If you’re a pet enthusiast with a bustling multi-pet household or contemplating expanding your furry family, choosing the right dog breed is crucial. Small dog breeds, often overflowing with personality, can be a perfect fit. Their compact size belies their capacity for love, companionship, and harmonious interspecies living. This guide will walk you through seven delightful small dog breeds renowned for their friendly and affectionate natures, making them outstanding partners not just for humans but for other pets as well. Discover which petite pooch could seamlessly blend into your diverse family dynamic, bringing joy and balance to your home.
Did you know that over 47% of adults in rural areas have more than one pet? If you’re one of them, you probably know how important it is to choose a dog breed that gets along well with other pets—whether it’s a fellow pup, a curious cat, or even a small furry friend like a rabbit.
Small dog breeds are not only adorable and easy to manage, but some are also known for their gentle and social nature, making them perfect additions to multi-pet households. But not all small breeds are naturally friendly toward other animals, so it’s essential to pick one that matches your existing pets’ personalities and energy levels.
In this article, we’ll explore 7 small dog breeds that are fantastic companions for other pets, highlighting their temperament, adaptability, and what makes them stand out as the ultimate pet-friendly pups!
Small Dog Breeds That Are Good with Other Pets
1. Border Terrier
Quick Facts
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Known for: Affectionate nature, adaptable personality
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Ideal for: Active homes, multi-pet households
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Temperament: Loyal, energetic, independent
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Unique Trait/Famous for: Thick, weather-resistant coat originally bred to protect them in harsh terrains.
Border Terriers are naturally dog-friendly and have a remarkable ability to get along with other pets and even cats. Their gentle yet fearless nature allows them to adapt quickly to multi-pet homes, making them excellent family dogs. However, early socialization is key to ensuring they remain well-mannered around smaller pets.
These little explorers have endless energy and love outdoor adventures, often engaging in playful chases with their furry companions. Their enthusiasm makes them great for pet parents who enjoy active lifestyles, but they also appreciate quiet cuddle time after a long day of fun.
Intelligent and eager to please, Border Terriers are quick learners and respond well to positive reinforcement. They thrive on structured training, which helps them develop good manners around other pets and reduces their natural prey drive.
Their compact, sturdy frame allows them to move effortlessly, making them excellent playmates for both other dogs and even larger pets. Their rough coat adds to their resilience, letting them enjoy all kinds of playful interactions without discomfort.
One of their quirks is their love for digging—a trait inherited from their history as hunting dogs, as stated in Purina. While they’re affectionate and social, they might occasionally try to “redesign” your backyard, so keeping them engaged with toys and training is a must!
2. Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Quick Facts
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Known for: Intelligence, affectionate nature
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Ideal for: Families, multi-pet households
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Temperament: Loyal, alert, adaptable
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Unique Trait/Famous for: Naturally long tail, unlike its Pembroke cousin, adding to its expressive charm.
Cardigan Welsh Corgis are known for their sociable nature and affectionate personality, making them wonderful companions for other pets. They form deep bonds with animals in their household, whether it’s another dog or even a cat. However, their herding instincts might lead them to nudge smaller pets playfully.
With their playful nature and lively spirit, these little charmers are always up for a game. They enjoy interactive play with fellow pets but also appreciate cozy nap sessions beside their furry friends. A balance of mental and physical stimulation keeps them happy and well-behaved.
Their intelligence shines through in training, as they pick up commands quickly and understand household dynamics. Consistent positive reinforcement ensures they remain well-mannered and respectful of other pets’ space, preventing any herding tendencies from becoming overwhelming.
Despite their compact build, Cardigans have a sturdy frame that allows them to keep up with bigger dogs without hesitation. Their low-set body and strong legs provide agility, making them excellent at playing chase or gentle wrestling with their pet companions.
Each Corgi has its own unique personality, ranging from outgoing and playful to calm and observant. Some may love being the center of attention, while others prefer quiet companionship. Understanding their temperament helps ensure a harmonious relationship with other pets.
