Choosing your first dog feels like standing in front of an endless array of adorable faces, all promising to be your perfect companion. Those tiny, fluffy bundles seem manageable, right? Think again. While small dogs might appear easier to handle than their larger counterparts, many pint-sized pups pack personalities bigger than Great Danes and demands that can overwhelm even the most prepared new owner.
Size doesn’t always equal simplicity in the dog world. Some of the most challenging breeds come in the smallest packages, requiring experienced hands, endless patience, and training expertise that first-time owners simply haven’t developed yet. The good news? There are also some surprisingly forgiving small breeds that make excellent starter dogs, helping you build confidence while bringing joy to your home. Let’s dive into which tiny companions might test your limits and which ones will make your first dog ownership experience a dream.
Chihuahua: Big Attitude in a Tiny Package
The small and sassy Chihuahua has a personality far bigger than his physical size, but this tiny breed is often high-strung and prone to nipping or even biting when frightened, so he can present challenges when out in public or around children. The breed is also known to be difficult to house train without plenty of consistency and patience.
Despite their pocket-sized appearance, Chihuahuas demand respect and won’t hesitate to challenge much larger dogs or strangers. Small dogs are usually easier to handle, but some, like the Chihuahua, are frequently surrendered to shelters because their owners are unprepared to properly train and care for them. Their territorial nature and tendency toward jealousy means early socialization becomes absolutely critical for preventing behavioral problems down the road.
Jack Russell Terrier: The Energizer Bunny with Teeth
Jack Russell Terriers can be challenging dogs for first-time dog owners. Many people expect them to be cute, small, and easygoing, but they are anything but lazy. These high-strung working dogs require a lot of training, exercise, and enrichment.
The Sniffspot JRT community would not recommend this dog for first-time owners. Jack Russells need lots of activity: Plan for 1-2 hours of exercise and mental stimulation daily. These little dynamos were bred to hunt foxes, and that relentless energy doesn’t magically disappear in a suburban home. Without proper outlets, they’ll create their own entertainment by digging up your garden, chewing your furniture, or barking at every shadow that moves.
Miniature Pinscher: The Little Napoleon
Although the Min Pin looks like a scaled-down Doberman, that’s not really the case. He can make a good watchdog, but this fireball of a pup has a willful nature that requires diligent training to temper. He’s active and curious, which can make him likely to get into trouble if you’re not very cautious about keeping dangerous items far out of reach.
Though he’s generally affectionate with his family, don’t mistake him for a snuggly purse dog – he’d rather prance around on his own. He’s also a bit of a Houdini, viewing a fenced backyard as a challenge to overcome, either by tunneling or climbing. Their escape artist tendencies combined with their fearless attitude toward much larger dogs makes them a handful for inexperienced owners.
Chinese Crested: Delicate but Demanding
Whether you take your Crested with or without fur, she’s likely to be a charming, entertaining and loving companion who’s happiest curled up in the lap of a family member. She’s too small and delicate for most homes with small or rough children, though, and she’s notoriously difficult to house train.
These ethereal-looking dogs require gentle handling and climate control that many first-time owners don’t anticipate. The hairless variety needs sunscreen and warm clothing, while the Powderpuff requires regular grooming. Their sensitive nature means they don’t bounce back from mistakes in training as easily as more resilient breeds.
French Bulldog: Lovable but High-Maintenance
His loving nature can sometimes go a little too far for some people: He can become so attached to his family that he may not be a good choice for someone who has to spend long hours away from him at work or elsewhere. He’s also highly sensitive to heat, can be somewhat difficult to house train and may not be safe with the family cat.
Frenchies might look like the perfect apartment companion, but their breathing issues require constant monitoring during exercise and hot weather. Their separation anxiety can lead to destructive behaviors, and their stubborn streak during house training tests even patient owners. The breed’s popularity has also led to many poorly bred puppies with serious health issues that new owners aren’t prepared to handle.
Yorkshire Terrier: Tiny but Mighty Stubborn
Feisty yet loving, these dogs make wonderful companions for people of all ages. In fact, Yorkies are among the most popular toy dog breeds in the United States, having won over many admirers with their devoted temperaments, elegant appearances, and suitability for apartment living. While Yorkshire Terriers can make delightful pets, their tendency to bark may not make them the best choice for owners in apartments with thin walls.
Moreover, prospective Yorkie adopters should also be prepared to provide the grooming these tiny terriers need. Their silky coats mat easily without daily brushing, and their terrier temperament means they’ll challenge your authority regularly. Many first-time owners underestimate the grooming commitment and training consistency these little divas require.
Dachshund: Charming but Challenging
These “wiener dogs” might look comical, but their hunting background gives them a surprisingly strong-willed personality. Dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers underground, developing an independent streak that can frustrate novice trainers. Their long backs make them prone to spinal injuries that require careful handling and weight management.
Their hound heritage also means they’re vocal dogs with a surprising bark for their size. Without proper training and socialization, they can become nippy with children and possessive of their owners. The breed’s stubbornness during house training requires more patience than many first-time owners anticipate.
