Living in a small flat, a suburban home, or a busy neighborhood doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice having a dog — many compact breeds pack personality into a tidy frame and can fit assorted lifestyles with the right care. Choosing the right small, hairy companion means balancing size, grooming and activity needs against your space and routine.
There are 32 small hairy dog breeds, ranging from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier. For each breed you’ll find below the entries organized as Scientific name,Size (weight kg / height cm),Coat & grooming, so you can compare size and maintenance at a glance — you’ll find below.
How much grooming do small hairy dog breeds typically need?
Grooming ranges from low-maintenance brushing every few days to daily attention and regular trims for long, silky coats; the Coat & grooming column below notes brushing frequency, trimming needs and any common coat issues so you can plan brushes, baths and professional grooming accordingly.
Which small hairy dog breeds are best for apartment living?
Look for lower-energy, less vocal breeds and those with moderate grooming needs; check the Size and Coat & grooming columns to judge space and care, and consider breeds that tolerate short walks and indoor play — many on this list adapt well with consistent exercise and routine.
Small Hairy Dog Breeds
| Breed | Scientific name | Size (weight kg / height cm) | Coat & grooming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shih Tzu | Canis lupus familiaris | 4–7.5 kg / 20–28 cm | Long silky coat; daily brushing, regular trims |
| Lhasa Apso | Canis lupus familiaris | 5–8 kg / 25–28 cm | Long dense coat; daily brushing, occasional professional grooming |
| Maltese | Canis lupus familiaris | 1.8–4 kg / 20–25 cm | Long silky white coat; daily brushing, regular baths |
| Yorkshire Terrier | Canis lupus familiaris | 2–3.2 kg / 15–23 cm | Long silky coat; daily brushing, regular trims |
| Havanese | Canis lupus familiaris | 3–6.8 kg / 23–27 cm | Long silky, slightly wavy coat; daily brushing, regular trims |
| Bichon Frise | Canis lupus familiaris | 5–9.5 kg / 23–30 cm | Curly, dense coat; weekly brushing, professional grooming every 4–8 weeks |
| Coton de Tulear | Canis lupus familiaris | 3–6 kg / 22–28 cm | Long cottony coat; daily brushing, occasional trims |
| Pomeranian | Canis lupus familiaris | 1.4–3.2 kg / 18–30 cm | Thick double coat; weekly brushing, seasonal shedding care |
| Japanese Chin | Canis lupus familiaris | 1.8–4.5 kg / 20–27 cm | Long silky coat; weekly brushing, occasional baths |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Canis lupus familiaris | 5.9–8.2 kg / 30–33 cm | Long silky coat; weekly brushing, moderate trims |
| Affenpinscher | Canis lupus familiaris | 3–6 kg / 23–30 cm | Wiry, dense coat; weekly brushing, regular hand-stripping |
| Brussels Griffon (Rough) | Canis lupus familiaris | 3–5.5 kg / 18–20 cm | Rough, wiry coat; weekly brushing, hand-stripping or clipping |
| Cairn Terrier | Canis lupus familiaris | 6–8 kg / 28–31 cm | Harsh, weatherproof coat; weekly brushing, hand-stripping seasonally |
| Border Terrier | Canis lupus familiaris | 5.9–7.1 kg / 28–30 cm | Dense wiry coat; weekly brushing, regular trimming |
| Norfolk Terrier | Canis lupus familiaris | 5–5.9 kg / 25 cm | Wiry, dense coat; weekly grooming, occasional hand-stripping |
| Norwich Terrier | Canis lupus familiaris | 5–5.9 kg / 25 cm | Wiry, dense coat; weekly brushing, seasonal hand-stripping |
| Scottish Terrier | Canis lupus familiaris | 8–10 kg / 25–28 cm | Dense wiry coat; weekly grooming, hand-stripping or clipping |
| Pekingese | Canis lupus familiaris | 3–6 kg / 15–23 cm | Long abundant coat; daily brushing, regular trims |
| Silky Terrier | Canis lupus familiaris | 3.4–4.5 kg / 23–26 cm | Long silky coat; weekly brushing, occasional trims |
| Toy Poodle | Canis lupus familiaris | 2–4 kg / 24–28 cm | Curly dense coat; weekly brushing, professional clipping every 6–8 weeks |
| Bolognese | Canis lupus familiaris | 2.5–4.5 kg / 22–26 cm | Soft curly/cottony coat; daily brushing, regular trims |
