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Small dog breeds

Are you looking for a small sized dog to love? Sometimes the biggest personalities come in the smallest packages…and fortunately, there is a wide range of smaller sized breeds to choose from.

To make it easy for you, we have put together a list of the most popular small dog breeds in Australia. Learn more about their history, temperament, common breed diseases and conditions and lots of other interesting facts to guide you to choose the right small dog for you and your family!

If you’re interested in looking at the most popular small dog breeds, see The Top 10 Small Dogs in Australia.

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Australian Cobberdog

Australian Cobberdogs are loving and highly intelligent dogs that descend from the original Labradoodles. They work as therapy and assistance dogs.

Australian Terrier

Australian Terriers are energetic, adaptable and loving, small sized balls of fun. They love to please their owners and make great family pets.

Basenji

The Basenji is a hound dog and belongs to the smaller dog group.

Beagle

Beagles are famously gentle, even-tempered small to medium size dogs that are very popular with families. They are very social, love kids and make great companions.

Beaglier

Beagliers are cute, smart and energetic small to medium size dogs that are ideal for families with kids. They are highly trainable, love people and make great companions.

Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise (or simply “Bichon”) is a small, sturdy dog famous for its curly, fluffy white coat. They were popular in France as performing dogs and companion dogs.

Border Terrier

Border Terriers are good natured and energetic small sized dogs that love to hunt and dig. They have a have a scruffy, wiry coat that gives them a cute, ‘junkyard dog’ appearance.

Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier is an American breed of domesticated dog, small to medium-sized with a muscular and heavy-set appearance similar to the English terrier breeds.

Brussels Griffon (Griffon Bruxellois)

The Brussels Griffon, also known as Griffon Bruxellois in Europe, is a toy dog breed.

Cairn Terrier

Cairn Terriers are cute, scruffy looking small size dogs with loads of energy and personality. Best known as the dog in The Wizard of Oz, they love being part of the family and being busy and active.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are toy dogs with a kind and loving nature. They are wonderful companions and are very popular with families and the elderly.

Cavoodle

Cavoodles are cute, smart and energetic small to medium size dogs that are very popular with families. They are highly trainable, love people and make great companions.

Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are cute and energetic tiny size dogs that are fiercely devoted to their owners but can be snappy or reserved towards strangers. They have a lot of personality and a big dog attitude.

Dachshund

Dachshunds are lovable, independent little dogs with a distinctive, long body and short legs. They have an independent but loyal nature and a bright personality.

English Toy Terrier

These are cute, smart and energetic toy sized dogs that are quite rare in Australia. They are alert, lovable and fearless and make entertaining companions.

Fox Terrier

The Fox Terrier is a small sized dog that comes in two varieties: Smooth Fox Terrier and Wire Fox Terrier.

French Bulldog

French Bulldogs are cute and energetic small to medium size dogs that are very popular due to their unique appearance and clownish, good-spirited behaviour.

Havanese

The Havanese is a small toy breed of domesticated dog. It has a thick coat of either long and straight or curly fur, ears that droop to the side of its face, and a great deal of personality.

Italian Greyhound

The Italian Greyhound (also referred to as the IG) is a slim, fine boned dog.  It looks quite similar to the Whippet but it is smaller in size and stature. 

Jack Russell Terrier

The Jack Russell is a small and spirited domesticated dog of the terrier family. Compact, muscular and very energetic, Jack Russells are known as the small dog with the big attitude.

Japanese Spitz

The Japanese Spitz is an active small breed dog that loves human attention and tends to be very loyal and affectionate.

Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso is a small, non-sporting dog known for its long, silky, dense coat which (unless groomed otherwise) flows to the floor.

Maltese

Maltese are cute, friendly and endearing toy size dogs with lots of personality and zest for life. They are happy to play, go for walks, or curl up in your lap and can fit in with any lifestyle.

Maltese Shih Tzu

These are cute, friendly and outgoing toy size dogs that are one of the most popular cross breeds in Australia. They are highly trainable, love people of all ages and make great companions.

Miniature Bull Terrier

The Miniature Bull Terrier is a small and stocky but very strong little dog. Selectively bred from smaller examples of the full-sized Bull Terrier, the Miniature version is almost identical in its appearance and its temperament.

Miniature Dachshund

Miniature Dachshunds are adorably cute, willful little dogs with very short legs and a long body. They have a loveable yet independent temperament and a bright personality.

Miniature Pinscher

The Miniature Pinscher is a small domesticated dog, muscular and full of energy. An old breed, the Miniature Pinscher can be traced back to more than 200 years ago.

Miniature Poodle

Miniature Poodles are highly intelligent, cute and energetic small sized dogs that are very popular with families. They are highly trainable, love people and crave companionship.

Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer is a popular small dog with a huge personality and loads of energy. 

Moodle

Moodles are cute, relaxed and placid small sized designer dogs that are very popular with families. They love people and make the perfect lap dog.

Papillon

The Papillon is small, fine boned, energetic dog that is also known as the Continental toy Spaniel or Dwarf Spaniels. 

Pekingese

Pekingese are very small dogs which have a long, soft, and straight coat that feels furry. The dog looks like a miniature dog-lion with a mane.

Pomeranian

Pomeranians are cute, fluffy and energetic small size dogs that are very popular companions. They are highly alert and love being part of a busy yet attentive family.

Pug

Pugs are cute, small size dogs that are suited to a wide range of owners, including families with young children and the elderly. They are are well suited to apartments and small homes and make great companions.

Scottish Terrier

The Scottish Terrier is a small and sturdy breed of domesticated dog. High-spirited, fiercely independent, determined and very playful, the Scottish Terrier was developed from a number of the old highland terrier breeds several hundred years ago.

Shih Tzu

Shih Tzus are cute, toy sized dogs that are popular amongst older adults and those living in smaller households. Loyal, playful and very affectionate, they make great companions.

Welsh Corgi

The Welsh Corgi is a small, sturdy breed of dog known for its short legs which make its body appear quite long.

Welsh Terrier

The Welsh Terrier (a.k.a. Welshie) is a small-medium dog similar in appearance to the Airedale Terrier and some claim it is the oldest breed native to the UK in existence today.

West Highland White Terrier

The West Highland White Terrier (known affectionately as the Westie) is a small dog breed originating in Scotland, bred to hunt small rodents.

Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terriers are cute, friendly and energetic toy size dogs with lots of personality and zest for life. Terriers at heart, they know what they want and will assert themselves to get it.

Find the right dog breed for you with our Breed Selector   
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