for their strong loyalty to their families. Despite their small size, they have a big personality, and life is certainly more fun and exciting when a Lhasa Apso is around.
This dog breed can get along with other dogs, but they usually prefer being the only dog in the home. They prefer human companionship above all else and are ready to go all sorts of adventures with their families and favorite humans.
13. Maltese
| Height: | 7–9 inches |
| Weight: | 5–7 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
Malteses are a popular and well-known dog breed and with good reason. These good-natured dogs are often recommended for novice dog owners because of their trainability and gentle personalities. They’re also affectionate and playful, and they’re quick to develop strong bonds with their family members.
Despite their small size, Malteses have a loud bark and can even be good watchdogs. They’re quick to alert their family when a stranger is approaching, but they’re also quick to welcome strangers into the house and demonstrate good hospitality.
14. Miniature Schnauzer
| Height: | 12–14 inches |
| Weight: | 11–20 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
Miniature Schnauzers are often recommended for first-time dog owners because of their friendly personalities and trainability. They’re intelligent dogs who are also eager to please, and they’re capable of learning many kinds of tricks.
Miniature Schnauzers are friendly dogs, but they definitely prefer being around people rather than other animals. They’re also pretty active for small dogs, and they can be great jogging companions and exercise buddies for people with more active lifestyles.
15. Papillon
| Height: | 8–11 inches |
| Weight: | 5–10 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 14–16 years |
Many people fall in love with Papillons when they see their charming, butterfly-wing ears. Papillons are also known to be very affectionate and loyal, and they love accompanying their favorite humans everywhere they go.
Papillons are also fairly adaptable. They’re active and will enjoy going on long walks and playing fetch. At the same time, they’re happy to be couch potatoes and spend a lazy weekend snoozing on the couch with you.
16. Pug
| Height: | 10–13 inches |
| Weight: | 14–18 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 13–15 years |
Pugs are another extremely popular and widely recognized breed. They’re the ultimate companion dog who loves being around people and being the center of attention. They have playful and spunky personalities and will always love playing games with you.
While Pugs love to have a good time, they don’t really have a whole lot of stamina. They usually have short bursts of energy and then will spend the majority of their time napping or curling up in your lap.
17. Shih Tzu
| Height: | 9–10.5 inches |
| Weight: | 9–16 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10–18 years |
Shih Tzus are friendly and confident dogs with big personalities. They love receiving attention and aren’t shy about demanding it from people.
Shih Tzus are adaptable dogs who can enjoy being both active exercise companions and cuddly lap dogs. They’re easy to train, and they’re a good fit for families with children. They can also be happy and content living in smaller apartments as long as they get enough exercise.
18. Toy Poodle
| Height: | No more than 10 inches |
| Weight: | 4–6 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10–18 years |
Toy Poodles have a reputation for being spoiled and snooty. However, they’re actually among some of the most intelligent dogs and have a sweet and charming personality. Because they’re so smart, Toy Poodles do require more exercise and mental stimulation than many other dogs.
Fortunately, they love to learn and thrive on rewards and praise. They’re relatively easy to train and are capable of developing an impressive repertoire of tricks.
19. West Highland White Terrier
| Height: | 10–11 inches |
| Weight: | 15–20 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 13–15 years |
West Highland White Terriers are spunky, happy dogs whose main purpose in life is to have fun. They’re ideal dogs for people with active lifestyles because of their playful and energetic temperaments.
West Highland White Terriers are fairly adaptable, and they can live in just about any setting. They can be a good fit for families with children, but they usually prefer being in homes with older children.
20. Yorkshire Terrier
| Height: | 7–8 inches |
| Weight: | 7 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 11–15 years |
Similar to the Toy Poodle, Yorkshire Terriers have the potential to be some of the most well-behaved dogs. However, it’s easy for them to get coddled and spoiled because of their small size and adorable looks.
Yorkshire Terriers are loyal and quite brave for their small size. They usually become strongly devoted to their owners and are eager to please and easy to train. So, with a little training, you can end up with a charming and polite Yorkshire Terrier companion.
In Conclusion
We hope our list of best behaved small dog breeds has given you a better idea of dogs that might be a good fit for you. Of course, all dogs are a significant responsibility and require training. Even if you narrow down your search to a few dog breeds, it’s important to have realistic expectations.
At the end of the day, well-behaved dogs aren’t born; they’re trained. So, it’s best to anticipate spending a lot of time and effort in teaching a dog to have good manners and become well-behaved.
Featured Image Credit: Fayzulin Serg, Shutterstock
How Are Best Behaved Dogs Classified?
