small dog breeds

Bichon Frise

• Family Benefits: Bichons are well-known for their affectionate, joyful nature. These small, fluffy dogs are extremely sociable and thrive in family environments where they can engage with children. Their playful personality makes them a constant source of entertainment. Since Bichons are hypoallergenic, they are a great choice for families concerned about allergies. Their dense, curly coat traps dander and requires regular grooming, but the lack of shedding makes them a cleaner option for indoor living.
• Therapy Benefits: Bichons have an innate ability to bond deeply with humans. Their friendly, gentle disposition makes them wonderful therapy dogs, providing emotional comfort and companionship. They have a knack for picking up on human emotions and offering support during stressful or emotionally challenging times, making them great candidates for therapy in hospitals, nursing homes, or individual therapy sessions.

Toy & Miniature Poodle

• Family Benefits: Poodles, particularly the Toy and Miniature varieties, are prized for their intelligence, making them easy to train. They are highly adaptable and thrive in both active and calm environments. Their curly, hypoallergenic coats shed minimally, making them a low-maintenance option for households with allergy concerns. Poodles are also playful and enjoy engaging with children, which makes them an ideal family pet.
• Therapy Benefits: Poodles’ intelligence and emotional sensitivity make them excellent therapy dogs. They are quick learners and can be trained for specific therapeutic tasks, including emotional support, guiding, or simply providing companionship. Their adaptability ensures they fit into various environments, whether it’s a hospital, school, or therapeutic setting.

Shih Tzu

• Family Benefits: Shih Tzus are known for their affectionate and trusting nature, which makes them perfect for families seeking a loyal and loving companion. Their non-shedding coat, though long, is hypoallergenic and requires regular grooming to prevent matting. Shih Tzus bond deeply with their human family and enjoy being in the center of attention, making them a great choice for families with young children.
• Therapy Benefits: Shih Tzus' calm, gentle nature is ideal for providing emotional comfort. They are particularly good therapy dogs for those who need a quiet and soothing presence, such as elderly individuals or children undergoing therapy. Their small size allows them to be easily portable, making them ideal for therapy in a variety of environments, including hospitals or homes.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

• Family Benefits: Cavaliers are gentle, affectionate, and eager to please. Their sweet demeanor makes them perfect for families with young children, as they are patient and very friendly. Though they have a medium-length coat, they don’t shed excessively and can be managed with regular grooming. Cavaliers also love to cuddle, offering emotional warmth and bonding with children, making them perfect companions.
• Therapy Benefits: Their calm and nurturing temperament makes Cavaliers excellent therapy dogs. They are naturally empathetic and enjoy providing emotional support. Their calm, gentle nature makes them suitable for settings where a more laid-back therapy dog is needed, such as with elderly patients or children with special needs.

Miniature Schnauzer

• Family Benefits: Miniature Schnauzers are lively, energetic, and fun-loving dogs. Their small size and wiry coat make them an excellent choice for families. They shed very little, which is beneficial for those concerned with allergens in the home. Schnauzers are protective and bond closely with their families, including children, making them a loving and loyal family companion.
• Therapy Benefits: Schnauzers are highly trainable, thanks to their intelligence and eagerness to please. Their playful yet attentive nature allows them to be excellent therapy dogs for more active environments, such as schools or rehabilitation centers. They can perform well in both emotional support roles and more specialized therapy tasks due to their quick learning capabilities.

Pekingese (Rarely in tests)

• Family Benefits: Though less commonly seen in modern-day breeding tests, Pekingese dogs have a long history of being loyal, protective, and affectionate companions. Their moderate shedding can be managed with regular grooming, and they are known for their regal demeanor. Though small, they can be fiercely protective of their families and are particularly good with older children.
• Therapy Benefits: Pekingese dogs provide excellent companionship, especially for individuals who prefer a calm, watchful dog. Their dignified nature allows them to serve as comforting, loyal companions in settings where a calmer therapy dog is beneficial, such as elderly care facilities or homes.

Standard Poodle

• Family Benefits: The Standard Poodle, a larger version of the Miniature and Toy Poodles, brings the same hypoallergenic qualities in a larger, more active package. Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them excellent for families who want a dog that can engage in outdoor activities like hiking or running while still maintaining a minimal shedding coat. Their friendly and energetic demeanor fits well in active households with children.
  Therapy Benefits: As larger dogs, Standard Poodles can serve a wide range of therapy purposes, including emotional support, guiding, and more physical support roles for individuals with disabilities. Their trainability and intelligence make them capable of more complex therapeutic tasks.

Moyen Schnauzer

• Family Benefits: Like the Miniature Schnauzer, the Moyen Schnauzer offers a larger, slightly more robust companion. Their wiry, hypoallergenic coat sheds minimally, making them ideal for families concerned with allergens. Moyen Schnauzers are known for their high energy and love of family activities, making them great for homes with active children.
  Therapy Benefits: Moyen Schnauzers bring the same intelligence and trainability to therapy roles as their smaller counterparts but can take on larger or more physical tasks due to their size. Their loyalty and protective nature also make them reliable therapy dogs for individuals in need of emotional support or safety assistance.

Multi-gen Non-Shedding Goldendoodle

• Family Benefits: Goldendoodles combine the best qualities of the Poodle and Golden Retriever, resulting in an affectionate, highly intelligent, and hypoallergenic dog. Their curly coat minimizes shedding, making them ideal for allergy-prone families. They are gentle, playful, and love to engage with children, which makes them a top family choice.
• Therapy Benefits: Goldendoodles are exceptional therapy dogs due to their calm, loving nature. They are highly intuitive and capable of providing emotional support, whether as a calming presence in therapy sessions or as a guide dog for individuals with disabilities. Their non-shedding coat also ensures they can work in environments sensitive to allergens.

Aussiedoodle (Rare in tests)  

• Family Benefits: Aussiedoodles, a cross between the Australian Shepherd and Poodle, bring intelligence, energy, and loyalty. Though rare in tests, when present, these dogs are active and playful, making them wonderful for families that engage in outdoor activities. Their non-shedding coat reduces allergen concerns, and their adaptability allows them to fit into various family dynamics.
• Therapy Benefits: Due to their high energy and intelligence, Aussiedoodles excel in more active therapy environments where engagement and play are part of the therapeutic process. They can be trained for complex tasks and excel in environments such as schools or therapy centers where interaction with children is key.