It is always said that a dog is man's best friend. Indeed the dog was one, among the first animals to be domesticated by mankind. The dogs that are found today are mostly classified into different categories according to the work that they do or their size. Some common types of dogs and their sub-categories are as follows.
  • Companion Dogs: Lap Dogs and Poodles
  • Guard Dogs: Bulldogs and Molossers
  • Hunting Dogs: Retrievers and Setters
  • Parish Dogs: Ferals
  • Pastoral Dogs: Collies and Welsh Corgis
  • Sledge Dogs: Eskimo dogs and Eurohounds
Out of all these dog breeds, the companion dogs are the smallest in size and are prominently used as pets and companions to household. Companion dogs are the best small dogs for adoption. These dogs are preferred as companions by many people due to the fact that they are small in size and also have a very attractive coats.

German Spitz
The German Spitz, also known as the Deutscher Spitz, is a dog breed that originated in Germany. The small dogs for adoption that belong to this breed are miniature in size when they are born and remain very short throughout their lives. The German Spitz also has very flowing and soft fur with abundant hair on its tail. If you are living in the tropical, sub tropical and monsoon region, then your Spitz requires a haircut during the summers. This breed also needs a cool space to lie down and relax during the summers. The diet of this breed is negligible and the dog does not keep on demanding a high calorie food. The German Spitz is especially fond of places like gardens which are a bit cooler than the atmospheric temperature. There are many different categories within the German Spitz breed. These categories are usually classified on the basis of their fur color.

Yorkshire Terrier
Among the small dog puppies for adoption, the Yorkshire terrier is the fluffiest and also the one which needs a good amount of dog care. This breed originated in England in the 17th century and became extremely popular in the mid 20th century. The Yorkshire terrier is one of the favorite lap-dog of the nobility of Europe and is a companion to many ladies from the high-class society. The Yorkshire Terrier has an outstanding intelligence and tends to carry itself very well. According to many dog owners, the Terriers are excellent expression readers, and they always seem to understand the master's emotions. The only drawback of the Terrier is the excessive fur that needs a lot of care and frequent baths.

Papillon
The Papillon is a category of spaniels that originated in Spain, Belgium and France. One of the most noticed features of Papillon dogs is their butterfly like ears and symmetrical faces. The name of this breed is in fact derived from this feature. Papillons are found in a variety of shades and fur colors, that range from black and white, to lemon shade and stable shade. These dogs possess surprising amounts of strengths and are rather fierce and aggressive. Papillons have displayed extraordinary strengths in small dogs competitions.

One must remember that puppies can be costly and require a lot of care and love. These dogs are never good guard dogs or hunting dogs, but are certainly very lovable and faithful companions.