Small fluffy dogs have a unique charm that can captivate just about anyone’s heart. Their luxurious locks paired with their diminutive stature means that their appearance can range from elegant to almost teddy bear like, so it’s no wonder that so many small fluffy dog breeds have been firm favourites of royalty throughout the years.
If you want a small fluffy dog in your life, keep reading and find out about nine breeds that are so adorable you’ll want to cuddle them right now!
1. Pomeranian
One of the most popular small fluffy dogs, the Pomeranian, has a charmingly foxy face as well as oodles of fluff. Queen Victoria fell in love with the breed in the 19th century and ever since they’ve been a firm favourite when it comes to toy types- and it’s easy to see why. With their vivacious personalities and high intelligence, they’re great fun, easy to train and make excellent watchdogs. Just watch out for them around larger dogs as they can sometimes have a big dog personality!
2. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a small white fluffy dog with a sweet teddy bear like appearance. They’re happy companion dogs that are full of mischief and love to play. What’s more, Bichons are also remarkably smart, highly trainable and are regularly successful in anything from obedience to even agility.
3. Shih Tzu
With a name that means little lion, this is a small fluffy dog that just had to make our list. Extremely good-natured and friendly, the Shih Tzu has been a companion and lapdog since ancient times. This regal looking pooch has glorious locks which are often clipped shorter to make their coat easier to maintain.
4. Maltese
The Maltese is a small fluffy dog breed with silky white fur that flows from head-to-toe and -when trotting- they have an incredibly graceful gait and almost seem to float along. With black eyes and a cute black button nose, this breed is incredibly cute, but don’t let that fool you – they’re fearless. Maltese dogs make excellent watchdogs and have even turned their paw to agility!
5. Havanese
Often known as the ‘velcro dog’, the Havanese is a small fluffy dog that likes to spend most of their time literally stuck to their owner’s side. They’re incredibly cute with a long silky coat that dusts the floor when left to grow- but they’re not just for cuddling! These little fur balls are full of beans and have been employed as circus performers and even therapy dogs.
6. Papillion
Papillion means butterfly in French and when you glimpse them and their pointy ears with long hair that dramatically fans out in the shape of wings, you’ll soon see how they got the moniker. Happy to spend time cuddling with their favourite person, this fluffy dog breed is also bursting with energy and is highly trainable- so much so that they’re the number one toy breed in obedience competitions!
7. Lhasa Apso
Known as ‘bearded lion dogs’, the Lhasa Apso has a dramatic coat with a middle parting that sweeps the floor. Extremely elegant in appearance, this small fluffy dog was commonly used as a watchdog in palaces and monasteries, which makes them a fiercely loyal and protective companion to this day.
8. Coton de Tulear
Often mistaken for the Bichon Frise, the Coton de Tulear is actually a relative of them. This small white fluffy dog has a cottony-like coat (hence the name) and was bred for the sole purpose of being a companion - a job they excel in. They love being with people and will happily go with their owners just about anywhere and -with their charming personalities- you’ll be more than happy to take them with you!
9. Toy Poodle
Super cute with their bushy, curly coat and button likes noses, the Toy Poodle is a small fluffy dog breed that’s loved all over the world. The wonderful coat comes in a variety of different colours and owners will often have this clipped to make it easier to maintain. These fuzzy pups aren’t just cute to look at either, they’re as smart as their larger counterparts, highly trainable and love to be taught tricks.
10. Pekingese
This is a very unique small dog breed, which originates from China. The breed’s soft coat can be moulded into all sorts of shapes! The Pekingese have the tendency to be quite stubborn and independent, however, this does tend to mean they make up their own rules. So, staying on top of training with this breed is vital. This dog tends to need an owner with a lot of patience because they might not pick up on toilet training or general training that quickly.
11. Yorkshire Terrier
This is the sassiest of them all when it comes to small fluffy dog breeds. The Yorkie is known for showing off their personalities and sass as and when they can.
This little bundle of fun also has a very high prey drive. Any little noise or small animal will set this them off and they will attempt to bark the house down! They will be the most loving with their owners.
12. Cairn Terrier
This tiny little bundle of cuteness may look small, but they are a sturdy dog breed. They were originally bred to hunt foxes and other small prey in Scotland. The Cairns are very alert, and will make you aware of any unwanted visitors, big or small. They can be extremely loving and are great family dogs.
13. Tibetan Spaniel
This small fluffy dog breed is commonly known as “tibbies”. They are known to be a rather frisky and bouncy breed. And can also get carried away with their curious minds. The Tibetan Spaniel are a breed that like to have a particularly strong bond with their owners. They were originally bred to live in Tibetan monasteries for sentinel work.
14. Japanese Chin
This adorable small-faced breed tends not to be so keen on the outside world, let alone walking. They are much better suited to indoor life. Japanese Chin pups will want endless cuddles, and will always be next to you before you have even sat on the sofa!
15. Affenpinscher
This fluffy dog breed is commonly known for its human-like mannerisms. They are an inquisitive breed and highly amusing too. They make very affectionate companions, but can sometimes be a little wary of strangers. Make sure to socialise the Affenpinscher well as a puppy to avoid any unwanted behaviours as they mature.
16. West Highland Terrier
Commonly known as a “westie”, the West Highland Terrier is one of the most popular small dog breeds. They are known for their charming looks and their fun personalities. They are known to be alert and active. They are a hardy and tough breed, that love to chase. So, consistent training with this breed is vital!
17. Shetland Sheepdog
This small fluffy dog breed resembles that of Lassie. They are not considered tiny, but just fit within that small category! The Shetland Sheepdog are suitable for all homes, but especially for those with a little more space for playtime. They are known for their herding instincts, which makes them a very intelligent and reactive breed. Shetland Sheepdogs are also easy to train due to their ability to quickly pick up commands.
They are known to be great family pets as they can be very affectionate, especially with older children. However, due to their strong herding instincts, it isn’t a great idea for them to be around small children.
18. American Eskimo
This is a small dog breed that has an extremely fluffy coat and an adorable face. They are very active, so will be best suited to an active family. The American Eskimo are easy to train as they are said to be rather intelligent. However, due to this, they will need a lot of mental stimulation throughout the day. They are said to be a high-maintenance breed, so will be best suited to dog owners with previous experience.
19. Finnish Lapphund
This small fluffy dog breed, as their name suggests, comes from Lapland in Finland. They were originally bred as working dogs and were used to herd reindeer. These dogs need large amounts of exercise due to their working background, and because they are very energetic.
The Finnish Lapphund are very people-orientated which may cause them to suffer from separation anxiety. This means that if they are left alone for too long, they may start to bark in protest. This breed needs to be trained early on so that they can get used to being left alone.
They are also a breed that sheds a lot, so will need grooming daily.
20. Biewer Terrier
This is an extremely rare small dog breed. This breed does look very similar to a Yorkie. However, they are often tri-coloured and appear much fluffier than their counterpart. They were originally bred from the Yorkshire Terrier, but are now a breed in their own right.
They make great family pets, as they are extremely loving, but can be quite yappy at times!
That’s our guide to the best small fluffy dog breeds! Want to learn about larger dog types? Check out the list of our favourite 8 big fluffy dog breeds, next!
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