In todays society there is a growing fad for small dogs. With so many different breeds it's hard to keep track of all of them. There are even cross breeds now such as the Bassetoodle, Boxerdoodle, Airedoodle and the Chi-Poo which is half Chihuahua half Poodle. We will discuss this fad and the most popular of the small dog breeds.

More and more people are living in small metropolitan areas and have limited space for keeping a large pet in an apartment. This is one of the reasons that small breed dogs are becoming so popular in that sector. Small breeds are great because they can comfortably live inside small living areas, they don't create a lot of waste, and they make loving companions with unique personalities. It is important to remember that different breeds have different temperaments and characteristics, and if you decide you want to own one it is important to know them. Some of the most popular dog breeds are as follows:

*Chihuahua - The Chihuahua has over time become the most popular of the small dog breeds. Celebrities like Paris Hilton carrying her pet Chihuahua everywhere she goes. They are the smallest dog breed in the world, but their temperament doesn't show it at all. Chihuahua's like to bark and larger breeds and even show aggression towards them. Keeping the away from larger dogs is a must for every owner. Picking a fight with other large dogs is something you don't want with this little pet. They are also somewhat stubborn when it comes to training them. Chihuahuas are smart, but are very well known for being difficult to train.

* Yorkie - The Yorkie is the second most popular dog breed in the United States. They are loving, loyal, energetic and highly intelligent dogs, Yorkies are known for their long, flowing hair which leads to lots of dog competition awards. Thier intelligence level is notorious, as they can learn commands much faster than the majority of other dog breeds. Some tricks you can teach a Yorkie are laying down, go fetch (of course), standing up, sit and whatever else your imagination can come up with.

* Poodle - This breed of dog is known for their elegance in the show ring. Their coats do require regular, professional grooming to keep their lofty look, but they don't shed like some other breeds, which is a plus. The poodle is also a very intelligent breed and are often used in circus shows around the world

* Pug - Pugs are recognized right away because of their wrinkled and flat faces that people seem to adore. Very social dogs, they seem to adapt well with other animals and people, but they are somewhat difficult to potty train. Once they have it down though, they are very good at holding their urine until its time to go out on their regular breaks. Persistence and patients wins out with the pugs.

If you are thinking about owning a small breed dog the above are some of the most popular, but there are many other options. You may look around and find a breed you like better.