There is nothing better than having a sweet, small dog jump into your lap in the evenings after a long day at work. The warmth and companionship of a lap dog is incomparable. If you are looking to add one to your family, you may be wondering which breeds are best.
Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, Bulldogs, Bichon Frise, Pugs, Shih Tzu, and Chihuahuas are seven breeds that make great lapdogs.
Read on to learn more about each breed in depth.
1. Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier is a member of the toy breed group. It stands at only seven to eight inches tall and weighs around seven pounds. These beautiful lap dogs have long, glossy coats that come in steel blue and golden tan. Their hair is more human-like, making them hypoallergenic.
These tiny dogs are incredibly feisty. Before they became lapdogs, they were used as rat catchers in mines. They have kept this larger-than-life attitude even in their new lives as family pets.
Since Yorkshire Terriers have such long hair, you need to brush them daily with specialized combs. Be sure to train and socialize these dogs early to ensure you have a well-adjusted companion.
2. Pomeranian
Another member of the toy group, the Pomeranian is a delightful choice for a lap dog. It has a foxlike face and a fluffy double coat that comes in various colors, patterns, and markings. These dogs are easy to train and have a lively personality. They stand at six to seven inches tall and weigh around three to seven pounds.
These dogs are perfect for people who can’t (or don’t want to) play extensively outdoors. Pomeranians are easily exercised indoors with games and their favorite toys. They are great family pets and do well with children. Also, they are alert and make fine watchdogs for your home, despite their size.
Their double coats do need a little extra care. It is important to brush their coats with a pin brush once a week to keep them from matting. They will also need to go to a professional groomer every six weeks or so for a full bath, brush, and nail trim.
3. French Bulldog
With bat-like ears, a square head, and lots of wrinkles around its short nose, the French Bulldog is an adorable breed. They’re currently the most popular dog breed in the United States—and for good reason. These pint-sized pals are playful, adaptable, and weigh less than 28 pounds.
These are the perfect apartment dogs. They don’t bark much, have a good relationship with other animals, and are very friendly. They also do not need lots of outdoor exercise. Their short coats are easy to care for, making them relatively low maintenance.
French Bulldogs are a brachycephalic breed, meaning they have flat faces. So, they’re not good swimmers, and some can experience trouble breathing. If you get a Frenchie, make sure to only conduct business with reputable breeders. These professionals will ensure that all puppies are free of major health conditions and conform to the breed standard.
4. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a small, white-coated dog with a rounded head and dark eyes. This dog breed is a perfect companion and lapdog. It is only 9.5 to 11.5 inches tall and weighs around 12-18 pounds. This peppy pup is great with children, other adults, and other animals. They make excellent travel companions and are easy to train.
Bichon Frises are charmers that have immense confidence, beauty, and intelligence. However, they do require a little extra care when it comes to their coats. Bichon Frises need at least two to three brushing sessions per week. They also need a bath and clipping once a month. They shed little and are relatively hypoallergenic, but their thick coats can easily form mats if they are not properly maintained.
5. Pugs
The Pug is a beloved lap dog breed with an adorably large, round head, big eyes, and a wrinkled muzzle. These expressive dogs are mischievous and affectionate. They have short, low-maintenance coats that come in silver or apricot fawn with a black mask.
These 10 to 13-inch-tall dogs only weigh around 14 to 18 pounds. They are great with children and other pets, playful, and adaptable. They are relatively easy to train, have moderate energy levels, and bark very little.
Unlike other brachycephalic dogs, they don’t drool very much, but they can be prone to respiratory issues due to their squashed snouts.
6. Shih Tzu
This long-haired breed is such an adorable lap dog. Shih Tzus have large eyes and cute little noses. These dogs are incredibly sociable, affectionate, and good with children and other pets.
They are moderately playful but incredibly adaptable dogs. They are easy to train and have moderate exercise and mental stimulation needs. Described as playful and outgoing, it’s hard not to smile when you see this dog. It stands at about eight to 11 inches tall and weighs around six to 16 pounds–– the perfect size for a good lap dog.
However, their long coats require daily brushing and a bath every three to four weeks. Their eyes can become irritated from the hair on top of their heads, so it’s important to keep up with regular grooming.
7. Chihuahua
Another toy group favorite, the Chihuahua is only five to eight inches tall. They do not typically exceed six pounds in weight. These sassy and graceful dogs make fantastic lap dogs. Sporting rounded heads and erect ears, these spirited dogs are familiar faces in popular media.
Chihuahuas are confident city-dwellers who don’t let their size get in the way of their personality. They enjoy spending time with their owners and adore hours-long cuddle sessions. These dogs are perfect for apartment living and need relatively little exercise.
This breed may not be ideal for families with small children, as they can get easily injured while roughhousing. Chihuahuas also need special attention during the cold, so you’ll need to invest in doggy sweaters come wintertime.
