“A dog is a man’s best friend.” This is a popular saying you have probably heard. Dogs are loved by people everywhere as one of the best companions. They make good pets because they can watch your back, will keep you active, can make you feel less alone, and relieve your stress.

If you are planning to buy a dog as a companion, here are small dogs that make the best family pets.

1. Beagle

The beagle is similar in appearance to another dog breed known as the foxhound. The breed was developed by breeders primarily for hunting hare. Its life expectancy is between 12 to 15 years. A male beagle weighs from 10 to11 kg while females weights from 9 to10 kg. They come in a variety of color combinations, including red and white, tri-color, white and tan, lemon and white, orange and white, chocolate tri, white and chocolate. They make good pets because they are intelligent, excitable, determined, amiable, gentle, and even-tempered.

2. Pug

The pug is a small affectionate dog that will bond easily with the whole family. This breed originated in China. It has physically distinctive features such as well-developed muscles, curled tail, short-muzzled face, and wrinkly. It has a fine beautiful coat that comes in a variety of colors from black and fawn to silver fawn and apricot. Its life expectancy is between 12 to 15 years. Males are 30 centimeters long while females are 25 centimeters. The temperament features that make them great pets include docile, clever, sociable, charming, playful, quiet, and attentive.

3. Staffordshire Bull Terrier

This is a medium-size dog bred in Britain, in the city of Birmingham. It was developed by crossing the English white terrier and the bulldog. It is a muscular dog standing between 15 and 20 inches at the shoulder. The head is broad with well-defined jaws. They come in different colors, including black, brindle, blue and white, white, fawn, white, black and white, blue, fawn and white, and red. They make good companions thanks to their courage, affectionate, intelligence, boldness, and love of children.

4. Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniel is a small dog developed by crossing the English Cocker Spaniel and the American Cocker Spaniel. They come in a wide variety of colors, which include black, white, fawn, tobacco, havana, brown and mahogany. They make great family dogs because they are smart and good-natured. They are also highly trainable; perform in agility, quick to learn trick and obedience competitions. They are a happy breed that loves to play with other dogs, children, and even cats.

5. Havanese

Developed from the now extinct Blanquito de la Habana, the breed is the national dog of Cuba. It was primarily bred as a companion dog. The dog is best known for its expressive eyes, long, silky hair, and cuddly size. It makes a great family companion because it is highly trainable and surprisingly energetic. It has beautiful fur that requires regular brushing and care. The dog can suffer from separation anxiety, stress, or depression if you leave it to stay alone. An active game and long walk each day will make the dog a great companion

6. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

This is a small-sized dog bred primarily bred for hunting. They come in different colors, which include copper, red golden, and red. Females are between 42 and 51 centimeters long, while males range from 45 to 54 centimeters. Females weigh from 17 to20 kg, while males range from 20 to 23 kg. Their life expectancy ranges from 10 to 14 years. The dog is known to be intelligent, alert, easy to please, and a high-energy dog. They make great family pets because they are also intelligent, patient, outgoing, and loving.

7. Norfolk Terrier

Norfolk Terriers come in different colors, which include black and tan, grizzle, wheaten, and red. They make lively family companions because they are fearless, affectionate, and outgoing personality. They have a tenacious nature, but they can live happily with other pets, kids, and the whole family. They are, however, dominant toward strange dogs and like to seize or chase small fleeing creatures. Another reason Norfolk Terriers make good family pets is that they are easier to train. They are eager to please and respond appropriately to their owners’ commands.

8. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier

This is a small dog breed originated from Ireland.  They were owned by Irish peasants but found their way into other countries across the world. They are born in a variety of colors such as pale beige, white, and crème. Males weigh from 16 to 18 kg, while females’ weight ranges from 14 to 16 kg. Their height ranges from 40 to 48 centimeters. They are loved by many pet lovers because they love people back, are full of energy, and make a great family pet. Other features that make them great family pets include faithful, energetic, spirited, affectionate, intelligent, and playful.

9. Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire terrier is another good family dog you can ever purchase as a pet for your family. It is small in size but isn’t afraid to take on bigger dogs when they feel threatened. The dog is relatively easy to train compared to other dog breeds we have mentioned here. Because it was originally bred to carry out tasks, the Yorkshire terrier can easily carry out duties and capable of being independent thinkers. The only problem with this breed is that it barks a lot. However, a dog does not bark without a cause.

10. Boston Terrier

This breed is small size and lively. It features a short tail, short head, a smooth coat, and a compact body. They are mostly black, brindle or seal in color and evenly marked with white. The dog makes a great family pet and companion because it is highly intelligent, playful, loving, and affectionate. It loves to play with children, but it can amuse anybody with their appealing expressions and unique antics. The dog’s appealing expressions indicate a high degree of intelligence.