Cocker Spaniel: Beauty with Behavioral Baggage
However, her popularity over the last 50-plus years has been a bit of a curse, as the breed is now a favorite among puppy millers, Internet retailers, pet stores, irresponsible private breeders, and others who breed and sell puppies that grow into unstable, noisy, nervous dogs who are difficult to house train and have a tendency to snap or bite. Even with proper breeding, however, Cockers can be prone to separation anxiety and destructive behavior when left home alone.
Finding a well-bred Cocker Spaniel with stable temperament requires extensive research that many first-time owners don’t know to do. Their beautiful coats require professional grooming every six to eight weeks, and their ears need frequent cleaning to prevent infections. Without proper socialization and training, they can develop resource guarding behaviors around food and toys.
Scottish Terrier: Independent and Intense
The intelligent Scottie is the embodiment of terrier attitude. Lively and sometimes scrappy with other dogs, he’s generally devoted to his family but takes awhile to warm up to strangers, and he will hunt little critters.
Scotties march to their own drum and won’t hesitate to ignore commands they find unreasonable. Their strong prey drive means they’ll chase anything small that moves, and their territorial nature can lead to conflicts with other dogs. These aren’t cuddle bugs looking to please; they’re dignified dogs who expect respect and won’t tolerate rough handling from children or inconsistent training from adults.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi: Herding Instincts in Overdrive
A fun-loving herding dog, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is usually a bold but kind breed that prefers to be in charge of whatever’s going on. Outgoing and alert, the Pembroke loves his family and needs to be kept busy with exercise or dog sports like agility, herding or rally. He has the capacity to become a nuisance barker if he’s not properly trained early on.
While technically a small dog, Corgis have the exercise needs and training requirements of much larger working breeds. Their herding instincts mean they’ll try to “herd” children, other pets, and even adults by nipping at heels. Without adequate mental stimulation, they become destructive and loud, making them challenging for apartment dwellers or inexperienced owners.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: The Gentle Heart Winner
Affectionate, easygoing, and eager to please, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel tops our list of best small dog breeds for first-time owners. Named for being favorites of Charles II of England, these adorable compact dogs have a long lineage of bringing joy to their human companions.
Cavaliers are smart and adaptable, which makes them easier to train than some other dog breeds, and they are typically gentle and eager to please, so they are a great fit for families. However, they may be prone to some separation anxiety because they love their people so much. Their forgiving nature means training mistakes won’t create lasting behavioral problems, making them perfect confidence-builders for first-time owners.
Bichon Frise: The Cheerful Companion
If you want a small dog with a bubbly personality, the Bichon Frise is perfect. Known for their cheerful demeanor, Bichons are easy to train and socialize. Bichons are also highly intelligent, which makes training a relatively easy proposition, and they are easygoing enough to adapt to life in a big house in the country or a small city apartment.
Unlike many small dogs, they get along well with kids, which makes them an excellent first-time dog for families. While they do require regular professional grooming to maintain their fluffy coat, their sweet temperament and willingness to please make up for the maintenance. They’re social butterflies who genuinely enjoy meeting new people and making friends.
Havanese: The People-Pleasing Charmer
The Havanese is a Cuban breed and makes an excellent family pet. They are well-known for their friendly demeanor and sociable behaviors. Their cheerful personalities and high energy make them entertaining for people of all ages.
Havanese do very well with training and dog sports and make excellent therapy dogs. Their small size, friendly nature, and moderate exercise requirements make Havanese excellent for novice owners looking for a loving lap dog. They’re adaptable enough to match your energy level, happy to play when you’re active and content to snuggle when you want to relax.
Boston Terrier: The American Gentleman
Known as the “American Gentleman,” Boston Terriers are compact, friendly, and intelligent dogs. Boston Terriers are easy to train and adaptable to various living situations, making them great companions for first-time dog owners.
With their friendly and intelligent nature, they are easy to train and generally eager to please. They are very friendly and quick learners, less stubborn than French Bulldogs. They like exercising and being around kids and families. Their moderate exercise needs and stable temperament make them forgiving of beginner mistakes while still being engaging enough to keep training interesting.
Maltese: The Gentle Lapdog
Known for their gentle and affectionate personality, Maltese dogs are great companions. They can be energetic when playing but also enjoy cuddling on the sofa. The Maltese is a loyal breed that forms strong bonds with its owners. With proper grooming habits, they’re fairly low-maintenance in other respects.
Despite their luxurious white coat, Maltese dogs are surprisingly easy-going and adaptable. They’re content with moderate exercise and genuinely enjoy training sessions when approached with positive reinforcement. Their size makes them perfect for apartment living, and their sweet nature means they rarely develop aggressive behaviors that challenge new owners.
Conclusion
The world of small dog ownership isn’t as simple as it appears. While those tiny faces might melt your heart at first sight, remember that the smallest packages often contain the biggest surprises. Breeds like Jack Russell Terriers and Chihuahuas can turn your home upside down faster than you can say “sit,” while gentle souls like Cavaliers and Bichons will patiently work with you as you learn the ropes together.
Your first dog should be a partner in building your confidence, not a daily source of stress. Choose a breed that matches your energy level, living situation, and patience for training challenges. The right small dog will teach you everything you need to know about being a great dog owner, setting you up for a lifetime of successful canine relationships. What kind of small dog adventure are you ready to embark on?
Gargi from India has a Masters in History, and a Bachelor of Education. An animal lover, she is keen on crafting stories and creating content while pursuing a career in education.