| Chinese Crested (Powderpuff) | Canis lupus familiaris | 3–6 kg / 23–33 cm | Long soft double coat; daily brushing, occasional trims |
| Löwchen | Canis lupus familiaris | 4–8 kg / 25–32 cm | Long silky coat; weekly brushing, periodic clipping |
| Tibetan Spaniel | Canis lupus familiaris | 4–7 kg / 25–30 cm | Medium-long silky coat; weekly brushing, occasional trims |
| Toy American Eskimo Dog | Canis lupus familiaris | 2.5–6.8 kg / 23–30 cm | Thick fluffy double coat; weekly brushing, seasonal shedding care |
| Wirehaired Dachshund | Canis lupus familiaris | 5–7.5 kg / 20–25 cm | Short to medium wiry coat; weekly brushing, occasional hand-stripping |
| Longhaired Dachshund | Canis lupus familiaris | 5–7.5 kg / 20–25 cm | Long silky coat; weekly brushing, mats need attention |
| Miniature Schnauzer | Canis lupus familiaris | 5–9 kg / 30–36 cm | Wiry, dense coat; regular grooming, hand-stripping or clipping |
| Japanese Spitz | Canis lupus familiaris | 6–8 kg / 30–38 cm | Long fluffy double coat; weekly brushing, seasonal shedding control |
| Long-haired Russian Toy | Canis lupus familiaris | 1.2–3.5 kg / 20–28 cm | Long silky coat; weekly brushing, occasional trims |
| Wire Fox Terrier | Canis lupus familiaris | 6–8.5 kg / 28–33 cm | Wiry, dense coat; weekly grooming, hand-stripping |
| Skye Terrier | Canis lupus familiaris | 8–10 kg / 25–26 cm | Long flowing coat; regular brushing, professional trims |
Images and Descriptions
Shih Tzu
Companion breed from Tibet and China, affectionate and outgoing, thrives in homes and apartments. Requires daily brushing and periodic trimming to prevent mats. Notable for its luxurious flowing coat, friendly temperament, and suitability for lap-loving owners.
Lhasa Apso
Ancient Tibetan sentinel breed, independent yet loyal, often aloof with strangers. Needs daily grooming to avoid tangles and regular trims. Noted for heavy, floor-length coat, strong personality, and making devoted companion dogs.
Maltese
Small Mediterranean companion from Malta, gentle and playful with a lively disposition. Coat needs daily care to stay tangle-free and occasional trimming. Famous for its white, silky hair and affectionate, people-oriented nature.
Yorkshire Terrier
Originating in England, feisty and affectionate toy breed good for apartments. Requires daily grooming or keeping coat trimmed for easy care. Notable for glossy, long hair and big-dog attitude in a tiny body.
Havanese
Cuban companion breed, friendly, social, excellent with families. Coat needs daily brushing to prevent mats and occasional trimming. Valued for cheerful personality, adaptable nature, and soft, flowing coat.
Bichon Frise
French/Mediterranean toy breed, playful and affectionate, low-shedding but needs regular grooming. Coat requires clipping and brushing to keep its fluffy, hypoallergenic-like appearance and prevent matting; excellent companion dog.
Coton de Tulear
From Madagascar, cheerful and people-focused companion, adaptable to family life. Requires daily brushing to maintain soft cotton-like coat and periodic trimming. Known for playful temperament and tolerant nature with children and other pets.
Pomeranian
German/Arctic spitz descendant, lively and bold, perfect for small homes. Requires regular brushing to manage thick double coat and seasonal blowouts. Notable for fox-like face and abundant fluffy ruff.
Japanese Chin
Asian toy breed, graceful and affectionate, calm indoors. Coat needs routine brushing to prevent tangles. Valued for expressive face, quiet demeanor, and suitability for companionship and lap living.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
British toy spaniel, affectionate and adaptable with children and other pets. Requires weekly brushing to avoid tangles and occasional trimming. Noted for gentle temperament, expressive eyes, and suitability as a family companion.
Affenpinscher
German companion terrier, curious and comical, bonds closely with owners. Coat benefits from hand-stripping or clipping and routine grooming. Known for monkey-like face, bold personality, and compact, wiry coat.