3. Boston Terrier
Quick Facts
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Known for: Friendly nature, lively personality
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Ideal for: Apartments, families with pets
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Temperament: Sociable, affectionate, intelligent
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Unique Trait/Famous for: Their signature “tuxedo” coat gives them a dapper, distinguished look.
Boston Terriers have a naturally outgoing and friendly temperament, making them excellent companions for multi-pet households. They enjoy forming bonds with other animals and rarely display aggression. With proper introductions, they quickly warm up to fellow pets, becoming affectionate and loyal playmates.
Despite being little dogs, they are full of enthusiasm and thrive on playtime. Whether it’s a game of chase or a friendly wrestling match, their playful energy keeps things lively. They love engaging with both their human and animal companions, ensuring there’s never a dull moment.
Highly intelligent and eager to please, Boston Terriers are easy to train as mentioned in Orvis. They respond well to consistent routines, making it simple to teach them good manners around other pets. A well-structured environment helps them develop into well-behaved and adaptable companions.
Their compact yet sturdy build allows them to keep up with pets of all sizes. Their muscular body and nimble movements make them excellent at interactive play without overwhelming smaller animals. They can adjust their play style depending on their furry friend’s energy level.
When properly socialized, Boston Terriers develop a charming mix of confidence and affection. Some enjoy being the center of attention, while others are content being gentle companions. Their adaptable nature makes them an easygoing addition to any pet-loving home.
4. Bichon Frise
Quick Facts
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Known for: Cheerful personality, affectionate nature
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Ideal for: Families, multi-pet households
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Temperament: Playful, social, intelligent
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Unique Trait/Famous for: Their cloud-like, hypoallergenic coat, which adds to their signature charm.
Bichon Frises are known for their friendly and affectionate personalities, making them a joy to have in homes with multiple pets. They form strong bonds with fellow animals, eagerly engaging in play and companionship. Their natural warmth helps them get along well with both new and familiar furry friends.
Their energy knows no bounds, as they adore interactive play and zooming around with their pet siblings. Whether engaging in games with larger dogs or smaller companions, they adjust their playfulness to match the energy of those around them, ensuring everyone is included in the fun.
These little charmers are quick learners, excelling in socialization and training as per Petplan. They thrive on positive reinforcement, making them ideal companions for pet parents who want an adaptable and well-behaved furry friend. Early training ensures they remain polite and friendly toward all animals.
Their small stature and fluffy appearance may be deceiving, but they are sturdy dogs with a lively spirit. Despite their compact size, they can hold their own in playtime with several breeds, making them versatile and confident pets in any home setting.
Naturally outgoing, Bichon Frises love making friends, whether it’s with fellow pets or new humans. Their friendly demeanor makes them one of the most social breeds, though it’s always best to supervise interactions to ensure harmonious play, especially with larger animals.
5. Maltese
Quick Facts
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Known for: Graceful looks, affectionate nature
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Ideal for: Loving families, apartment living
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Temperament: Gentle, playful, charming
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Unique Trait/Famous for: Their luxurious, silky white coat that gives them an elegant and timeless appearance.
The Maltese dog is a social butterfly, always eager to bond with humans and other animals alike. They enjoy companionship and adapt well to multi-pet homes, making them fantastic playmates for both fellow dogs and even cats. Their affectionate nature means they thrive when surrounded by love and attention.
Despite their delicate appearance, these little pups are full of energy and love to play. A well-socialized puppy will happily engage in interactive games with pets of all sizes. While they enjoy bursts of activity, they are just as content curling up next to their favorite human after playtime.
Highly intelligent, Maltese dogs are quick to pick up on commands and enjoy training sessions. They respond well to positive reinforcement and, with the right approach, can master obedience and socialization with ease. Their eagerness to please makes them an absolute delight to train.
Their small size makes them perfect lap dogs, but they also have a surprising amount of confidence. Whether trotting around the house or meeting new furry friends, they carry themselves with elegance and charm. Their manageable size also makes them well-suited for pet parents in smaller living spaces.
