While you might wish that your dog stays in that precious puppy stage, most breeds grow up and become much bigger. Sure, that's a good thing when it comes to mellowing behavior, but some of us do prefer our pups on the tinier side. Thankfully, there are plenty of options when it comes to breeds that don't change much as they get older. In fact, many dogs maintain a smaller frame their entire life, which makes them perfect for people who live in cities or have small children. Read on to discover nine dog breeds that look like puppies forever.
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You might recognize a Yorkshire Terrier by their signature long hair style, according to Daniel Caughill, dog expert and co-founder of The Dog Tale. But “if you keep them in a short puppy cut, Yorkies will look like puppies for basically their whole lives,” he says.
According to Caughill, this is one of the smallest dog breeds out there—reaching just around 7 pounds on average. “And you'll rarely see a purebred Yorkie that weighs more than 12 pounds,” he adds.
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Cavalier King Charles Spaniels grow a little larger than a Yorkshire Terrier, with the typical weight for this dog breed being around 13 to 18 pounds, according to Caughill. But he notes that other aspects of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel make them one of the most puppy-like options.
“This adorable breed has a sweet disposition and makes a great family pet. And their big floppy ears make them look like puppies forever,” Caughill shares.
A Shih Tzu typically falls between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in terms of size. Patrik Holmboe, a veterinarian with Cooper Pet Care, says that this breed only grows to a maximum size of 8 to 16 pounds, which helps to give it “that perpetual puppy look.”
Shih Tzus are also “known to be especially affectionate with children,” according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). “As a small dog bred to spend most of their day inside royal palaces, they make a great pet if you live in an apartment or lack a big backyard,” the organization says.
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If you're looking for a puppy-like pet that packs a lot of intelligence and personality in a small frame, Caughill suggests a Toy Poodle. According to The Dog Tale co-founder, these dogs weigh just 5 pounds on average.
“They will especially look like a puppy with a short, puffy haircut,” Caughill adds.
Courtnye Jackson, veterinarian and founder of The Pets Digest, says you can also get the same puppy-like appearance from anything mixed with a Toy Poodle—like a Yorkiepoo, which is a hybrid dog breed that results from breeding a Yorkshire Terrier and either a Toy or Miniature Poodle.
“One main reason the Yorkiepoo looks like a puppy forever is their large puppy eyes,” Jackson notes. “In addition, they are usually fairly active even into old age and have a youthful spirit. Due to this, they can really appear puppy-like.”
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The Maltese breed also belongs to the Toy group of dogs, Caughill tells Best Life. “So they only grow to about 7 lbs. when fully grown,” he says.
But that's not the only thing that makes a Maltese a perfect choice if you're looking for a forever puppy.
“Maltese are a tiny, fluffy, white breed that sometimes look more like a lamb than a dog,” Caughill says. “They love to play, but they also make wonderful lap dogs if the people in your family love to cuddle.”
Pomeranians weigh around just 3 to 7 pounds, and they don't really change their appearance as they get older, according to Caughill.
“So they'll look like a puppy for life,” he shares. “Pomeranians are a spunky, fluffy little breed who love to play and make their presence known.”
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Chihuahuas are another breed that doesn't change much in appearance over time, and that means they'll be tiny forever.
“Chihuahuas tend to look fairly young into old age mainly due to their small stature and large eyes when compared to the rest of their body,” Jackson explains.
These little guys only grow to a maximum size of 4 to 10 pounds, Holmboe points out.
The AKC describes the Bichon Frise as a “small but sturdy” dog. According to Holmboe, this breed only grows to a maximum size of 1o to 20 pounds. Their “soft, often fluffy coat” also helps keep that “youthful, baby-like appearance,” Holmboe adds.
“Bichons are adaptable companions who get on well with other dogs and children,” the AKC notes on its website. “Their confidence and size make them ideal city dogs.”
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