My Pals at Co-Operative Insurance recently shared with me this article about the world’s five smallest dogs and I’m proud to say the Westie didn’t make the list. Because you know we are really “big” dogs hehehe.
You may be considering getting a dog for your household. You may already own a dog and just want a new addition to your family or may be looking to buy your first pet.
The popularity for small or miniature dogs is growing these days – but which dogs boast being the smallest in the world?
Papillion
The Papillon is a small dog within the companion breed. The dog usually grows to be an average of eight to 11 inches tall and weighs from between four and nine pounds. It has a healthy life span and lives from anything between 12 to 16 years on average. It has good adaptability and trainability, making it a great option for those new to dog ownership.
The Papillon is a descendent of toy spaniels which are well known for being portrayed in pictures from the 16th century. These dogs have great agility and are very obedient. They are full of personality too, which makes them an ideal choice for a family pet.
The name Papillon means butterfly and refers to the dogs ears which resemble butterfly wings. There is also a different breed called the Phalene which has more dropped ears. Each one of these breeds could be born in the same litter but the Papillon is by far the more popular of the two.
French Bulldog
The French Bulldog is another very small breed of dog. It has a long history of being a companion dog and is approximately one foot tall and weighs between 16 and 28 pounds. It has a healthy lifespan as well and can live between 11 and 14 years.
This breed of dog actually originated in England but was named a French Bulldog because they used to accompany English lace makers on their travels to France. The breed of dog is an excellent family companion and is often a show dog as well. What is lacks in size it makes up for in strength and the French bulldog has an extremely muscular build. They love to play and have exercise but are also very intelligent.
Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is a well-known breed of dog. It is an incredibly small breed, measuring between six and nine inches tall. It is very agile and enjoys attention from its owners.
These dogs are extremely low maintenance as well and do not require much grooming or exercise. They are very intelligent and obedient. They pick up things very fast as well and could easily compete against larger breeds in trials.
Boston Terrier
The Boston Terrier enjoys a relatively short history being created less than a century ago. They were originally bred to become fighting dogs but have since made great companions for their owners.
They are slightly larger than some of the other dogs that have been listed and can grow to over one foot tall.
Bishon Frise
Finally there is the Bishon Frise. An extremely elegant breed, they can be mischievous, but are extremely loveable. They can grow to around 11 inches tall and weigh between seven and 12 pounds.
Whatever breed of dog you decide to buy, it is important that you are prepared for their arrival. This means adapting your home and investing in dog insurance to help protect against high insurance bills.