These tiny companions tend to get attached to their owners and can be quite protective despite their petite frame. While they are great with children, supervision is always recommended to ensure gentle interactions. Their affectionate and loyal nature ensures they remain devoted companions for life.
6. Papillon
Quick Facts
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Known for: Butterfly-like ears, lively personality
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Ideal for: Active households, affectionate owners
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Temperament: Energetic, friendly, intelligent
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Unique Trait/Famous for: Their distinctive, butterfly-shaped ears that give them an elegant and expressive look.
Papillons are known as one of the friendliest dogs, always eager to engage with both humans and animals alike. Their sociable nature makes them great at forming bonds with existing pets, whether it’s another pup in the house or a curious cat. With proper introductions, they’ll seamlessly fit into any loving home.
Don’t be fooled by their small frame—these little dynamos are packed with energy! Whether chasing toys or zipping around with other dogs, they thrive on activity. Their playful spirit makes them a joy to have around, but they also appreciate downtime snuggled up with their favorite humans.
With their sharp intelligence, training a Papillon is a breeze. They pick up on commands quickly and genuinely enjoy learning new tricks. As long as they’re positively reinforced, they can be taught to interact politely with smaller animals, ensuring harmony in a multi-pet home.
Although dainty in stature, Papillons carry themselves with confidence. Their petite yet agile bodies allow them to move gracefully, making them excellent playmates for other dogs of similar size. Their light build also means they’re well-suited for apartment living.
These lively companions tend to be incredibly expressive, often tilting their heads in curiosity or using their signature ears to communicate. While they generally get along well with smaller animals, they may occasionally chase after fast-moving pets. Early socialization helps them channel their enthusiasm appropriately.
7. Pekingese
Quick Facts
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Known for: Noble heritage, affectionate nature
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Ideal for: Laid-back households, devoted owners
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Temperament: Loyal, independent, dignified
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Unique Trait/Famous for: Their flowing, lion-like mane that adds to their regal and majestic appearance.
Pekingese have a strong sense of loyalty and often form deep bonds with their family members. While they can be affectionate, they also have an independent streak that makes them selective about who they warm up to. When properly socialized, they tend to get along with other pets, though they prefer companionship on their own terms.
Unlike high-energy breeds, Pekingese enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle. They appreciate short bursts of play but are generally content lounging by their owner’s side. While they may tolerate cats, they won’t be the ones chasing after them for fun. A peaceful environment suits them best.
Training a Pekingese requires patience, as their independent nature means they don’t always follow commands right away. They are intelligent but prefer to learn at their own pace. With the right motivation, they can get along well with other animals, especially those who respect their space.
With their compact build and signature flowing coat, Pekingese carry themselves with a royal air. Despite their small size, they have a big presence and are known for their confident demeanor. They may not be as playful as other breeds, but they certainly know how to command attention.
Stubborn yet affectionate, Pekingese have unique quirks that set them apart. They thrive in a calm environment and often form a deep attachment to their family. While they can get along with other pets, they enjoy being the center of attention and won’t hesitate to let everyone know it!
Conclusion
Every dog has a unique personality, and knowing how they interact with other pets is key. While breeds like the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are naturally friendly, others, like the Pekingese and Shih Tzu, prefer a quieter setting. Even scent hounds and the social Cocker Spaniel can be great companions with proper training.
The right breed isn’t just about temperament—it’s about lifestyle, patience, and the bonds you build. Whether you prefer an outgoing pup or a more independent one, there’s a perfect match waiting to bring joy into your life.
In conclusion, selecting a small dog breed that is compatible with other pets can significantly enhance the harmony of a multi-pet household. Breeds such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise, and Pomeranian are known for their friendly and sociable nature, making them excellent companions for other animals. These breeds typically exhibit a gentle temperament and eagerness to engage, which helps foster positive interactions with existing pets. Prioritizing a breed with these characteristics can ease transitions and enrich the home environment, ensuring all pets—new and old—live together in a harmonious, joyful setting.