Top 7 Best Small Breed Dogs for Families - Dogs 101 

I was blessed with the world's gentlest little papillon. Taken from a home breeding situation by animal control and picked by me to live the best life he could ever have. He lived to be 19 -15 of those years in his forever home with me. Miss his itty-bitty paws and sweet little face. ❤️

I have a shih tzu and he just loves everyone and every dog

I liked the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, very adorable doggie.

i think yorkies needed a spot in this video. my boy is the sweetest he sleeps by my side and waits for me to wake up. he’s such an angel.

This list left out the Maltese. They’re intelligent, gentle, sweet and love to be close to their human.

The King Charles Spaniel is so gentle and sweet. Loves cuddling!

Team Shih Tzu! 🐾🐾 I've had many dogs and tzus are unlike any pup I have ever had. My two girls are so extremely loving and catch on to things fast. They are also so gentle and playful with kids!❤

Cavaliers are the most affectionate and smart dog I have ever had the pleasure to be around. They love everyone and everything. Very easy to train and is great in an environment 🐶🐾

My Shih Tzu is so laid back, I joke its like having a stuffed animal. Don’t get me wrong, I get him riled up to play. He sits quietly in his car seat, I take him shopping and nobody even knows there is a dog around because he is so well behaved. He will bark to let me know if someone comes onto my property or if I ignore him to long when something is really important to him, but that’s about it. He loves everybody and all other animals, especially cats. I don’t know why, but he is obsessed with cats.

I love my shih tzu. He’s the best dog I ever had.

Cavaliers and Papillon!! 😍😍😍🐶🐶

don't forget to check out the health issues associated with some of these breeds! Not all of them are going to be affordable in the long term for a senior or young family

As a shih tzu owner for more than 14 years, these are great family dog. Highly recommend

Yeti and I just absolutely love your channel! Thank you so much for putting great doggies on here, with all the info.

Seeing as how I want a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, I am incredibly happy they're on this list

I never met a Shih Tzu that wasn't a gentle lap dog! My favorite!

We adopted two shih tzu mixes from a shelter and they both have the sweetest disposition and are great companions.

We had a shih tzu/maltese, Nuedle. He was an amazing little guy who was so good with all the grand kids. We were really blessed to have had him for twelve years.

Cavalier king charles are the best 💗😍

I just have to say the ShihTzu. I had one over 18 years, she was so very precious. I miss her every day.

Shih Tzu are the best. I have one. And he is so cute. 😘😚❤❤❤

3: Shih Tzu I HAVE A SHIH TZU...And actually I can tell his personality. Playful, Funny, Cuddle monster, Barks, Likes everybody, And pretty...Bad....

Im so happy the Beagles made it into this list! They’re my favorite breed!

I have a 3 year old shih tzu and he is the most sweetest dog l ever met. He likes to takes naps with mama (me) and he loves to play with my daughters and two cats we have.

Cavaliers are the best! We are so gentle with children. We're up for anything they want to do, whether it's running and playing or just relaxing around the house. Love In, Love Out.

I can definitely attest to the beagle and the Pug. I’ve had both and both are very gentle, loving and super cuddly!!

Of all the dogs I took into my rescue, I like the Bichon Frise the best. They are the most loving, loyal and kid friendly dogs I have ever seen♥️

I have a long hair Chihuahua , is most sweetest dog I have ever seen and loves everyone I really think it's the way people raise their dogs to that makes them so people person. He loves hugs and loves to sleep with us my husband loves him too. He has never met a stranger . We take him everywhere. But they are very needy dogs I need lots of attention, hope you have lots of time 😁

My little girl a Mini Foxy X Shih Tzu rescue dog is perfect. With me most all the time, loves cuddles but loves playing with me outdoors too. She is very social and just loves kids and babies. I hit the jackpot with this little mate.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the best dog😍❤

I have 5 shih tzus .. theyre a handfull of cuteness 🥰

The cavaliers are the most gentle, quite,loving,perfect dogs

I have Cavachon - mix between Cavalier King Charles spaniel and Bichon . The gentlest dog I ve ever encountered . He melts everyone’s heart . I never knew such dog personality even exist though I was always a dog person.

