11 Small Fluffy Dogs (Cutest & Adorable Fuzzy Dog Breeds)

People love small fluffy dogs due to their cute, adorable and loving nature. However, there is than meets the eye when it comes to darling small fluffy white dogs. Each and everyone has a history and different temperaments that come along with them. All of these breeds are worthy of being your pet. If you want to know more, then keep reading below.

#1. Yorkshire Terrier

It’s easy to think that small fluffy dogs like the Yorkshire Terrier to be lapdog pets only, but there’s more to it. The breed's origin is from England, and it was created by the English to hunt rats and mice as well as badgers and foxes. Nobody who and how the Yorkshire was bred, but it is likely that the Scots used various Terrier types to produce the dog. Originally, the canines are bigger fluffy dogs than the ones today. Gradually miniaturization was implemented thus turning this canine into the ones we know today. The American Kennel Club or AKC gave this purebred dog recognition in 1885.

The Yorkshire's hypoallergenic coat has black & gold or tan and blue & gold or tan as its colors. The hair of the skin is long and straight flowing that shed minimally making your clean-up less hard.

Yorkshires are alert, brave, lively, smart, playful and loyal. The canine gets along with children (though their interactions need supervision), cats and other household pets.

Your canine will adapt well to a house or an apartment, and it prefers indoors. Nonetheless, a daily walk should be enough exercise for a Yorkie. The canine likes warm climates, so if you are living in a cold environment, it is best to keep it warm. Read our review on Dog Toys for Heavy Chewers.

overview

  • Height: 20 - 23 cm (8 - 9 inches)
  • Weight: 2 - 3 kg (4 - 7 pounds)
  • Lifespan: 12 - 16 years
  • Temperament: Tomboyish, Affectionate

#2. Shih Tzu

Cute Fluffiest dog Shih Tzu

Shih Tzus are one of the cutest dogs among the smaller breeds. Also known as the “Lion Dog” or “Chrysanthemum Dog” this canine was created during the 1600s in Tibet. The current form of the Shih Tzu was developed in the late 1800s during the reign Empress Dowager Cixi, ruler of China. The breed was a favorite pet of the Empress’ nobles. Shih Tzus came into the attention of Europeans, though they were not distinguished from Lhasa Apso breed. It was only in 1934 that the Shih Tzu was considered a separate breed and in 1969, the AKC gave it recognition. Today cross breeding this purebred dog with other canine breeds is popular.

The Shih Tzu’s hypoallergenic coat has black, blue, brindle, silver, gold, red and liver for colors. The dog’s long, dense, silky coat sheds little hair making an ideal pet if you don’t want hair scattered around.

There is a stubborn streak in this canine, but it’s a gentle, friendly, courageous, energetic outgoing, intelligent and playful dog. Be it a fluffy puppy or adult; the Shih Tzu is happy lapdog that will be affectionate to you and your family.

Since Shih Tzus are indoor dogs, they will fit well into your apartment (if that is your home) and only need daily walks as well as playtime from you. Due to the dog’s thick coat, it is sensitive to heat.

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overview

  • Height: 8 - 11 inches (20 - 28 cm)
  • Weight: 9 – 16 pounds (4 - 7 kg)
  • Lifespan: 10 - 16 years
  • Temperament: Playful, Outgoing, Affectionate

#3. Pomeranian

Fluffy Pomeranian Playing in the Garden

The Pomeranians are cute fluffy dogs that originated from the region of Pomerania which is now the place of German and Poland. Developed from the old Spitz breeds, the Pomeranian was medium sized fluffy dogs and worked as sheepherders. Many famous people like Mozart, Marie Antoinette, Emile Zola, and Queen Victoria wonder Pomeranians. Queen Victoria made the Pomeranians popular in England by breeding and showing them in 1888. The Kennel Club of England (KCE) gave this purebred dog recognition as a breed in 1870, while the AKC did the same in 1888.

The Pomeranian has a non-hypoallergenic coat with black, white, black & tan, red, blue, orange, brown and gray colors. Since the dog sheds moderately, you will need to clean its fallen hairs. A Pomeranian looks a bit like a fox due to its long, harsh outer coat and it soft, thick undercoat coupled with a thick ruff on its head.

Pomeranians are cautious towards strangers and aggressive to other dogs. But the canine has an extroverted nature along with an active, intelligent, playful, social and friendly personality to you and your family. Check our guide about why dogs like squeaky toys.

