A significant population in India lives in flats and apartments, and getting a large breed dog doesn’t make any sense. There are various small breeds of dogs that are perfect for an apartment lifestyle.
Why Small Dog Breeds are the Best
There are quite a few advantages of getting a small dog. Let’s have a look at some of them.
Require small space
Being small in size, they require minimal space. You can get a crate, and it will feel like a house to them. The best thing is you can run them from one corner to another corner of the apartment a few times, and it will a good exercise for them.
Requires less exercise
Small breeds do not require as much exercise as medium and large breeds like a labrador. You can simply walk them a few rounds from one corner to another corner of your house, and that would be enough for them. You wouldn’t need to take them on long walks and runs daily.
Low Monthly Maintenance
A large breed like a German Shepherd will need around ₹5,000 to₹6,000 for dog food every month, whereas small breed dogs can thrive just under ₹1,500. Small size cuts down the massive cost of feeding them.
Best Small Dog Breeds in India
So let’s look into 10 Small Dog breeds in India and see how much do they cost.
Pug
No wonder pugs made this list. The ‘Vodafone Wala Kutta‘ is one of the most popular dog breeds in India. They are readily available in almost every part of our country.
History: Let’s talk a little about their history. The origin of pugs leads back to ancient China, where they were a preferred pet of Emperors. So it won’t be wrong to say that Pugs are royal.
Personality: Pugs don’t usually prefer to run. Instead, they would like to cuddle up in your lap. They are very affectionate and playful with the family. They make a fantastic companion. However, they are a little stubborn.
Things to consider:
- Pugs are supposed to live in a house. They cannot survive to live and sleeping outside.
- They don’t deal well with high temperatures, so do not take them out in hot summers.
- Due to their stubbornness, Pugs can be a little difficult to potty train.
- They have a set of big beautiful eyes, and this makes them prone to eye injuries.
- They are a foodie and loves to it, making them prone to obesity. So you will have to make sure they get some exercise daily and do not overeat.
Cost: On average, a pug puppy in India costs anywhere around ₹15,000 to ₹20,000.
Monthly Expenses: ₹2,000 to ₹2,500
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are those long-haired, big eyes dogs to which you won’t be able to say no. They are a great companion for lazy owners as they do not require as much exercise.
History: Well, the origin of Shih Tzu is still a mystery. There have been many speculations this breed was bred in Tibet. Few even claim that their ancestors lead back to China.
Personality: Shih Tzus were bred explicitly for being a companion. They are friendly and affectionate. Do not expect them to Guard to be a security dog. Instead, expect to get a lot of cuddles and licky-lickies from them.
Things to consider:
- Shih Tzu’s beauty resits in its long-haired fur, and to maintain it, you will have to brush it daily.
- Shih Tzus are prone to coprophagia (eating their own poop), so you will have to extra careful.
- They have an independent mind and can be a little challenging to train.
- They are not suitable for high temperatures. You will have to keep them inside in an air-conditioned room during summers.
Cost in India: ₹20,000 to ₹25,000
Monthly Expenses: ₹2,000 to ₹2,500
Also read: Shih Tzu Puppy Price and Monthly Expenses in India
Pomeranian
Pomeranians are a confident and courageous breed whose face resembles foxes. They are pretty popular in India. It is hard to tell the difference between a Pomeranian and Indian Spitz when they are a puppy, so make sure you get what you want. BTW they have a beautiful coat.
History: Pomeranians belong to the spitz group, and they are originated from Pomerania.
Personality: Pomeranians are descended from a large dog breed. Even after being small in size now, they still think that they are one of the large dogs. Due to this, a Pom will confidently start barking at a dog triple of its size. They are pretty alert and can make good watchdogs. They are intelligent and friendly to other people. They get along with strangers quite well.
Things to consider:
- Pomeranians are stubborn and can be challenging to housetrain.
- They do not do well in the heat. You will have to keep them in AC during hot summers.
- They are small, and crows, owls, and eagles can attack them. So you will have to make sure you don’t leave them outside unsupervised.
- They can be loud sometimes, but you can teach them to get calm on your command with proper training.
Cost: ₹5,000 to ₹15,000
Monthly Expense: ₹1,500 to ₹3,000
You can know more about Pomeranian’ss cost and various monthly expenses here.
Dachshund
Dachshund, sometimes also referred to as Sausage dog, belongs to the hound group. They were bred to track down small animals in a hunt. They are active and friendly, making them a perfect companion for families with kids.
History: Dachshunds were bred in Germany, and their origin dates back to the 15th century. They were initially large in size, but later their size reduced, and now they are considered a toy breed.
Personality: They have a very colorful personalities. Dachshunds are clever and fearless in nature. They like to be independent and sometimes can act stubbornly. Apart from that, they are playful and loyal to their owners.
Things to consider:
- Their stubborn nature makes it challenging to housetrain them.
- Dachshunds are expressive, and they like to bark. Even after being small in size, they have a loud and sharp voice.
- They are not a people-dog. They will prefer to have one owner and be loyal to him. So you will have to start with their socialization training when they are a puppy.
- To keep them in good shape, give them proper exercise and feed them good quality dog food.
Cost: ₹15,000 to ₹20,000
Monthly Expenses: ₹1,500 to ₹2,500
Chihuahua
If you are looking for affection and obedience, then Chihuahua is an ideal pet for you. They are friendly and have low grooming requirements.
History: Their origin is still a mystery. But people believe that they come from Central America.
Personality: Chihuahuas are confident and loves being with people. They have a pure heart and want nothing more than affection. They are very alert of their surroundings and make excellent house watchdogs.
Things to consider:
- Chihuahuas cannot properly deal with cold, so you will have to keep them warm and cozy in winter and get a sweater for them in winter.
- They are friendly with people, but they don’t mix up well with other pets.
- They are tiny, and you will have to make sure they are not left unattained when outside.
- They are a toy breed and delicate in nature. You will have to take extra care and make sure they don’t jump off too much from sofas and beds.
Cost: ₹15,000 to ₹20,000
Monthly Expenses: ₹1,000 to ₹1,500
Also read: Chihuahua Price in India with Monthly Expenses
Final Thoughts
Dogs are beautiful creatures, and when you get it, make sure you take good care of them. I would highly recommend you get a dog from a professional breed only and not buy from Puppy Mills.
