Breed Tips

Top Small Dog Names for Aspiring Dog Owners

Small dogs have a long history of being pampered by royalty and celebrities across the globe. From ancient times when tiny dogs snuggled in the laps of Egyptian pharaohs to the modern era of purse-sized pups in Hollywood, these little furballs have always been adored. 

Whether you have the rebellious Chihuahua or the playful Pomeranian, each one comes with its own unique features. These small dogs can also further be classified as toy, miniature, and small dogs. We’ve got some interesting names for each one of these. Let’s get started!

Little Dog Names 

Pomeranian

We’ll talk about Miniature dog breeds here. Before getting to the names, let’s get to know these breeds a little bit. 

First of all, we know we used the word ‘miniature’ here, but it isn’t an official size. It is often used for dogs that are smaller than the small-sized breeds. They can also be smaller versions of the small breeds. Poodle, for example, comes in sizes like standard, miniature and toy. 

These dogs are usually up to 15 inches tall and not more than 20 pounds in weight. They may be small in size, but their personalities are big. Some popular miniature dog breeds include Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Dachshunds, Miniature Schnauzers, Shih Tzus, Havanese, etc. Names now? Here they are – 

  • Chico – Spanish for small boy.

  • Chichi – For the little Chihuahuas but not bad even for other breeds

  • Nacho – For your bite-sized playful pup

  • Taco – If you’re not a Nacho fan

  • Fluffernutter – The sandwich is made up of peanut butter and doesn’t your pup resemble a peanut?

  • Pom-Pom – For the small Pomeranians.

  • Weenie – Popular name for Dachshunds

  • Sausage – Your Dachshund may look exactly like one

  • Cupcake – Sweet and small. Just that this one would be healthy for you.

  • Button – The switch for your happiness

  • Sir Barksalot – Do not underestimate the energy in these dogs. 

Names for Small Dogs

Yorkshire Terrier

Let’s talk about a size slightly bigger than the miniature dogs we talked about above. These dogs weigh not more than 30 pounds. Some examples here include Yorkshire Terriers, Poodles (they come in multiple sizes), Pug, etc. While you could go for one of the names from the above list as well, here are some more names for your small dog – 

  • Nugget – Just as fun.

  • Pipsqueak: For the little one with a big personality.

  • Atom – Small in size and big in explosion, just like your small dog.

  • Scooter – Reflecting their energy.

  • Bean – Or Mr. Bean for the Rowan Atkinson fans. 

  • Twinkle – For the small and bright star of your life.

  • Bubble – For the burst of energy.

Want to go humorous? How about - 

  • Bark Twain 

  • Chewbacca

  • Biscuit bandit 

  • Teeny Houdini

  • Yoda

By the way, ‘teacup’ is also not a bad name.

Best Tiny Dog Names

Toy Poodle

Let’s go to the smallest size out there – Teacup dogs. When we say teacup, it may sound like a metaphor but these dogs are actually the size of one. These are not separate breeds in themselves but a size variation of existing breeds. For them to qualify as one, they need to be between 2-5 pounds of weight, with a length not more than 17 inches. Given these standards, there are six true teacup breeds: Teacup Chihuahua, Teacup Maltese, Teacup Poodle, Teacup Pomeranian, Teacup Yorkie and Teacup Shih Tzu. 

Here are some great names for your tini-tiny dog – 

  • Sprout 

  • Pebble

  • Chickpea 

  • Minnie (if you have another male, you could try Micky)

  • Doodle

  • Proton

How about you go the opposite way?

  • Hagrid – The half-giant from Harry Potter.

  • Giant

  • Titan

  • Thor

  • Mammoth

  • Kong

  • Tank

  • Mufasa

  • Gargantua

There’s no compulsion to name your dog according to the size, right?

What to Name a Small Fluffy Dog

How Much Does a Bichon Frise Cost?

Looks like you’ve got a Pomeranian or a Bichon Frise. Or is it a Poodle? Maltese? Okay no more guessing game. We’ll work with the information – fluffy dog. Here are some great names for your small fluffy dog – 

  • Furball

  • Fluffmaster

  • Marshmallow

  • Cotton Candy

  • Snow

  • Teddy

Didn’t like any? How about an obvious but cute one - Fluff? 

More About Spot Pet Insurance

Small dogs are big in personalities, energy, affection, intelligence and a lot of love. But they do come with their set of health risks. The most common health problems found in small dogs are – (1)

  • Patellar Luxation

  • Mitral Valve Disease

  • Tracheal Collapse

  • Dental diseases

  • Obesity

While these are the most common ones, small dogs are prone to several other medical issues. The treatment costs for these can end up causing a big dent in your savings at times. But with pet health insurance, you can save up to 90% of the costs. 

Dog Insurance can help provide financial assistance for eligible veterinary care in case of unexpected accidents, illnesses, or injuries. Our plans can help pet parents manage the eligible costs of covered veterinary care and help ensure that their pets can receive the best treatment possible. Here are some ways that Spot pet insurance plans can help:

  • Covers Unexpected Veterinary Costs: Spot pet insurance plans cover the eligible costs of unexpected veterinary treatments, such as emergency surgeries, X-rays, and prescription medications for covered conditions.

  • Customizable Plans: Choose your annual limit, reimbursement rate, and deductible from a range of options, and create the plan that will fit the needs of your pet and your budget. 

  • Peace of Mind: With Spot pet insurance plans, pet parents can know that they can provide the best care for their pet with less worry about the cost.

To learn more about Spot Plans or to get a free quote, click here.

Sources

  1. Hill’s Pet Nutrition. (2022, August 30). Typical health problems in small breed dogs. https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/healthcare/common-health-problems-in-small-dogs?lightboxfired=true#

  2. Hitchcock, K. (2024, May 29). 22 Popular Miniature Dog Breeds (With Pictures) – Dogster. Dogster. https://www.dogster.com/dog-breeds/miniature-dog-breeds

  3. Conklin, L. M. (2024, May 31). 31 Toy Dog Breeds that Stay Puppy-Sized Forever. Reader’s Digest. https://www.rd.com/article/toy-dog-breeds/


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