Dogs are fascinating creatures that come in various shapes, sizes, colors, and coat textures, among other features.
While all dogs are our most devoted and faithful companions, the archetypal “good boy” golden retriever is huge in stature and might be too big for you and your home.
Because not everyone lives in a rural area with plenty of open space to run around with a large dog, or alternatively, depending on the size of your home and your lifestyle, you may prefer a smaller breed of dog.
Dogs come in three sizes: small, medium, and large. The dog size chart goes beyond the basic idea of dog sizes and divides them into six groups: teacup, toy, small dog breeds, medium dog breeds, large dog breeds, and giant dogs.
There are many different kinds of dogs that come in different sizes. There is a general range of weights that each size falls into.
- Teacup dogs are small dogs that weigh 5 pounds or less.
- Toy dogs are dogs that weigh between 5 and 12 pounds.
- Small dogs are those that weigh 12-24 lbs
- Medium-sized dogs are between 24 and 59 pounds.
- Large dogs can weigh between 59 and 99 pounds.
- Giant and extra-large dogs are those that weigh more than 100 pounds.
Every dog, no matter what size, is loyal and cute. Here are some of the smallest to the biggest furry puppies you can adopt.
Small Dog Breeds:
The cutest things ever, these fluffy flurries weigh less than 5 pounds and are easy to handle and carry.
Most of the time, when these dogs are old enough to move in permanently, they weigh less than 2 pounds and are easy for kids to pick up.
Breeders try to avoid giving these tiny dogs to big families with lots of little kids because the kids will keep carrying them around, which makes the dogs very uncomfortable.
Small dogs usually weigh between 3 and 20 pounds and stand no higher than 16 inches at the shoulders.
The Chihuahua is the most popular small breed, but there are also Yorkies, Shih Tzus, Pomeranians, Toy Poodles, and Beagles in this group.
There are a lot of small dog breeds to choose from if you are looking for one.
The Advantages of Small Dogs:
- They work well in small apartments and are easy to take care of.
- Their food costs less and is smaller than that of bigger or medium-sized dogs.
- They are the best friends for seniors and people in their golden years.
- Easy to take care of and good travel companions.
- They are also easy and quick to clean and care for.
Problems with Having Small Dogs
- It takes longer to train them.
- They aren’t as active or sporty as bigger dogs, and they tend to tire out quickly.
- Smaller dogs also tend to bark more than bigger ones.
If you can deal with the dog barking too much sometimes and love having a small dog that you can carry around, there is no better dog for you.
Medium-Sized Dog Breeds
Most medium-sized dog breeds were made to do certain jobs, like hunting, herding, or working full-time on farms.
These dogs are therefore quite active and sporty, making them the ideal choice for a family pet. These pups are a little more expensive to care for than smaller dogs, but still cost less than larger dogs.
What is a medium-sized dog? Medium-sized dog breeds often weigh between 21 and 50 pounds and have a shoulder height between 18 and 22 inches.
Welsh Corgi, Australian Shepherd, and Shetland Sheepdog are some of the greatest breeds of medium-sized dogs.
Advantages of Having Medium-Sized Dogs
- Their food costs are lower than those of bigger breeds.
- They are the best family dogs because they are less likely to get hurt than small dogs.
- They go to the vet less often and spend less money when they do.
- They just enjoy being spoiled by you for the rest of their long lives.
Some Cons of Medium Dog Breeds
- They need more exercise than dogs that are smaller.
- Because they are bigger, you have to pay more for them.
- Depending on the breed, their sizes can change, and they can sometimes be considered large dogs.
Here’s a list of 10 dogs that weigh less than 50 pounds to help you start looking for a new pet.
Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are the American Kennel Club’s smallest dog breed. They originated in Mexico, where the Aztecs raised and treasured them for millennia.
These dogs can have either a long or smooth coat, and their fur can be practically any color. Their grooming and exercise requirements are modest.
Chihuahuas must be trained and handled similarly to larger animals. They must be properly trained and socialized as dogs to make great pets and companions.
Havanese
The Havanese, named after the city of its native country, is Cuba’s sole indigenous dog breed.
They are clever and enthusiastic tiny dogs who thrive on learning new tricks, making them excellent for novice owners.