All of these dogs are sweet, loving companions!!! I can't believe that you didn't include the Boston Terrier tho. My son has one and he is a sweet, cuddly lap warmer but also sturdy and playful enough to be a great companion to my grandsons. They are very smart and easily trained as well.

All dog breeds are Sweet and deserve to be love...

I have a papillon and she loves to cuddle, and loves to play. They are smart and one of the most well behaved dogs. They are easy to train and so So sweet! Very loveablel !! 💞

I have a shih Tzu and I love him xx

Cavoodle for sure and the King Charles Cavalier.

Shih tzus ftw

Couldn’t agree with more on the shih tzu. Great first dog for any person or family.

Go NUMBER THREEN AT 3:49 because I have a Shih tzu and she is the most amazing, beautiful, generous and gentle dog I have ever seen

I have a small dog. She can be gentle, but she’s crazy. She’s my best friend though. I’ve had her since I was 5, and we do everything together!

I have a shih tzu that loves to be around people. She is scare of other dogs. Every time she sees another dog she hides. But if someone talks to her, she just want to be around and play with the person. She is my heart.

Omg #5 the calvier king charles spaniel is adorable

Pomeranian, they are the best!!!!!!! Just love them. 💓💋💓

Team cavalier King Charles spaniel 💖🌹✨

French Bulldogs should be on this list! They're so loveable, and laid back. Love All ppl, especially children! I have two French Bulldogs!!🥰🥰

The two Papillons we've owned were very smart, athletic, and wanted to be on my lap or next to me at every calm moment, I.e. very cuddly.

I'm a dog trainer for about 15yrs now and I have trained most breeds and have owned a cavalier. I must say the cavaliers are the most gentle loving breed.

I have a cavalier King Charles and a pug and I find them both very affectionate,I wouldn’t change them for the world.

My best friend has a maltese and omg he's so sweet and adorable

I have a Papillon and she is very sweet. She doesn't have a mean bone in her body. She does get overwhelmed by hyper kids and dogs.

Bichon frisé are so friendly. Perfect for family.

Shih Tzu ❤️

Yes I have to say Maltese are great companions, I had one she was all of 4.5 lbs. lived 23yrs. Passed away last yr. 1 day after Thanksgiving. They are high maint. But no shed,loveable ,and easy to train ". See you in Heaven Daphanne ".

I have 5 pugs and I love them so so much xoxo 😘

Of all the dogs I’ve owned, my Maltese have been the most gentle.

Thanks 🙏

I think shih tzu are the most gentle!

I had a male Cavalier King Charles (RIP) and have a female Shih Tzu. Both are kind, loving, friendly and gentle companions. My Cavalier wagged his tail for all his almost 12 years. Now my Shih Tzu, once independent, follows me everywhere. Part of my bedroom closet is now her Condominium 😂

Love Papillons!

too cute! Thank You!

So cute

I always loved Snoopy when I was little, then I grew up and discovered Beagles bark alot! Basset Hounds are the sweetest of the hounds. He has never barked at me.

I would definitely put a Havanese at the top of the list. My daughter has one...he is a lovely dog to have around & a real cuddle mutt. He is a great pal to their bigger dog and loves their new kitten! Best attribute is that he is not a barky dog.

Shih Tzus also shed less than others on the list. Havanese are also marvelous, friendly small dogs that don't shed like the others. I want a Norfolk terrier but would have to travel across the Irish sea to get one!

before watching the entire video, I thought "oh this will be just another video where small terriers will be overlooked" my childhood pet and dog of 15 years (he sadly passed away 2 years ago) was a Cairn Terrier / Jack Russel mix, and though CRAZY, (seriously, I could write a book about his antics) the most loving family dog. active, smart, strong-willed, and very loyal. if I'd get myself a dog now, however, I'd get a norfolk terrier since their size makes it easy to take them anywhere!

shih tzu ❤️

I have a cavalier King Charles spaniel x 1/4 beagle and he is the sweetest most gentle dog ever, who loves dogs, people and especially kids. 🐶

