Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Playful, bright and alert, corgis are great with children. They’re intelligent and willing to please, making them easy to train. They’re good watchdogs, and can be noisy and reserved with strangers.
Chihuahua
Named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua, these loyal and energetic dogs prove that good things do come in small packages — about five pound packages, to be exact.
Alaskan Klee Kai
Love huskies but don’t quite have the space for a medium-sized dog? May we introduce you to the Alaskan Klee Kai — this dog looks just like a husky, but will only weigh up to 15 pounds. If you need more convincing, this is the breed of Sophie Turner’s adorable pup.
Jack Russell Terrier
Although not recognized by the American Kennel Club, Jack Russell terriers have made a name for themselves by appearing on-screen in Wishbone, The Artist and My Dog Skip, to name a few. The intelligent workers can be stubborn and extremely energetic.
Pomeranian
Don’t be fooled by these puff ball’s cuddly coat, the Pomeranian’s playful demeanor will keep you active with short daily walks.
Yorkshire Terrier
At a mere seven pounds, Yorkies pack an energetic punch in a small package. That gorgeous, silky fur has an additional upside too: It’s hypoallergenic!
Maltese
Although it’s tough to distinguish between all the small white dog breeds out there, this one counts as one of the oldest. Maltese have entertained their owners for thousands of years. They’re so lovable that the ancient Greeks even built tombs in their honor.
Rat Terrier
Beyond being excellent exterminators (hello, city-dwellers), they’re loyal, cheerful and have a silky-smooth coat.
Yorkipoo
With the tiny stature of a Yorkshire terrier and the intelligence of a miniature poodle, this playful, mixed breed dog makes the perfect pet for families. Plus, they’re hypoallergenic!
Bichon Frise
These non-shedding dogs are known for being unbelievably happy, loving and lovable. They’re intelligent, although sometimes they exhibit a stubborn streak.
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are so charming, they’ll definitely warm your heart. They’re gentle and loyal, yet proud with an aristocratic temperament. They can be stubborn at times.
Loyal and affectionate to everyone (including strangers), these dogs are extremely playful and always ready for a game. They’re intelligent, although stubbornness makes this breed hard to train.
Miniature Poodle
Even though all poodles are considered one (extremely intelligent) breed, they come in three sizes: standard, miniature and toy. The miniature variety typical weighs in at a manageable 15 to 17 pounds. As for that fancy haircut, the “poodle clip” is designed to protect the joints and organs in cold water.
Japanese Chin
A longtime companion of Japanese royalty, these regal pups make a sweet and cuddly lapdog. The only downside to this breed is that you’ll have to deal with the fact that they’ll always have better hair than you.
Pumi
With their corkscrew curls and big, bashful eyes, Pumis are the cutest breed of dog that you’ve never heard of.
Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka
Cousin of the equally fluffy Bichon Frise, Bolonkas are a breed of curious and intelligent lapdogs that are popular in Russia.
English Cocker Spaniel
These spaniels weigh slightly more than their popular American counterparts, but their merry personalities win over families just as easily. Get them outside, and they’re quite the happy campers.
Whippet
Reaching speeds of up to 35 miles per hour, whippets are the fastest animal of their size, according to the American Kennel Club. A couple of all-out sprints will tire them out for an entire afternoon.
Miniature Pinscher
Fearless and fun-loving, Min Pins require a lot more activity than their 10-pound frames suggest. Be prepared for some of their, ahem, more vocal qualities as well.
Basenji
Basenjis originally worked as hunting dogs in Africa, prized for their intelligence and independence. Most notably, however, the “barkless dog” makes an odd chortle-like sound instead of a typical “woof.”
