Dogs normally have varying weights depending upon how much food they eat and what sort of exercise they get. Normally, hounds may weigh around 28-33 pounds or 50 pounds depending upon what sort of hound they are.

Dogs who weigh less than 30 pounds are slim and generally able to run faster along with requiring lesser nutritional needs. Though that doesn’t change the fact that an owner should simply reduce their diet, rather they should focus on keeping their dogs healthy as they are. It is also important to make sure that these dog breeds are kept engaged in activities to keep them from becoming destructive.

This article will be dealing with the top 15 dog breeds under 30 pounds and where they originated along with what breed of dogs they belong to. If you are an owner looking for a slim dog, then this will certainly be a good place to look for some of the under 30 pounds dog breeds and get them as soon as possible.

Top 15 Dog Breeds Under 30 Pounds

If you are looking for dog breeds under 30 pounds, then this list may just be helpful enough for you to find yourself some slim and adorable dogs:

1. Shiba Inu

Breed Overview:

• Group: Sporting
• Height: 13.5-16.5 inches
• Weight: 17-23 pounds
• Coat and Color: Double coat that is short in length. Colors can include: Cream, Black & Tan, Red, and Red Sesame
• Life Span: 13-16 years
• Origin: Japan

Bred in Japan for hunting small games, Shiba Inu for many is considered to be a rather exotic dog breed, although weighing just under or over 23 pounds. This dog breed can be an effective friend, it is also considered to be one out of the six native breeds of Japan and therefore a national dog for the country.

While it is possible to get a Shiba Inu, it certainly will involve some tricky work along the way to get this dog breed.

Read more: Types of Spaniel Dog Breeds

2. Lhasa Apso

Breed Overview:

• Group: Non-Sporting
• Height: 10-11 inches or smaller
• Weight: 12-18 pounds
• Coat and Color: A long-length coat that is silky. Colors may include White, Grizzle, Red, Black, etc.
• Life Span: 12-15 years
• Origin: Tibet

Technically a rather tiny dog, Lhasa Apso may look delicate, but they are some of the best sentinel dogs one could keep around for getting alerts about a potential intruder. These dog breeds are also perfect for some fun time playing around with as they are regular comedians who can work well to make any owner laugh at their antics.

While they can be trained easily, it is recommended to train them gently to make sure they don’t become rebellious.

Read more: Dog Breeds Like Pit Bulls

3. Bichon Frise

Breed Overview:

• Group: Non-Sporting
• Height: 9.5-11.5 inches
• Weight: 12-18 pounds and above
• Coat and Color: Curly double coat that is long in length. Colors include: White & Buff, White, White & Apricot, White & Cream
• Life Span: 14-15 years
• Origin: France

With a coat fluffy enough to be cuddle-friendly, Bichon Frise is one of the most adorable dogs you could have. With a short and tiny frame and friendly personality, this dog is the best companion dog you could ask for. Especially so as they are generally good for families and will always make you or your family members laugh with their acts.

4. Pug

Breed Overview:

• Group: Toy
• Height: 10-13 inches
• Weight: 14-18 pounds
• Coat and Color: Coat that is smooth and wrinkly along with being short in length. Colors are: Fawn, Black
• Life Span: 13-15 years
• Origin: China

Said to be the dog of the royalty since they were bred for such, Pugs are now generally domesticated dogs who can also be used as great watchdogs since they are wary of strangers. This means that if someone were to enter your property without you knowing, they will bark as much as possible to alert you or drive the intruder away.

5. Chihuahua

Breed Overview:

• Group: Toy
• Height: 5-8 inches
• Weight: 6 pounds
• Coat and Color: Short-medium length coat. Short. Colors are Blue & Tan, Black or Red, etc.
• Life Span: 14-16 years
• Origin: Mexico

Petite and adorable, the Chihuahua has long gained the notoriety of being one of the tiniest dogs that could fit in the palm of a hand. The bubbly personality of a Chihuahua along with its tiny frame makes for an ideal family dog.

Do note that these affordable dog breeds shouldn’t be messed around with too much by children as the Chihuahua can be delicate along with getting proper heat insulation during the winter season.

6. Brussels Griffon

Breed Overview:

• Group: Toy
• Height: 7-10 inches
• Weight: 8-10 pounds, females can weigh less than 15 pounds compared to males
• Coat and Color: Short and medium-length double coat that is wiry and smooth. Colors include: Belge, Black, Black & Tan, Red
• Life Span: 12-15 years
• Origin: Brussels, Belgium

With whiskers that make them look bearded, the Brussels Griffon are some of the most intelligent dogs despite their normally aloof and comical personality. Eager to please and ready to learn what their beloved owner teaches them, the Brussels Griffon is certainly some of the best companion dogs.

Due to their rather small size, it is, unfortunately, a bad idea to try and play roughhousing with them if you have children at home as the Griffon are sensitive and delicate due to their small frame.

 7. Havanese

Breed Overview:

• Group: Toy
• Height: 8.5-11.5 inches
• Weight: 40-70 pounds
• Coat and Color: Silky double coat that is long in length. Colors include Gold, Red, Silver, White, etc.
• Life Span: 14-16 years
• Origin: Cuba

The Havanese can be some of the easiest dog breeds to adopt as they are willing to be adaptive to any environment, whether it is a city or a rural place. These breeds are naturally friendly and love to display tricks whenever possible which can attract attention without fail.

If you are looking for a fun partner, then this one is truly the best companion dog you can get for yourself!