We have a little rescue Havapoo Milo . He’s the sweetest kindest little ball of Fur We LOVE him so much

Team Papillon❤️❤️ These butterflies are the best🦋🦋

I have a papillon and he has an overbite so his lips don’t touch and he’s so cute. Easy to train and very protective but cuddly and loves people

My family had a Pekingese/Lhasa Apso mix when my sister and I were teens and I loved her. She looked like a Pekingese mostly. Made me a fan of the Pekingese breed. She wasn’t good with small children that don’t behave but if your kids are well behaved then I think that breed is okay. In her whole life that dog never bit anyone, even when my uncle’s little boys came over and were harassing our poor dog and grabbed her face. It was the first and only time I saw her growl at someone and luckily I was more responsible than my uncle and told his kids not to do that. (As a teenager. Yeah my uncle was a jerk.). Anyways, she was great because she could be independent and liked her alone time but also was so sweet and would come up to you when she wanted attention. Loved her grumpy exterior but sweet interior personality. 💕. Our other small dog was a poodle/Lhasa Apo mix and he was a bit difficult. Literally bit everyone he met a least once if the person stayed over for a long time. Essentially he would sit himself right up against you on the couch and act really sweet as you pet him, but suddenly if you moved too much or something surprised him or he just got irritated by you he would immediately bite you. It was such a quick 180 in mood change even if you knew him for years you still couldn’t read it in his body language until he already bit you. Luckily he was just a small dog and never really hurt anyone seriously but obviously we never let him around kids. He kind of put me off poodles. Yeah poodles are smart but man if you got a neurotic smart dog it can be a real pain. He was a weird mix of being incredibly clingy but at the same time wanting to have his own personal space. But he still was cute overall and did some funny things. Like being so smart he opened a cabinet while he knew no one was looking and stole some M&Ms that were difficult to get to even though we never fed him chocolate. We had no idea he’d even eat that because he was a picky eater. And he would come up with games to play by himself, like taking a ball with him up the stairs and drop it down the stairs and then chase after it. Anyways dogs really do have a lot of personality.

I have a papillon mix & he is very much a lap dog. Thank you for the information. Happy new year. God bless.

My Frenchie is very sweet and loving. My kids absolutely adore him and he kindly reciprocates that affection.

My dream dog is number 3 ❤️🥳 I am getting him sometime this year :)

Miniature poodle. Smart and loving and great alert dog. Well, mine is.

Pugs are the very best!

Shih tzu woot woot!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

Beagle is my favorite among the list.

Super

I love shih tzu

I ❤️Shih Tzu Breed

Dachshunds are big cuddlers too and very friendly and gentle. They're a little on the mischivious side but they thrive on attention and love to be around the people they trust.

I have a beagle when I give him a treat or something he takes it so gentle unlike my first dog.

I think paillons are one of the best small dogs to have !!!! They love hugs,stroking and playing they literally never bark !!

Wow you forgot to include the Bichon

My Shih Tzu, Toshi, is the best dog I've ever had. He is #1 in my book, even over the humans in my life.

Nice I got a golden and it cool

Miniture Schnauzer's and Schnoodles by far are the best but do need groomed about every 6 weeks. Absolutely adorable, make great companion dogs, are quiet and loveable. Schnoodles are all that plus really intelligent, healthy, loves to wear doggie clothes in the winter, calm, aren't snappers or biters, are totally loyal. Great dogs for Seniors!!! Not a protection dog though, as they are very social and love people, kitties and plays well with other dogs. My favorites of all medium small dogs!

Corgis 🤗

Shih Tzus are the *_BEST!!_*

Very nice my friends

I have a German Spitz and she dosent like strangers or other dogs, loves to pick a fight. But is very affectionate towards the family members.

I think beagle,shih tzu ,cavalier are the most gentle

Maltisse should be in the list!!!!

My westie 7 is the most gentlest dog every she obeys my every command she doesn’t t bark scratch nip nothing she’s the best PAT dog ever

Havanese are lovely.

PaPILLIOM is GoOd TOO!