Breed Directory
Small dog breeds
52 small breeds from 12 to 25 lbs. Big personalities with generally lower food and medication costs, but watch out for dental and orthopedic issues.
52 Breeds
12–25 lbs Weight range
12–16 yrs Avg lifespan
Lower Food costs
All small breeds by popularity
Ranked by AKC popularity. Search or click any breed to see its full cost breakdown.
French Bulldogsmall · 10–12 yrs
#1View costs →
Beaglesmall · 10–15 yrs
#2View costs →
Dachshundsmall · 12–16 yrs
#3View costs →
Pembroke Welsh Corgismall · 12–13 yrs
#4View costs →
Cavalier King Charles Spanielsmall · 12–15 yrs
#5View costs →
Miniature Schnauzersmall · 12–15 yrs
#6View costs →
Boston Terriersmall · 11–13 yrs
#7View costs →
Havanesesmall · 14–16 yrs
#8View costs →
Shetland Sheepdogsmall · 12–14 yrs
#9View costs →
Cocker Spanielsmall · 10–14 yrs
#10View costs →
Pugsmall · 13–15 yrs
#11View costs →
West Highland White Terriersmall · 13–15 yrs
#12View costs →
Bichon Frisesmall · 14–15 yrs
#13View costs →
Shiba Inusmall · 13–16 yrs
#14View costs →
Miniature American Shepherdsmall · 12–13 yrs
#15View costs →
Scottish Terriersmall · 12–14 yrs
#16View costs →
Cairn Terriersmall · 13–15 yrs
#17View costs →
Lhasa Apsosmall · 12–15 yrs
#18View costs →
Wire Fox Terriersmall · 12–15 yrs
#19View costs →
Border Terriersmall · 12–15 yrs
#20View costs →
Basenjismall · 13–14 yrs
#21View costs →
Russell Terriersmall · 12–14 yrs
#22View costs →
Cardigan Welsh Corgismall · 12–15 yrs
#23View costs →
Smooth Fox Terriersmall · 12–15 yrs
#24View costs →
Norwich Terriersmall · 12–15 yrs
#25View costs →
Tibetan Spanielsmall · 12–15 yrs
#26View costs →
Parson Russell Terriersmall · 13–15 yrs
#27View costs →
Manchester Terriersmall · 15–17 yrs
#28View costs →
Australian Terriersmall · 11–15 yrs
#29View costs →
Bedlington Terriersmall · 11–16 yrs
#30View costs →
American Eskimo Dogsmall · 13–15 yrs
#31View costs →
Miniature Bull Terriersmall · 11–13 yrs
#32View costs →
Schipperkesmall · 12–16 yrs
#33View costs →
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeensmall · 14–16 yrs
#34View costs →
Norfolk Terriersmall · 12–16 yrs
#35View costs →
Sealyham Terriersmall · 12–14 yrs
#36View costs →
Lakeland Terriersmall · 12–15 yrs
#37View costs →
Dandie Dinmont Terriersmall · 12–15 yrs
#38View costs →
Welsh Terriersmall · 12–15 yrs
#39View costs →
American Hairless Terriersmall · 14–16 yrs
#40View costs →
Cesky Terriersmall · 12–15 yrs
#41View costs →
Cirneco dell'Etnasmall · 12–14 yrs
#42View costs →
Rat Terriersmall · 12–18 yrs
#43View costs →
Coton de Tulearsmall · 15–19 yrs
#44View costs →
Swedish Vallhundsmall · 12–15 yrs
#45View costs →
Kooikerhondjesmall · 12–15 yrs
#46View costs →
Norwegian Lundehundsmall · 12–15 yrs
#47View costs →
Danish-Swedish Farmdogsmall · 11–13 yrs
#48View costs →
Portuguese Podengosmall · 12–15 yrs
#49View costs →
Lancashire Heelersmall · 12–15 yrs
#50View costs →
Pyrenean Shepherdsmall · 15–17 yrs
#51View costs →
Teddy Roosevelt Terriersmall · 14–16 yrs
#52View costs →
Why small dogs can still be expensive
Small dogs eat less and use smaller doses of medication, but they're prone to dental disease, luxating patellas, and tracheal collapse. These conditions can mean thousands in vet bills that offset the lower day-to-day costs.
Insurance premiums for small breeds are typically the lowest available, making coverage especially cost-effective when factoring in breed-specific health risks.
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