11. Shih Tzu

Developed in China, the Shih Tzu is one of the smallest dog breeds, weighing from four to seven kilograms. They come in different colors, which include liver, brindle, black, white, light brown, dark brown, blue, and gold. You can also find them in black and white and liver and white. Their life expectancy is between 10 to 16 years. They make great family pets because they are affectionate, loving, always happy, outgoing, and like to stay with the owner all the time. They are also obedient and great at obedience and agility competitions.

12. Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is a cheerful, small dog breed with a lot of love and mischief. The breed features a fluffy white coat and black eyes and can grow to around 9 inches to 11 inches tall at the shoulder. It is considered a great family pet because it is playful, does not smell, gentle, and gets along well with other pets. It also gets along well with kids and people of all ages. Their only problem is that they like barking a lot when they are left alone at home.

13. Poodle

This breed comes in three varieties: Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle, and Standard Poodle. All these verities make good family pets because they are smart, fun, affectionate, energetic, and easy to train. They thrive with plenty of body and mental exercises and prefer to be with people most of the time. They make great watchdogs, and some even have mild protective instincts, although they are not aggressive breeds.  They come in a variety of colors, which include brown, apricot, red, black, white, sable, black and white, cream, grey, blue, and silver.

14. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

This is a popular dog breed that originated in the UK. Currently, it is ranked the 19th most popular small dog in the United States. The dog is popular in many American homes because it is playful, loving, affectionate, smart, and learn quickly. They need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. When they are left alone, they become anxious.

15. Maltese

Maltese is a small dog breed originally bred in Malta. The dog is covered with a mantle of long, silky, white fur from head to foot. They make great family pets and satisfactory companions because they are affectionate, gentle-mannered, responsive, intelligent, and trusting. They are also lively, vigorous, and playful. The dog is easier to train. They can pick up on commands very easily and generally enjoys learning tricks. Their only problem is that they can be dormant or snappy with stubborn or noisy children.

16. French Bulldog

The French bulldog was first bred in Paris, France. It is one of the most expensive small dogs on the market today.  The high price is due to all the expenses needed for breeding the dog. To breed the French bulldog, you will need artificial insemination and perform a c-section during delivery. They make a wonderful family pet because they are affectionate, joyful and playful, clownish, well behaved, sturdier than the average small dog, and can do well in all kinds of families.

17. Shetland Sheepdog

Another dog breed that makes a great family pet and companion is the Shetland sheepdog. This breed originated in the Shetland Islands of Scotland. They are known to be good family dogs because they are gentle, sweet, affectionate, playful, and have a pleasing personality. They are good watchdogs since they like baking a lot when they come across strangers or visitors so they can make. Buying the dog from breeders can be prohibitively expensive. They usually cost anywhere from $500-$2,000 depending on their breeder.

18. Keeshond

Keeshond is the national dog of the Netherlands. It is a small dog breed with a massive tail and an impressive black, gray, and cream coat. It was bred to be a companion dog for high class working people, the reason you will find them close to their owners. They not only make great pets but can also protect their owners. They are extremely alert, cautious, and protective. You will find them in different colors such as grey, black, silver, grey cream & black, black & silver, and grey & black.

19. Dachshund

Dachshunds come in a variety of color combinations such as black and tan, chocolate and tan, chocolate & cream, and blue and tan.  They were bred to hunt foxes, badgers, rabbits, and other tunneling animals. Today, their versatility and affection make them excellent family pets and companions. They love to cuddle and sometimes snuggle under the covers. They are intelligent dogs with a playful spirit and an independent nature. They are easier to train and quick to learn new tricks.

20. Papillon

Also known as the Continental Toy Spaniel, the Papillon is one of the oldest of the toy spaniels. They are fearless, the reason they like bossing around bigger dog breeds. They make a great family pet because they get along well with other pets and children. They are also smart, easy to train and enjoy learning new things. They are not normally aggressive, but when they are young, they tend to show signs of aggressiveness such as nipping and biting.

21. Pomeranian

This breed was named after the Pomerania regions in Germany and Poland, where they originated. They make good family pets because they are perky, friendly, and alert. They tend to be good with children. However, you will need to caution the kids to handle them carefully as they are not as sturdy as the larger breeds. Pomeranians are easy to train because they are intelligent and smart.  You can train them to use a litter box or puppy pads.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, several small dog breeds make great family pets. If you are planning to welcome any breed into the family, expect to provide the dog with consistent, loving training as well.