Companion and toy dogs
Companion and toy dogs were bred to live alongside people: bichons, poodles, Cavalier King Charles, Chihuahuas, French Bulldogs… Often small and affectionate, they adapt well to apartment life. Flat-faced breeds cope poorly with heat and exertion.
FCI Group 9, 24 breeds, from the most registered with the French Kennel Club (LOF) in 2025 to the rarest.
Rank these breeds to fit your life-
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
United Kingdom · Companion and toy dogs
Small · moderate energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Chihuahua
Mexico · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · moderate energy · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -
French Bulldog
France · Companion and toy dogs
Small · calm · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Shih Tzu
Tibet / China · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · calm · very high coat care
High-maintenance coat -
Coton de Tulear
Madagascar · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · moderate energy · very high coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Havanese
Cuba · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · moderate energy · high coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Miniature Poodle
France · Companion and toy dogs
Small · high energy · very high coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Bichon Frise
Belgium / France · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · moderate energy · very high coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Pug
China · Companion and toy dogs
Small · calm · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Maltese
Malta, Mediterranean basin · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · moderate energy · very high coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Boston Terrier
Boston, Massachusetts, United States · Companion and toy dogs
Small · moderate energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Papillon
France and Belgium · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · high energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Lhasa Apso
Tibet · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · calm · very high coat care
High-maintenance coat -
Tibetan Spaniel
Tibet · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · moderate energy · low coat care
-
Toy Poodle
France · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · moderate energy · very high coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Chinese Crested
China · Companion and toy dogs
Small · moderate energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Standard Poodle
France · Companion and toy dogs
Large · high energy · very high coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Tibetan Terrier
Tibet · Companion and toy dogs
Small · moderate energy · very high coat care
High-maintenance coat -
Russian Toy
Russia · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · moderate energy · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Pekingese
China · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · very calm · very high coat care
Sheds a lot -
Japanese Chin
Japan · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · calm · average coat care
Sensitive to heat -
Medium Poodle
France · Companion and toy dogs
Medium · high energy · very high coat care
Struggles when left alone -
King Charles Spaniel
England · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · calm · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Löwchen
France · Companion and toy dogs
Small · moderate energy · high coat care
Struggles when left alone