Your Pomeranian can live in an apartment without any trouble and is active indoors. Exercises for your pet are some daily walks outside and playtime. A yard with a fence is also good for the dog. Your canine will thrive in any climate, but take care that it doesn't overheat.

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overview

  • Height: 7 - 12 inches (18 - 30 cm)
  • Weight: 3 - 7 pounds (1 - 3 kg)
  • Lifespan: 12 - 16 years
  • Temperament: Bold, Inquisitive, lively

4. Havanese

Little-Fluffy Havanese Playing on the forest

The Havaneses are small fluffy dogs whose ancestors were the Old World Bichon small dogs. The Spanish brought those bichons to the Spanish Empires port cities and developed in separate breeds. The "Bichon Havanais/Habanero” or “Havana Silk Dog” (alternate names) is the Bichon breed of Cuba. The Havaneses are little fluffy dogs owned exclusively by the higher social classes originally.

A Havanese’s hypoallergenic coat is comprised of these colors: white, black, silver, blue, gray and brown. The skin has double layers with the outer coat being profuse and long that can reach 6 to 8 inches in length. Hairs may be curly, straight or wavy though the latter is preferable. Expect yourself to clean your pet’s fallen hair on a non-regular basis since it shed hairs minimally.

While Havaneses are small fuzzy dog breeds, they make up for the lack in size an abundance of gentleness, intelligence, affections, companionship, and playfulness to you and your family. Your pet can be rowdy to you sometimes, and they will warn you of strangers. A Havanese gets along with its fellow Havanese canines and children if you have any.

Whether your home is a house with or without a yard or an apartment, your Havanese will fit right in and is active indoors. Despite the dog’s small size, it needs plenty of exercise along with playtime to keep itself fit as well as healthy. If you have a havanese you might interested on our best dog grooming scissors review.

overview

  • Height: 8 - 11 inches (20 - 28 cm)
  • Weight: 7 - 13 pounds (3 - 6 kg)
  • Lifespan: 14 - 16 years
  • Temperament: Funny, Intelligent, Outgoing

#5. Maltese

White fluffy dog Maltese Standing at the top of the stone

Only a few fluffy small dog breeds like the purebred Maltese can boast of a lineage that is at least 2000 years old. The Maltese is native to the areas that surround the Mediterranean Sea and is of Spaniel origin. Breeds like the Barbet, Portuguese Water Dog, and Poodle, are canine kin of the Maltese. Many people especially women prize the dog for its pet companionship and beauty. By 1888, the AKC gave the canine recognition.

The Maltese is a dog with only one color which is white. The hypoallergenic coat of the canine is long, flat and silky that almost hangs to the ground as well giving the animal it very fluffy white look. Despite the long hair, your pet shed at a minimal rate.

Your Maltese has the gentlest manner that any cute fluffy dogs can possess, but it can be playful and full of energy. The breed is also active, easygoing, intelligent and responsive to you. Young children do not make good companions with a Maltese since there is a chance that it will get stepped on or dropped by kids.

Be it an apartment or a house with a fenced yard; your Maltese will adapt with no hassle, though it can be active indoors. A Maltese does not need that much exercise like daily walks since indoor activities like chase and playtime are more than enough. Make sure your read our collections of best Pet Wipes for Dogs.

overview

  • Height: Males are 8 - 10 inches (21 - 25 cm), while females are 8 - 9 inches (20 - 23 cm)
  • Weight: 6.5 - 9 pounds (3 - 4 kg)
  • Lifespan: 15 - 18 years
  • Temperament: Charming, Gentle, Playful

#6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Fluffiest Doggie Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Since the 16th, small fluffy canine like the Toy Spaniel breed are well-known as pets, and they are painting subjects of great painters from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. It is from these Spaniel breed that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is descended. During the reign of English king Charles II, this dog was quite common since the ladies loved them as pets and it was at this same time that the breed got the name. When England's show dog breeding program began, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel began to have the looks of a Pug. Roswell Eldrige from America offered a cash prize to recreate the dog that resembles the early paintings of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The current purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are descended from those dogs bred to resemble the original.

The non-hypoallergenic coat of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has ruby, black & white, Blenheim and black & tan colors. The coat itself is of moderate length and is silky along with a slight wave. The feet have long feathering or long hair. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an average shedder, and you need to clean up its fallen hair.

This dog is the ideal house pet that you want since it is sweet, affectionate, playful, gentle and willing to please you. When it comes to pets and strangers, the Cavalier acts with amiability towards them. But the breed likes to interact with kids. Your canine also loves to explore as well as sniff and chase.