Brussels Griffon (Rough)
Belgian toy breed, alert, affectionate, and expressive. Rough-coated variety needs hand-stripping or clipping and regular brushing. Famous for expressive facial whiskers and charming, almost human-like expressions.
Cairn Terrier
Scottish working terrier, lively and independent, good with active owners. Coat is wiry and benefits from hand-stripping or clipping and routine brushing. Noted for hardy constitution and active hunting background.
Border Terrier
British working terrier, affectionate, energetic, and good with families. Coat is wiry and easy-care with regular brushing and occasional stripping. Valued for friendly nature and endurance on walks and play sessions.
Norfolk Terrier
Small English terrier, brave and friendly, thrives in family life. Requires routine grooming and occasional hand-stripping. Notable for compact size, sturdy build, and affectionate loyalty.
Norwich Terrier
English terrier closely related to Norfolk, lively and outgoing. Needs regular grooming and hand-stripping for coat texture. Great for active owners who want a small, spirited companion.
Scottish Terrier
Scottish terrier, independent and dignified, loyal to family. Coat needs maintenance with hand-stripping or clipping and routine brushing. Notable for distinctive silhouette, short legs, and strong-willed temperament.
Pekingese
Ancient Chinese companion, affectionate and sometimes independent. Coat requires daily grooming to prevent mats and regular trimming. Known for flat face, lion-like mane, and calm indoor personality.
Silky Terrier
Australian toy terrier, lively and confident, enjoys active families. Coat needs routine brushing and occasional trimming. Notable for glossy coat, small size, and spirited, intelligent temperament.
Toy Poodle
Intelligent breed from France, playful and trainable; toy size ideal for apartments. Curly coat is low-shedding but requires regular brushing and professional clipping. Renowned for versatility and hypoallergenic qualities.
Bolognese
Italian companion dog, gentle and affectionate, thrives as a lap dog. Coat needs daily care to stay fluffy and tangle-free with periodic trimming. Noted for calm demeanor and soft white coat.
Chinese Crested (Powderpuff)
Chinese breed variety with full coat, affectionate and playful. Powderpuff needs daily grooming to avoid mats and regular trims. Stands out for its soft, flowing coat and friendly, lively temperament.
Löwchen
European companion breed called “little lion dog,” friendly and outgoing. Coat requires regular brushing and periodic clipping; often seen with lion trim. Known for jovial nature and striking appearance.
Tibetan Spaniel
Originating from Tibet, alert and affectionate, makes a devoted companion. Coat needs routine grooming to prevent tangles. Noted for expressive face, compact size, and adaptable, companionable temperament.
Toy American Eskimo Dog
Small spitz-type companion from American breeding lines, playful and intelligent. Requires regular brushing and seasonal shedding management. Notable for white fluffy coat, alert expression, and suitability for families.
Wirehaired Dachshund
German hunting breed variant, clever and lively, compact for apartments. Wirehaired variety needs brushing and periodic hand-stripping to maintain texture. Known for elongated body and spirited personality.
Longhaired Dachshund
Dachshund variant with flowing coat, affectionate and stubborn. Requires regular brushing to prevent tangles and moderate exercise. Notable for elegant long hair on ears and tail and bold temperament.
Miniature Schnauzer
German-derived terrier, smart and friendly, good with families. Coat benefits from regular grooming and hand-stripping or clipping. Known for distinctive beard, eyebrows, and alert, trainable nature.
Japanese Spitz
Japanese companion spitz, cheerful and loyal, enjoys family life. Requires regular brushing to manage fluffy coat and seasonal shedding. Notable for snowy white coat and fox-like features.
Long-haired Russian Toy
Tiny Russian companion dog, lively and affectionate, ideal for small homes. Long-haired variety needs routine brushing and light trimming. Noted for diminutive size, elegance, and devoted personality.
Wire Fox Terrier
English terrier bred for hunting, energetic and bold, needs active owners. Coat benefits from hand-stripping and regular grooming. Known for high energy, intelligence, and distinctive wiry coat.
Skye Terrier
Scottish breed with long coat and short stature, dignified and loyal. Coat requires frequent brushing and occasional professional trims. Notable for long, low silhouette and devoted companion temperament.
