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- America’s Most Popular Small Dog Breeds in 2025 (momswhothink.com)
America’s Top Small Dog Breeds: A Look at the Little Guys
With nearly 60 million dog owners in the US, these furry companions offer undeniable benefits, from companionship to improved health. While large breeds have their appeal, small dogs bring their own unique advantages to the table, including longer lifespans and portability. For those considering a smaller canine companion, navigating the vast array of breeds can be daunting.
Based on the American Kennel Club (AKC)’s 2024 breed popularity rankings, we’ve compiled a list of America’s favorite small dog breeds (under 25 pounds).
Top Small Breeds:
- Beagle: Weighing under 20 pounds and standing under 13 inches, these friendly hounds rank 7th overall.
- Yorkshire Terrier: Known for their luxurious coats, “Yorkies” typically weigh 7 pounds and stand 7-8 inches tall, securing the 11th spot in overall popularity.
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: These charming companions weigh 13-18 pounds and stand 12-13 inches tall, ranking 13th overall.
- Miniature Schnauzer: Weighing 11-20 pounds and standing 12-14 inches tall, these spirited dogs come in at 18th overall.
- Shih Tzu: These affectionate pups weigh 9-16 pounds and stand 9-10.5 inches tall, ranking 20th overall.
- Pomeranian: These fluffy companions weigh a mere 3-7 pounds and stand 6-7 inches tall, ranking 22nd overall.
- Boston Terrier: These tuxedo-clad charmers weigh 12-25 pounds and stand 10-12 inches tall, ranking 23rd overall.
- Havanese: These playful pups weigh 7-13 pounds and stand 8.5-11.5 inches tall, ranking 25th overall.
- Chihuahua: The smallest breed on the list, Chihuahuas weigh under 6 pounds and stand 5-8 inches tall, ranking 27th overall.
- Shetland Sheepdog: These intelligent herding dogs weigh 15-25 pounds and stand 13-16 inches tall, ranking 29th overall.
(Breeds ranked 11-57 in terms of small dog popularity, including the Maltese, Pug, West Highland White Terrier, Shiba Inu, Papillon, Bichon Frise, and more, can be found on the AKC website.)
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- America’s Most Popular Small Dog Breeds in 2025 (momswhothink.com)