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One thing that people can agree on is that dogs are one of the best things in the world. One thing that people will differ on, is the best breed.
Some love big, fluffy dogs whereas others will prefer small, cuddly breeds. There are too many dog breeds to name in one go, however, small cuddly breeds have some favorite choices that everyone knows. Some are more energetic than others, but all dogs love a good cuddle now and again.
We’ve done some research into the best small cuddly breeds and have picked the best ones.
Contents
Pembrokeshire Welsh Corgi
One of the most popular breeds in the world, the Pembrokeshire Welsh Corgi, is one of the cuddliest dogs on the list. With their pointy ears and their friendly demeanor, Corgis can be one of the best dog breeds for people looking to have a cuddly canine around the house.
Growing to around 10 to 12 inches in height, the Pembrokeshire Welsh Corgi can weigh around 30 pounds as a fully-grown male and around 28 pounds as a mature female, with a life expectancy of around 12 to 13 years old.
Pembrokeshire Welsh Corgis originate from Wales, in the United Kingdom and have featured frequently within popular culture, quickly becoming one of the most well-known breeds of dog in the world.
Featured by the Queen of Britain’s side frequently, and in popular television show Brooklyn Nine-Nine, through the popular character Cheddar, this dog species is certainly one to keep note of.
Pug
The Pug is another famous breed of pooch that people will recognize, no matter where you’re from. Around the same size as the Pembrokeshire Welsh Corgi, a fully-grown Pug will grow to a height of around 10 and 13 inches tall, weighing anywhere from 14 to 18 pounds.
Their life expectancy is slightly longer than the previously mentioned Corgi, however, with a range of 13 to 15 years of age.
Pugs are widely regarded as being great with young children and are very friendly around other dogs, especially other pugs. This breed of dog is deemed to be very affectionate with humans and makes great house pets.
An increasingly popular breed of hound, the Pug can commonly have breathing problems due to breeding techniques and the history of their species.
Dachshund and Miniature Dachshund
When people think of small dog breeds, then it’s likely they’ll imagine the sausage dog, better known as the Dachshund. The smallest on the list so far, the Dachshund will stand at around 8 to 9 inches when fully grown, whereas the Miniature Dachshund will stand at around 5 to 6 inches.
The common sausage dog can weigh anywhere from 16 to 32 pounds in adulthood, compared to the mini version weighing around 11 pounds at most or lighter. Both variations of the breed have an average life expectancy of 12 to 16 years.
The sausage dog is incredibly affectionate and is often spotted being carried by its owner, showing that it’s one of the cuddliest dog breeds out there. Whether your Dachshund has short hair or long hair, you’ll find that your small canine companion is cute and happy to lounge about with you whenever is best for you.
King Charles Cavalier Spaniel
Another dog breed originating from the UK, King Charles Spaniels are a great option to choose as a pet. Incredibly intelligent and acutely affectionate, this breed love to have a cuddle as much as they love to play and exercise.
With a great balance between being active and being friendly, the Cavalier Spaniel is a firmly cuddly family pet. Not only this, but they’re great with other dogs and young children.
They typically grow to around 12 or 13 inches in height and weigh anywhere from 13 to 18 pounds once they’ve reached adulthood. With a common life expectancy from 12 to 15 years, the King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, or Cav for short, is a great companion to have for many years.
On top of this, the breed is exceptionally obedient and is happy to learn tricks and follow instructions, making them great show dogs.
Bichon Frise
Despite the French-sounding name, the Bichon Frise is thought to have originally hailed from the Canary Islands, off the coast of Africa and belonging to Spain. The breed was incredibly popular throughout France and Belgium after being introduced into mainland Europe.
Also known as the Bichon Tenerife, named after one of the Canary Islands, this breed is as cuddly as they come with soft curly fur and a playful personality. This particular species is understood to be incredibly friendly with other dogs and thrive off the nurturing from young children and small families.
Growing to around 9-and-a-half to 11-and-a-half inches in height and weighing anywhere from 12 to 18 pounds, your average Bichon Frise usually lives to about 15 years old. With good trainability levels and their highly intuitive nature, this small and cuddly breed is regarded as one of the best family dogs in the world.
Miniature Poodle
Unlike their larger counterparts, the mini Poodle grows to a height of around 10 to 15 inches after reaching its full size and can weigh 10 to 15 pounds. Able to live the longest on our list, miniature Poodles can reach 18 years old, making them great family pets for families with young children.
Although they’re one of the more active breeds on the list, miniature Poodles aren’t against cuddling with their owners after a long walk or a healthy amount of playtime.
With soft, curly fur and friendly tendencies, this pooch originates from France during the 1800s, after being perfected from the French Poodle. Although it’s believed that the Poodle first originated in Germany, it became the national dog of France and has become one of the most popular species of hound in the world.
This ball of fur will keep you on your toes and then get the attention they deserve afterward.
Yorkshire Terrier
Yet another breed from the UK, this is the smallest dog on our list. Standing at just 7 to 8 inches, the Yorkshire Terrier weighs a slim 7 pounds and usually lives to around 11 to 15 years.
They’re considered to be great with young children and are very affectionate with loved ones around them. However, they may not be as good around other dogs compared to some of the other canines in our guide.
Yorkshire Terriers, commonly referred to as Yorkies, are highly vigilant animals and are highly adaptable to the environment around them. If you have a busy schedule then they’re active and love playtime, however, the Yorkie is equally as suited to having a cozy day in the house and having a cuddle with their owner.
Despite their small demeanor, Yorkies are very vocal and often make their feelings known!
Final Thoughts
There are so many dogs in the world that tick the boxes of both ‘small’ and ‘cuddly’, but there are simply too many to put into one list. You’ll find that a lot of pups with smaller statures have a lot of pent-up energy that needs to be used before they settle down for a warm day in the house or in bed. A lot of these smaller dogs make great house pets because of their ability to find a balance between energetic and cuddly.
It’s always worth researching dog breeds before choosing your next pet, because of how different some of them are compared to their reputation. Although a lot of the canines on this list may appear similar in size, it doesn’t mean that their personalities are the same. Making sure that you find the right pooch for you is the most important thing when finding your future best friend.