Whether the Cavalier is a fluffy puppy or adult, it is moderately active indoors and can live in an apartment or house. Daily walks and play can keep your pet fit and healthy. Warm weather or conditions are not good for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s well-being.

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overview

  • Height: 12 - 13 inches (30 - 33 cm) 
  • Weight: 10 - 18 pounds (5 - 8 kg)
  • Lifespan: 10 - 14 years
  • Temperament: Affectionate, Gentle, Graceful

#7. Papillon

Cute White Fluffy Canine Papillon in the Forest

Fluffy dogs like the Papillon are favorite painting subjects of art masters during the 16th century. Most of Europe’s paintings of royal families and merchant classes depict the Papillon with their masters. The painting depictions of the Papillon are enough to show that these cute small fluffy dogs are favorite pets. It was the French that developed the dog and gave it its current name, but Italy and Spain were the ones who popularized the breed. By 1935 the AKC gave the breed the recognition it deserves.

Being a purebred dog, the Papillon has white mixed with black, sable, lemon, red or black & tan as colors for its non-hypoallergenic coat. A Papillon is a small dainty and elegant dog with a long, silky coat that is both straight as well as flowing. The hallmark trait of the breed it is butterfly ears hence the name “Papillon” which means “Butterfly” in French. For a canine with long hair, it shedding is minimal which makes your fallen dog hair cleaning easy to do.

Your Papillon is one of the friendliest small dog breeds and has that lovely alert expression. The canine’s temperament is joyful, adventurous and is not aggressive or shy. Kids can get along with the Papillon though you need to supervise them.

Apartments are not suitable homes for your Papillon since they will bark at any noise thus causing a ruckus with your neighbors. Daily walks, playtime and a delightful romp is a fenced-backyard should keep your pet physically fit and mentally occupied.

overview

  • Height: Males are 8 - 11 inches (20 - 28 cm), females are 8 - 11 inches (20 - 28 cm))
  • Weight: Males are 8-10 pounds (4 - 5 kg), females are 7 - 9 pounds (3 - 4 kg)
  • Lifespan: 13 - 16 years
  • Temperament: Alert, Friendly, Happy

#8. Affenpinscher

 Black Fluffy pup Affenpinscher with red leash

Germany in the 17th gave us the Affenpinscher breed one of the cutest dogs to have as a pat. Despite looking like a lap dog, the Affenpinscher is more similar to a working Terrier albeit smaller and fluffier. The canine is tough and agile thus capable of taking down mice and rats. This breed is related and is ancestral to the Miniature Schnauzer along with the Brussels Griffon. A 5-year-old Affenpinscher by the name of Banana Joe V Tani Kazari was the first of its kind to win Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. The dog show was held in New York City in 2013.

The Affenpinscher be it a fluffy puppy or adult is a purebred animal that possesses only dark coat colors. These colors are gray, black, beige, red or black & tan and the dog's coat is hypoallergenic. Cleaning up after your pet's shed hair should be easy since it does only minimal shedding. An Affenpinscher is rough and 1 inch thick with the hair being longer on its head, neck, stomach, chest, and legs. Additionally, the canine's coat protects it from harsh weather and vermin.

The Affenpinscher has an adorable monkey-like expression hence its name "Affenpinscher” or “German Affe" which translates from "ape monkey." The breed also likes to "monkey around" by being playful, fun-loving, curious, active, adventurous and mischievous. Friendliness to other pets and strangers is what the Affenpinscher shows to them. Also, this dog can get along with children assuming that it grew up with them.

Indoors, your pet is very active and will adapt quite nicely to apartment life. You can take your Affenpinscher out for a walk daily, but make sure that it walks beside or behind so that it knows that you are the leader.  Read our review about remote dog training collars.

overview

  • Height: 9 - 12 inches (23 - 30 cm)
  • Weight: 7 - 9 pounds (3 - 4 kg)
  • Lifespan: 12 - 15 years
  • Temperament: Confident, Famously, Fearless

#9. Norfolk Terrier

Fuzzy dog Norfolk Terrier

These cute small fluffy dogs originated in East Anglia, England and there originally two breeds. The Norfolk Terrier and the Norwich Terrier were the same breeds with their ears the only thing different about them. In 1964, the English decided to separate the two canines into different breeds and AKC in 1979 officially declared them as different dog types. Norfolk Terriers were originally bred to hunt down rats and aid in hunting foxes. Today this purebred dog is now a family pet.

