Dogs that weigh 20 lb (9 kg) or less are known as small dogs.
These small breed dogs are very tiny, compact, and low to the ground. In general, a tiny dog or a group of small dogs are traditionally called toy dogs.
Dogs are known as humans' best friends. Dogs make the best companions and pets for people. Many people have dogs as pets at home.
Dogs are excellent at guarding and keeping the family safe and sound. However, there are many different characteristics of dogs and different breeds of dogs. Some dogs are big, and some are small.
Small dogs are often thought by people to be furry and cute. On the one hand, small dogs can be the friendliest dogs; on the other hand, they can be prone to mood swings. The smallest dogs include pugs, terriers, and corgis.
The smallest dog in the world is a female dog from the chihuahua breed. An amazing fact about this breed is that the name comes from the Mexican state: Chihuahua. Chihuahuas make the most amazing companions at home.
They can be great family dogs. However, chihuahuas have an attitude that can sometimes be threatening to small children. Though they may be the smallest dogs, they are extremely territorial and are known to bark constantly whenever they see a stranger.
If you like learning about what the smallest dog in the world is, then take a look at our Doberman facts andhow many cat breeds there are.
Is the world's smallest dog still alive?
The answer to this question is yes; one of the smallest dogs living in the world is a female dog from the Chihuahua breed.
The dog has a height of 3.8 in (9.65 cm), and the name of the dog's owner is Vanesa Semler. The owner of this beautiful dog lives in Dorado, situated in Puerto Rico. The dog was born in December 2011, and at present, the weight of the dog is 1 lb (0.45 kg).
What is the smallest dog in the world called?
The smallest dog in the world is a Chihuahua, and it is 3.8 in (9.65 cm) cm tall.
These small dogs come in a variety of colors with long and short coats. These dogs have two distinct types of heads that are deer shaped and apple-shaped.
The height of this breed varies from 6-10 in (15.2-25.4 cm), and the weight of a dog of this breed varies from 4-6 lb (1.8-2.7 kg). This dog breed is generally low maintenance when it comes to grooming, but when it comes to training, these dogs are known to be high maintenance.
Here are some of the smallest dog breeds.
Chihuahuas are some of the smallest dogs in the world and are also known for their charming and unique personalities. The weight of this dog can be up to 6 lb (2.7 kg), and they are 6-9 in (15.2-22.8 cm) tall. In fact, the world's smallest dog, Miracle Milly, is a female Chihuahua.
Pugs are famous for their slushy face. This breed was once a companion for people in China. The weight of this dog is around 14-18 lb (6.3-8.1 kg), and they are 12-14 in (30.4-35.5 cm) tall.
Yorkshire Terrier dogs are famous for their personalities. The Yorkshire Terrier is popular in America. The weight of a Yorkshire terrier dog is around 7 lb (3 kg), and they are 6-7 in (15.2-17.7 cm) tall.
As for the Corgi breed, there are two types, which are Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Cardigan Welsh Corgis. The biggest difference between these two is in their tails; Cardis have a tail, and Pembroke Corgis don't. This dog's weight can be up to 30 lb (13.6 kg), and they are generally 10-12 in (25.4-30.4 cm) tall.
Affenpinscher dogs are curious and entertaining. The weight of this dog is around 7-10 lb (3-4.5 kg), and they are 9-11.5 in (22.8-29.2 cm) tall.
Brussels Griffon dogs are popular pets that grow to 7–10 in (17.7-25.4 cm) tall and have a playful temperament. You should know that they can bark excessively if not trained right.
Toy Poodles of the toy group are smart and known for their intelligence. They sometimes behave like a human. The weight of a toy poodle dog is between 4-6 lb (1.8-2.7 kg), and they are 9-10 in (22.8-25.4 cm) tall. Their curly coats make them unique from other breeds. You can find similar animal fur in the Bichon Frise.
Shih Tzu dogs are a toy breed. They are charming and adorable dogs that are perfect for apartment living. You can find a variety of long coats and different colors in the breed. The weight of this breed varies from 9-16 (4-7.2 kg) with fluffy coats.
Pomeranian dogs come in a lot of colors, including orange, white, and red. These are smart, and their weight is about 3-7 lb (1.3-3.1 kg).
Dachshund pets are popular for their long bodies and short legs. Though they are not of really small size like a Maltese, they are super cute for their tiny size.
Likewise, there are other small breeds commonly known as toy breeds, like the cavalier king Charles spaniel, miniature pinscher, Brussels Griffon, toy fox terrier, Yorkshire terriers.
What is the oldest, smallest dog in the world?
According to 'The Guinness Book of World Records', there is a world record for the oldest and the tiniest dog in the world named Milly. Milly is from the country Puerto Rico.
The breed of this dog is Chihuahua. Milly is brown and tan.
The age of the dog is two years old. As per the owner of the dog, the dog is 3.8 in (9.6 cm) tall, and its weight is 1 lb (0.45 kg). On the other hand, the tallest dog in the world is named Zeus, and the breed is Great Dane.
When it comes to the height of a dog, then it can be said that the dog is 44 in (111.7 cm) tall. At the time when Milly was born, she had to be fed with the eyedropper every two hours.
What is the lifespan of the smallest dog in the world?
As per research, small dogs live longer compared to large dogs breeds. Scientists are not sure why small dogs live longer than large dogs.
One of the reasons is that large dogs develop age-related issues sooner compared to small dogs. Larger breeds of dogs grow at a fast rate which tends to increase abnormal cells and diseases that may affect the lifespan of a dog.
That is because the growth of abnormal cells can be the main reason for an increase in the chance of cancer. The average life of small dogs varies from 10-15 years, and some breeds live as long as 18 years.
An owner who wants a companion for a long time might choose small dogs like Yorkshire terriers. Here are the names of some small breed dogs with a long lifespan.
Chihuahuas have a lifespan of 15-17 years; Chinese crested dogs have a lifespan of 15-17 years; smooth and wire fox terriers have a lifespan of 13-15 years; English Toy Spaniels have a lifespan of 13-15 years, and the last but not the least, Pomeranians have a lifespan of 14-16 years.
Did you know...
The early death of dogs less than two years of age is most common and it is related to trauma, congenital diseases, infectious causes, and many more. But there are some diseases that can occur anytime in a dog's life, which are trauma, cancer, and infection.
So, the common causes of death in dogs can include cancer as the main cause of death in many dogs. Some symptoms of cancer in dogs are weight loss, abnormal bleeding, wounds that do not heal, and swelling. Congenital and inherited abnormalities are sometimes detectable and sometimes not.
As per the research, there are so many factors that are out of human control to help these little creatures live a healthy and long life. But there are many factors which owners should consider. For example, you can make your pet dog have a healthy diet and maintain its weight, book regular checkups, and carry out blood work.
Having a dog as a pet means taking full responsibility and caring wholeheartedly for it. When you adopt one, you become its parent. Sensitivity is vital. For example, don't consult backyard breeders.
Problems can start with small things like this. Dog's characteristics and lifespans can be the greatest deciding factor for people are debating whether to get a dog. You can choose lion dogs or an Italian greyhound or a dachshund or a min pin. A Maltese with a long coat is also good.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked learning about what the smallest dog in the world is, then why not take a look at our articles on how deep electric lines are buried or how big bed bugs are?
