Don’t be fooled by their adorable faces and compact frames. Some of the most seemingly innocent small dogs pack more personality and demands than a Hollywood diva. These pint-sized pups may look like easy companions, but they’ll challenge every assumption you have about small dogs being simple pets.
Yorkshire Terriers
You might think that Yorkshire Terrier is just another cute lap dog, but you’d be wrong. Yorkshire Terriers, aka “Yorkies”, are small dogs with big personalities. Known for their silky, blue, and tan coats, Yorkies require regular grooming to maintain their elegant appearance. These tiny terrors hide their demanding nature behind those gorgeous flowing locks.
Their long, flowing locks may need daily brushing to prevent tangles and mats. Their signature long, silky, and fast-growing coat requires intensive brushing, grooming and even trimming. Think of it like owning a miniature show pony that needs constant primping. Despite their small size, Yorkies are spirited and adventurous, often enjoying interactive play and short walks.
French Bulldogs
These bat-eared beauties may look like lovable couch potatoes, but they come with a whole list of special requirements. French Bulldogs might look cute but this short necked, short faced, dwarf legged breed is going to cost a lot to insure, and if not, vet bills may easily end up being in their thousands to mitigate conformation related problems, like BOAS in dogs.
In addition, skincare and heat management are serious considerations due to their breathing issues and skin rolls. Additionally, their short noses leave them susceptible to breathing problems. You’ll basically become a personal assistant to a flat-faced diva who needs climate control and constant health monitoring.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
While these little spaniels’ grooming requirements are fairly low-maintenance, they are typically a very needy, clingy breed that craves human companionship and contact. These sweet-faced charmers were literally bred to be professional companions. Cavalier King Charles spaniels were bred to be lap dogs, so while they aren’t going to insist you walk them for hours every day, they will demand all your attention.
Imagine having a furry shadow who believes your personal space belongs to them too. Luckily, they are affectionate, gentle ,and happy to sit on your lap – just don’t leave them alone for long spells. Their attachment levels could make even the most devoted helicopter parent look laid back.
Shiba Inus
The internet’s favorite meme dog might look adorable, but behind those fox-like features lies a personality that’s part cat, part toddler, and all attitude. Yep, Shiba Inus are adorable, charming, and cuddly looking dogs. Their behavior is quite another thing. They’re basically the four-legged equivalent of that friend who’s gorgeous but exhausting to deal with.
Shiba Inus are difficult to train due to their strong personalities and stubbornness, yet they are intelligent dogs and willing learners. However, it’s important to note that they can also be prone to anxiety and may not always be suitable for households with children or those prone to separation anxiety. Think of owning a Shiba as like having a roommate who’s incredibly independent but also has very specific opinions about everything.
Lhasa Apsos
These flowing-haired beauties might look like walking teddy bears, but don’t let their size fool you. The Lhasa Apso temperament is feisty, determined, devoted, and bold. Judging from their lionhearted personalities, the Lhasa Apso may not understand how small they are. Or if they do, they certainly don’t care if they weigh only 12 to 15 pounds and stand no taller than 11 inches at the shoulder.
Lhasas require high-maintenance grooming. Their coats need to be brushed regularly to prevent matting. They may also need to be taken to a professional groomer for trimming. Bred as companion lap dogs, Lhasa Apsos retain a significant protective streak that can manifest as clingy behavior. You’re basically getting a tiny lion who demands royal treatment.
Brussels Griffons
These scruffy-faced little characters pack more personality per pound than almost any other breed. While Brussels Griffons are not too demanding on the grooming and exercise front, that all changes when it comes to training. This is not a breed that naturally wants to toe the line! They’re like having a tiny, stubborn intellectual who questions every command.
They are intelligent – which often translates as stubborn – so require plenty of reinforcement and rewards-based training. So while they aren’t always eager to please, they don’t want you out of their sight! Imagine dealing with a furry teenager who’s too smart for their own good but also desperately needs your constant approval.
Cocker Spaniels
A small dog breed, Cocker Spaniels are little but fierce! Often looking fabulous with their flowing locks and long ears they are in fact more rough-and-tumble than you would first think. These gorgeous gundogs might look like they belong in a shampoo commercial, but they’re secretly energy bombs waiting to explode.
Grooming a cocker spaniel is a high-maintenance task which often requires weekly grooming time, they are also well known for liking to bark! They also have a good life expectancy of between 10 -14 years and although are a commonly highly energetic breed they do love a good cuddle and scratch behind the ears. You’ll have a beautiful, vocal athlete who needs constant grooming and attention.
Pekingese
These royal fluffballs were literally bred for Chinese emperors, and they haven’t forgotten their imperial heritage. Their short legs, flat nose, bulging eyes, short neck and extremely dense, profuse coat means Pekingese management is time consuming and expensive, particularly when it comes to vet bills and dog insurance.
They’re also a high maintenance dog as keeping them cool will be an ongoing issue – so you’ll have to have cool spaces for them to lie and sleep, watch out for overly centrally heated houses – and make sure their coat is tangle-free to allow some air flow. Owning a Pekingese is like being a personal valet to royalty who happens to have breathing problems and needs constant climate control.
Chinese Crested
The hairless Chinese Crested pooch looks very glamorous in photos and it’s easy to think having no hair means no maintenance – but that assumption would be completely wrong. These unique dogs are basically living proof that sometimes having no hair creates more problems than having too much.
Their exposed skin requires constant care, sunscreen applications, and temperature management. Think of them as owning a tiny, anxious nudist who needs a personal skincare routine more extensive than most Instagram influencers. They’re also notorious for being velcro dogs who develop intense attachments to their favorite humans.
Bichon Frise
Bichon Frises have a fluffy, white coat that is soft to the touch and gives them a charming appearance. These cotton ball look-alikes might seem like the perfect fluffy companion, but they’re secretly high-maintenance drama queens disguised as adorable powder puffs.
They include, Bichon Frise, who need regular grooming to maintain their coat’s appearance and prevent matting, and can become anxious or destructive if left alone for long periods but can be prevented with early training. Their gorgeous white coats are like magnets for dirt and require professional grooming every few weeks. Plus, they’re prone to separation anxiety, which means you’ll have a fluffy shadow who panics when you leave for work.
Conclusion
The next time someone tells you small dogs are easier than big ones, you can laugh knowingly. These ten breeds prove that size has nothing to do with how demanding a dog can be. From grooming marathons to separation anxiety meltdowns, these pocket-sized personalities pack more requirements into their tiny frames than most people expect.
Whether it’s the Yorkshire Terrier’s daily coat maintenance or the French Bulldog’s specialized health needs, small doesn’t necessarily mean simple. These breeds require just as much commitment, patience, and resources as their larger counterparts – sometimes even more. The key is understanding what you’re signing up for before those adorable eyes convince you that size equals simplicity.
Are you still surprised that these little angels can be such demanding divas?
Born and bred in South Africa, a Capetonian at heart. Amy-Leigh’s love for nature and animals was inherited from her Dad. He loves taking the family on road trips to experience nature at its finest; Amy-Leigh’s favourite being whale watching in Hermanus and spotting Kudu along the West Coast. Amy-Leigh holds a BA in English Literature and Communication Studies.
