Yorkshire Terrier: Small Dog, Big Heart
Small dogs can be more than just handbag accessories. And unless you live on a ranch with rolling green acres of wide-open spaces, it isn’t advisable to raise a Saint Bernard. If you are currently set up in an apartment or small, urban home without a yard or immediate room to play, it might be time to start learning more about best small dogs for sale or adoption!
The best small dogs for sale or adoption are good with kids, easy to care for, can handle being indoors for long stretches of time, and are playful, cute, happy companions. But with any breed, it is optimal to give your dog a nutritious diet, plenty of attention, normal grooming (toenail clipping, dental care, etc) and regular veterinarian check-ups.
Below are some of the best small dogs for sale with some quick care-for tips, but this list is anything but exhaustive. This is just a quick list of some of the more popular small dogs, but it is up to you to do the research and find what is best for you!
Yorkshire Terrier – The Yorkie is incredibly popular and for good reason. The breed is an intelligent and energetic small dog, but it requires a lot of care due to its long coat. It requires regularly bathing and grooming, otherwise the hair can get into the dogs mouth and eyes and it can also get messy around its rump. Furthermore, they can be loud dogs, so if your neighbors are sensitive to sound or if you are planning on the dog accompanying you on covert operations requiring stealth, it may not be the best option.
Pug – Though Pugs are tiny and cute (“ugly-cute”), they shed a lot of fur. To make this easier on the dog and on you for clean up, the best thing to do is brush the dog at least once a week. What makes Pugs one of the best small dogs is its friendliness, but with this is the constant need of attention and affection. Ear infection and breathing problems are more common in Pugs, so be heads up for that. And although they sleep more than your average dog, they still need daily exercise to stay healthy.
Bichon Frise – Known for their puffy white fur and almost stuffed animal appearance, the Bichon Frise is very popular small dog breed. However, they have a reputation for being difficult to potty-train, though try not to get discouraged. It can be done with a little patience and knowledge. Regulate the Bichon puppy’s urination schedule by controlling its water intake to mealtimes only. Their white fluffy coats will also need constant care.
Maltese – The Maltese is also a longhair dog like the Yorkie and requires a lot of grooming to prevent matting, as well as trimmings to avoid problems and grossness, but they also make great apartment dogs. They are not as prone to disease like some other breeds (especially if neutered/spayed early on) and require very little exercise. Just be careful, their white coats can stain if you do not stay on top of bathing.
Other small dog breeds that make great pets, each possessing pros and cons (but mostly pros), are Boston Terriers, French Bulldogs, Shih Tzus, Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, Toy Poodles, Pomeranians, and Lhasa Apsos…