8. Boston Terrier

Breed Overview:

• Group: Non-Sporting
• Height: 15-17 inches
• Weight: 12-25 pounds
• Coat and Color: Short-length smooth coat. Colors include: Black & White, Black Brindle & White, Brindle & White, Seal & White or Seal Brindle & White
• Life Span: 11-13 years
• Origin: United States

Rather polite in behavior, the Boston Terriers are considered to be some of the most friendly and calm temperament dogs bred in the U.S. The tuxedo-style coating only serves to further amplify their professional and regal looks along with their kind personality.

If you are looking for a dog that is highly trainable, then Boston Terrier is truly that type to easily train and be fun to have around.

9. Pomeranian

Breed Overview:

• Group: Toy
• Height: 6-7 inches
• Weight: 3-7 pounds
• Coat and Color: Double coat which is long in length. Colors include: Orange Sable, Beaver, Chocolate and Black etc…
• Life Span: 12-16 years
• Origin: Poland, Germany

Being huge fur balls, Pomeranians are incredibly bright and cheerful in personality along with being lightweight, weighing somewhere around 3 or 7 pounds. Easy to carry around with and play, these dogs can turn someone’s dark and depressing day into a joyous one with their energetic antics.

Curious and wary of strangers, these dogs can also make perfect watchdogs as they will bark at those they think are not up to the mark of their trust.

10. Papillon

Breed Overview:

• Group: Toy
• Height: 8-11 inches
• Weight: 5-10 pounds
• Coat and Color: Silky medium-length coat. Colors may include: White & Lemon, White & Black, White & Sable etc.
• Life Span: 14-16 years
• Origin: France

Known for their butterfly shaped ears and given the name hence, the Papillon dog breed truly exudes a look of pure regality and brilliance that might just be shining like the sun even. Technically considered to belong to the spaniel breed of dogs, the Papillon is smart as well as friendly.

If you are looking for a cuddle partner also, then no is better than the Papillon as they love to receive adoration and affection as much as possible.

11. Italian Greyhound

Breed Overview:

• Group: Toy
• Height: 13-15 inches
• Weight: 7-14 pounds
• Coat and Color: Smoot and short coat. Colors include: Cream, Black, Sable etc…
• Life Span: 14-15 years
• Origin: Italy

 

Gentle and loving yet shy and wary around strangers, the Italian Greyhound, despite their name, are truly dog breeds who seek simple adoration. Considered to be some of the smallest sight hounds, the Italian greyhounds are exceptional at hunting or chasing.

But the one thing that makes this dog breed appealing is their positive and hopeful nature, which truly shines through their actions.

12. Maltese

Breed Overview:

• Group: Toy
• Height: 7-9 inches
• Weight: 7 pounds or under
• Coat and Color: Smooth and Silky white coat.
• Life Span: 12-15 years
• Origin: Mediterranean Basin

The Maltese are some of the smallest dog breeds along with being lightweight as they can go up to 7 pounds or remain below it. Bred for hunting pests such as rats for protecting food supplies, the Maltese breed of dogs has become popular worldwide including in Malta.

If you are looking for a great companion dog, then the Maltese will definitely fill up the quota as they are some of the easiest dog breeds to train also.

13. Volpino

Breed Overview:

• Group: Foundation Stock Service (Not recognized by AKC)
• Height: 10.5-12 inches
• Weight: 8-16 pounds
• Coat and Color: Normal long coat. Colors are Red and White.
• Life Span: 12-15 years
• Origin: Italy

A Spitz breed, these dogs are extremely agile and willing to play around, the Volpino dog breeds are some of the most playful dog breeds to have around. While originally gone to the state of extinction, the Volpino dogs made a triumphant return in the 1960s through the interest of Italian Breeders and now are some of the best small buddies to have in the long run.

14. Norfolk Terrier

Breed Overview:

• Group: Terrier
• Height: 9-10 inches
• Weight: 11-12 pounds
• Coat and Color: Double coat that is wiry and short in length. Colors are: Black & Tan, Grizzle, Red and Red Wheaten
• Life Span: 12-16 years
• Origin: Great Britain

Loyal and inquisitive, the Norfolk Terriers are confident yet loving in the sense that they can switch between these personalities depending on the work they currently are doing to sustain themselves.

These dog breeds are generally fond of living in a family and would generally hate being left alone for too long, which can also make them slightly destructive and rebellious.

15. Pekingese

Breed Overview:

• Group: Toy
• Height: 6-9 inches
• Weight: 14 pounds or less
• Coat and Color: Long topcoat and undercoat. Colors are: Gray Sable, Cream, Red, Biscuit etc.
• Life Span: 12-14 years
• Origin: China

Furry and hairy while being friendly, the Pekingese dog breeds are truly dogs of royalty. Always eager to play around and have fun, these dog breeds are especially fond of those they truly prefer and will always remain loyal to them. As these dogs were originally bred for emperors in China, these dogs may slightly hate messing around with kids and might react in irritation.

Conclusion

Despite some of the dog breeds in this list being slightly delicate to handle and hard to find, if one looks hard enough through reputable breeders, they will certainly be able to get healthy dogs for themselves. Dog breeds under 30 pounds are normally easy to carry around and lightweight enough to run and jump as much as possible without tiring.

On the other hand, dog breeds under 30 pounds can slightly be vulnerable to bigger dog breeds or other big animals, which may result in the small dog breeds being threatened or even killed if not looked after properly. Else, as long as dog breeds under 30 pounds are well taken care of in terms of nutrition and given an appropriate diet, they will remain strong enough to fight off predators and always remain playful.