These dogs thrive in the country, suburbs, or city and require modest activity. Havanese are known for their devotion to their owners, and you will undoubtedly fall in love with this dog!
Cairn Terrier
Cairn Terriers came from Scotland’s Western Isles and were named after the Gaelic word for rock piles used to mark a boundary line or a grave. These dogs were bred to get rid of and kill the rodents that lived in these cairns.
These little guys are very smart, and with a lot of socialization and training, they can be great pets for families with older kids or teenagers who aren’t too rough with them.
Shetland Sheepdog
Shetland sheepdogs, called “Shelties,” look like small Collies. Shelties and Collies are very similar, but they are not the same breed. People used Shelties as farm dogs and livestock herders, and they came to the United States from there.
It is easy to train a Sheltie because they are herders, which means they are bright and want people to like them. They can live in both rural and urban areas.
Shelties enjoy learning new skills to keep their minds active, and they’ll be happy with a little bit of exercise.
French Bulldog
The popularity of the French Bulldog, or “Frenchie,” has soared in the last decade. It is almost certainly owing to their pleasant disposition and adaptability.
They thrive in urban or rural settings, with families or alone, and require less care and activity than other popular dog breeds. They are cheerful and energetic dogs that greet everyone with a smile.
Bear in mind, however, that this breed has flat faces, which increases their risk of respiratory disorders. These canines cannot handle hot and humid weather as effectively as dogs with longer snouts because of their inability to pant adequately and are prone to wheezing and snoring.
American Water Spaniel
It is a great dog for someone who wants a small dog that is active and can swim. It is also a lot of fun and very easy to train. Whether you play frisbee or another game on the lawn, this dog can play with you! It would enjoy long walks every day.
The dog could live peacefully in an apartment if you had adequately trained it. There isn’t a lot of drool, and they don’t need much grooming to keep their coats clean. They grow up to 18 inches, weigh 45 pounds, and come in different shades of brown.
Beagle
A beagle is an outgoing, social hound. It is a fantastic companion for individuals as well as families. It is exceedingly suspicious of strangers and is capable of following a scent. Their predatory instincts may tempt them to chase other household pets.
They are bright and amenable to training. If the dog can receive daily walks, they can live in modest apartments. They require a few brushings per week to keep their coat clean.
They reach maturity in 2-3 years and have a lifespan of 15 years. They can grow to be 15 inches tall and weigh 30 pounds.
Irish Terrier
It is one of the earliest known terrier breeds. They were used as watchdogs to deter rats from entering fields. When they are among other pets, they bark constantly and want attention.
They require a dominant owner who can instill obedience in them. Their intelligence and independence enable them to live alone for extended periods.
They have a double coating of wiry hair and should be combed twice a month to keep them healthy. They reach maturity in 2-3 years, have a lifespan of 16 years, and can grow to be 20 inches tall and weigh 27 pounds.
Standard Schnauzer
Standard Schnauzers are medium-sized, clever dogs with a beard and mustache. They are physically fit and good at sports. Additionally, they are simple to train and thrive in environments with young people.
They have a double coat, which requires continuous grooming. Standard Schnauzers reach maturity at 2-3 years of age and live an average of 12 years. They can grow to be 21 inches tall and 48 pounds in weight.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Initially, this breed was bred for herding purposes. They have a lively disposition and regularly bark.
Require obedience training at a young age to assist in the control of undesired behavior. Due to their social nature, they make lovely family pets.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi sheds abundantly and must be brushed regularly. They reach maturity in 2-3 years and have a lifespan of 15 years. They can grow to be 12 inches tall and weigh 30 pounds.
Related Question
Why Do Small Dogs Live Longer?
One thing to remember when talking about how long small, medium, large, and giant breed dogs live on average is that these are just averages. This means that some dogs will live shorter than normal and some will live longer. But if this is true, why do small dogs live longer than giant dogs?
People think that large dogs just age faster than small dogs. Some giant breeds can easily gain more than 100 pounds (45.36 kilograms) in a year, while some small breeds may only gain 10 pounds (4.54 kilograms). Some giant breeds grow quickly, which seems to hurt their ability to live a long time. When looking at the average length of a dog’s life based on its breed, there are often some generalizations. However, even among dogs of the same size, some may live longer than others because of health problems that are common in their breed.
