Breeds of Dogs That Weigh Less Than 40 Lbs.

Dogs are great companions that come in just about every size to fit their humans' needs. If you are a pet parent looking to adopt, all breeds require the same consideration when it comes to temperament, size and physical needs. Larger dogs will require more exercise, whereas smaller dogs could be content in more compact environments, like apartments, because their physical demands are less. Toy, small and small to medium dogs can fit these particular needs, but certain precautions should be taken in training to prevent "small dog syndrome."

  1. Toy Breeds

    • The American Kennel Club (AKC) lists many different breeds under its Toy classification. The term "toy" may make you think of a very small dog, like a 4 to 7 lb. Yorkshire terrier, but greyhounds and poodles also qualify in this group. The pug is a stately little dog that packs a lot of pooch per square inch, and averages about 14 to 18 lbs. The English toy spaniel weighs about 14 lbs. and is a gentle, loving dog for those with small children.

    Small Dogs

    • Generally when one references a small dog, he means one that measures less than 16 inches in height and a weight of 22 lbs. or less. These can include the toy breeds like the feisty Chihuahua, which can be as small as a teacup, and as such is one of the tiniest breeds of dog. This broad group also includes the intelligent, stocky dachshund, who weighs in anywhere between 16 to 32 lbs. Miniatures of this breed come in at 11 lbs. or less. Miniature breeds of larger dogs are also an option. Whereas a standard schnauzer can reach 45 lbs., a miniature schnauzer weighs in anywhere around 10 to 15 lbs.

    Small to Medium Dogs

    • Small to medium dogs range in weight anywhere from 20 and 40 lbs., though some breeds do run a bit larger. Examples of this group include the beagle, which ranges about 25 lbs. in weight, and the two examples of the stocky little corgi, the Pembroke welsh corgi and the cardigan welsh corgi. These dogs both weigh in about 30 lbs. at the highest. For more active owners, consider a miniature bull terrier, which maxes out a little over 30 lbs.

    Small Dog Syndrome

    • Small dogs sometimes get a bad rap when it comes to their yippy, barky, possessive personalities, such as the chihuahua, the pomeranian and the pekinese. Most of this fault lies with the owner, who treats her small dog as though it is a baby. Allowing your dog to participate in dominant behavior -- such as jumping, growling or barking at strangers because they may not pose the same threat as bigger dogs -- teaches the dog it is the alpha, and its job is to take care of you.