January 28, 2022

Pet Health and Wellness

Short-Haired Small Dogs

Short-haired small dogs are a perfect choice for someone who’d rather spend the day romping in the park, rather than waiting in a doggie salon.

By Janice Jones | Last Updated 06-06-2023

If you are investigating types of small short-haired dogs,you are probably a person who:

Loves companionship of a dog more than grooming
Loves to play but hates to brush
Would rather spend money on chew toys than expensive doggie salontreatments
Love a clean face – Hate the appearance of matted hair and aruffled look

You are in luck because there are many, many small breeddogs that just might make the perfect companion sans the grooming. We have listed the most common short-haired small dogs world-wide, but there are more.

Grooming Short-Haired Small Dogs

Grooming these dogs is a breeze. There are few tasks that take much time and those grooming jobs are fairly consistent across all of these breeds with just a couple exceptions. What will you need to do?

Brush once a week with a bristle brush, curry brush or hound mit to remove loose hair, dust and dirt.

Bathe as needed. Some breeds have doggie smell and bathing will remove or reduce the odor

Clip nails with a nail clipper or use a Dremel type tool to grind them down.

Brush teeth

Check ears and clean if needed.

Wipe eyes if tearing is an issue.

Some breeds such as the French Bulldog will help keeping their facial skin folds clean. A soft cloth or cotton ball moistened with water usually takes care of the folds, but some may need to use a small amount of facial cleaner. Once clean, dry the folds with a separate cloth or towel.

Hairless breeds will need protection from the sun, so the addition of a sunscreen is recommended.

What These Short-haired Small Dogs Have in Common:

Small size
Short or Smooth coat
Most shed heavily in the spring and fall
Require some grooming (nails, teeth, ears, eyes, and baths)
All will need to be brushed (sorry todisappoint) but it is easy and a great time to bond.

How These Small Dogs Differ

Energy level
Personalities
Adaptability
Ease of Living with Other Pets
Ease of Living with Children
Health concerns
Intelligence
Ease of Training
Quantity of Barking

Best Short-haired Small Dogs

American Hairless

American Hairless Terrier

Breed Group: Miscellaneous
Height: 7 to 18 inches
Weight: 5 to 25 pounds
Life Span: 14 to 16 years
Technically not a Short-haired Small dog because it doesn’t have hair.
Country: United States

Basenji

Breed Group: Hound
Height: 16 to 17 inches
Weight: 22 to 24 pounds
Life Span: 10 to 12 years
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo

Beagle

Breed Group: Hound
Height: two size varieties — up to 13 inches at the shoulder & 13 inches to 15 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 20 to 35 pounds
Life Span: 13 to 16 years
Country: England

Boston Terrier

Breed Group:Non-sporting
Height: varies
Weight: 10 to 25 pounds
Life Span: 11 to 13 years
Country: United States

Chihuahua (Smooth)

Chihuahua

Breed Group: Toy
Height: 5 inches or less
Weight: 6 pounds or less
Life Span: 12 to 20 years
Country: Mexico

Chinese Crested (Hairless)

Breed Group: Toy
Height: 11 to 13 inches
Weight: 10 to 13 pounds
Life Span: 10 to 14 years
Country: China, Africa

Cirneco Dell’Etna

Breed Group: Hounds
Height: 18-19.5 inches (Male), 16.5 – 18 inches (Female)
Weight: 22-26 pounds (Male), 17-22 pounds (Female)
Lifespan: 12-14 Years
Country: Sicily, Italy

Dachshund (Miniature Smooth)

Dachshund

Breed Group: Hound
Height: Miniature, 5 to 6 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 11 pounds and under (Miniature)
Life Span: 12 to 15 years
Country: Germany

French Bulldog

Breed Group: Non-Sporting
Height: 11 to 12 inches
Weight: Less than 28 pounds
Life Span: 9 to 11 years
Country: France

Italian Greyhound

Breed Group: Toy
Height: 13 to 15 inches
Weight: 7 to 15 pounds
Life Span: 12 to 15 years
Country: Italy, Greece or Turkey,

Jack Russell Terrier
Parson Russell Terrier (AKC)

Parson Russell Terrier

Breed Group:Terrier
Height: 13 to 14 inches
Weight: 13 to 17 pounds
Life Span: 12 to 14 years
Country: England

Japanese Terrier

Breed Group:Terrier Japanese Kennel Club, FCI, UKC
Height: 8-13 inches
Weight: 5-9 pounds
Life Span: 11-15 years
Country: Japan

Manchester Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier
Height: 15 to 16 inches
Weight: Up to 12 (Toy);
Life Span: 14 to 16 years
Country: England

Miniature Bull Terrier

Brindle Miniature Bull Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier
Height: 10-14 inches
Weight: 18-28 pounds
Life Span: 11-13 Years
Country: England

Miniature Pinscher

Miniature Pinscher Puppies

Breed Group: Toy
Height: 10 to 12.5 inches
Weight: 8 to 11 pounds
Life Span: 15 years
Country: Germany

Pražský krysařík or Prague Ratter

Breed Group: FCI Provisional
Height: 20–23 cm (7.9–9.1 in)
Weight: 1.5–3.5 kg (3.3–7.7 lb)
Life Span: 12-14 years
Country: Czech Republic

Pug

Breed Group: Toy
Height: Not specified in breed standard
Weight: 14 to 18 pounds
Life Span: 12 to 14 years
Country: China

Rat Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier
Height: 10 to 13 inches (Miniature)
Weight: 8 to 25 pounds
Life Span: 12 to 18 years
Country:

Russian Toy

Russian Terrier

Breed Group: Foundation Stock
Height: 8 to 10 inches
Weight: 3 to 6 pounds
Life Span:10 to 12 years
Country: Russia

Shiba Inu

Breed Group: Non-Sporting
Height: 13.5 to 16.5 inches
Weight: 17 to 23 pounds
Life Span: 12 to 16 years
Country: Japan

Toy Fox Terrier

Breed Group: Toy
Height: 8 to 11 inches
Weight: 4 to 9 pounds
Life Span: 12 to 15 years
Country: The United States

Xoloitzcuintli

Xoloitzcuintili

Breed Group: Non-Sporting
Height: Toy, 10 to 14 inches at the shoulder; Miniature, more than 14 to 18 inches;
Weight: Toy, 9 to 18 pounds; Miniature, 13 to 22 pounds;
Life Span: 12 to 14 years
Country: Mexico

Short-haired Small Dogs Breeds For Those That Hate to Groom

Short-Haired Small Dogs

Grooming Short-Haired Small Dogs

What These Short-haired Small Dogs Have in Common:

How These Small Dogs Differ