Norfolk Terriers have hypoallergenic coats that have red wheaten, grizzle, red and black & tan as its colors. You will like the coat’s minimal shedding of hair since it makes your job of cleaning hair easy. The canine’s double coat is resistant to weather thanks to its hard, wiry and straight hair on the outer coat.

Personality-wise your Norfolk Terrier is a bold, feisty, stubborn, independent, lovable, intelligent, happy and self-confident. The dog also loves to hunt, investigate and dig.

Be it an apartment or house with a yard; the Norfolk Terrier can live comfortably in either one of them. Since the breed is energetic, they like daily walks and can jog at a short distance.

overview

  • Height: 10 inches (25 cm)
  • Weight: 10 - 12 pounds (4½ - 5½ kg)
  • Lifespan: 12 - 15 years
  • Temperament: Alert, Fearless, Fun-Loving

#10. Lhasa Apso

Fuzzy doggie Tri-Color Lhasa Apso wants to sleep

Lhasa Apsos are fluffy dogs that originated in the Himalayas, and their bloodline is hundreds of years old. Named after the city of Lhasa, these adorable little fluffy dogs were only for nobles or holy men. The dog was a sacred animal as well as a good luck charm that guards the monasteries and temples. Limited to Tibet for a long time, the breed began to spread outside the country in 1933 thanks to the 13th Dalai Lama. The 13th Dalai Lama gifted photographer Charles Suydam Cutting a Lhasa Apso during his the latter’s visit. By 1920s, the canine appeared in Britain, then later in the United States by 1930, and then was granted recognition by AKC in 1935.

A Lhasa Apso is not a hypoallergenic dog so it might be suitable for you if you have allergies. Coat colors are yellow, black, white, brown and red. The coat of Lhasa Apso gives it a lion-like appearance (hence the other name Lion Dog) is due to its heavy, straight long and hard coat hairs. The whiskers and beard hairs on the head give the dog its lion-like appearance.

You might find your Lhasa Apso bold, stubborn and independent, but it is also tough, devoted, friendly, intelligent, playful and obedient. Your pet also likes to snooze beside you or in your lap. Lhasa Apsos loves kids, but more reserved towards strangers.

Apartments can be good environments for this dog that is also active indoors. Playtime along with regular walks serve as exercises for the breed. Don’t expose your pet to heat for too long though.

overview

  • Height: 10 - 11 inches (25-28 cm)
  • Weight: 13 - 15 pounds (5.9 - 6.8 kg)
  • Lifespan: 12 - 15 years
  • Temperament: Comical, Confident, Smart

#11. Brussels Griffon

 Puppy Brussels Griffon Showing his teeth

From Brussels, Belgium came the fluffy dogs called Brussels Griffon or also called Griffon Belge and Griffon Bruxellois. Technically there are three Griffons, but the AKC recognizes only Brussels Griffon. Cab drivers in the 17th century found the breed useful for catching vermin, thus making the canine popular with them. While Brussels Griffon is a good pet purebred companion, it is a rare breed even today.

A Brussels Griffon has red, black, beige and black & tan as colors in its hypoallergenic coat. The hair on the skin is hard, wiry and rough that is longer on the canine's head or smooth, short, yet glossy. Hair shedding is minimal thus saving you time and effort in cleaning its fallen hair.

These cute fluffy dogs have spunk along with enthusiasm, self-confidence, bold, playful, mischievous and curious. Some of these canines have the skill of an escape artist. If you have other pets, they can get along with the breed. On the other hand, Brussels Griffons are shy to strangers.

Whether you are living in a house or apartment, your Brussels Griffon will thrive in both environments. The breed loves to play indoors, but a walk outside every day or some playtimes are a must to keep it fit.

overview

  • Height: 7 - 8 inches (18 - 20 cm)
  • Weight: 6 - 12 pounds (2.5 - 5.5 kg)
  • Lifespan: 12 - 15 years
  • Temperament: Alert, Curious, Loyal

Assuming that you don’t have one of these small fluffy dogs as a pet; the question now is where can you get one? Some breeders sell some small fluffy pooch breed assuming that you can pay the price which can be high. Be sure to check if the breeder is legit first. Alternatively, there are rescue centers for small fluffy pets and some small fluffy white dogs as well. You can adopt a canine that needs a good home.

Regardless of what breed you choose, it will change your day-to-day routine as well as those of your family (if you have one). Nonetheless, small fluffy dog breeds are welcome additions to your household. After all, who can resist these adorable and loving canines? You have yourself a bundle of fuzzy doggie joy that you love.

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