From city apartments to leafy suburban streets, compact dogs with dark coats fit a wide range of lifestyles and living spaces. Small, sturdy breeds can be easier to manage on walks, take up less room indoors, and often suit busy owners who want a devoted companion without a lot of fuss.
There are 18 small black dog breeds, ranging from Affenpinscher to Toy Poodle. For each, the data are organized as Scientific name,Weight (kg),Black coat likelihood (%), which you’ll find below.
How do I pick the best small black breed for apartment living?
Match a breed’s energy level and barking tendency to your routine—low- to moderate-energy breeds suit small homes best. Check typical weight and grooming needs (short-coated vs. high-maintenance curly coats), meet individual dogs when possible, and consider rescue or breeder health clearances to avoid surprises.
Do black coats change a dog’s grooming or health needs?
Black fur itself doesn’t cause specific health problems, but coat type and thickness do: dense or long black coats need more brushing and may retain heat in summer, while pale-skinned dogs can be sun-sensitive regardless of coat color—regular grooming, shade, and vet checks keep any small black dog comfortable.
Small Black Dog Breeds
| Breed | Scientific name | Weight (kg) | Black coat likelihood (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affenpinscher | Canis lupus familiaris | 3-6 | ~75% |
| Schipperke | Canis lupus familiaris | 3-9 | ~99% |
| Scottish Terrier | Canis lupus familiaris | 8-10 | ~85% |
| Pug | Canis lupus familiaris | 6-8 | ~45% |
| Miniature Poodle | Canis lupus familiaris | 4.5-7 | ~30% |
| Toy Poodle | Canis lupus familiaris | 2-3 | ~30% |
| Miniature Schnauzer | Canis lupus familiaris | 5-9 | ~30% |
| Miniature Pinscher | Canis lupus familiaris | 4-5 | ~40% |
| Manchester Terrier (Standard) | Canis lupus familiaris | 5.4-10 | 100% |
| Manchester Terrier (Toy) | Canis lupus familiaris | 2-5.4 | 100% |
| Dachshund (Miniature) | Canis lupus familiaris | 4-5 | ~40% |
| Patterdale Terrier | Canis lupus familiaris | 5-6 | ~80% |
| Japanese Chin | Canis lupus familiaris | 3-7 | ~60% |
| Lancashire Heeler | Canis lupus familiaris | 6-8 | ~90% |
| Russian Toy | Canis lupus familiaris | 1-3 | ~50% |
| Jagdterrier | Canis lupus familiaris | 7.5-10 | ~95% |
| Chihuahua | Canis lupus familiaris | 1-3 | ~20% |
| Pomeranian | Canis lupus familiaris | 1.4-3.2 | ~15% |
Images and Descriptions
Affenpinscher
Originating in Germany, this “monkey-like” terrier is confident, funny, and fearless. Its wiry coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting. While other colors exist, black is by far the most common and recognizable for this charmingly scruffy companion.
Schipperke
This small, fox-like Belgian barge dog is curious, confident, and an excellent watchdog, known for its mischievous nature. The breed is famous for its solid black double coat, with other colors being exceptionally rare in the breed standard.
Scottish Terrier
The “Scottie” is an independent and confident terrier from Scotland with a dignified demeanor. Loyal to family, their wiry coat is most famously and commonly seen in a classic, solid black, though wheaten and brindle colors also exist.
Pug
This ancient Chinese breed is a charming, mischievous, and loving companion known for its wrinkly face and comical nature. Known as “multum in parvo” (a lot in a little), its two standard colors are fawn and a sleek, glossy solid black.
Miniature Poodle
Highly intelligent and trainable, this German water retriever is a proud and active companion. Its hypoallergenic coat comes in many solid colors, with black being one of the most common and popular choices for this non-shedding breed.
Toy Poodle
The smallest Poodle variety, the Toy Poodle is an intelligent and elegant companion. Despite a dainty size, they are playful and easy to train. Their curly, non-shedding coat comes in many colors, with solid black being a very popular choice.
Miniature Schnauzer
A feisty and intelligent terrier from Germany, the Miniature Schnauzer is a popular family pet known for its distinct beard and eyebrows. Solid black is a standard and striking color, alongside the more common salt & pepper and black & silver patterns.
Miniature Pinscher
This German “King of Toys” is known for its high-stepping gait and fearless personality. They are energetic and confident little dogs. While red is also common, the sleek black and rust (or tan) coat is a classic and popular look.
Manchester Terrier (Standard)
A sleek and agile terrier from England, originally bred for ratting. The Standard Manchester is spirited, intelligent, and keenly observant. Their short, glossy coat is always black and tan, requiring minimal grooming and highlighting their athletic build.
Manchester Terrier (Toy)
A scaled-down version of the Standard, the Toy Manchester is a true toy breed with a terrier’s spirit. They are elegant and alert companions. Like their larger cousins, their only recognized color is a striking, well-defined black and tan coat.
Dachshund (Miniature)
This German “badger dog” is known for its long body and short legs. Miniature Dachshunds are playful, stubborn, and brave. The classic black and tan coat is one of the most popular and iconic looks for this beloved, clever breed.
Patterdale Terrier
An English working terrier bred for toughness and drive. Patterdales are confident, energetic, and require a lot of exercise and stimulation. Black is the most common color for this hardy little dog, often with either a smooth or “broken” wire coat.
Japanese Chin
An aristocratic toy breed from Asia, the Japanese Chin is a charming, cat-like companion. They are quiet, playful, and love being on laps. The most common and classic color is a distinctly patterned black and white, giving them an elegant appearance.
Lancashire Heeler
A small but sturdy herding dog from England, the Lancashire Heeler is intelligent, alert, and playful, known for its “heeler smile.” The breed’s standard and most common coat color is a sharp black with rich tan markings on the legs and face.
Russian Toy
One of the smallest breeds, the Russian Toy is an elegant and cheerful companion from Russia, with both long-haired and smooth-coated varieties. Black and tan is one of the most prevalent and popular color combinations for this tiny, lively dog.
Jagdterrier
A German hunting terrier, the Jagdterrier is tenacious, intelligent, and full of energy, thriving with a job to do. Their coarse, wiry coat is almost always black, sometimes dark brown, with very distinct tan or rust-colored markings.
Chihuahua
Originating from Mexico, these tiny dogs have huge personalities, forming strong bonds with their owners. Black Chihuahuas, either solid or with tan or white markings, are a common and striking variation in both long and short-coated types.
Pomeranian
This fluffy spitz-type dog from Poland/Germany is a bold and lively companion. Pomeranians love being the center of attention. While orange is most famous, they come in many colors, including a beautiful solid black, which requires regular brushing to maintain.
